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PUBLIC NOTICE

Federal Communications Commission

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

445 12th St., S.W.

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

Washington, D.C. 20554

TTY: 1-888-835-5322

DA 12-1514

Released:  September 19, 2012

Office of Engineering and Technology and Wireless Telecommunications Bureau 

Announce the Initial Launch of Unlicensed Wireless Microphone Registration System 

Registration Open in East Coast Region: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, 

Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and North Carolina 

ET Docket No. 04-186

The Commission’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) and Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) announce the launch of the Commission’s new unlicensed wireless 
microphone registration system.  This registration system will enable qualifying parties to register major 
event/production venues with the TV bands database systems so that operations of unlicensed wireless 
microphones and other low power auxiliary station devices at specified times will be protected from  
potential interference caused by other unlicensed devices (referenced herein as “white space devices”) 
that also may operate on unused broadcast TV channels.  The registration system is available online at 
http://www.fcc.gov/uls/login.
At this time, we are only accepting applications for registration for venues located in one of the 
following States (plus Washington DC) in the East Coast region – 

New York, New Jersey, 
Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and North Carolina. 

Focusing 
registration at this time on one region of the country will enable us to validate that the registration system 
is working properly and qualifying operators can register their venues as intended.  Once we determine 
that the system is functioning properly, we will open up registrations for all of the other regions of the 
country.  We anticipate opening up registration across the country later in the fall, and will announce this 
process in a subsequent public notice.  
This Public Notice provides important information for applicants seeking to register – including 
general information on the registration system, guidance regarding registration of unlicensed wireless 
microphones (and other low power auxiliary station devices), and other more detailed guidance on several 
aspects of the system.  

Background

Wireless microphones and other low power auxiliary devices are allowed to operate on unused 
channels in the UHF and VHF frequency bands used by broadcast television (TV Channels 2-51, except 

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Channel 37) on both a licensed and an unlicensed basis.1 The Commission has long allowed operation of 
low power auxiliary stations on a licensed basis, viewing use of these devices as necessary and beneficial 
to broadcast productions and similar movie and cable program productions.2 Since 2010, the Commission 
has permitted unlicensed operations of wireless microphones in the TV bands pursuant to certain Part 15 
rules and specified technical requirements.3 The Commission also permits unlicensed white space 
devices to operate on many (but not all) of the unused channels in the TV bands.4
The Commission established different policies and rules for registering licensed and unlicensed 
wireless microphone operations or other low power auxiliary stations in the TV bands database.5  
Licensed operations may be registered directly with one of the TV bands database administrators6 for 
protection from interference from unlicensed operations by white space devices.7 Registration of 
unlicensed wireless microphones – the subject of this Public Notice – is available only in certain limited 
cases, such as “major sporting events,” “live theatrical productions/shows,” and other “major events 
where large numbers of wireless microphones will be used and cannot be accommodated in the available 
channels.”8 To be able to register for TV bands database protection, operators of unlicensed wireless 
 
