The FCC is trying to update the record on wireless...
The FCC is trying to update the record on wireless microphone use on an unlicensed basis in the TV band. The Wireless Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology gathered information in a 2010 public notice, the commission noted (http://xrl.us/bnsrwd).…
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The notice is tied to the commission push to open up the TV white spaces as a band for so-called super Wi-Fi. “We request that interested parties update and refresh the record on whether the Commission should expand license eligibility under Part 74, Subpart H for certain operators of unlicensed wireless microphones or other low power auxiliary devices at specified venues.” Comments should be “as specific as possible,” the notice said. Among the questions teed up is whether the FCC should expand eligibility for some or all of the users or entities which are permitted to register venues for unlicensed wireless microphone use in the TV bands database. “Examples might include entities responsible for major production events that take place at such venues as Madison Square Garden or Broadway theaters in New York City, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, and the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville,” the notice said. “Consistent with this approach, what other concrete examples would qualify? If the Commission were to expand Part 74 license eligibility for all of these entities operating at such venues, how, precisely, would the Commission define or classify such class(es) of entities in our eligibility rules?” The notice explores whether the commission should make its rules more specific. “For instance, the Commission could require that an entity applying for a license establish each of the following -- (1) that the specified venue periodically hosts events that require the same level of ‘professional’ high production-quality audio as the type needed for broadcast productions; (2) that these events involve a live production, with an audience in attendance, or a rehearsal for such events; and (3) that the venue size meets specified criteria depending on the type of venue or event (e.g., for theaters used for professional productions or house of worship venues, a minimum of 1,000 fixed seats; for auditoriums or convention centers, a space capacity-rated for 3,000 people; for sports venues, a minimum of 10,000 seats for indoors, and 25,000 seats for outdoors)? We ask for comment on this or similar approaches.” Comments are due 30 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register, replies 21 days after comments are due.