![](//www.4rfv.com/images/no_image.jpg)
FCC Approves Regulatory Changes for More-Powerful WMAS Systems in U.S. The technology enables more-efficient use of spectrum for unlicensed users By Dan Daley, Audio Editor
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 - 11:54 am
Print This Story | Subscribe
Story Highlights
A regulation change approved by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) permits operation and deployment of Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems (WMAS) in the U.S. The Feb. 15 FCC Report & Order adopted new rules to allow the new, more spectrally efficient wireless-microphone technology to operate here.
WMAS uses spectrum more efficiently than currently available narrowband microphones, which means that more microphones can be used without more bandwidth being allocated. The new rules will permit WMAS to operate on a licensed or unlicensed basis, while preserving the existing spectrum rights of users sharing the frequencies, which are heavily used by broadcasters as well as by theaters and music venues, corporate events, and webcasting.
The new rules will allow WMAS to operate in the broadcast-TV bands and in the 600 MHz duplex gap on both a licensed and unlicensed basis and in other Part 74 LPAS frequency bands on a licensed basis. WMAS will enable more wireless microphones to operate in the available spectrum (that is, more microphones per megahertz of spectrum), providing additional options when more microphones are needed.
The rules do not alter existing spectrum rights or expectations regarding spectrum access and availability related to other authorized users' sharing the frequency bands with wireless-microphone operations (including, for example, broadcast licensees, Wi-Fi, and white-space device users).
Manufacturers Hail Ruling Leading wireless-microphone manufacturers Sennheiser and Shure welcome the finding.
Sennheiser's Dr. Andreas Wilzeck: We applaud the FCC for its adoption of WMAS technology. It is an important signal for the harmonization of regulatory conditions for these important global applications.
Sennheiser, a major proponent of WMAS technology, describes it in a statement as an advanced wireless-microphone technology designed to meet the challenges of highly demanding live performance and studio applications.
Says Dr. Andreas Wilzeck, head of spectrum policy and standards, Sennheiser, We applaud the FCC for its adoption of WMAS technology. In particular, the alignment with EN 300 422, which was developed by ETSI [European Telecommunications Standards Institute], is a milestone for manufacturers and users of wireless microphones and in-ear monitors (IEMs). It is an important signal for the harmonization of regulatory conditions for these important global applications.
Since WMAS uses a single RF carrier, the possibility of intermodulation artifacts is eliminated, according to Sennheiser. For the first time, the company adds, in-ear monitor channels will be able to use, in parallel, the same block of RF spectrum as wireless microphones, further enhancing spectral efficiency.
Sennheiser's Joe Ciaudelli: WMAS will revolutionize the professional-audio industry as well as fulfill the commission's goals of greater spectrum efficiency and sharing compatibility.
Such capability would encourage the use of wireless transmitters for both microphones and IFB earpieces used, for instance, for wiring athletes for two-way conversations on the field of play.
For years, says Joe Ciaudelli, director, spectrum and innovation, Sennheiser, customers have been asking for a single pack that is both a transmitter and an in-ear monitor receiver. WMAS will revolutionize the professional-audio industry as well as fulfill the commission's goals of greater spectrum efficiency and sharing compatibility.
Shure, which has been active in FCC proceedings over the past few years, advocating on behalf of a wide array of customers who rely on wireless microphones, says that it asked the FCC for unlicensed WMAS with higher power and that the agency agreed. The company's statement says, Shure believes the need for 100-mW unlicensed power is important because it allows providers to minimize occupied spectrum while remaining equivalent in link performance to narrowband.
Shure's Prakash Moorut: Allowing unlicensed WMAS with power up to 100 mW is a big benefit for many individuals, organizations, and small businesses.
Further, the statement contends, WMAS decreases total power spectral density (PSD) when audio-channel efficiency is met and aligns with recent WMAS updates within ETSI.
Says Prakash Moorut, global head of spectrum and regulatory affairs, Shure, This is a great decision by the FCC, to provide many microphone users across America with added flexibility. Allowing unlicensed WMAS with power up to 100 mW - twice the power allowed for narrowband wireless microphones - is a big benefit for many individuals, organizations, and small businesses.
Tom Kundmann, VP, professional wireless, Shure, highlights the potential of wideband wireless in the UHF and other bands: This technology will provide our customers with innovative product solutions. Our team is actively working on improving spectral efficiency, scalability of audio services, and simplifying deployment.
A Spectrum Win-Win' Compared with conventional wireless-microphone systems, WMAS offers higher spectral efficiency - the ability to transmit more audio channels within a limited block of RF spectrum - as well as greater interference protection for other wireless services sharing the same spectrum.
In a statement during the Open Commission Meeting, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel pointed out, [W]hen a new technology comes along with the potential to improve the efficiency of wireless-microphone operations, we're going to take a second look. That's why, a few years ago, we issued a rulemaking to explore
More from Sports Video Group
26/07/2024
Paris 2024: V varo Providing Live Media Transport Services for Leading Internati...
26/07/2024
Paris 2024: BBC Sport on Its Remote Production Workflow for the Summer Games By Heather McLean, SVG Europe
Friday, July 26, 2024 - 7:31 am
Print This Story...
26/07/2024
Paris 2024: BBC Sport Unveils the Olympic Storytelling and Breathtaking Scenery ...
26/07/2024
Paris 2024: Taking a Step Forwards with BBC Sport's Olympic Studio Combining...
26/07/2024
Paris 2024: Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe Provides a First Look at Its Ol...
26/07/2024
Live From Paris 2024: NBC Olympics Set for Historic Opening Ceremony Unilateral coverage builds on impressive OBS production as NBC dives deep into Team USA cov...
