M/AV-SIS and Internet Broadband
The FCC's National Broadband Plan
Congress directed the FCC to create a National Broadband Plan that increases the bandwidth available for broadband Internet access. The Plan is very broad, covering both wired broadband and the spectrum from 225 MHz-3.7 GHz (though only some of those frequencies are subject to reallocation). One of the areas of interest to audiovisual and other librarians is the UHF TV bands and the proposed channel changes in the TV spectrum.
Impact on Wireless Microphone Operation
A number of M/AV-SIS members are involved with the operation of wireless microphones at their institutions. Professional wireless microphones operate on vacant TV channels. In 2010, the FCC outlawed the use of wireless microphones operating in the 700 MHz range (corresponding with former TV channels 52-69). M/AV-SIS and other AALL member institutions were among those who had to replace wireless microphones. Further channel reallocations from TV broadcasting to broadband Internet access will take place.
The FCC's New Incentive Auction Authority
Congress recently approved "incentive" auction authority for the FCC as part of the MIDDLE CLASS TAX RELIEF AND JOB CREATION ACT OF 2012. First the FCC will conduct a "reverse" auction to determine how much compensation would be required for a TV broadcaster to voluntarily relinquish its license to a particular TV channel. Then the FCC would conduct an ordinary "forward" auction to award the spectrum to a new licensee. Congress also prevented the FCC from involuntarily relocating a UHF channel to VHF and required the FCC to pay reasonable relocation costs. Ten years is allotted to complete the process.
In response to its new authority, the FCC revised its rules to permit two TV broadcasters to share the same TV channel.
Expanding Library Broadband Access
The FCC is also making TV spectrum available for a new class of devices incorporating broadband access. It refers to these as "TV Bands Devices." (TVBDs). The FCC is still finalizing the infrastructure under which these devices will operate and portable TVBDs are not yet on the market.
Portable TVBDs could interfere with wireless microphone operation because TVBDs and wireless microphones will be competing for the same vacant TV channels. While very large institutional users will be able to take advantage of an interference protection database for their wireless microphones, no M/AV-SIS or AALL member institution will qualify for interference protection. The FCC has reserved two vacant TV channels in each market for wireless microphones. However, many member institutions have microphones which do not operate in either reserved channel and it is unlikely that any member institution's wireless microphones operate in both reserved channels.
Even so, TVBDs will probably be a net benefit to libraries because they will be able to provide libraries with increased broadband Internet access. It is likely they will be available as low-cost stand-alone devices and integrated with other low-cost cell phones, computers, etc. The number of member institutions using broadband Internet is significantly greater than the number of member institutions using wireless microphones. Even those using wireless microphones should be able to use TVBDs successfully with sufficient preparation.
Ironically, the successful use of both TVBD's and wireless microphones may be challenged by the FCC's continued reallocation of TV channels because the FCC could prohibit the operation of both devices on the reallocated channels.
Resources for Further Research
Additional SIS Information
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