LAS VEGAS—Wireless RF solutions provider Wisycom has announced a major firmware update for its MPR60 Wideband IEM/IFB Receiver. This release introduces a powerful new multichannel IFB mode designed to dramatically increase RF efficiency for large‑scale broadcast and live production environments.

The update will be highlighted by the company during the 2026 NAB Show in Las Vegas between April 18 and 22 at its Booth C4428.

“We have some of the most demanding customers, who are touring the world with their extensive and quite impressive broadcast solutions to ensure the events they are supporting can be watched by millions of people,” says René Moerch, group product director of Wisycom. “These clients will heavily benefit from the fact that this additional feature of the MPR60/MTK982 pair can minimize rack space and preserve the RF robustness required for such highly demanding and RF overcrowded events.”

The new MPR60 multichannel IFB mode allows up to three IFB audio channels to be transmitted over a single 200 kHz RF carrier, enabling unprecedented channel density within a minimal RF footprint. When paired with the Wisycom MTK982, the system can deliver up to 60 IFB audio channels within a standard 8 MHz TV channel or 45 IFB audio channels within a 6 MHz TV channel, offering one of the most RF‑efficient IFB solutions available today. With just one MTK982, users can send six audio channels, saving the cost and space of two additional transmitters and RF combiners or antennas.

The company reported that the update delivers exceptional RF efficiency by enabling high channel counts with a minimal spectrum footprint, while maintaining full wideband coverage from 470 to 1,260 MHz. Even in multichannel IFB mode, the MPR60 preserves RF robustness, ensuring reliable performance in challenging environments. This expanded capability gives broadcasters and production teams greater flexibility in system design, allowing them to deploy dense IFB configurations without compromising signal integrity or reach.

The multichannel IFB mode is engineered for productions that require multiple IFB feeds across expansive coverage zones, such as major broadcasts, racing format sports events, OB production units and global touring events. The MPR60’s newly confirmed IP65 rating further enhances its suitability for outdoor and mobile workflows, offering protection against dust and water while remaining lightweight and easy to integrate into existing setups.

The new firmware allows users to choose between several operating modes, including 1‑channel wideband IFB, 1‑channel narrowband IFB and the new optional 3‑channel IFB, each offering different audio bandwidth characteristics to suit various production needs. The MPR60 remains compatible with Wisycom’s MTP60, MTP61 and MTH610 transmitters for single‑channel IFB operation, while the 3‑channel IFB mode requires activation via a license on the MTK982. In addition to multichannel IFB functionality, the MPR60 update also introduces support for the ENR and ENC companders for enhanced backward compatibility with legacy Wisycom systems.

The optional multi-channel IFB license enables one instead of three MTK982 dual transmitters and supports two RF carriers and up to six audio channels. Apart from eliminating the need of two additional transmitters, the upgrade also saves the need of associated equipment like combiners and antennas.

The MPR60 and MTK982 hardware are immediately available, while the new functions will be available via a separate license, available for purchase on April 22, 2026. The firmware for existing systems must be updated to version 1.3.0 for the MPR60 and 2.6.0 for the MTK982, and Wisycom Manager should be updated to version 5.0.0. The complete, updated firmware/software package will be available on April 22.

For more information visit www.wisycom.com.

Major U.S. wireless carriers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile are aggressively lobbying the Federal Communications Commission to repurpose the entire upper C-band (3.98–4.2 GHz) for flexible-use wireless services, aiming to secure up to 180 MHz of additional spectrum for expanded capacity.

Observers say those companies want it all, top to bottom. Wireless industry association CTIA, for one, met with the FCC this month and put on the record that it wants the “maximum amount of spectrum” in the upper C-Band for full-power, licensed wireless deployments.

While carriers and other wireless service providers are anxious to grab the maximum amount of capacity, they face stiff pushback from broadcasters urging a limit of 100 MHz.

The FCC has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to repurpose the 3.98–4.2 GHz band for flexible-use terrestrial services, with an auction targeted for 2027. The commission is mandated by Congress to take at least another 100 MHz for wireless services.

The National Association of Broadcasters said taking that much spectrum for terrestrial cellular services could disrupt vital content distribution services.

(This story from our sister publication Radio World focuses on filing by wireless entities. Read their coverage of the NAB’s latest reply comments here.)

Data usage needs

Driven by the need for more mid-band spectrum to support 5G, and eventually 6G services, major wireless carriers are continuing their push for the maximum possible amount, aiming for the full 180 MHz.

The wireless carriers emphasized the importance of “maximizing” the amount of C-band spectrum to be repurposed. AT&T cited the historic growth in data usage by Americans that underscores the importance of the commission’s efforts in the proceeding to free up additional mid-band spectrum.

AT&T, in its comments, said that for the third year in a row, U.S. mobile network data usage demand grew approximately 35%, a historic surge and a pace that would nearly double the amount of data used every two years.

“Stakeholders broadly agree that the upper C-band will play a key role in 5G and beyond,” AT&T wrote.

Moving incumbents

Verizon focused part of its recent reply comments on the feasibility of moving incumbent users, including satellite audio and video services used by broadcasters, out of the upper C-band.

The broadband giant said comments filed in the proceeding confirm there is a feasible path for transitioning incumbents out of the spectrum, while ensuring they can receive “substantially” the same service that exists today.

Some existing space station operators, Verizon said, have detailed opportunities to reorganize and compress customers into a smaller segment of upper C-band spectrum, while others could be moved to Ku-band spectrum.

It also pointed to commenters who said fiber and internet protocol distribution technologies present effective alternatives for services provided today.

Transition plan

Verizon and others said that Fixed Service Satellite providers like SES – the largest upper C-band satellite operator, responsible for over 95% of all video content in the band – have already outlined a plan to clear 180 megahertz of the band (160 Megahertz for terrestrial wireless service and 20 Megahertz for a guard band), but that full transition could take years to plan.

Therefore, several commenters suggested a plan that would take several stages to complete, with the 100 MHz mandated in the Big Beautiful Bill being the first implemented in 2027.

Once the FCC makes a final determination on how much spectrum to repurpose, wireless carriers urged the commission to follow a similar regulatory framework of the lower C-band repurposing and auction in 2020, a transition that booted broadcast services to the upper section of C-band.

T-Mobile said in its comments: “The record in the proceeding reflects near-unanimous support for such a reallocation and a regulatory framework for terrestrial mobile use that is harmonized across the C-band, including, among other things, applying the licensing and technical rules adopted for the lower C-band (3.7–3.98 GHz) to the upper C-band.”

CTIA meets with the commission

In the latest round of comments collected by the FCC this week, CTIA shared what it wished for in a meeting with FCC officials in February: making available the “maximum amount of upper C-band spectrum” for licensed, or exclusive, full-power terrestrial wireless deployments.

CTIA also requested a “clear, unwavering schedule” for wireless licensees to begin their deployments in the near term following the auction and harmonizing the lower and upper C-band technical rules, as appropriate.

CTIA said the spectrum is also needed to support AI innovation.

“The fact remains that data demand continues to grow year after year and additional spectrum will be needed to support this continued growth, particularly as AI begins to scale, with AI applications projected to drive uplink traffic 20 percent higher than it would be with existing applications,” CTIA said.

Ericsson, the multinational networking and telecommunications company, said maximizing the upper C-band for wireless helps promote national security of the United States.

“Repurposing the upper C-band,” Ericsson said, “will promote national security through the advancement of secure and trusted communications networks and equipment.

“As the commission is well aware, the dry spectrum well of the past several years created a leadership vacuum that allowed China to advance its own economic interests and security prerogatives at home and abroad through exports of its equipment to other countries,” it commented.

Meanwhile, the Competitive Carriers Association said it is very much in favor of utilizing the upper C-band for 5G and future 6G endeavors, but emphasized the need to make it fair for small and rural carriers when auctioning off the spectrum for wireless services. It questioned whether previously designated bid credits for small and rural carriers are still adequate.

“CCA agrees that mid-band auctions present unique challenges for rural providers. Mid-band spectrum offers the optimal balance of coverage and capacity for rural deployment,” the group said. “However, rural providers frequently face substantial capital constraints when competing against nationwide carriers with exponentially greater financial resources.”

Next-generation satellite

Some commenters, including Space X, suggested reserving portions of the upper C-band spectrum for next-generation satellite services (Direct-to-Device) rather than solely for terrestrial cellular services.

T-Mobile and the other wireless carriers told the commission to decline those proposals seeking to introduce mobile satellite services or shared-use mechanisms in the repurposed upper C-band.

There are also some technical challenges to overcome once spectrum for FSS earth stations is shifted elsewhere, according to multiple filers. The upper C-band is adjacent to the 4.2–4.4 GHz band used by radio altimeters in aviation, requiring careful management of interference risks, according to Boeing and several aeronautical entities.

In addition, several commenters pointed to the Federal Aviation Administration’s recent notice of proposed rulemaking concerning upgrading radio altimeters to withstand interference from adjacent wireless operations. The timeframe for implementing those upgrades is uncertain, according to observers.

CTIA in its comments hinted at a need for collaboration between government agencies to accomplish the goal of repurposing the spectrum for flexible-use wireless services.

“The coordinated FCC and FAA proceedings, buttressed by congressional action, standards development and cross-industry collaboration, have positioned all stakeholders for timely execution,” it said.

[This article appeared first in our sister publication Radio World. Their extensive business and regulatory coverage of the broadcast industry can be found here.]

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SAN FRANCISCO—In addition to the massive amount of production and broadcast technologies being deployed this week for Super Bowl LX, with Sony supplying over 175 cameras, and NBC Sports reporting that it laid down more than 75 miles of cable, the host venue Levi Stadium got a major wireless upgrade to handle the needs of both fans and media covering the game according to the Wireless Infrastructure Association.