 
1 Whereas licensed wireless microphone operations are limited to licensees of broadcast stations and certain others 
in related industries, unlicensed wireless microphone operations are available to anyone that otherwise complies 
with the rules for use of these devices.  
2 See Revisions to Rules Authorizing the Operation of Low Power Auxiliary Stations in the 698-806 MHz Band, WT 
Docket No. 08-166, WT Docket No. 08-167, ET Docket No. 10-24, Report and Order and Further Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking, 25 FCC Rcd 643, 696 ¶ 125 (2010) (“Wireless Microphones Order and Further Notice”).
3 See Wireless Microphones Order and Further Notice,  25 FCC Rcd at 682-684 ¶¶ 81-84  (unlicensed operations 
cannot operate at the power output levels permitted licensed operations, and are limited to power levels of no more 
than 50 milliwatts).  With regard to unlicensed wireless microphones, the Commission stated that “unlicensed 
wireless microphones operate under the same general conditions of operation in Section 15.5 of the rules as [white 
space] devices, meaning they may not cause interference to authorized services and must accept any interference 
received, including interference from other non-licensed devices.” TV White Spaces Second MO&O, 25 FCC Rcd 
at18674 ¶ 31.
4 See generally Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands, ET Docket No. 04-186, Second Memorandum 
Opinion and Order, 25 FCC Rcd 18661 (2010) (“TV White Spaces Second MO&O”).  In this order, the Commission 
termed these unlicensed devices as “TV bands devices.”  We reference them herein as “white space devices.” 
5 TV White Spaces Second MO&O, 25 FCC Rcd at18674-18676  ¶¶ 31-33; 47 C.F.R. §15.713(h)(8) (licensed low 
power auxiliary stations, including wireless microphones); 47 C.F.R. § 15.713(h)(9) (unlicensed wireless 
microphones). 
6 The TV bands database administrators each operate a database system that include records for all licensed facilities 
and certain additional facilities (including registered venues where licensed and unlicensed wireless microphones are 
operated)  in the TV bands that are to be protected from interference.  White space devices contact a database system 
for a lists of channels that are available for their use at their individual locations.  There are currently 10 authorized 
TV bands database administrators, two of which are currently approved to provide service to white space devices.  
See Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands, Order, ET Docket No. 04,186, DA 11-131, Order (OET, 
released Jan. 26, 2011); Unlicensed Operation in the TV Broadcast Bands, Order, ET Docket No. 04-186, DA 11-
1291 (OET, released July 29, 2011).
7 TV White Spaces Second MO&O, 25 FCC Rcd at 18675 ¶ 33.
8 TV White Spaces Second MO&O, 25 FCC Rcd at 18674-18675 ¶¶ 31-32.
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microphones must first file with the Commission to request registration and establish that they have met 
the necessary requirements to qualify for registration.9  

General Registration Process

Requests for registration are to be made in accordance with Section 15.713(h)(9) of the 
Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 15.713(h)(9).  Applications for registration must be filed using the 
FCC’s online system at http://www.fcc.gov/uls/login. Applications for registration may be filed by the 
venue, an event coordinator, or the microphone users.  Parties seeking to register eligible event venues are 
required to certify that they are using the two “reserved” channels10 and other channels that are not 
available for use by white space devices on which wireless microphones can be used, at the location of 
the venue.11 The Commission will make registration requests available for public comment online.12  
Additional information about the registration process is available online at 
http://www.fcc.gov/help/unlicensed-wireless-microphone-registrations.  
If the Commission approves a registration, the registrant will then need to use the FCC file number for the 
accepted application to access one of the TV bands database systems to enter final scheduling and channel 
information for the venue.  A list of the websites for the TV bands database system is available at 
http://www.fcc.gov/help/database-administrators-unlicensed-wireless-microphones.

Guidance on Specific Issues

In the following sections, we provide more detailed guidance on the requirements relating to the 
FCC’s registration of unlicensed wireless microphone operations so that operators may register with the 
TV bands database administrators.  Registration requests that do not meet these criteria set forth in 
relevant Commission Orders, the applicable rules, and this Public Notice will not qualify for registration 
in the TV bands databases.  In addition, we note that the Commission will take actions against parties that 
file inaccurate or incomplete information -- actions that may include but are not limited to denial of 
registration in the database, removal of information from the database pursuant to Section 15.713(i), or 
other sanctions as appropriate to ensure compliance with the rules.13 The FCC will periodically survey 
usage to see if entities are making excessive claims about need, or abusing the process, and will modify 
registrations if needed.  The FCC will continue to revise registration forms to improve process and 
prevent abuses.
 
