Older wireless microphones to become illegal

The communications regulator confirmed on Tuesday it will become illegal in 2015 to use wireless microphones that transmit at a certain frequency.

Wireless audio device users Scott Doyle (left), Nick Carroll, the Reverend Mark Pearce and Irene Nickole. Photo: Simon Schluter

And all wireless microphones sold in Australia must now come with a written warning if the equipment only operates at the 700 megahertz frequency. The Australian Communications and Media Authority also plans to restrict the supply of non-compliant wireless microphones in the market.

Meanwhile, user groups told Fairfax Media they will continue to pressure the federal government for financial help for an estimated 150,000 wireless microphone users who need to upgrade their equipment.

Wireless microphones that transmit at between 694 megahertz and 820 megahertz would become illegal to use after December 31, 2014, because those frequencies have been sold to mobile network operators and would be handed over on January 1, 2015.

"Many community groups and small businesses use wireless microphones in their day-to-day work – ranging from school assemblies to local theatres to gyms and places of worship," said the Australian Communications and Media Authority's chairman, Chris Chapman.

"The intention continues to be to give Australians as much time as possible to prepare for the changes and we strongly encourage people to check their equipment now. Anyone considering buying a new wireless microphone or audio device should check for the warning label and ensure they are buying a compliant one."

The government first announced the changes in 2010 and the ACMA has held consultations and workshops with the industry since then. Wireless microphone users were advised in May this year they would have to move to between 520 and 694 megahertz or between 1790 and 1800 megahertz.

However, a lobby group called the Australian Wireless Audio Group, which represents thousands of users and suppliers, said earlier this year that replacing the equipment currently in use would collectively cost more than $200 million and wanted government funding to help with the cost of equipment upgrades.

Executive chairman of the Australian Commercial and Entertainment Technologies Association, Ian Harvey, said the group would be talking to the new Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, about a buy-back scheme for old wireless microphones.

"We believe there will be at least 150,000 non-compliant devices," Mr Harvey said.

"What we are looking for is a scheme that will assist our users through the transition period."

There could still be non-compliant equipment on sale in Australia, although most suppliers sold transmitters that operated at other frequencies, and equipment bought online risked breaching the new rules, Mr Harvey added.

smh.com.au 17 Sep 2013

Unbeknown to the general population at large, another 'act' passed as law that is technically unlawful.