26/07/2024
Live From Paris 2024: SVG's Onsite Editorial Team Breaks Down Opening Ceremo...
25/07/2024
Paris 2024: NBC Sports Team Is Excited for a Return to Normalcy at These Summer ...
25/07/2024
Streaming for Gold: An Inside Look at the European Broadcasting Union's New ...
25/07/2024
SVG Rewind: Indiana Fever's Daniel Stallings on the Impact of Caitlin Clark,...
25/07/2024
SVG Sports Content Management Forum Draws 230+ Attendees to Dissect the Latest i...
25/07/2024
Paris 2024: NBC Sports Team Excited for a Return to Normalcy at These Summer Oly...
24/07/2024
Roundball Rock Return: NBCUniversal Grabs Back NBA Media Rights Beginning in 202...
24/07/2024
WNBA Secures Landmark Media-Rights Deal With Disney, Amazon Prime Video, and NBC...
24/07/2024
NBA Rights Deals Officially Announced: Disney, NBCU, and Amazon Ink 11-Year Agre...
24/07/2024
LA Clippers Offer First Look at Massive Intuit Dome Halo Board New arena set to open for the start of the 2024 NBA season this fall By Brandon Costa, Director ...
24/07/2024
Paris 2024: A Look at All 35 Olympics Venues From The River Seine to Tahiti By SVG Staff
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 - 10:50 am
Print This Story
The 2024 Sum...
24/07/2024
TNT Sports' Dave Grundtvig Finds Sonic Gold in a Second Mic Array at NBA Sum...
24/07/2024
MLB Network Launches Direct-to-Consumer Offering Standalone service is available at $5.99 per month By Brandon Costa, Director of Digital
Wednesday, July 24,...
23/07/2024
The Next Announcer You Hear May Be Generated by AI: How NBC's AI Version of ...
23/07/2024
The Evolution - and Enduring Value - of Regional Sports Distribution: A Fireside...
23/07/2024
Skills shortages: Collaborative effort and action on diversity needed to avoid i...
23/07/2024
Skills shortages: Exploring the growing challenges around recruiting top talent By David Davies
Tuesday, July 2, 2024 - 09:14
Print This Story
Staff at wo...
23/07/2024
Save the Date: SVG Esports Production Summit Returns to L.A. on Nov. 12 Annual event provides a gathering place for esports-production leaders as the business u...
22/07/2024
Match ball: Bringing the PSA German Open 2024 to global viewers when on-site con...
22/07/2024
The Longhorns' Move to the SEC and the Next Generation of Live Video on Campus: A Conversation With University of Texas at Austin's Jeff Hanel Whats to ...
22/07/2024
ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball Statcast Edition Powered By Google Cloud Altern...
21/07/2024
Live From the 152nd Open: NBC Sports Set for Final Round, Expands Remote Operati...
21/07/2024
Live from the 152nd Open: NBC Sports Set for Final Round; Expands Remote Operati...
19/07/2024
NBA Summer League Is Once Again a Breeding Ground for Tech Innovation The goal is enhancing gameplay quality, officiating, live production, viewing experience ...
19/07/2024
NFL Flag Football May Be a Kid's Game, But ESPN Gives It the Pro Treatment The league's new kinder, gentler entry features plenty of audio, MindFly came...
19/07/2024
A Cloud for Every Occasion: How Grabyo Supports LPGA, CONCACAF, UFC With Cloud-B...
19/07/2024
Live From the 152nd Open: EMG/Gravity Media's Hamish Greig on How Little No...
19/07/2024
WNBA All-Star 2024: ESPN Readies for Competitive Showdown Between WNBA Stars, Te...
19/07/2024
NBA Summer League Once Again a Breeding Ground for Tech Innovation By Jason Dachman, Editorial Director, U.S.
Friday, July 19, 2024 - 2:55 pm
Print This St...
18/07/2024
SVG New Sponsor Welcome: Mediaproxy's Mark Rushton on the Importance of Real...
18/07/2024
The Palio di Siena: EMG Italy in the saddle for historical horserace By Roberto Landini, Italian Correspondent
Monday, July 15, 2024 - 15:51
Print This Sto...
18/07/2024
Paris 2024: NBC Sports Brings SMT Back into the Fold for Olympics Graphics, Data...
18/07/2024
Paris 2024: NBC Sports to Bring Sound of the Games to Life With Audio-Technica M...
17/07/2024
All Sessions From SVG Regional Sports Production Summit 2024 Now Available To Wa...
17/07/2024
Paris 2024: Inside Look at OBS Plans for 11,000 Hours of Games Coverage The effort ranges from the largest live-TV effort ever to personal Athlete Moments By K...
17/07/2024
Paris 2024: Topping 40, Telemundo's Olympic Commentary Team Is Its Largest E...
17/07/2024
Interview: Appear CTO Andy Rayner on R&D, security and future growth By Jo Ruddock
Wednesday, July 10, 2024 - 13:59
Print This Story
As Appear celebrates ...
17/07/2024
Globecast employs IP and cloud distribution for Malaga Premier Padel P1 By David Davies
Monday, July 15, 2024 - 15:59
Print This Story
In a year that is e...
17/07/2024
Paris 2024: NBC Sports Teams Up With Chyron for Live Broadcast Graphics at Olymp...
16/07/2024
Paris 2024: NBC Olympics Taps Sony for Imaging, Monitoring and Technical Support By Ken Kerschbaumer, Editorial Director
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 - 9:08 am
P...
16/07/2024
Live From MLB All-Star 2024: TXR Productions Takes Globe Life Field Into the Cen...
16/07/2024
Live From MLB All-Star 2024: With New Technologies, Audio Production Gets Compli...