All,
Thank you everyone for their help. I thought I would try to summarize which hopefully will be helpful to others.
Licensed Wireless Microphones
* There are 669 Licensees in the United States
* Each license may be for multiple wireless microphones. A possible estimate is between 1 and 100 microphones per license (Just a guess)
* There are therefore say approximately 35k to 70k licensed wireless microphones in the United States
* These are used within the studio, at sporting events, news events, etc.
* These wireless microphones are likely to be heavily used throughout the day and from day to day
* These are likely to be registered in the TV white space database since they are operated by the broadcasters
Unlicensed Wireless Microphone
* There are between 500k and 1M unlicensed wireless microphones in the United States
* These are used at churches, schools, musical events, hotels meeting rooms, etc.
* These wireless microphones are likely to be lightly used throughout the day and from day to day
* These are unlikely to be registered in the TV white space database since they are used by individuals who are not familiar with the TV white space database
More feedback is always welcome. I think this information is very useful.
Thanks,
Steve
From: whitespace@xxxxxxxx [mailto:whitespace@xxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of scott blue
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 1:10 PM
To: 'Peter Ecclesine (pecclesi)'; 'Rich Kennedy'; Shellhammer, Steve; WHITESPACE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: Wireless Microphone Questions
So... once you weed out the ones that say active, but the licenses have expired, there are 669 LP licensees.
It appears that, in many cases, an entire TV station has a single license.
srb
________________________________
From: whitespace@xxxxxxxx [mailto:whitespace@xxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Peter Ecclesine (pecclesi)
Sent: April 29, 2009 12:11 PM
To: Rich Kennedy; Shellhammer, Steve; WHITESPACE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: Wireless Microphone Questions
FCC ULS http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls/index.htm?job=about_getting_started&page=3
Advanced License Search April 29, 2009
Service Group
LP - Broadcast Auxillary Low Power
Five Active, five expired ;-)
[srb] that's only the first page ;7)
LV - Low power Wireless Assist Video Devices
Five matches ;-)
petere
Peter Ecclesine, Technology Analyst
MS SJ-14-4 170 West Tasman Dr, San Jose, CA 95134-1706
Ph 408/527-0815, FAX 408/525-9256
"Time doesn't fool around." "Without Prejudice" U.C.C. 1-207
________________________________
From: whitespace@xxxxxxxx [mailto:whitespace@xxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Rich Kennedy
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 11:24 AM
To: Shellhammer, Steve; WHITESPACE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Wireless Microphone Questions
Steve:
This is from the PISC petition:
To illustrate the dimensions of the problem, PISC notes that as of today the Commission's licensing database indicates that there are fewer than 1,000 active licenses for low-power broadcast auxiliary service under Part 74 - a number which includes systems other than wireless microphones. By contrast, in 2006, one industry author estimated there were "400,000 wireless microphones in use in the United States alone - in concert halls, musical theaters from Broadway to elementary schools, houses of worship, film sets, sports arenas, conferences and conventions, and karaoke bars to name just a few of the venues in which they've taken hold in a big way."
What you should also understand is that although there are less than 1,000 licenses registered, each license represents a location and owner, that may have hundreds of microphones in use under the license. For example, Fox Studios in Los Angeles has hundreds of microphones on a single license.
Regardless, the unregistered far outnumber the legal, registered microphones.
The full petition of the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition is attached.
Rich
----- Original Message -----
From: Shellhammer, Steve<mailto:sshellha@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Rich Kennedy<mailto:rkennedy1000@xxxxxxxxx> ; WHITESPACE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:WHITESPACE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 12:56 PM
Subject: RE: Wireless Microphone Questions
Rich,
When you say there are under 1000 registered Part 74 microphones I assume you mean there are that many models not that many devices, correct? I and another person tell me that he thinks there are about 100k licensed microphones.
So the unregistered is between half a million and a million. That is useful.
Thanks, that was helpful,
Steve
From: Rich Kennedy [mailto:rkennedy1000@xxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 5:50 AM
To: Shellhammer, Steve; WHITESPACE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: Wireless Microphone Questions
Steve:
I would be very skeptical of anyone claiming to have good numbers on this, but here is what my research showed when writing the Wi-Fi Alliance comments on the Shure petition:
1. How many wireless microphones are used by the broadcasters nationwide? Less than 1000 registered Part 74 microphones.
2. How many wireless microphones are used by others (e.g. churches, schools, etc.) nationwide? Unregistered microphones, supposedly manufacturer certified under Part 74, but not registered, and probably not operating under Part 74 rules: an estimate two years ago said approximately 500,000, but some think that number is closer to 1,000,000.
3. What are the primary locations where the broadcasters will use wireless microphones (e.g. in studio, sporting events, etc.)? Primarily studios, sporting events and remote news reporting, e.g. the site of a plane crash or other emergency situation.
4. What are the primary locations other users of wireless microphones use them (e.g. churches, schools, etc.)? This is impossible to know since they are not operating under Part 74 rules. "Anywhere and everywhere" would be a good assumption.
5. What is the typical probability that a given wireless microphone is in use? For example, at a church I would expect it to be used Sunday morning, and at other times when there are services. Again, with 500k to 1M devices this is very hard to determine.
I hope this is somewhat helpful.
Rich
----- Original Message -----
From: Shellhammer, Steve<mailto:sshellha@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: 802TVWS (WHITESPACE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)<mailto:WHITESPACE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)>
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 10:40 PM
Subject: Wireless Microphone Questions
All,
I am trying to get an idea of the impact of wireless microphone usage on TV white space availability. Maybe someone can give me some pointers.
I have some questions.
1. How many wireless microphones are used by the broadcasters nationwide?
2. How many wireless microphones are used by others (e.g. churches, schools, etc.) nationwide?
3. What are the primary locations where the broadcasters will use wireless microphones (e.g. in studio, sporting events, etc.)?
4. What are the primary locations other users of wireless microphones use them (e.g. churches, schools, etc.)?
5. What is the typical probability that a given wireless microphone is in use? For example, at a church I would expect it to be used Sunday morning, and at other times when there are services.
Any ideas on the answers to these questions or suggestions on where to look would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve