The New Owners of the FCC’s Auctioned Frequencies Aren’t Waiting Until 2020; The Time to Switch is Now
Earlier this year — April 13, to be precise — the FCC triggered a 39-month phase-in period for their one-time reallocation of what is commonly referred to as the 600MHz band of wireless spectrum by publishing their Channel Reallocation Public Notice (CRPN). Users of wireless devices, it seemed, had until 2020 before they would need to finally phase out their use of gear in the no-longer-legal 600MHz frequencies.
As it turns out, however, the companies that spent billions to buy the rights to UHF TV channels 36 to 51 — the 608 to 698 MHz UHF spectrum — won’t be waiting until 2020 before trying to get a return from that huge investment in wireless spectrum for their shareholders. (See T-Mobile sidebar, page 51).
So with the de facto deadline for dealing with the loss of available 600 MHz spectrum moving up from 2020 to late 2017 (i.e., right now), what’s an owner/user of wireless gear that relies on interference-prone (and possibly illegal) spectrum frequencies to do?
The best advice is to consult with the companies that sold you the gear in the first place. They can help you decide whether to simply replace your gear with new-and-approved products (perhaps the best option for low-end gear) or to extend the usability of potentially problematic higher-end gear with a firmware update.
Pro audio gear manufacturers succeeded in efforts to win approval for software that lets users continue to use 600 MHz gear by “notching out” soon-to-be illegal frequencies and use only the lower guard band (614-616 MHz) or Duplex Gap (653-657 MHz), but you’ll also need to check to see if you’ll need to obtain an FCC license to use some of these frequencies.
Here’s a look at some of the specific buy-back programs and other initiatives wireless gear manufacturers have made to help customers out with their 600 MHz band wireless woes.
Sennheiser 600 MHz Rebate Program
Sennheiser has announced a trade-in program for U.S. users affected by the loss of usable spectrum within the 600 MHz band for wireless audio. The company’s trade-in program lets customers replace non-compliant gear with wireless components designed to operate in approved frequency ranges through Dec. 31, 2017.
The Sennheiser rebate program has three steps. First, wireless equipment owners should check eligibility for the rebate by checking for a printed sticker on the equipment that indicates its operating frequency range. If the printed information indicates operation in the 600 MHz range above 608 MHz, an upgrade is required to maintain FCC compliance.
Second, customers will need to purchase authorized wireless equipment from an authorized Sennheiser dealer. Third, they will need to send their no-longer-approved gear to Sennheiser to complete the rebate process.
Sennheiser product series eligible for the promotion includes XS Wireless Series ($50), evolution wireless D1 Series ($50), AVX Series ($100), evolution wireless ew 100 G3 Series ($100), evolution wireless ew 100 G3 Portable Series ($100), evolution wireless ew 300 G3 Series ($150), evolution wireless ew 300 IEM G3 Series ($150), evolution wireless ew 500 G3 Series ($200), SpeechLine Digital Wireless Series ($200), 2000 Series ($200-$400), 2000 IEM ($200-$400), 3000/5000 Series ($300-$600), Digital 6000 ($300-$600).
For full table of eligible Sennheiser models and their trade-in values, got to https://en-us.sennheiser.com/600-mhz-promo.
Shure 600 MHz Rebate Program
Shure also announced a rebate program of up to $500 per channel on the purchase of new Shure wireless microphones and personal monitor systems accompanied by the trade-in of wireless systems operating in the 600 MHz frequency band (614-698 MHz). Products from Shure and from other wireless manufacturers are eligible for the trade-in program. The rebate is effective until April 30, 2018.
Noting FCC rules that wireless microphones and personal monitors that are capable of operating in the auctioned UHF spectrum (616-653 MHz and 663-698 MHz) are the ones affected by the latest reallocation of frequencies, Shure also emphasized that if a local mobile broadband licensee begins using these frequencies before that date, the wireless user must change frequencies to avoid interfering with them.
“As a result of the recently completed Incentive Auction of UHF spectrum, wireless microphone users in the U.S. should plan for the retirement and replacement of systems that currently operate above 614 MHz,” said Mark Brunner, vice president of corporate and government relations at Shure. “Our number one priority is to help people make the transition from legacy products to new systems that will provide dependable service and comply with updated FCC regulations.”
Customers may submit rebate forms after the purchase of the following new Shure wireless products: BLX; GLXD and GLXD Advanced; PGXD; PSM300; PSM900; PSM1000; QLXD; and ULXD, along with newer Shure products launched at trade events this year, some of which are also eligible.
To download a rebate form and view a complete summary of the terms and conditions of this rebate program, customers should visit the Shure website at shure.com/wirelessrebate. For more information about spectrum changes, visit the Shure Incentive Auction Resource Center at shure.com/americas/incentive-auction-resource-center.
Audio-Technica Trade-In/Rebate Program
Audio-Technica is offering a trade-in/rebate program that runs through March 31, 2019. Its “Plan Now, Trade In When Necessary” structure reflects the uncertain operating environment during the transition period from April 2017 to July 2020, with broadband wireless products being rolled out with different time frames for different markets.
