With the date of the digital switchover set by Communications Minister Senator Conroy as 2013, things are beginning to hot up in the spectrum arena.
We note with interest that on August 22, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) located in Washington DC, announced its “Proposal for the Prohibition of Low Power Auxiliary Stations in the 700MHz band After the Digital Transition.” If this proposal is mandated by the US government, the FCC will prohibit the manufacture, import, sale, or shipment of devices that operate as low power auxiliary stations in the 700 MHz Band (which is only part of the spectrum wireless audio devices currently use) after the end of the DTV transition. These devices include wireless audio transmitters. Manufacturers are working with the FCC and regulators in the other major markets whose decisions are still pending, including Europe, the United Kingdom and Australia to develop a solution for users.
It must be emphasised that this proposal by the FCC has not been mandated yet and will only apply to the USA. It should also be noted that, unlike Australia, wireless audio products used in the USA have not been covered by a class licence system such as that which currently operates in Australia.
When using compliant product, the class licence in Australia has provided wireless audio product users a degree of protection as secondary users in the 520-820MHz part of the spectrum without the added burden of having to obtain an individual, and sometimes costly, licence. The system in the US currently requires users occupying the 700MHz band to apply for individual licences. A large number of users in the US have not obtained licences therefore the FCC does not have a true indication of the scope of use of these products in the United States. The Australian regulators are fully engaged with the Australian Wireless Audio Group (AWAG) and are monitoring overseas developments and examining their application here in Australia.
The Australian Wireless Audio Group, through the Australian Music Association (AMA) has been working to ensure the needs of wireless audio users are being understood as the consultation processes currently underway begin to shape future spectrum policy here in Australia.
Susan Twartz, Chair of AWAG said, “Wireless audio users in Australia are in a unique position. The digital switchover date being 2013 means that Australia will be making changes after the major markets of Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States. Australian users also have the benefit of a well-informed, united industry body in the form of AWAG.
Our purpose at this stage is two fold. Firstly, we want to ensure that the unique requirements of our users are considered in the spectrum planning process. This will be achieved through our continued representation and involvement in industry working committees and through our continued dialogue with the Government and its key authorities such as the ACMA and the Digital Switchover Taskforce. The benefit now is that we have a clear time line to work towards and AWAG looks forward to continuing the dialogue with the regulators.
Secondly, AWAG is working to ensure that future spectrum plans in Australia follow at least one of the other major overseas markets. Australia would not benefit in developing a unique solution, one that for instance requires manufacturers to develop unique products for our market. We now have an indication of the way the US environment will probably be shaped and eagerly await a resolution in the US and an indication from the ACMA of their response to these developments.”
A major element in our representations is the AWAG commissioned Windsor Place Consulting report entitled, Untethering the Microphone. This study demonstrates the benefits of spectrum use by the class licenced wireless audio products in Australia, including radio mics, in ear monitoring and communications systems.
While the report is not yet available to the public, AWAG have been briefing key Government stakeholders on its findings. To date briefings have been provided to the Digital Switchover Taskforce, the entity responsible for the switch to digital TV, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Network and Spectrum Planning Division of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) and at a Ministerial level.
Amongst the reports key findings were quantifications of the importance of wireless technology to the Australian economy:
• That the quantified benefits indicate that users of wireless audiovisual devices derive a benefit of between $80 to $115 million per year from the use of these devices. This is equivalent to a ten year present value of some $291 to $714 million and,
• Industries which are regular users of wireless audio products such as the entertainment, tourism, conventions and fitness industries represent $32 billion annually to Australia’s economy, representing employment for more than 130,000 people
• There were additional significant social benefits derived through the use of these devices in education, religious observance as well as a host of non commercial community activities
In short, this report clearly demonstrates that in addition to many social, community and cultural benefits, wireless audio products also provide a substantial economic benefit to the country.
“The class licence nature of these products has made them largely invisible to the spectrum planners, however, the Windsor Place/AWAG report has brought the extent of their use within the community back into sharp focus,” said AWAG Chair, Susan Twartz.
A second document – a series of 16 case studies on the use of these devices in a range of settings has been developed to assist stakeholders understand how and why these devices are being used by each of the key user groups.
Both the ACMA and the DBCDE have stated to AWAG that the remainder of 2008 and most of 2009 will be dedicated to a comprehensive stakeholder process. AWAG is continuing to meet with representatives of the regulators and other stakeholder groups, ensuring that the unique needs of our users are considered in the decisions regarding the digital dividend in Australia. AWAG is also continuing to monitor developments in the international markets and endeavouring to interpret the ramifications for our industry in Australia.
If wireless audio users would like to register their interest in this matter and receive updates from AWAG, please go to the Australian Music Association Website and complete the online registration form.
More information:
Susan Twartz
Chair
Australian Wireless Audio Group
Phone: +61 2 9582 0909
Ian Harvey
Executive Officer
Australian Music Association
Phone: +61 3 9527 6658
Email: wirelessaudio@australianmusic.asn.au