600 MHz Spectrum Update - August 2019

600 MHz Spectrum Update - August 2019

Thursday, August 15, 2019 - 12:09pm

We're inching ever closer to the July 13th, 2020 deadline when the transition to the new USA spectrum regulations will be complete and production wireless systems will have to stop using most of the 616 - 698 MHz (block 24-26) frequencies. However, changes are already afoot:

TV station repacking is ongoing, so watch for sudden changes in local frequency use. Here's some guides to what's moving and when:
Many of New York's TV stations were moved at the beginning of August. Here's a snapshot courtesy of RFcoordinationNYC of the situation on August 1st.
T-Mobile has been testing and bringing transmitters online in the 616- 698 MHz frequencies, so you are likely to experience increasing interference, especially in major media markets. They may also issue a vacate notice in specific areas, at which point you'll have to discontinue use of those frequencies. Here's a guide to their deployment plan by country (xlsx file).

Before July 13th, 2020

Barring a notice from T-Mobile, you may continue to legally use wireless in 616 to 698 MHz; however, we strongly recommend changing frequencies as soon as possible.
Wireless equipment in 616 to 698 which is currently in production can still be reblocked. Discontinued / legacy gear cannot be reblocked, though it may be able to be serviced.

After July 13th, 2020

Use of 616 to 698 MHz (with the exception of the 653-663 MHz duplex gap) becomes illegal for production wireless.
You may continue to legally use discontinued / legacy equipment in 470 to 616 and 653 to 663 MHz, as long as the operator complies with transmitter output power regulations and has a license where applicable.
Reserved channels for wireless mics will be discontinued.
Wireless equipment in 616 to 698 MHz which is currently in production can still be reblocked. Discontinued / legacy gear cannot be reblocked, though it may be able to be serviced.

Check out our 2017 gude for a more detailed look at alternate frequencies and other steps you can take, including getting a Part 74 license, which we highly encourage and will allow you more frequency options and higher power output.

If you have any questions about your wireless situation, feel free to email us at [email protected] or call us at (212) 629-9430.

gotham-scans-rfdb.jpg

Relevant to the whole wireless kerfuffle, we've just given our RF frequency scan repository a facelift with updated TV channels, new overlays from more manufacturers, and fresh scans for most studios in the NY area with 900 MHz data.

However, a lot of our data is pretty stale and doesn't reflect all the recent changes, so if you've got scans to share, send them our way!