In an article for its website, the group noted that “for wireless professionals, the Super Bowl is more than a sporting spectacle — it’s a massive stress test, demonstrating how cellular networks, distributed antenna systems, small cells, Wi‑Fi, spectrum layering and cybersecurity converge to create a seamless digital experience. From stadium concourses to city streets and transit hubs, this month’s sporting events highlight just how crucial high-performance wireless networks have become.”

Costa Kladianos, the 49ers’ executive vice president of technology, described the upgrade to WIA as a “complete rebuild.”

Working with JMA Wireless, “Levi’s installed a digital DAS capable of 5G, multi-band LTE, and future spectrum layers, delivering what Kladianos calls `70,000 VIP experiences” for every fan walking through the doors. Redundant fiber and power paths ensure high availability, while energy-efficient designs reduce the stadium’s carbon footprint. The result is a long-term foundation built to handle extreme device density, high-speed uploads, and ultra-reliable connectivity for years to come,” wrote the author of WIA article Kristen Beckman.

In addition, AT&T “refreshed the DAS inside Levi’s Stadium and expanded macro and small cell sites around stadium-adjacent fan zones” and Verizon, “layered C-Band and mmWave deployments for high throughput and capacity. Together, these carriers deployed nearly 200 projects spanning DAS, small cells, and backhaul, with on-site RF engineers and real-time command center monitoring fine-tuning the network for peak efficiency. Small cells targeted high-traffic ingress and egress points, while private slices ensured operational communications remained uninterrupted. The combined system sustains tens of thousands of simultaneous connections with minimal latency, even during tailgate surges.”

More details about the upgrade, including advanced security solutions and upgrades to BART public transit stations, are available here.

STAMFORD, Conn., and PHILADELPHIA—Charter Communications and Comcast have announced that Spectrum Mobile and Xfinity Mobile have launched satellite-based services.

The services are being done in partnership with Skylo, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) service provider. They are now available on Samsung’s Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 devices and will provide customers with access to emergency messaging services when their device is not connected to either a cellular or WiFi network.

The ability to send and receive SMS text messages over satellite service on Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 devices is expected to be added in the coming weeks.

In addition to Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9, both Spectrum Mobile and Xfinity Mobile customers already have access to emergency messaging via satellite backup service on select Apple and Google devices, provided directly by the manufacturers.

“The availability of satellite backup service provides Spectrum Mobile customers with a sense of security, knowing they can stay connected even in the most remote locations,” said Danny Bowman, executive vice president, product, Charter Communications. “We are delivering cutting-edge technology that continues to empower our customers with the confidence that their communication needs are always met, no matter where they are."

“Today, our wireless customers already benefit from the nation’s largest and fastest converged network in and out of the home with over tens of millions of hotspots delivering up to gig speeds,” said Emily Waldorf, senior vice president, consumer products, Comcast. “And now, we’re excited to further enhance our connectivity experiences with these satellite-based services to help our Xfinity Mobile customers stay connected in situations where they need it most.”

"We understand how crucial it is to stay connected,” added Paul Hanton, vice president of Skylo's Global Carrier Partnerships. “Skylo’s groundbreaking satellite network, combined with the reach of Charter and Comcast, will bring enhanced coverage to countless individuals. We're proud to be building a future where everyone can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with reliable, always-on connectivity."

Skylo plans to make its services available on additional devices in the future. Satellite-based services are already being offered to Spectrum Mobile and Xfinity Mobile customers through a select number of other devices, including iPhone 14, 15 and 16 operating on iOS 18 software. These services are provided directly by the manufacturers and specific services available to customers vary by device type.

The operators also reported that their business mobile services, Spectrum Business and Comcast Business Mobile, will benefit from the satellite services from Skylo. Customers from each of these consumer and business mobile services have the nation’s largest WiFi network and most reliable 5G at their fingertips, with at least 87 percent of mobile traffic traveling over each company’s respective WiFi networks.

For more information visit Spectrum.com/mobile or Xfinity.com/mobile.

SEATTLE—Amazon Web Services (AWS) said Comcast has moved its 5G wireless core from an on-premise infrastructure to a cloud-based network using its technologies.

The new cloud-based network is designed to provide Xfinity Mobile and Comcast Business Mobile customers with next-generation 5G wireless services using Comcast’s licensed spectrum across the U.S.

The two companies said AWS’s global infrastructure and telecom automation framework is helping Comcast provide wireless customers with an even more scalable, secure and cost-effective service.

AWS technologies, including analytics, telecom-specific features, and continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD), provide a platform that enables Comcast to innovate and deploy new features, autoscale network capacity and perform lifecycle management, the companies added.

Looking ahead, Comcast and AWS also said they are exploring new ways to work together to improve customer service, optimize network performance and automate additional 5G operations.

“AWS’s extensive cloud infrastructure, together with their understanding of telco network requirements and ability to support production-grade 5G networks, will help us to continue delivering the highest quality service to our wireless customers,” said Tom Nagel, executive vice president, wireless strategy at Comcast.

Jan Hofmeyr, vice president of Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) Edge at AWS, said: Moving Comcast’s 5G core to the cloud will enable greater resiliency, faster innovation and enhanced security, leveraging AWS's secure global cloud infrastructure. We’re excited to work with Comcast to power this state-of-the-art 5G network that will give their customers a better wireless experience, as well as meet the needs of future applications running in this new environment.”

WASHINGTON—The FCC has laid out an agenda for items that will be considered at its Thursday, October 17, 2024 Open Meeting.

The meeting is set for 10:30 a.m. in the commission meeting room of FCC headquarters, 45 L Street, N.E., Washington, and will also be streamed live at fcc.gov/live and on the FCC’s YouTube channel.

Items on the agenda were described as follows:

Achieving 100% Wireless Handset Model Hearing Aid Compatibility (WT Docket No. 23-388). The commission will consider a Report and Order adopting a 100% hearing aid compatibility requirement for all wireless handset models offered for sale or use in the U.S. and related implementation provisions.

Implementation of the National Suicide Hotline Act of 2018 (WC Docket No. 18-336). Members will consider a Third Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to adopt rules requiring wireless providers to implement a georouting solution for 988 calls to ensure that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can connect callers to geographically appropriate crisis centers based on the caller’s general location. The Third Further Notice would also propose and seek comment on requiring covered text providers to support georouting for covered 988 text messages.

Restricted Adjudicatory Matter. The commission will consider a restricted adjudicatory matter from the Media Bureau.

Connect2Health Task Force. The agency will receive a presentation from the Connect2Health Task Force on updates to maternal health data in the Mapping Broadband Health in America platform.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—EchoStar Corporation joined the chorus of growing woes in the pay TV industry during this quarter’s earning season by reporting lower revenue and worse losses both for Q2 ending June 30, 2024 and for the first six months of the year. 

In Q2, net pay-TV subscribers decreased approximately 104,000 in the second quarter, compared to 294,000 in the year ago quarter. The company closed the quarter with 8.07 million Pay-TV subscribers including 6.07 million Dish TV subscribers and 2.00 million Sling TV subscribers. 

EchoStar said that the change in net Pay-TV subscriber losses resulted from Sling TV subscriber additions in the second quarter compared to losses in the year ago quarter and a decrease in net Dish TV subscriber losses due to a lower DISH TV churn rate, offset by lower gross new Dish TV subscriber activations.

The company is investing heavily in 5G and wireless to take up the slack from its declining pay TV business but in Q2 retail wireless net subscribers decreased by approximately 16,000 in the second quarter. The company closed the quarter with 7.28 million retail wireless subscribers. The decrease in net retail wireless subscriber losses resulted from a lower retail wireless churn rate, offset by lower gross new retail wireless subscriber activations, the company said.

EchoStar also noted that the second quarter was negatively impacted by net losses of government subsidized subscribers, including Affordable Connectivity Program ("ACP") subscribers, compared to net additions in the year ago quarter, primarily due to the ACP program funding concluding on June 1, 2024. Excluding the impact of net losses of government subsidized subscribers EchoStar added approximately 32,000 retail wireless subscribers in the second quarter.

Broadband net subscribers decreased by approximately 23,000 in the second quarter, compared to 55,000 in the year ago quarter. The company closed the quarter with 955,000 Broadband subscribers. The net broadband subscriber loss improvement was primarily due to the new EchoStar XXIV satellite service launch and increased subscriber demand for our new satellite service plans.

For the six months ending June 30, 2024, EchoStar reported total revenue of $7.97 billion for the six months ending June 30, 2024, down significantly compared to $8.74 billion in the year ago period.

Losses also widened. The net loss attributable to EchoStar in the first two quarters of 2024 was $312.97 million, compared to net income of $466.20 million in the year ago period. Diluted loss per share was $1.15, compared to earnings per share of $1.51 in the year ago period. Consolidated operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) totaled $912.31 million for the six months ending June 30, 2024, compared to $1.32 billion in the year ago period.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—Dish Network Corporation continued to hemorrhage pay TV subs in its Q3 2023 earnings report. 

During the quarter its vMVPD Sling TV gained 117,000 subs to end the quarter with 2.12 million but that wasn’t enough to overcome 181,000 sub losses at  Dish TV’s satellite pay TV offering, which fell to 6.72 million subs.

That produced an overall loss of 64,000 pay TV subs for the company; a year ago in Q3 2022, Dish reported a net gain of 30,000 subs for its satellite and streaming operations. 

Dish reported revenue totaling $3.70 billion for the quarter ending September 30, 2023, compared to $4.10 billion for the corresponding period in 2022 and it reported a net loss of $139 million for the third quarter 2023, compared to $412 million in net income earned in the year-ago quarter. Diluted loss per share was $0.26 for the third quarter, compared to earnings per share of $0.65 during the same period in 2022. 

