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On Jan. 15, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted an Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking prohibiting the further operation, distribution and sale of devices that operate in the 700 MHz frequency band.
As previously reported in MMR, this area of frequencies, once used by television channels in the UHF band of transmission, has been widely used by wireless microphones and other wireless data transmission devices.
The FCC decision clearly dictates that unlicensed devices cannot continue to operate in this band as they may cause harmful interference to public safety entities and next generation consumers devices that will be utilizing the 700 MHz frequency. Current users of equipment that use the 700 MHz frequency have until June 12, 2010, one year from the DTV transition, to change to complying equipment.
The 700 MHz band is to be used for communications services for public safety and the deployment of next generation 4G wireless devices for consumers.
Through the Commission's Web site, customers who have purchased wireless mic systems and other related devices that utilize the 700 MHz band can learn whether their equipment is currently operating in the prohibited band and whether their devices may be retuned to operate on another band. You can also call 1-888-CALL-FCC to ask questions regarding this transition. | 
