Wireless microphones - welcome

Mark Arkell, ManagerSpectrum Engineering Section

2 July 2013

> Agenda

Time Item

12:00pm WelcomeMark Arkell, Manager, Spectrum Engineering Section

12:05pm Overview of wireless audio transmittersMark Arkell, Manager, Spectrum Engineering Section

12:15pm Wireless audio transmitters in the digital dividend frequencies – supply arrangements discussion paperPatrick Emery, Manager, Technical Regulation Development Section

12:25pm Overview of the ACMA’s education and outreach activities for 2013-14Mark Arkell, Manager, Spectrum Engineering Section

12:35pm Question time

1:00pm Webinar ends

> On the WebEx display, there is a ‘chat’ box

> If you have a question, type it into the chat box - Make sure you send it to ‘Host and Presenter’

> We will answer the questions during question time

> If we run out of time, we will post the answers to all questions on our website

If you have a question during the webinar

Overview of wireless audio transmitters and the digital dividend

Mark Arkell, ManagerSpectrum Engineering Section

What’s happening

> Around Australia, there are many wireless audio systems operating in the range 520-820MHz.

> Share spectrum with television broadcasting services> After 31 December 2014, wireless microphones will no longer be

able to operate in the 694-820 MHz frequency range. > The restack of television services will also change channel

availability below 694 MHz. > Check with your wireless microphone manufacturer or supplier to

find out if your wireless microphone will be affected.

Why the changes?

> In 2010 the frequency range 694-820 MHz was announced as Australia digital dividend, spectrum to be used for future mobile broadband services.

> The digital dividend is spectrum that will be made available through the change from analog to digital television.

> The digital dividend requires television broadcast services that operate in 520-820 MHz to be restack below 694 MHz

> For wireless audio systems currently operating in the 520-820 MHz under a class licence. After 31 December 2014 they will no longer be allowed to operate in 694-820 MHz.

What is the “Digital Dividend”?

520-820MHz is the frequency range used for television broadcasting.

In 2010, it was announced that broadcast services would be cleared from 694-820MHz It was recently auctioned, and will be used for next generation mobile services.

520 MHz 820 MHz694 MHz

This reclaimed spectrum is known as the Digital Dividend.

Digital Dividend

What effect will this have on my equipment?

520 MHz 820 MHz694 MHz

Digital Dividend new use 2015

Restack 2013-2014

Analog switchoff 2011-2013

Digital TV starts 2001

Analog TV channels pre-2001

What effect will this have on my equipment?

520 MHz 820 MHz694 MHz

Comparison of available spectrum before and after

Channel availability varies in different areas

> Different channels are used for television broadcasting in different areas of Australia

> How do I find out what channels are used in my area?

694-820 MHz

Current class licence arrangements

Arrangements specifically for wireless audio transmitters: > 174-230 MHz in the VHF television unused TV channels (low

power and limited availability in capital city areas > 1790-1800 MHz band.

Other spectrum opportunities for wireless microphones also exist in the following bands:

> 173.29375 - 174 MHz (all transmitters)> 433.05 - 434.79 MHz (all transmitters)> 915 - 928 MHz (all transmitters, digital modulation transmitters)> 2400 - 2483.5 MHz (all transmitters, digital modulation

transmitters)

Transition to new arrangements – Three areas of work

> Spectrum options now and in the future

> Changes in supply arrangements

> Informing and engaging with stakeholders

Proposed arrangements for the supply of wireless audio devices operating in the 694-820 MHz range

Patrick Emery, ManagerTechnical Regulation Development Section

Why are these changes required?

> Next step in the transition of wireless audio devices from the 694–820 MHz frequency range.

> Aligns supply arrangements with the sunsetting availability of the 694-820MHz frequency range for wireless audio transmitter operation/use.

> Provides a transition timeframe for manufacturers and importers.

> Supports informed decisions by purchasers looking to buy wireless audio transmitters.

Current arrangements> The ACMA equipment performance standard for wireless audio

transmitters is the Radiocommunications (Short Range Devices) Standard 2004 (SRD Standard).

> Adopts the requirements of Standards Australia’s Technical Standard AS/NZS 4268.

> Provides for a 12-month ‘grandfathering’ period, for compliance with an amended standard.