Retail wireless net subscribers also decreased by approximately 225,000 in the third quarter, compared to a net increase of 1,000 in the year-ago quarter and the company closed the quarter with 7.50 million retail wireless subscribers.

 WEST SUSSEX, U.K.—Videosys Broadcast has announced that it will be showcasing a variety of innovations in wireless and camera control technology at IBC2023 with a range of products that are designed to streamline broadcast workflows and reduce rig times.

The manufacturer and supplier of quality camera control systems, RF links and camera backs to outside broadcast providers said that the innovative solutions on display at its IBC booth (stand 11.B47) are designed to help transform the industry's operation with pioneering wireless workflow chains, revolutionary camera control solutions, and small camera advancements.

At IBC 2023, Videosys also said it will unveil new RCP panels that are specifically intended to control Media Edge Slomo cameras. Designed to set new standards in camera control, these panels integrate seamlessly into existing OB infrastructures and are fully compatible with various protocols for enhanced and multi camera manufacturers. 

Videosys will also be showing is flagship Epsilon 4K Camera Control solution, an easy to operate, all-in-one solution that boasts a seamless wireless workflow chain. This agnostic solution simplifies Radio Camera installation by allowing multiple camera set-ups to be matched quickly and effectively, with minimum input from operators and vision mixers. Together with the AEON web interface, it offers an unparalleled user experience and enables efficient wireless camera control and RF over fiber capabilities.

In addition to new products, the company will be showing the Videosys classic modular system that offers a comprehensive and integrated solution for video transmission, camera control and RF over fiber. This powerful solution allows media professionals to effortlessly transmit high-quality video signals while simultaneously controlling cameras remotely, making it ideal for live events, sports coverage, and various other broadcasting applications.

To meet future requirements for wireless camera control, Videosys said it has been working on additional groundbreaking developments that will be unveiled at IBC. These include Sony FX9 Ethernet control and RXSME profile upload that enable efficient camera management, and integration of RXSME Ethernet with Panasonic/GV and TSL Tally 3.0. In addition, the AEON web interface and Black Magic control additions ensure a comprehensive range of options for camera control, while transmitter control via an IDU base unit streamlines operations and enhances efficiency, particularly at live events. 

“Our Camera Control Upgrade Kit, which is also being shown for the first time at IBC 2023, is another exciting addition to our range because it allows broadcaster to unlock future possibilities and take full control of their camera operation,” says Colin Tomlin, Managing Director of VideoSys Broadcast. “By offering Ethernet control capabilities for new and old camera manufacturers, the upgrade kit brings new dimensions to motion control, providing limitless possibilities for creative shots.”

Videosys Broadcast will complete its IBC line up with a control system for small cameras that incorporates paint control, pan, and tilt functionalities. This innovation enables broadcasters to have greater control over their camera shots while maintaining a compact and mobile setup.

For a full demonstration of the latest innovations from Videosys Broadcast please visit IBC stand 11.B47 or www.videosys.tv

LAS VEGAS—Although TV has been “wireless” since the inception of over-the-air broadcast TV, a new kind of “wireless” is grabbing the attention of CES 2023 attendees. The new wireless technology involves truly wireless in house reception, with the goal of reducing wire clutter and eliminating the growing number of HDMI inputs in today’s large flat screens. 

India-based startup Displace TV previewed its new wireless TV in a press release in December, when it announced its debut at this week’s CES. 

“Unlike any other TVs currently available in the market, the Displace 55" 4K TVs are powered by a proprietary hot-swappable battery system, lightweight at under 20 lbs., transportable and can be easily secured to any surface with no mounting required, using Displace TV's proprietary active-loop vacuum technology… which with a slight push will magically stick to the wall,” the company said in its press release. 

The company said its new design would help eliminate or reduce the problems of mounting flat screen TVs that can create wire clutter and even damage walls. It also does away with physical remote controls in favor of hand gestures and even facial recognition to control the TV so it can operate seamlessly when viewers move from any one room with a Displace TV. A button on top of the Displace TV also enables the feature to be switched off for privacy. 

All Displace TVs wirelessly connect to a base unit that can be plugged into an electrical outlet and kept inside a closet or anywhere within the home. To connect, it uses the newly released Wi-Fi 6E protocol, which operates 6-gigahertz (GHz) band, a new swath of unlicensed spectrum. 

"Displace completely reinvents the television with its hardware and software technologies, and user interfaces that will not only change the way people enjoy entertainment in their homes, but will also advance the entire television industry," said founder and CEO Balaji Krishnan. "We envision a world with multiple displays on walls delivering significant value to the consumers wherever they are inside their homes. To achieve this vision, it's important to re-architect television by eliminating all common frustrations and making it extremely easy to secure televisions on any surface inside homes. By realizing this vision, Displace is effectively creating the next computing platform and the potential applications are limitless."

The 55-inch display is also modular, which means it can be used in combination with multiple Displace displays to form any size TV, the company said.

Displace TVs also eliminate the power cord with multiple rechargeable batteries that can be popped in and out individually. Batteries can also be charged one at a time while the TV remains fully operational using Displace's proprietary hot-swappable battery system. Each Displace TV averages about a month of total battery life for an average usage of six hours of active TV time per day, the company said.

Reservations for Displace TV are available now on the Displace website, with a fully refundable deposit. They will be available to ship by late 2023.

For an up close and personal view of the Displace TV, check out TV Tech sister brand Tom's Guide's coverage.

Also at CES, LG is showing a wireless 97-inch OLED TV that uses a base station that can be placed up to 30 feet away from the display. The top of the box can be rotated according to where the TV is placed in the area, according to CNET. 

The box includes standard TV inputs including HDMI, Ethernet, USB, antenna and serial port and the signal can handle up to up to 4K, 120Hz resolution. Unlike Display’s battery setup, however LG retains the traditional power cord.

While both Samsung and LG announced in 2021 that their high-end TVs would be certified for Wi-Fi 6E, this year's model from LG is believed to be the first out of the gate from a major TV manufacturer to implement it as part of a wireless TV product.

BOSTON—While the ongoing semiconductor shortage continues to pose problems for a wide range of tech companies, Strategy Analytics is predicting an easing of the semiconductor shortage for wireless telecommunications companies. 

In the new Strategy Analytics RF & Wireless Components service report, “The Impact of the Semiconductor Shortage on Wireless Telecoms,” the researchers note that wireless telecommunications has escaped the worst effects of the semiconductor shortage, and that semiconductors for cellular infrastructure equipment will continue to dodge significant shortages going forward. 

In addition, availability of chips for Wi-Fi access points and cellular phones will continue to improve through next year, the company reported. 

“Tight supplies of semiconductors will gradually ease through the remainder of 2022 into 2023 as new foundry capacity comes online,” explained Christopher Taylor, director of the Strategy Analytics RF & Wireless Components service. “For example, China increased its production of semiconductors by more than 17 percent in 2021, and production expansion in China will accelerate this year helping to ease the global shortage. Semiconductor investments in the U.S., EU, S. Korea, India, and other countries have also started to bear fruit, with the most significant capacity expansions due to start in 2023.”

Stephen Entwistle, vice president of strategic technologies at Strategy Analytics, added that “Despite temporary rolling COVID-19 lockdowns in some countries, better control of the pandemic will reduce the rates of new pandemic cases through the remainder of 2022. This will help in the expansion of staffing at semiconductor and electronics production plants and stabilize consumer demand for wireless products.”

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—Dish Networks reported accelerated pay TV sub losses in Q1, 2022 as net pay TV subscribers decreased approximately 462,000 in the first quarter, double the sub declines of about 230,000 a year earlier in Q1 2021. 

Overall, the company closed the quarter with 10.24 million pay TV subscribers, including 7.99 million DISH TV satellite subscribers and 2.25 million SLING TV virtual MVPD subscribers.

For Sling TV, subs declined from 2.486 million in Q4 of 2021 and 2.374 million in Q1 of 2021 to 2.252 million in Q1 of 2022. The virtual MVPD had shown sub gains in Q2 2021 and Q3 2021 before losing subs in Q4 2021 and the first quarter of this year, when it lost about 234,000 subs. 

Overall the company has lost nearly 1.1 million pay TV subs since Q1, 2020 when it has 11.3 million subs. 

Meanwhile, retail wireless net subscribers decreased by approximately 343,000 in the first quarter of 2022, compared to a net decrease of 161,000 in the year-ago quarter.

The company closed the quarter with 8.20 million retail wireless subscribers.

Over the years, sci-fi films and TV have offered glimpses of a future fuelled by innovation. While much of it remains fiction, next-gen 5G technology is very real, creating opportunities for Hollywood to deliver cutting-edge content and experiences while driving operational efficiencies and cost-savings. 

Entertainment and broadcast leaders are only now beginning to understand how much of a disruptive force 5G will be to the industry. Exploring its potential to reduce costs of expensive productions and create more engaging content and experiences for audiences, the industry is utilizing technology to create solutions like fully virtual production studios and 360-degree streaming. And at Verizon, we’re experiencing this transformation first-hand with our partners.

Moreover, today’s COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge the industry to lean into emerging tech to achieve their goals and still produce the level of quality content audiences expect. We all know that the 5G network has come to the devices in our pockets, but what can the entertainment industry expect from 5G?

