Federal Office of Communications
Federal Office of Communications
This version is for browsers with a low level of support for CSS, and is des
Home Content Area
What future for my wireless microphone?
Which wireless microphones will it still be possible to use after 1st January 2013, and under what conditions? Compatibility studies conducted by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) have enabled OFCOM to accurately assess the impact of the change in allocation of the 790-862 MHz frequency band (the digital dividend) on wireless microphones. Some users will be able to continue to use their devices while others will have to make adaptations or change their equipment.
Lucio Cocciantelli, Surveillance and Radiocommunication Licences Division
Depending on the frequency band used and the maximum power, it will be possible to continue to use some wireless microphones without any problems after 1st January 2013, the date the new regulatory framework for frequencies in the 790 - 862 MHz band enters into force. This will be the case for microphones in the 786 - 789 MHz band with a radiated power which does not exceed 12 mW and for devices which transmit on frequencies between 823 and 826 MHz with a maximum radiated power of 20 mW EIRP (or 100 mW EIRP if the transmitter is worn against the body). In both frequency bands, if these limits are exceeded, the equipment must be adapted to comply with the new regulations. It will no longer be possible to use a device which cannot be modified or which transmits in the 789-823 MHz or 832-862 MHz bands. For the 31.4-39.6 MHz, 174 - 223 MHz and 470-786 MHz frequency bands, the conditions remain unchanged.
The table below summarises the different cases involved.
1) Use is possible use without any change:
| Frequency band | Maximum power | |
with licence | without licence | |
| 31.4 - 39.6 MHz | 100 mW ERP | |
| 174 - 223 MHz | 1 mW ERP | 50 mW ERP |
| 470 - 782 MHz | 1 mW ERP | 250 mW ERP |
| 470 - 786 MHz | 1 mW ERP | 50 mW ERP |
| 786 - 789 MHz | 1 mW ERP | |
| 823 - 826 MHz | 1 mW ERP | |
| 826 - 832 MHz | 1 mW ERP | 100 mW EIRP |
| 863 - 865 MHz | 10 mW ERP | |
| 1785 - 1800 MHz | 20 mW EIRP | |
2) Use is possible with if needed a reduction in transmission power:
- 786 - 789 MHz: power limited to 12 mW (requires a licence from 1 mW)
- 823 - 826 MHz: power limited to 20 mW EIRP (requires a licence from 1 mW)
3) Use is forbidden:
- 786 - 789 MHz, if the transmission power cannot be reduced to 12 mW maximum
- 789 - 823 MHz, regardless of the transmission power
- 823 - 826 MHz, if the transmission power cannot be reduced to 20 mW EIRP maximum
- 832 - 862 MHz, regardless of the transmission power
How to determine if a device can still be used
If in doubt, it is advisable to contact the seller or a specialised company in this area. This approach is also recommended for people who have wireless microphones which cannot be used after 1st January 2013 (cases 2 and 3).
Impact on marketing and sales
The digital dividend
Regulatory framework for wireless microphones which is from 1st January 2013
| Frequency band | Maxiumum power | Technical prescriptions | Comments | |
| without licence | with licence | |||
| 31.4 - 39.6 MHz | 100 mW ERP | * | RIR1009-01 | |
| 174 - 223 MHz | 1 mW ERP | 50 mW ERP | RIR1009-02 | |
| 470 - 782 MHz | 1 mW ERP | 250 mW ERP | RIR1009-11 | |
| 470 - 786 MHz | 1 mW ERP | 50 mW ERP | RIR1009-10 | |
| 786 - 789 MHz | 1 mW ERP | 12 mW ERP | RIR1009-17 | |
| 823 - 826 MHz | 1 mW ERP | 20 mW EIRP | RIR1009-18 | 100 mW EIRP for wireless body worn microphones (with licence) |
| 826 - 832 MHz | 1 mW ERP | 100 mW EIRP | RIR1009-13 | |
| 863 - 865 MHz | 10 mW ERP | * | RIR1009-05 | |
| 1785 - 1800 MHz | 20 mW EIRP | * | RIR1009-09 | 50 mW for wireless body worn microphones (with licence) |
End Content Area