A-T’s “Trade In On Your Terms” program is set so that for each 600 MHz wireless system users trade in (regardless of manufacturer) they will receive a rebate on an eligible Audio-Technica wireless system. Here’s the step-by-step:
1. Verify that the trade-in system operates in the 600 MHz band.
2. Purchase an eligible Audio-Technica wireless system from an authorized Audio-Technica dealer before 3/31/2019. Trade-in rebate products/prices are as follows: 2000 Series (single channel), $50; 3000 Series (single channel), $75; 4000 Series (single channel), $150; 5000 Series (dual channel), $450; System 10 Stack-Mount (single channel), $50; System 10 Stompbox (single channel), $50; System 10 Camera-Mount (single channel), $75; System 10 PRO Rack-Mount (single channel), $75; System 10 PRO Rack-Mount (dual channel), $150; M2 (single channel), $90; M3 (single channel), $120.
3. Register online at audio-technica.rebateaccess.com. Offer Promotion #78844.
4. Once registered, program participants need to follow the instructions provided and mail the following documents and equipment, including a printed trade-in rebate form, a receipt for the new A-T system with relevant info and the UPC bar code cut from the product box of each new A-T system purchased, plus the old 600 MHz wireless receiver and transmitter. (Complete details are posted at audio-technica.com).
Lectrosonics “Re-Blocking” Program*
Note: Since this article was written, Lectrosonics has announced a 600Mhz rebate program. For details go to http://www.fohonline.com/news/17337. -ed
Lectrosonics’ Karl Winkler notes that, instead of a rebate or buy-back program, the company offers a “re-blocking” service, where “Lectrosonics equipment owners can send their units in and have the radio board replaced for a reasonable fee. The cost for this is about one-third to one-half the cost of new equipment. By doing this, we aim to help users continue using their equipment for as long as possible, for the lowest cost of ownership.”
Detailing the program, Winkler notes that “our own frequency blocks 24, 25 and 26, and band C1 are affected by the changes to the spectrum. Users with any systems in these bands should get in touch with our Parts and Repair department to arrange for the required service.
“Block 23 and band B1 are affected as well, but these can be updated with a simple firmware change to restrict their tuning to 607.975 MHz and below,” Winkler adds.
Radio Active Designs
FOH reached out to Radio Active Designs to see if there was a rebate or buyback program and learned that the company doesn’t have any such program for the best of reasons — it isn’t needed.
One of the reasons that Radio Active Designs was conceived, according to RAD spokesperson Julie McLean Clark, was because “the professionals behind the brand (James Stoffo, Henry Cohen, Geoff Shearing) saw the future — they knew there was talk of auctioning off the 600 MHz spectrum,” she notes.
“That is the reason the UV-1G wireless intercom was born…to free up valuable UHF RF bandwidth with a receiver that takes up a mere sliver of bandwidth and six (typical intercom systems only have four channels) RAD packs that operate fully in the VHF spectrum, making it a bit easier for production folks that need to utilize wireless systems that operate in the UHF band.”
T-Mobile Seeks Speedy Return for $7.99 Billion Investment
If you think the companies that together paid $19.8 billion to acquire spectrum usage rights in the 600 MHz frequency band will be lackadaisically ambling into the space, you might be mistaken.
Judging from a timeline of public announcements made by the biggest 600 MHz spectrum investor — T-Mobile — these companies appear intent on leveraging their new wireless assets as soon as possible.
April 13, 2017: T-Mobile announces that its $7.99 billion investment secures the lion’s share — 45 percent — of all the low-band spectrum sold, covering 100 percent of the U.S. and Puerto Rico. “T-Mobile walked away with a staggering 31 MHz nationwide on average,” the company noted, adding, “T-Mobile is also sharing plans to put that spectrum to use later this year in parts of the country.”
June 15, 2017: “Yesterday, the FCC officially granted the 600 MHz spectrum licenses that T-Mobile successfully secured in the recent broadcast incentive auction… T-Mobile has already kicked off deployment activities and will see the first sites ready for testing this summer. This timeline — well ahead of expectations — sets the stage for commercial operations later this year.”
August 16, 2017: “T-Mobile today announced it has begun lighting up its new 600 MHz LTE network… T-Mobile’s first 600 MHz LTE network sites were just switched on in Cheyenne, Wyoming using Nokia equipment. Starting in rural America and other markets where the spectrum is clear of broadcasting today, T-Mobile plans to deploy the new super-spectrum at record-shattering pace.”
August 31, 2017: “Just two weeks after launching the world’s first 600 MHz LTE sites, T-Mobile today announced it will carry the LG V30 — the world’s first smartphone to support 600 MHz LTE. [T-Mobile also] unveiled the latest location to go live with its new super spectrum in Scarborough, Maine…
“T-Mobile is also laying a foundation for true nationwide 5G with breakthrough new equipment from Ericsson that supports both LTE and 5G…
“T-Mobile plans to continue deploying LTE on 600 MHz at a record-shattering pace, starting in rural America and markets across more than 1.2 million square miles where the spectrum will be clear this year. [The company] is on track to accomplish in six months what would normally be a two-year process from auction to consumer availability.”