FASTER, NIMBLER OPERATIONS

5G is the promise of a tetherless world. The miles of cable, expensive satellite trucks and even the satellites themselves can be simplified in the content delivery process because a 5G wireless network has the capacity and processing power to manage live video feeds; for instance, using 5G and mobile edge computing, 

Zixi, a company providing live broadcast-quality video over IP networks, is testing how a 4K live broadcast news feed can be delivered over 5G to affiliate broadcasters. The endgame is to simulate how content providers can distribute feeds in local markets without the need for satellites, creating a truly wireless broadcast operation that is both flexible and cost-effective. 

Even in a post-pandemic world, producers will be asking for these nimbler solutions powered by terrestrial wireless technology such as 5G.

MULTIDIMENSIONAL, IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES

Amid the pandemic, gathering in large venues like stadiums, theaters or concert halls is no longer an option. With the processing power of 5G, fans can still be front row, or they can put themselves right in the middle of the show through shared real-time experiences live and on-demand.

Companies like YBVR are using 5G and mobile edge computing to stream live 8K video to sports fans and concert-goers, allowing simultaneous users to choose various camera views with super-low latency. They are also working with events and entertainment platforms to use 5G to create 360-degree streaming of spectator-less virtual events, an application that could gain increasing use until the pandemic has subsided. 

REMOTE, GLOBAL COLLABORATION

Approximately 92% of broadcasters are planning to adopt 5G in the next two years, as they seek to increase coverage capabilities through better remote management of multiple events from a central facility. 

An example of this is when Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Josh Haner attended the 2019 Oscars in Los Angeles and used a 5G connection with his camera to send his massive photo files to his editors in New York City, enabling almost instant publishing. Traditionally, photographers are either stationary and connected to a wire to enable fast photo uploads or they swap out memory cards to a colleague for upload. 

With the 5G network and software developed by The New York Times’ R&D team, Haner was able to roam the red carpet, and he sent eight times more photos than the photographer from the previous year, with an average upload time of 2.1 seconds. 

AI-POWERED DIGITAL ACTORS

Together, AI and 5G are helping to create realistic human representations that can interact with audiences in real-time. One day soon, virtual actors—which are gaining traction—will be able to read and respond to viewers’ reactions. 5G is critical to provide the high speed and low latency required to process data so that the AI actors of the future can interpret emotions, respond with little delay and repeat lines in a natural fashion. 

5G can bring fundamental change to the entertainment broadcasting industry—from watching live immersive video streaming from the comforts of home in various screen formats such as high resolution screens or VR glasses, to production teams managing live, high-def and near real-time content streams across multiple territories. And as a catalyst for collaboration, 5G powered technology will create a more efficient production process with the added benefit of reaching teammates in remote locations. 

With some television and movie productions paused—or even halted due to COVID-19—the entertainment broadcasting industry has had to make quick pivots, embracing what technology has to offer to overcome new challenges. The broadcasting tech revolution, while out of necessity today, will serve to accelerate the early examples of how 5G can transform the business of broadcasting and new audience experiences in the post-pandemic world of tomorrow. 

Sanyogita Shamsunder is the vice president of 5G Labs and Innovation at Verizon. 

WASHINGTON—After 39 months, the FCC has announced that the post-incentive auction transition, which saw many TV stations take part in the repack from their pre-auction channels, has been successfully completed.

As of July 13, the 600 MHz spectrum that the TV stations have vacated and was sold during the broadcast incentive auction is now available for use by wireless mobile broadband services. 

This comes 10 days after phase 10 of the repack was scheduled to conclude on July 3. During the repack, 987 full-power and Class A TV stations were reassigned to new TV channels. To date, the commission says that 99% of those stations have successfully transitioned; those that have not yet made the move were granted short extensions due to unforeseen circumstances, but are still scheduled to complete the repack by the end of the summer. These remaining stations are currently located in the portion of the band allocated for broadcast TV or the duplex gap, and none are expected to delay the deployment of wireless services in the 600 MHz band.

PLUS: FCC Marks Complicated TV Station Repack Deadline(s)

The FCC will continue to work with stations on distributing their reimbursements for relocation expenses from the $2.75 billion TV Broadcaster Relocation Fund.

With the now available spectrum, the FCC says millions of Americans will benefit as it will now be used for the development and promotion of 5G, to help close the digital divide in rural America, ease congestion on wireless networks and spur job creation and economic growth.

“Today represents a milestone in the commission’s effort to repurpose spectrum to meet the demands of wireless consumers,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “I want to thank the broadcast and wireless industries, the tower crews, the equipment manufacturers and the radio frequency engineers who support them for the hard work they have done over the past 39 months to make the benefits of the broadcast incentive auction a reality.”

The National Association of Broadcasters’ President and CEO Gordon Smith also provided a statement on the official end of the repack:

“I am incredibly proud of the broadcast television industry for its herculean efforts to meet the FCC’s aggressive repacking deadlines, despite complex and extenuating circumstances.

“NAB thanks the FCC staff for their flexibility in working with stations to facilitate transitions and grant extensions when possible. We are also grateful to Congress for allocating the additional funds needed to fully reimburse broadcasters for costs associated with these mandatory moves.

“There is still much work to be done. To meet FCC deadlines, many stations have been required to operate on temporary facilities that do not serve all station viewers. NAB will continue to work with the FCC to ensure that these stations are made whole and that affected viewers regain access to their local channels.

“In this uncertain time, it is vital that TV viewers have access to local news, entertainment and lifeline information.”

WASHINGTON—The FCC's approval to open up 1,200 MHz of spectrum in the 6 GHz band drew criticism from those representing the interests of broadcasters, like NAB, and the praise from unlicensed wireless device backers, such as the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA). 

The FCC Report and Order authorizes indoor low-power operation of unlicensed wireless devices, such as Wi-Fi 6 modems, across the 6 GHz band (5.925 to 7.125 GHz), which is used by radio and television stations for electronic newsgathering as well as other incumbents, including utilities, public safety entities and wireless backhaul concerns, that rely on the band for microwave transmission. It also authorizes standard-power devices in 850 MHz of the band.

According to the FCC, an automatic frequency coordination system will prevent the standard-power devices from interfering with incumbent servers.

The SBE, however, is critical of the vote because in its view the agency has failed to protect incumbents. “The problem with FCC's decision is that it absolutely does not protect incumbent services, including BAS, CARS and LTTS licensees in the 6425-6525 MHz band from interference that will disrupt or preclude electronic news gathering,” said SBE General Counsel Chris Imlay,

“As SBE noted in comments and in an ex parte submission—which the FCC quoted from but essentially ignored in the Report and Order—among the flaws in the rules adopted by the Commission are: (1) The power level is far too high for indoor applications; (2) There is a complete absence of any duty cycle limitation. (3) There are insufficient out-of-band emission limits. (4) There is no possibility that unlicensed broadband mobile devices can sense a temporary receive location in a stadium or other indoor location. (5) The indoor application limitation for U-NII-6 and U-NII-8 devices is unenforceable.”

“The bottom line with any unlicensed device is that if unauthorized deployment or unauthorized device configuration cannot be addressed prior to the point of sale, the rule is not enforceable, post hoc,” he said. 

Reacting to today’s vote, NAB Executive Vice President of Communications Dennis Wharton expressed disappointment that the agency would permit unlicensed, uncoordinated use across the band, as well as dissatisfaction with how the FCC went about making its decision.

“Unlike in other recent proceedings, the commission did not bring stakeholders together to seek compromise. Moreover, the order represents an inexplicable departure from existing precedent,” said Wharton.

“Rather than require unlicensed proponents to prove they will not cause harmful interference, the commission shockingly forgoes any independent analysis that interference won’t be too bad or happen too often. This ‘fingers crossed’ approach is bad policy and not what is required under law,” he said.

WISPA President Claude Aiken, however, lauded the FCC action. “Three-quarters or more of all internet traffic moves over unlicensed devices and networks, keeping us connected, informed and, especially for the day’s recent events, safe. To say that it is important is a gross understatement,” he said.

Aiken pointed out that unlicensed spectrum “is stressed to the max” and there has been no sizable allocation of spectrum for unlicensed use in 20 years. Saying the agency “did the right thing,” he praised the FCC for weighing the evidence and determining unlicensed devices can safely share the band.

“This at a time when IoT, AI, smart home and other unlicensed-dependent technologies flood the marketplace; the deployment of 5G rapidly takes shape; and the Black Swan of the world’s new pandemic-induced, stay-at-home connectivity paradigm has put crushing demands on our networks and unlicensed ecosystem,” he said. In Aiken’s view, the commission’s action will help remedy the situation.

However, Wharton pointed specifically to possible negative ramifications of the action for the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.  “The COVID-19 crisis has prompted Americans to flock to credible, lifeline local television and broadcast network news in record numbers. If today’s FCC decision is wrong, it will irreparably undermine broadcast newsgathering just as it is needed most," he said.

PLUS: NAB: 6 GHz Facts Being Ignored by OTI, Others

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) applauded the FCC for its vote, saying opening the spectrum will bring “radical change for the Wi-Fi industry,” making possible greater speed, lower latency and more network capacity.

“Extending Wi-Fi into the 6 GHz spectrum band can provide more Wi-Fi capacity than all the other bands put together,” said WBA CEO Tiago Rodrigues, adding that using Wi-Fi 6 technology in the band will deliver wireless service that’s equivalent to 5G networks.

“In terms of the capability and capacity of networks, Wi-Fi 6E, will rewrite the rules of what is possible,” he said.

PLUS: FCC Spectrum Plan Could Add $183B to Economy, Per WiFiForward

The FCC also adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in which it wants comments on a proposal to allow very low-power devices, such as VR and AR devices, that support high data rate applications into the band. It also wants comments on increasing the power level of indoor access points. 