> The ACMA may by notice made under subsection 182(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992, require manufacturers or importers to label devices to indicate compliance with the requirements of a specified standard and/or class licence.

> The Radiocommunications Devices (Compliance Labelling) Notice 2003 (Labelling Notice) imposes technical compliance, labelling and record keeping obligations on manufacturers and importers of wireless audio transmitters.

Proposed regulatory arrangements

> Changes to the Technical Standard will exclude the 694–820 MHz range from frequencies available for wireless audio transmitter use. The revised Technical Standard is expected to be published by October 2013.

> Changes proposed to the SRD Standard will reduce the ‘grandfathered’ period for compliance by relevant wireless audio transmitters (i.e. devices operating in the 694-820 MHz frequency range) with the amended Technical Standard from one year to three months.

> Changes proposed to the Labelling Notice will require importers and manufacturers of relevant wireless audio transmitters to provide, in instructions or documents that accompany the devices, a brief written statement about limitations on use after 31 December 2014.

> Consultation on proposed arrangements closes on 9 July 2013.

Effect of proposed changes

SRD Standard changes

> Cut off date – 3 months from publication of the revised Technical Standard. ‘Grandfathered’ period that allows compliance with ‘old’ Standard will cease at the end of 3 months.

> Relevant wireless audio transmitters that are already labelled to indicate compliance with ‘old’ Standard on this date can continue to be supplied BUT operation of the devices will be illegal after 31 December 2014.

> Wireless audio transmitters imported into or manufactured in Australia for supply after the cut off date must comply with ‘revised’ Standard.

Labelling Notice changes

> Relevant wireless audio transmitters labelled after the amendment takes effect must comply with the additional information requirement.

Contact details

Contact: Patrick Emery, Manager Technical Regulation Development Section T +61 3 9963 6874

E patrick.emery@acma.gov.au

Overview of the ACMA’s education and outreach activities 2013-14

Mark Arkell, ManagerSpectrum Engineering Section

Overview

> Three broad categories of stakeholders> Professional users> ‘Plug and play’ users> Suppliers of wireless microphones

> Stakeholder engagement plan> Preceding activities (Jan 2010 to June 2013)> Outreach and education (July 2013 to Dec 2014)

> How to stay informed

Preceding activities

> Since 2010, the ACMA has been working with industry and users to let them know about changes affecting wireless microphones> Green Paper (Jan 2010)> ACMA and DBCDE consultations with users and industry

(2011)> Information on the ACMA’s website (2011)> Industry workshop (Dec 2012)> LIPD class licence variation (May 2013)> Google AdWords (May 2013)> Discussion paper on supply arrangements (June 2013)

Outreach and education

> ACMA to ramp up outreach and education activities from July 2013 onwards

> Education and compliance activities from January 2015 onwards, if required

> ACMA is taking a holistic approach> Information targeting each stakeholder group> Seeking AWAG’s cooperation to identify affected users and

industry

> ACMA will publish a high-level stakeholder engagement plan> Outlines outreach and education activities> Ramp up of education and awareness activities July-Dec

2014> Systematically target sub-groups of stakeholders> Leverage off existing industry, user and community groups,

associations and networks to educate as many users and suppliers as possible

> Industry groups, e.g., AWAG, trade press/publications> Community level, e.g., local newspapers> Consumer groups, e.g., Consumers’ Federation of

Australia, Choice

> Information to be provided:> Monthly e-bulletins will provide latest information and updates> Revamping website information (next slide)> Factsheets to be made available and circulated (next slide)> Webinars

Website and factsheets

> Revamping website information> Clear and easy-to-understand> Information targeted at professional users, plug and play

users, and suppliers> Provide information on what users and suppliers need to do,

how they can get more advice> Factsheets to be made available and distributed widely

Staying informed

> Sign-up to our e-bulletin

http://www.acma.gov.au/WMebulletin

> Website

http://www.acma.gov.au/Industry/Suppliers/A-Type-of-equipment/Wireless-microphones

> Email: freqplan@acma.gov.au

Question time

> On the WebEx display, there is a ‘chat’ box

> If you have a question, type it into the chat box - Make sure you send it to ‘Host and Presenter’

> We will answer the questions during question time

> If we run out of time, we will post the answers to all questions on our website