Important Update on Canadian Government Changes Affecting

Wireless Microphone Usage

By Chris Brooks (SF Technical Support – Ontario)

In January 2010, Industry Canada (IC), the government department that sets and enforces
all rules & regulations affecting radio transmission in this country (as does the FCC in the
United States) made a long anticipated announcement clarifying impending changes to the
regulations affecting wireless microphones. These changes specifically targeted equipment
in the band, 698 – 806 MHz, generally referred to as the 700 MHz band (Broadcast TV
channels 52 – 69).

It should be mentioned here that wireless microphones, in-ear monitors and wireless
intercom systems must by law be licensed in Canada and until recently, in the United
States. In 2010 the FCC reclassified wireless microphones from “part 74” to “part 15”
devices, meaning no license required, at least for now. Still though, in both countries,
operation is permitted on a no-protection, no-interference basis which means that, as
secondary users, we must tolerate interference but not cause any to other spectrum users.
In both countries however, historically these devices have rarely been licensed and
technically operated outside of the law while the department seems to tolerate the situation.

Two years ago in the US the “wireless microphone community,” a group consisting of
manufacturers, consultants and major users, lobbied the FCC for greater protection from
interference expected to result from the changes to regulations and new wireless devices
coming to the marketplace that will be sharing UHF television and therefore wireless mic
frequencies. The group stated that hundreds of thousands of users would suffer. At that
time the FCC’s primary response was that “since we have issued only 900 licenses
nationwide, that is not possible!” There is certainly an element of humour there although,
on a smaller scale, the situation here in Canada would be much the same.

The IC announcement issued on January 15, 2010 stated that effective immediately, the
department would no longer accept applications for certification of wireless microphone
devices that operate in the 700 MHz band. In addition, the technical standards would be
revised to prohibit the manufacture, importation, distribution, leasing or selling of any
equipment that does not comply with the revised standards. In other words, you may not
buy or sell any new or used equipment that operates in the 700 MHz band, in Canada.

Finally, operation of wireless systems in the 700 MHz band will ultimately be prohibited,
presumably on or before August 31st, 2011, the date upon which analog television
broadcasting ceases in Canada. Equipment that happens to operate in the relatively new
public safety bands within the 700 MHz band, 764 – 776 MHz (TV ch 63-64) and 794 – 806
MHz (TV ch 68-69) will be permitted to be used until March 31, 2011 but may experience
interference. In the remaining portions of the 700 MHz band, existing equipment will be
allowed to operate until a “later date” as yet to be announced. Again, this will likely be prior
to August 31st, 2011.