WUPPERTAL, Germany—School’s back in session, and students aren’t the only ones who need to prepare for the new school year. The University of Georgia Athletic Association prepared itself for its upcoming schedule of live sport productions by expanding upon its Riedel Communications infrastructure with an updated Artist digital matrix intercom platform.

Installing a new Artist 128 mainframe in its central core, Georgia uses the system to integrate its multiple sports venues across campus to help streamline live broadcasts, live streaming, video board presentations and in-venue fan promotions. The venues covered by the Artist 128 include Sanford Stadium and Stegeman Coliseum through the central core, while the system is linked via fiber to the frames for Foley Field, Jack Turner Stadium, Turner Soccer Complex, Gabrielsen Natatorium and the William Porter Payne and Porter Otis Payne Indoor Athletic Facility.

The school is also adding a Bolero wireless intercom system with 15 beltpacks and seven antennas to replace a wired system that was used in several venues. The Bolero system can integrate directly with Artist and enables all user groups to communicate with a single system.

Georgia says that the new setup has helped specifically with men’s and women’s basketball and gymnastics, where multiple wireless channels have replaced an existing party line setup.

Manteo, N.C.— Through wind and rain, stage fights, environmental acoustics and more, Point Source Audio mics have weathered all the challenges in The Lost Colony, the outdoor theatre production located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The audio team, confident in their PSA investment since 2013, recently added the new patent-pending CO2 Confidence Collectiondual-element headset mic to their collection of 24 active on set mics.

“We were excited to see a product that made the application of the dual elements simpler by combining those wire runs and keeping things as tidy as possible. That mic has been a great benefit to the production,” says Sound Designer/composer Michael Rasbury. “The [lead] character is most likely to have a mic issue due to the activity required by this role; stage combat; perspiration.”

Since 1937, The Lost Colony has been telling the story of the first English colonies in North America and their mysterious disappearance. Over the past few years, the audio systems have been overhauled, upgraded and redesigned, including the ever-important microphones.

Robust equipment to withstand elements including water—in the form of rain and perspiration— as well as wind and heat is invaluable for theatre, but especially for outdoor theatre. The associate producer Lance Culpepper explains: “To provide our audience the experience that they’re expecting, we really have to put a lot of our resources into ensuring that the audio equipment can sustain itself through all of these dynamic changes. That’s one of the reasons why microphones are so important to us. Prior to the Point Source mics, we saw a much shorter lifespan with the previous microphones and we had to send them out for servicing more frequently. We don’t see those problems with the Point Source mics.”

“I am beyond pleased with the addition of Point Source microphones to our production,” states A1 Joseph Reynolds. “The waterproof elements are paramount to an outdoor period drama, where the perspiration of the talent could compromise mic functionality. I especially enjoy the dual behind the ear headsets. It helps to have consistent placement and keeps the mic off the talent’s face.”

Placement is an important consideration as noted by Rasbury. “From a design perspective, the low profile of these microphones is key for getting the mic near the voice without detracting from the 16th-century costume design. Our show is also very physical in nature. We have a large company and large-scale fight choreography. Given the way these mics attach to both ears, they stay on the actor and in the correct place throughout the show.”

The other feature of the PSA mics that the team wants to highlight is that “the frequency response of these elements is excellent (20Hz to 20kHz),” says Rasbury. “Our show also includes gunshots, explosions, and loud actor responses; these do not distort at high SPL.” Reynolds adds, “The frequency response is tailored nicely to the full range of human speech and I don’t have to slice up every channel with a parametric scalpel.”

The CO2 Confidence Collection has two waterproof and frequency-matched elements, each measuring a tiny 3mm. Both elements offer built-in redundancy and integrate PSA’s first-to-market features including IP 57 waterproof rating and the “unbreakable” headset boom. Point Source Audio mics are engineered for durability and to endure challenging mic applications.

Culpepper appreciates the support from Point Source Audio. “They’ve been great to work with,” he says. “The communication has been excellent as well as customer service-wise. Knowing that we’re not just another account number with them means a lot to our organization.”

The audio team at The Lost Colony includes sound designer Michael Rasbury, A1 Joe Reynolds, and A2 Josiah Rodgers. Microphones supplied by Wake Forest, NC-based Provision Audio Video Solutions.

For more information about Point Source Audio and its products, visit www.point-sourceaudio.com.

AboutThe Lost Colony

First staged in 1937, The Lost Colony is the nation’s premier and longest-running outdoor symphonic drama. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paul Green and produced by the Roanoke Island Historical Association, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, The Lost Colony’s 2019 season runs May 31-Aug. 23, 2019 at Roanoke Island’s Waterside Theatre, located within the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on the Outer Banks. For information, go to www.thelostcolony.org

About Point Source Audio

Point Source Audio (@PSA_audio) manufactures and distributes worldwide their SERIES8, EMBRACE, and CONFIDENCE collection of miniature microphones—a unique line of headset, earworn and earmounted microphones known for their robust bendable boom and waterproof features. The company also holds two patents for the EMBRACE concealable microphone as well as the patent for the world’s first modular in-ear comms headset that is supporting the hearing health for audio, lighting and camera techs using headsets everywhere from sports to space. Founded in 2004, Point Source Audio is headquartered in Petaluma, California. For more information call (415) 226-1122 or visit www.point-sourceaudio.com. Follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PSA_audio.

IBC 2019, 13-17 September, Hall 10 Stand C25: DTC Broadcast will feature its entire wireless AEON transmitter range, including the acclaimed AEON Lite transmitter and the PRORXD-AEON receiver, all at a new location during IBC 2019 in Amsterdam from 13–17 September.

DTC Broadcast has relocated to Hall 10 this year to ensure the highest visibility for its AEON transmitter range as well as the latest developments for other new DTC Broadcast products.

According to DTC Vice President, Broadcast Sales, JP Delport, “A few years ago the SNG market was core business for us, but bonded SIM technology has changed the game for newsgathering. However there has been growth in OB and live event production, so overall we have seen an increased requirement for our technology and our move to Hall 10 reflects the shift in our customer base.”

DTC’s AEON Lite is the lightest and smallest HEVC 4K transmitter currently on the market and is highly regarded for exceptional RF and picture performance. Designed to offer future-proof connectivity, the unit supports quad 3G-SDI video inputs which enable the user to transmit up to four simultaneous HD signals over a single RF channel.

AEON Lite will be demonstrated with the PRORXD-AEON, an integrated eight-way diversity 4K receiver/decoder that includes maximum ratio combining across all eight RF inputs.

DTC will also feature its industry-leading IP Mesh technology. Multiple RF nodes serve as both transmitters and receivers and are combined into a wireless ad-hoc IP network – DTC’s fluid, self-forming, self-healing mesh. Unlike other wireless options, Mesh constantly readjusts itself as nodes move, working out which are in range to determine the best route to send data between them. With genuine non-line-of-sight coverage, superb penetration, and wide bandwidth in difficult environments, the system is truly mobile. It supplies a network with extended range – one which will deliver in environments too tough for other radio solutions to cope with.

Finally, yet important to professionals in the video assist market, is the introduction of DTC’s CineVue, which combines DTC’s Nano HD camera-back transmitter with a purpose-built handheld visual receiver. The CineVue system takes an HD-SDI video feed from a film camera; encodes the signal to a low bitrate; modulates that signal on an RF spectrum; and transmits it to the handheld monitor to provide high-quality visibility of what is taking place on a shoot in real-time, including highly valuable metadata such as colour lookup tables, lens data, and time stamps.

###

About DTC Domo Broadcast - Broadcasting without boundaries

DTC Broadcast (Domo Tactical Communications) is at the forefront of wireless broadcast communication technologies. DTC has developed its cutting edge technologies for the broadcast market providing real technical and operational benefits that empower users to broadcast without boundaries.

A world-class supplier of wireless links globally and a leader in the MPEG4 wireless technology revolution, DTC offers high-quality, DVB-T low-delay broadcast transmitter/receiver systems and IP solutions designed specifically for electronic news gathering, outside broadcast, satellite newsgathering, motor and extreme sports coverage, portable field monitoring and video assist applications.

Backed by more than 50 years' experience in the military and surveillance market, DTC’s broadcast portfolio benefits from the ultra-high build quality and ruggedness these markets require.

For more information www.domobroadcast.tv

Media enquiries

Manor Marketing
Kara Myhill
+44 (0) 789 9977222
kara@manormarketing.tv

LAS VEGAS—At the 2019 NAB Show Teradek introduced the Ace 500 zero-delay wireless video system, targeting smaller production budgets. The ACE 500 features the same wireless technology found in the company’s Bolt product line, but in an ultralight, streamlined experience at a more accessible price point, according to the company.

“Ace 500 was designed for independent creatives beginning to incorporate wireless video into their workflows, or for those operating within strict budgets who still need a reliable video link,” said Greg Smokler, vice president, products for Teradek.

Ace 500 transmits uncompressed 1080p60 video up to 500ft. line-of-sight with less than 1ms delay. The units feature HDMI input/output and can be powered via the 3.5mm barrel input using either a PTap/2pin power source or one of several battery plate accessories available.

Since the Ace 500 is compatible with Teradek’s Bolt ecosystem, users of the ACE 500 can transmit and receive video from any Bolt 500 or SmallHD FOCUS 500 transmitter/receiver.

The Teradek Ace 500 will be available mid-June and a transmitter/receiver set will retail for $999.00.

You need to have your head in the sand these days to avoid talk about the next-generation wireless technology commonly known as 5G.

Proponents of 5G technology tout its ability to create new jobs; spark the growth of “smart cities”; manage command, control and payload for unmanned aircraft systems; and enable significant innovations in health care, transportation and public safety. And while it might be easy to discount 5G as simply a wireless technology, there is significant potential opportunity here for broadcasters, too.