 
9 TV White Spaces Second MO&O, 25 FCC Rcd at 18674-18676 ¶¶ 31-33; 47 C.F.R. § 15.713(h)(9) (unlicensed 
wireless microphones). 
10 In the TV White Spaces Second MO&O, the Commission excluded white space devices from two of the unused 
channels in the UHF band near channel 37 so that they could be used for wireless microphones, and it termed these 
channels as “reserved” for wireless microphones.  TV White Spaces Second MO&O, 25 FCC Rcd at 18673-18676 ¶¶ 
29-33. 
11 It is possible that at some locations there will be no channels available for wireless microphone use (reserved or 
otherwise).
12 www.fcc.gov/unlicensedwirelessmics/report.  
13 TV White Spaces Second MO&O, 25 FCC Rcd at 18675-18676 ¶ 33.
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The overwhelming majority of unlicensed wireless microphone uses do not qualify for 
registration for database protection.  In providing for registration of unlicensed wireless microphone 
operations at various venues or locations, the Commission stated that, “[a]s a general rule, we are not 
allowing unlicensed wireless microphones and other low power auxiliary devices operating without a 
license to be registered in the [TV bands] database.”   While noting that there are a wide variety of 
applications for wireless microphones, the Commission concluded that the “overwhelming majority” of 
use does not merit registration in the database.14
Registration of unlicensed wireless microphones are available for certain “major events” or 
“large venues.”   The Commission recognizes the need for protection of unlicensed wireless microphones 
at “major events where large numbers of wireless microphones will be used and cannot be accommodated 
in the available channels at that location,” and permits parties responsible for unlicensed wireless 
microphone operations at venues hosting these major events to request registration.  The Commission 
provided two examples of such major events that might qualify for registration – “major sporting events” 
and “live theatrical productions/shows.”15 The rules on registration of unlicensed wireless microphones 
provide that “sites of large events and productions/shows” with significant wireless microphone use at 
well-defined times and locations may be registered in the database.16
Before seeking to register unlicensed wireless microphone operations, operators should 
determine whether they qualify for licensed operations. We note that oftentimes wireless microphones 
used at major events that are broadcast (e.g., NFL games, PGA events, NASCAR races) may already 
qualify for licensed use.  Accordingly, to the extent database protection is sought, the wireless 
microphones related to broadcast should be registered under the license instead of through registration of 
unlicensed wireless microphones. 
Use of wired microphones, where practical, is encouraged.  Entities are also strongly encouraged 
to use wired microphones and/or other alternatives where circumstances would allow for their use.  

Types of Major Events/Large Venues that Qualify for Registration

As discussed above, the Commission intended that the overwhelming majority of unlicensed 
wireless microphone use would not qualify for registration, while registration of unlicensed wireless 
microphones would be available for venues of major events and productions/shows.  Major events/venues 
that may qualify for registration include particular events at places such as Broadway theaters (in New 
York City) or the Kennedy Center, FedEx Field, or the National Park for the Performing Arts at Wolf 
Trap (in the Washington DC area). 
On the other hand, small and medium-sized venues and facilities such as libraries, courthouses, 
schools, meeting sites, community theaters, and convention centers would not normally qualify for 
protection and would not be registered.  The Commission did not generally intend for registration of these 
types of uses, and we discourage applications of this nature. 
 
 
14 TV White Spaces Second MO&O, 25 FCC Rcd at 18674-18675 ¶¶ 31-32.
15 Id.
16 Section 15.713(h)(9).
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We note that requests for registration not falling clearly within the class of major 
events/productions may take longer to process.  Although requests for registration must be filed at least 
30 days prior to operation, in these instances registrants should consider filing registrations further in 
advance to provide more time for review.  If we determine, after further evaluation, that the venue does 
not qualify, it will be dismissed.

Full Use of the Reserved and Other Available Channels

Unlicensed wireless microphones and other low power auxiliary devices are allowed to operate 
on unused channels in the UHF and VHF frequency bands used by broadcast television (channels 2-51, 
except channel 37).  To qualify for registration, each applicant must first maximize the use of its wireless 
microphone equipment on the channels available and “practicable” for use by wireless microphones at the 
venue’s location (but not available for white space devices).17 Accordingly, each applicant must establish 
that all of these available channels are being used by wireless microphones before seeking registration of 
additional channels for unlicensed wireless microphones.18 To identify the reserved and the other 
available channels for wireless microphones (but not white space devices), applicants may consult any 
operating TV bands database system.19  
Applicants are required to fill each reserved and other available channel with the number of 
wireless microphones that those channels can accommodate.  The Commission has noted that each TV 
channel will, as a general matter, accommodate approximately 6-8 wireless microphones if using analog 
technologies.  If more efficient digital equipment is used, one six megahertz TV channel will be able to 
accommodate more microphones per channel (e.g., as many as 15).  Although the registration form 
requires that a minimum of at least 6 wireless devices are operating on each reserved channel and other 
available channel, applicants must deploy as many wireless microphones as possible on all of these 
channels, and must indicate how many devices will actually be operating on each channel. 
Equipment issues.  Applicants are expected to obtain wireless microphone equipment that can 
operate on all of the reserved and other available channels at the venue’s location.  An applicant will not 
qualify for registration if it does not first have equipment for, and use, all channels available for wireless 
microphone use at the venue’s location.     
Exception for VHF channels.  It is our understanding at this time, through feedback from the 
wireless microphone industry, that as a practical matter there is very little professional quality equipment 
available in the VHF spectrum (Channels 2-13).  Accordingly, we will not require that applicants use 
available VHF channels before requesting registration because such use is not generally “practicable” at 
this time.  We therefore clarify that in order to make full use of the other available channels, operators 
need not make use of VHF channels, and are permitted to certifying that all “other available channels” are 
in use even without using the VHF channels.     
 
