RTDNA To FCC: We Need Exclusive Spectrum

The Radio-Television Digital News Association is concerned that there is no exclusive spectrum reserved for wireless microphones under the Federal Communications Commission's spectrum repacking plan.

Currently, there are two reserved channels in each market and sometimes local broadcasters need even more spectrum than that. Under the FCC's May proposal, there is no spectrum reserved exclusively for wireless mics, though there is spectrum in the duplex gap -- between wireless upload and download spectrum—that wireless mics can use, though it will have to be shared with unlicensed devices. According to RTDNA Executive Director Mike Cavender, that is better than no spectrum, but "by no means ideal."