Broadcasters would be wise to educate themselves now about what 5G is and how it could affect the broadcast industry going forward.

5G principally refers to a wireless standard adopted by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (“3GPP”) in December 2017 known as 5G NR (“5G” because it is the fifth generation wireless standard and “NR” for “New Radio”), although some early 5G deployments rely on other 5G standards.

The Federal Communications Commission, for its part, appears fully committed to advancing 5G in the United States. Chairman Ajit Pai and other FCC commissioners regularly speak about the importance of winning the race to 5G, and the commission has backed its words with actions, taking a number of steps to make spectrum available for 5G applications and adopting new rules over the past year to streamline deployment of the potentially hundreds of thousands of small wireless facilities needed to take full advantage of 5G technologies.

The competition to be the “first to 5G” exists both at home and abroad. Here in the United States, wireless providers are vying to be the first to offer 5G, with trial launches already underway in some markets and the promise of nationwide 5G networks within the next few years. Meanwhile, the United States, China, South Korea, Japan and others are battling to be the first country to deploy a commercially viable, large-scale 5G network, which comes not only with bragging rights and the direct benefits that come from deploying a next-generation technology, but also the opportunity to establish the features and implementations to be used worldwide, fueling equipment manufacturing and exports.

5G CHARACTERISTICS

One of the features of the 5G NR standard is that it can operate on a wide variety of frequencies. 5G divides spectrum into two groups: FR1 (450 MHz – 6 GHz) and FR2 (24 GHz – 52 GHz) (millimeter wave spectrum). Today’s mainstream wireless networks operate on the low and mid-band spectrum associated with FR1, which travels greater distances and, particularly on the lower end of the frequency range (near existing broadcast spectrum), features stronger building penetration. Millimeter wave spectrum, meanwhile, is characterized by short wavelengths and large bands that can carry substantial amounts of data.

The use of millimeter wave spectrum as part of 5G networks has the potential to transform both how wireless providers deliver data and how Americans consume it. To take advantage of the benefits of millimeter wave spectrum, wireless carriers plan to deploy hundreds of thousands of new small cells — in many cases several per square mile. Networks utilizing this new infrastructure promise to offer more speed, more capacity and lower latency than existing networks. The FCC recently reached a milestone in the transition to next-generation wireless networks with the conclusion of Auction 101, the nation’s first auction of millimeter wave spectrum for the deployment of 5G services.

[Read: ONE Media Pitches FCC Commissioner O'Reilly On 3.0 As Part Of 5G Deployment]

The wireless industry trade group CTIA has estimated that 5G networks, using millimeter wave technology, will generate a throughput 10 times faster than 4G: possibly reaching over 1 Gbps. 5G networks will also offer connection density up to 100 times greater than 4G, meaning more devices will be able to utilize the same frequencies. Finally, lower latency associated with 5G networks will allow for near real-time interactions, allowing wireless networks to fuel applications like virtual reality and remote medical services that are not possible today.

Wireless providers are adopting different approaches to 5G — dictated, in large part, by their existing spectrum holdings. T-Mobile is planning to rely heavily on the 600 MHz spectrum that it acquired in the recent TV Broadcast Incentive Auction for its initial 5G deployments, providing broad coverage and in-building penetration that is not possible with higher band spectrum. AT&T and Verizon, which hold licenses for large amounts of spectrum in the 28 GHz, 37 GHz and 39 GHz bands, are focused on launching 5G using their millimeter wave spectrum, which will require a substantial investment in dense infrastructure to achieve the speed and capacity benefits that come with millimeter wave deployments. Sprint’s 5G plans, meanwhile, center around using “massive MIMO” — the use of 64 transmitters and receivers in a single array — to optimize its existing 2.5 GHz spectrum.

While the wireless industry is working to deliver its next generation networks, broadcasters are undergoing a technological renaissance of their own. On the radio side, adoption of digital radio technology continues to expand as more broadcasters employ in-band on-channel digital transmissions and consumers and auto manufacturers increasingly embrace digital radio receivers. On the television side, meanwhile, ATSC 3.0 promises to allow broadcasters to make better use of their spectrum by utilizing IP-based delivery for both video and data content, increasing the usable bandwidth associated with each channel and allowing better interconnectivity with other IP-based systems.

For now, 5G and digital broadcast technologies are operating on parallel paths. But just as the internet has blurred the line between content creators and content distributors, emerging transmission technologies have the potential to blur the lines between wireless providers and broadcasters.

After all, even on existing 4G networks, wireless users consume a substantial amount of data to stream audio and video content. Meanwhile, emerging digital broadcast technologies may allow broadcasters to think about broadcasting less as an audio or video service and more as a service for delivering data, whether it be audio content, video content, or something else entirely. Put another way, just as 5G may enable increased use of traditional wireless spectrum for distribution of audio and video content, digital radio and ATSC 3.0 may enable the increased use of broadcast spectrum for distribution of data.

While there is likely to be increasing overlap between wireless and broadcasting in the future, the technologies are just as likely to emerge as complementary services as competing ones. Even as technology continues to expand the utility of wireless and broadcasting alike, each will offer its own strengths. While 5G has the potential to revolutionize the way consumers interact with information and with each other, emerging 5G networks are still built around a traditional one-to-one architecture that prioritizes customization and on-demand content delivery over a shared experience.

While it technically may be possible to broadcast content over 5G networks, not only would that require new equipment to reach devices like radios and TVs, but it would not seem to be the best use of 5G networks designed around densification. Nevertheless, streaming is likely to be a major consumer feature of 5G, and broadcasters should be prepared to take advantage of the increased bandwidth and low latency that 5G networks will offer.

[Read: Intel: 5G Will Spur $1.3T Global M&E Market Over Next Decade]

Broadcasting’s greatest — and unique — strength, meanwhile, remains its ability to efficiently distribute content to many recipients at the same time. To the extent broadcasters attempt to expand their use of spectrum for data services, therefore, the most likely use cases are those intended to reach large audiences (e.g., software updates, music albums, TV shows, movies, etc.) and that require a wide geographic reach, including areas that can’t be reached readily or efficiently by small cells.

Importantly, 5G has the potential to transform and improve how broadcasters can operate behind the scenes, as well. Today, broadcasters increasingly rely on wireless networks for everything from uploading a news story from the field to transmitting entire remote broadcasts. 5G networks promise to enhance the reliability of existing wireless data transmissions while making them useful for more data-intensive applications, such as point-to-point links, that currently are frequently relegated to microwave, fiber or satellite.

The time is now for broadcasters to develop their plans for the 5G future. Although widespread availability of 5G services is not yet here, the promotion of 5G is already in overdrive, and broadcasters should begin planning now for how they can ensure that 5G is an asset rather than a liability. This may include steps such as expanding their streaming offerings to better compete against the plethora of services likely to take advantage of 5G networks in coming years and compete for space on the dashboard to updating capital planning budgets to account for purchases of 5G enabled hardware.

Broadcasters have repeatedly demonstrated remarkable dexterity in adapting to technological change. In the past 20 years alone, they have adapted to the rise of the internet as a content delivery medium to 3G and then 4G wireless services, not only meeting competition head on, but also utilizing new technologies to improve their own product, developing new broadcast standards from digital radio and IBOC on the radio side to DTV and ATSC 3.0 for television.

5G presents a potential opportunity to take things to another level, delivering performance that rivals the best wireline internet services with the flexibility of wireless connection. Consumer electronics companies, medical device manufacturers, city planners, automobile manufacturers and others are already planning for new and exciting ways to take advantage of 5G services, and broadcasters would be wise to be right beside them.

The author is a partner in the telecommunications, media and technology practice at Wiley Rein LLP. Wiley Rein Engineering Consultant Richard Engelman and Consulting Counsel Bruce A. Romano contributed to this commentary.

Every pundit worth his or her salt is making predictions about the impact of 5G on the world economy. Intel just released a report that attempts to measure that impact on the media and entertainment market.

According to a new “5G Economics of Entertainment Report,” commissioned by Intel and conducted by Ovum, nearly $3 trillion in cumulative revenue opportunities will be spurred by wireless technology from 2019-2028 and experiences enabled by 5G networks will account for nearly half of it (close to $1.3 trillion).

The report cites 2025 as the “tipping point” for 5G, predicting that by then, 57 percent of global wireless media revenues will be generated by the next-gen cellular standard, which promises bandwidth up to 100 Gbps. With speeds potentially up to 1,000x faster than the current 4G protocol, the buffering issues that come with livestreaming and large downloads will be a thing of the past.

5G’s speed will also enable the growth of immersive services such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), which will generate more than $140 billion in cumulative revenues between 2021 and 2028. Ovum predicts that gaming will be at the forefront of 5G-led innovations, with AR gaming comprising annual revenues of nearly $36 billion globally, or more than 90 percent of 5G AR revenues.

By 2028, new “immersive,” currently non-existent applications will provide an annual revenue bucket of $67 billion, which is the value of the entire current global mobile media market--video, music and games–in 2017, Ovum predicts.

For the current media market, 5G is characterized by Ovum as a “major competitive asset” which will allow telecom companies to better compete with cable, satellite and IPTV. The term “cord-cutting” will seem like an anachronism a decade from now as telcos offering 5G will be able to offer most, if not more than the same services as current wired cable service providers.

5G will also have a major impact on mobile display advertising, as higher speeds will enable social and media immersive experiences, leading to an expected market of $178 billion worldwide by 2028.

The average monthly traffic per 5G subscriber will grow from 11.7GB in 2019 to 84.4GB per month in 2028, at which point video will account for 90 percent of all 5G traffic, according to the report. Ovum also warns that the demand for applications for 5G will mean that evolved 3G and 4G networks will suffer as their capacity will be insufficient to handle the increased video viewing time, content evolution to higher resolutions, more embedded media and immersive experiences.