 
17 TV White Spaces Second MO&O, 25 FCC Rcd at 18675 ¶ 32.
18 We note that it is possible that at some locations there will be no channels available for wireless microphone use 
(reserved or otherwise).
19 We note that TV band database administrators generally use the terms “reserved” and “available” channels to 
designate the channels available at particular location for wireless microphones.  
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Requests for Registering Additional Channels

Similarly, in indicating a need for registration of wireless microphones in the additional 
channel(s) that are available for use by white space devices (“TV white space” channels), applicants must 
maximize the use of each channel that it seeks to register.  Applicants may consult any operating TV 
bands database system to identify these TV white space channels.   Requests to register numerous TV 
white space channels will be reviewed closely to determine whether the applicant would be using these 
channels efficiently and whether the number of channels that it seeks to register is justified.  

Multiple Point and Area Registrations

Section 15.713(h)(9) of our rules allows registrations that specify more than one point in the 
facility to be entered for very large sites.  In addition, the FCC form will accept registrations for an area 
defined by 4 points.  When defining the quadrilateral, the distance between two consecutive points is 
limited to a maximum of 3 kilometers.  
Although area registrations are allowed, they should only be used in very rare instances where 
participants using unlicensed microphones or other low power auxiliary station devices are moving 
throughout a large area during the event.  The Commission noted in its order that “the relatively low 
power of [wireless microphones] limits their operating range to about 100 meters, allowing each vacant 
TV channel to be used at many locations in a TV market.”20 In addition, the types of major events that 
may qualify for registration are generally contained within a specific location (e.g., auditorium, stadium, 
arena).  For larger locations, registrants are encouraged to register multiple points rather than an area.  
The Commission will scrutinize requests for area registration to ensure that the area is limited to the size 
needed to encompass simultaneous use of co-located unlicensed wireless microphones and that channels 
are being reused to the extent possible.  Requests for area registration will take longer to review.   
Although requests for registration must be filed at least 30 days prior to operation, in these instances 
registrants should consider filing registrations further in advance to provide more time for review.  If we 
determine, after further evaluation, that the area requested is not fully justified, the request for registration 
will be dismissed.

Usage Schedule

Section 15.713(h)(9) further states that registration applies to venues with significant wireless 
microphone use at well-defined times.  Registrants must provide the specific “months, weeks, days of the 
week and times the device(s) are used.”21 Sites will not be protected when events are not taking place.  
The Commission acknowledges that some leeway may be needed to accommodate events in 
which the precise duration of a scheduled event may not be known or delay may occur.  For these events, 
registrants can request extra time to accommodate the potential for an event to run over, but registrants 
are cautioned not to request excessive time either with the Commission or with the TV bands database 
systems after registration approval.  Registrants should not generally block out large amounts of time to 
handle scheduling changes.  Once a registration is approved, registrants can adjust the schedule directly 
with the TV bands database systems to handle last minute changes.  The FCC will periodically survey 
 
 
20 TV White Spaces Second MO&O, 25 FCC Rcd at 18715-18716 ¶ 132.
21 47 C.F.R. § 15.713(h)(9)(vii).
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usage schedules to see if excessive blocks of time are requested which could result in modification of a 
registration.

Further Questions

For questions and additional information about filing unlicensed wireless microphone 
registrations, go to http://www.fcc.gov/help/unlicensed-wireless-microphone-registrations or contact the 
Licensing Support Center at (877) 480-3201, option #2.  Questions regarding TV White Spaces and 
Database Administration may be directed to Alan Stillwell at (202) 418-2470 or Hugh L. Van Tuyl at 
(202) 418-7506 (OET).  
By the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology and the Chief, Wireless 
Telecommunications Bureau.
-FCC-
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