In 2007, educational theatre programs, professional theatres, and all other users of wireless microphones were required to upgrade or buy new wireless microphone equipment in order to be compliance with the Federal Communication Commission’s White Space ruling. The ruling was the result of the sale of radio band spectrum to public companies seeking to expand the use of wireless mobile devices. This demanded that wireless microphone’s be moved out the 700 MHz band where they had operated for many years, into the so-called TV band of the spectrum. This move cost money that most of our programs could ill-afford. Further, the ruling called for the creation of a geo-database that users were expected to access to ensure that they would not incur any interference from others users operating at the same frequency.
Now the FCC has proposed another change: The Commission has ruled that only performing arts entities that regularly use 50 or more wireless devices will be eligible to apply for a Part 74 license—the registration requirement that allows wireless microphone users to access the geo-database. That ruling would effectively eliminate all schools, along with most professional theatres, from using the database, thus leaving theatre productions no protection interference mechanism. Further, the new ruling may demand yet another spectrum move for wireless microphones and a new round of equipment upgrades and/or purchases.
The Commission is seeking public comment, but the window of time is short; the Educational Theatre Association, along with many other organizations (the Broadway League, Theatre Communications Group, SAG-AFTRA, among others), are gathering letters to express our concerns to the FCC. The FCC has also requested information about how organizations use wireless microphones, with what frequency, and other pertinent technical data (including how each organization dealt with the 2007 spectrum move).
EdTA has created an adaptable Dear FCC Template Letter for you to use (the editable elements are in red). We need you to return these letters, on your school letterhead, to jpalmarini@schooltheatre.org by January 15, in a PDF or Word format.
The letter also includes a series of technical questions about your school’s usage of wireless microphones; just answer as many of them as possible as accurately as you can. The important thing here is that members of EdTA respond and let the FCC know that we’re a concerned body of wireless microphone users and that this ruling will impact how we serve our students.