“5G will inevitably shake up the media and entertainment landscape. It will be a major competitive asset if companies adapt, said Jonathan Wood, general manager of Business Development & Partnerships, 5G Next Generation and Standards at Intel. “If not, they risk failure or even extinction.”

SEATTLE—Imagine equipping reporters, athletes, reality show participants and anyone else who has an interesting point-of-view perspective with an ultralight, 1080p HD camera that is battery-free. How would that change the way stations and producers tell certain stories?

A team of researchers from the University of Washington has hit upon an idea that may one day make possible small, lightweight, extremely power-efficient cameras capable of these types of shots. Their paper, “Towards Battery-Free HD Video Streaming,” describes a way to remove power-hungry components, such as analog-to-digital converters and codecs, from a camera assembly and employ an analog video backscatter technique to transmit pixels to a device, such as a cell phone, from which video can be streamed.

[Read: Social Broadcasting Among Ericsson’s Top 2018 Trends]

The approach eliminates the dual problems of overheating and weight that have made wearable cameras, particularly those that use a spectacle form factor, problematic. By dramatically reducing power consumption, the design may enable a new generation of wearable HD cameras.

“Existing approaches optimize the camera and communication modules individually to minimize power consumption. However, designing an efficient video streaming device requires power-consuming hardware components and video codec algorithms that interface to the camera and communications modules,” the paper says.

Optical lens and photo-diode arrays have been designed to use as little as 1.2 µW, and recent backscatter designs lower power consumption to a few microwatts with custom ICs. However, the ADCs and video codecs needed to interface the two “significantly add to power consumption,” it says.

To reduce power requirements, the researchers’ approach feeds “analog pixels from the photo-diodes directly to the backscatter antenna” and eliminates the camera head’s ADCs and codecs that gobble power. The research team evaluated its new design by simulating an ASIC and found it could achieve 720p 60fps with 321 µW and 1080p HD with 806 µW. “This translates to 1000x and 10,000x lower power than is used for existing digital video streaming approaches,” says the paper.

The researchers employed a backscatter design that leverages pulse width modulation (PWM). “Instead of using linear amplifiers to amplify the analog video stream, we use comparators to pulse width modulate the camera sensor’s analog output and convert into [the] digital domain…,” it says.

A smartphone equipped with an RFID reader that plugs into the headphone jack can be used as a backscatter reader. Future designs could see the backscatter readers built directly into smartphones, says the paper.

The research team built a prototype using off-the-shelf components on a custom-designed printed circuit board. The prototype was used to evaluate how the wireless camera performed. The researchers then used the ASIC design of the wireless camera to quantify how much power is consumed for various video resolutions and frame rates. Actually building the ASIC, however, was beyond the budget of the researchers, the paper says.

“Our empirical results also show that we can harvest sufficient energy to enable battery-free 30 fps 1080p video streaming at up to 8 feet,” the paper says. The researchers also demonstrated that with the prototype proof-of-concept camera they were able to backscatter 720p HD at 10 fps up to 16 feet.

The authors of the paper include Saman Naderiparizi, Mehrdad Hessar, Vamsi Talla, Shyamnath Gollakota and Joshua R. Smith.

WASHINGTON--No missile hit Hawaii in January; but the false alert about one certainly had an impact, heightening the focus on the nation’s alerting system including Wireless Emergency Alerts

At Tuesday’s Federal Communications Commission meeting, all five commissioners including the chairman were in agreement about the need to improve wireless emergency alerting. They adopted rules specifically to improve the geographic targeting of such alerts.

The updated rules are designed to promote wider use and effectiveness of WEA, particularly for state and local authorities to convey critical messages to communities.

The commission also added to the meeting a last-minute presentation by the Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau. It provided a preliminary report from its investigation into the false alert that occurred on Jan. 13.

The FCC will now require wireless providers to deliver WEA alerts in a more geographically precise manner so that alerts reach affected communities but not those outside of an affected area.

This enhanced “geotargeting” requirement — whereby WEA alerts must be delivered no more than a one-tenth of a mile outside of the target area — will go into effect on Nov. 30, 2019. The rules also state that alert messages must remain in an easily accessible format on mobile devices for 24 hours after the alert is sent.

See also: CTIA Says Implementing WEA Geotargeting Changes Will Take Time 

“Today, the FCC took a major step forward in improving our wireless emergency alert system,” Chairman Ajit Pai said. “[Today we] made an important life-saving tool even more effective.”

Other changes to WEA include a requirement that wireless providers support Spanish-language messages and extend the length of alert messages from 90 to 360 characters. The deadline for those enhancements is May 1, 2019.

More information on the changes enacted can be found here.

This article originally appeared in Radio World.

WASHINGTON--Could America’s 5G network be nationalized by the federal government in the next three years, becoming a “21st century equivalent of the Eisenhower National Highway System"?

It’s a dramatic possibility raised by a Trump national security official, according to a story published over the weekend by Axios. But all three Republicans on the Federal Communications Commission, including the chairman, immediately sought to squash the idea in statements Monday, and the White House subsequently downplayed the story.

Axios is a news site founded in 2016 by three former top executives at Politico. Its story said internal administration documents argue that to protect against China, America needs a centralized nationwide 5G network, and that they outline an option under which the government would pay for and build a single network — essentially a federal takeover of part of the U.S. mobile communications system.

The material was produced by a “senior National Security Council official,” according to Axios, and presented recently to leaders at other agencies. According to Axios, one internal presentation states that China “is the dominant malicious actor in the Information Domain,” and that the best way to respond would be for the government to build a network and rent access to carriers.

Axios notes that this would be “a marked shift from the current system where those companies each build their own systems with their own equipment, and with airwaves leased from the federal government.” 

Such internal long-term discussions are common in Washington. One source told Axios that the draft in question was an “old” one and a newer version is neutral about whether the government should build and own it. The documents also outline other possible plans, including a market consortium approach that still would involve more cooperation among competitors than is currently the case. The carrier industry is a powerful one on the Hill. And Axios notes that U.S. deployment of 5G infrastructure is already well underway in the private marketplace. AT&T told the news outlet that 5G launch in the country is “already well down the road.”

According to the website Recode, White House officials also emphasized that the document as published was dated. “They also stressed it had merely been floated by a staff member, not a reflection of some imminent, major policy announcement — and probably might never be.”

But it’s a subject with vast implications, raising the possibility of a federal process for installing wireless equipment, regulating wireless sales and in the longer term influencing development of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, autonomous cars and the Internet of Things.

Read more here: Scoop: Trump team considers nationalizing 5G network

Ajit Pai, chairman of the FCC named to that position by President Trump, immediately reacted: “I oppose any proposal for the federal government to build and operate a nationwide 5G network,” he said in a statement. "The main lesson to draw from the wireless sector’s development over the past three decades—including American leadership in 4G—is that the market, not government, is best positioned to drive innovation and investment. What government can and should do is to push spectrum into the commercial marketplace and set rules that encourage the private sector to develop and deploy next-generation infrastructure. Any federal effort to construct a nationalized 5G network would be a costly and counterproductive distraction from the policies we need to help the United States win the 5G future.”

Fellow Republican Commissioner Michael O'Rielly was more colorful: "I've seen lead balloons before tried in D.C. but this is like a balloon made out of a Ford Pinto."

The wireless industry concurred.

“The wireless industry agrees that winning the race to 5G is a national priority," said CTIA President Meredith Attwell Baker, but she signaled industry should be the one driving that train: "The government should pursue the free market policies that enabled the U.S. wireless industry to win the race to 4G.”

The president is expected to talk about infrastructure needs in his State of the Union speech Jan. 30.

John Eggerton contributed to this story.

SIMI VALLEY, CA.—Airborne Wireless Network announced it has been granted an experimental operating certificate by the Federal Communications Commission for ground- and flight-testing its airborne broadband demo system. AWN said it is testing to develop something it calls the “Infinitus Super Highway,” the company’s patented air-to-air communication system.

The FCC approval will allow the company to conduct testing on the ground and over its intended flight test operating area near Roswell, N.M. As part of the tests, the company will utilize two Boeing testbed aircraft and pass broadband data between each aircraft inflight and a ground station, in a first of its kind air-to-air and air-to-ground meshed network link.

The experimental license information is in FCC file number 0378-EX-ST-2017X.

MERIDEN, CONN.—Radio Frequency Systems is getting its Olympic moment during the 2016 Games, as the company is providing wireless communication systems to several venues. Among the technology that RFS is suppling is its active DAS system equipment and passive components. RFS will also be on hand to manage the systems during the course of the Games.

RFS systems will be utilized for coverage at the International Broadcast Center and Main Press Center in Olympic Park, Engenhão Stadium, Rio Centro Convention Center, and the Maracanã Stadium outdoor arena.

RFS equipment includes an active DAS solution with Cobham Wireless, as well as passive components including cables, indoor antennas, diplexers, combiners, and low- and high-frequency stadium antennas. RFS’ Hybriflex feeder cabling system is also being used to connect master to remote units in active DAS systems. The company will also handle RF design, project management, field supervision, commissioning and tests.

The 2016 Summer Olympics begin Friday, Aug. 5 and run through Aug. 21 in Rio de Janeiro.

WATERTOWN, S.D.—Advances in wireless are changing the landscape and delivery models for industries as diverse as health care, financial services, higher education, agriculture, energy, aviation, utilities, public safety, government and the military.

Did you know that the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE), a national trade organization, is providing the “muscle” behind this mobility revolution? NATE’s 800 + member companies are playing a prominent role as wireless infrastructure service and equipment providers in order to enable this global connectivity.

