6A Doncaster Street, Mangere, Auckland 2022 | 09 275 8710 | jands.co.nz

WIRELESS SPECTRUM IN NZ New Zealand is in the middle of a major change in the way that television is broadcast. All analogue transmitters are being shut down, and replaced by digital. This process began a couple of years ago and is due to be completed early in 2014.

As well as switching over to digital transmission, the television channels are being moved from the 700MHz band to the 500MHz and 600MHz bands. The government then plans to auction the 700MHz band at the end of 2013 to telecommunication companies such as Vodafone, Telecom and TelstraClear for 4G mobile broadband services.

Where do Radio Microphones Fit?

Radio microphones share the same airspace as the television networks under a “General User Spectrum Licence”. We operate radio microphones as secondary users, meaning that we must not cause interference to those who have licenced the spectrum.

There are currently three General User Licences in which radio microphones are allowed to operate: 518MHz - 582MHz (Licence 222922),614MHz – 686MHz (Licence 222921), 686MHz – 806MHz (Licence 222923).

If your current microphone system is more than two or three years old, then it probably falls under option three above; 686MHz - 806MHz. Once the auction for this band is completed, successful bidders will begin using this spectrum from January 1st 2014. You are allowed to continue using your wireless microphone until March 11th 2015, unless you cause interference to a licenced service. In that case you will be asked to stop using the system immediately. After March 11th 2015 the licence covering 686MHz – 806MHz will expire and will not be renewed. At that point, wireless microphones will not legally be allowed to operate in this band.

What can be expected in the near future…..

Towards the end of 2013 the 686MHz – 806MHz will be auctioned and radio mic use limited in this band. Maori Television allocation changes to 606MHz – 622MHz. Talks are currently in progress with Maori Television to try and negotiate a secondary user licence for radio microphone users. Once Maori Television’s current allocation expires at the end of November 2013, the licenced frequency bands will probably become 510MHz – 606MHz and 622MHz – 686MHz.

Currently the spectrum between 622MHz and 686MHz is largely unallocated which has led others to claim that this is the best area for new wireless microphone systems to be purchased. This is not necessarily the case! Sky Television holds a number of licences in this spectrum which are currently non-operational. Sky Television must declare its intent by December 2013 to use these licences, or lose them. Even if Sky Television dose not transmit on these channels, it is anticipated that the government will look for other users.

After March 11th 2015, radio microphone use in the 700MHz band to cease. Please refer to Figure 1 below.

518 582 614 686 806

CURRENT

MAORI TV OK TO OPERATE. JANDS DOES NOT SELL SYSTEMS IN THESE BANDS.

510

510

606

606

622

622

686

686

806

806

NEAR FUTURE

AFTER MARCH 2015

MAORI TV

MAORI TV

OK TO OPERATE. JANDS DOES NOT SELL SYSTEMS IN THESE BANDS.

NO LONGER LEGAL TO OPERATE IN THIS SPECTRUM

DEC 13 CUTOFF FOR SKY TV

RADIO MICS SHARED WITH DIGTIAL TVRADIO MICS SHARED WITH DIGTIAL TV

SKY TV MAY OCCUPY PARTS OF THIS SPECTRUM

This information is compiled from publicly available sources. It is provided as a guide only. JANDS accepts no responsibility for its accuracy or decisions made as a result.

Figure 1

RADIO MICS SHARED WITH DIGTIAL TV

RADIO MICS SHARED WITH DIGTIAL TV

6A Doncaster Street, Mangere, Auckland 2022 | 09 275 8710 | jands.co.nz

WIRELESS SPECTRUM IN NZ

The future for Radio Microphone Users in NZ

Radio Microphones and television have always shared the same airspace. There are a number of reasons for this, but the big two are:1. Predictable interference – television channels are fixed in their broadcast frequencies, we know where they are, so we can avoid them2. The 500MHz – 800MHz band gives the best broadcast characteristics – audio quality, transmission reliability and aerial size.

The major difference between analogue and digital transmission (from a wireless users point of view) is the channel density. Only one analogue television channel was broadcast per 8MHz block of spectrum, and radio microphones could be successfully placed in and around the television carriers. The advent of digital transmission means that television channels can be stacked closer together, removing the gaps between carriers, and thereby filling the entire channel.

As Radio Microphone users we need to work smarter and be as flexible as possible.

Currently digital television licences are being allocated on alternative channels (each channel is an 8MHz block). We can still use wireless microphones in and around the digital television channels; we just need to avoid those already occupied.

Most entry level systems are fixed frequency. This means they only transmit on that frequency and can’t be changed. If you buy a system that is on the same channel as a digital television transmission, you probably won’t be able to use it.

How Jands can help navigate the changes

Jands recommends the use of wireless microphones systems that are frequency agile. This means they have the ability to be re-tuned to avoid sources of interference. As systems increase in sophistication they have the ability to scan the RF (Radio Frequency) environment and avoid interference.

At Jands, we have invested in Radio Frequency scanning equipment to help set up systems with multiple transmitters. One of our experienced consultants can visit your site, scan the environment and create a wireless management plan specific to your requirements.

We also have access to up to date spectrum management plans to help co-ordinate a system that will work in your region. If you are in doubt please do not hesistate to call.