This enhanced technology is vital to meet both our present and future broadband needs and society’s insatiable thirst for data consumption. According to annual survey results released by CTIA – The Wireless Association, Americans used 9.6 trillion megabytes (MB) of data in 2015. This data usage is three times the 3.2 trillion MB of data utilized in 2013. The CTIA data compared this growth to the equivalent of consumers streaming 59,219 videos every minute or roughly 18 million MB!

Additionally, according to a report from the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), next generation wireless networks have the potential to add roughly $2.7 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product by 2030. This figure equates to an average annual growth boost of 0.7 percent or an overall increase of 11 percent in economic output.

NATE member companies are on the front lines in terms of deploying these next generation communications networks. Just how exactly are NATE member companies helping provide this wireless future? Consider the following areas of critical importance to the future of mobility:

FCC 600 MHZ Incentive Auction

As everyone in the wireless and broadcast industries are acutely aware, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is conducting a 600 MHZ Incentive Auction in order to free up valuable low band radio waves spectrum currently held by broadcasters. This 600 MHZ spectrum is often referred to as “beach front property” because airwaves operating in this band can travel longer distances and provide better in-buidling coverage.

Upon the conclusion of this innovative auction, NATE’s contractor companies and equipment supplier members will be called on to “repurpose” the spectrum by deploying the new antennas and wireless equipment on communications structures located across the United States. This important infrastructure work will help pave the way to enable emerging technologies and networks that are capable of meeting the country’s connectivity and data needs moving forward.

FirstNet Public Safety Broadband Network

NATE members will also be playing a critical role in the build-out of FirstNet, the country’s first nationwide broadband network devoted exclusively to public safety. When the FirstNet build-out is ready to begin, NATE member companies will be helping provide the wireless infrastructure services and equipment necessary to make this network a reality. FirstNet will ultimately help save lives and provide law enforcement officials, fire fighters and EMS personnel with the critical communications capabilities and resources they need to respond to emergency situations.

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Technology

NATE is also playing a proactive role in monitoring the trends and regulatory environment associated with rapidly evolving Unmanned Aerial Systems (drone) technologies and making recommendations to the wireless and broadcast infrastructure community on best practices when it comes to UAS integration. UAS technologies, if integrated appropriately, can play a supplemental role in enhancing safety and quality in the industry as well as contribute to the vital economic, public safety and national security benefits associated with broadband network deployments in the United States.

The Future: 5G Networks

According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), it is widely anticipated that 5G (5th Generation) commercial networks will be in the marketplace by 2020. Wireless carriers like Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile are already in the process of planning 5G trials in the United States in order to pave the way for this technology. The ITU states that 5G networks will have a peak speed of 20 Gbps (billions of bits per second), or 20 times the peak speed specification of today’s 4G LTE networks, which stands at 1 Gps.

NATE member companies have developed and maintained every generation of communications networks and will help make 5G networks a reality in the future. The next time you utilize your smartphone to watch a YouTube video or stream a movie on Netflix, remember that NATE is on the forefront of making these next generation technologies and modern day conveniences possible.

This story first appeared on TVT's sister publication Radio World. 

HACKENSACK, N.J.—In an effort to enable global customers to wirelessly deliver live video, LiveU and LTN Global Communications have announced a new partnership. Courtesy of this new pairing, LiveU customers can utilize the LTN Global IP Network and extend the reach of IP video distribution to access LTN-connected third-party sites.

LiveU products now offer a wireless connection to the LTN Network, which includes major broadcasters, television stations, cable headends, production studios, colleges, sports networks, switching hubs and teleports. Users can link their broadcasts to LTN through the LiveU Central management platform without requiring additional hardware. Point-to-point or point-to-multipoint transmission to LTN destinations can be accomplished through the LTN Booking Portal.

In LiveU’s press release announcing the partnership, Avi Cohen, LiveU co-founder and COO, says that LiveU is LTN’s first wireless partner.

WASHINGTON—The NBC Studio in Washington has added a pair of new Radio Active Design UV-1G wireless intercom systems, courtesy of Jetwave Wireless. A third unit will be used for remote broadcasts.

Jim Dugan, owner of Jetwave Wireless in Alexandria, Virginia.

The UV-1G wireless intercom system base station operates in a small footprint in the UHF band, while bodypacks operate in the VHF band, minimizing the problems of finding available bandwidth. The bodypack systems also work anywhere in a studio facility. Each unit features up to six RAD packs.

Radio Active Designs is a manufacturer of spectrally efficient wireless audio products. The company is based in Lincoln, Neb. Jetwave Wireless is a dealer of Radio Active Design and is located in Alexandria, Va.

ALAMEDA, CALIF.—Clear-Com has no strings with its new wireless intercom systems and IP-based intercom connectivity, which it will show at the upcoming Content & Communications World 2015 conference in New York. Among the products Clear-Com intends to show are the DX410, FreeSpeak II 2.4GHz, and LQ-R.

DX410

The DX410 is a two-channel 2.4GHz digital wireless intercom system that features 7kHz wideband audio with a miniaturized beltpack and All-in-One wireless headset. It also features 2- and 4-wire bridging and 2-wire auto-nulling.

Clear-Com’s FreeSpeak II 2.4GHz is a new distributed wireless system. FreeSpeak II is able to operate as a standalone system with up to 20 full-duplex wireless beltpacks connected to a single station for point-to-point and group communications. The base station can mix 1.9GHz and 2.4GHz system components in the same system. The system also features Active Transceiver Antennas, giving the beltpack-to-base station a distance range of up to 3,200 feet. The full-duplex digital beltpack features up to five communication routes, four programmable pushbuttons and a replay button, two rotary encoders, an internal antenna and can run for 18-hours battery time.

In addition, the company plans to show LQ-R IP interface devices. Available in four or eight ports in a compact 1RU form factor, the system can extend or link 2-wire/4-wire intercom and audio systems over LAN, WAN or IP networks to remote locations. All devices can support eight 4-wire connections, four 2-wire connections, or four 2-wire and four 4-wire connections in a single unit. The 2-wire option is compatible with Clear-Com and RTS TW systems.

To find at more, attendees can visit Clear-Com at booth 1411. CCW 2015 runs from Nov. 11-12 at the Javits Convention Center in New York.

RIO RANCHO, N.M.—Designed to address congested RF environments, Lectrosonics has unveiled its Venue 2 Digital Hybrid Wireless modular receiver. The Venue 2 has a 220 MHz range, houses up to six receiver modules, each of which covers 75 MHz, and features IQ dynamic tracking filters for rejection of out-of-band RF energy and tight channel spacing.

The receiver modules can be operated independently, each with switched diversity reception for as many as six audio channels, or it can be operated in pairs for one audio channel per module pair for a more diverse reception. Combinations can be mixed and matched within one frame. The VTR2 modules come in four different frequency ranges: A1, covering blocks 470, 19 and 20; B1, covering blocks 21, 22 and 23; C1, covering blocks 24, 25 and 26; and D1, covering blocks 27, 28 and 29.

The system includes a built-in antenna multicoupler with loop-through output. The multicoupler is a dual 1-in, 7-out splitter with six outputs for the receivers and an additional output as a unity gain for another Venue receiver. Phantom power for remote antenna amplifiers is also available from the multicoupler antenna inputs.

Additional features include a high-resolution front panel, Wireless Designer software and emulation modes.

The Venue 2 is expected to be released in the fourth quarter of 2015, with a starting price for the VRM2 Frame at $3,325, and $950 for the VRT2 modules.

WASHINGTON—A group of industry associations representing broadcasters and advocates for users of unlicensed wireless (“white space”) devices, is asking the FCC to reconsider its proposal to prevent the relocation of TV stations to areas of the broadcast spectrum used by such unlicensed devices and wireless microphones (so-called “duplex gaps”).

Last year, the commission—in its Framework Order outlining its rules for conducting the spectrum auction, noted the “public interest benefits” of developing a spectrum allocation strategy that would allow the use of unlicensed devices in the 6 MHz portion of the duplex gap nationwide, while also acknowledging that eliminating reserved spectrum for wireless microphones in the same band could jeopardize the ability of ENG crews to deliver breaking news.

Last month, the commission issued an NPRM that would prevent TV stations from being placed in a UHF channel reserved for wireless microphones or unlicensed devices. Such a proposal would upset the “balance” between broadcasters’ ability to deliver breaking news and the use of wireless microphones and unlicensed devices, the groups said.

“This balance would provide unlicensed users with a common channel that would be available in every market nationwide, which is vital to facilitating promised private investment in the WiFi chips and devices that require national markets,” the group--which includes the NAB, Microsoft, Consumers Union and Common Cause--told the commission. “It would also provide wireless microphones with a small amount of exclusive use of spectrum that could be used to cover breaking news and emergencies.”

The group urged the FCC not to “walk away” from its commitment to preserve the duplex gap for sharing between wireless microphones and TV white space devices in every market nationwide.

“Relocating television stations in the duplex gap in certain markets will render the gap in those markets unusable by either unlicensed devices or wireless microphones in those areas where the penetration characteristics of low-band spectrum are most needed,” the group wrote. “The proposal would hamper reporting of breaking news in the most populous cities.”

The groups recommended that the commission stick with its earlier policy.

“We ask the commission to reconsider the earlier proposal to repack broadcasters that do not have a home in the reduced broadcast band in either the uplink or downlink section of the wireless portion of the 600MHz band,” the group said. “This approach provides the commission with the flexibility it needs to execute its variable band plan, and preserves the balance it originally achieved for the duplex gap by reserving it for unlicensed use and licensed wireless microphones.