NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
August 21, 2008 Rob Kenny: (202) 418-2668
Matt Nodine:  (202) 418-1646
FCC PROPOSES THE PROHIBITION OF LOW POWER AUXILIARY STATIONS IN 
THE 700 MHz BAND AFTER THE DIGITAL TELEVISION TRANSITION
Proposal Would Protect New Public Safety and Commercial Licensees from Interference
Washington, D.C. – In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice) and Order released 
today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed prohibiting low power 
auxiliary stations, including wireless microphones, to operate in the 700 MHz Band after the end 
of the digital television (DTV) transition on February 17, 2009.  The Notice also proposes that 
the FCC prohibit the manufacture, import, sale, or shipment of devices that operate as low power 
auxiliary stations in the 700 MHz Band after the end of the DTV transition.  These actions would 
ensure that low power auxiliary operations do not cause harmful interference to new public 
safety and commercial wireless services in the band.  
Low power auxiliary stations are authorized for such uses as wireless microphones, cue 
and control communications, and synchronization of TV camera signals.  Of the 943 active low 
power auxiliary station licenses, 156 are currently authorized to operate in the 700 MHz Band.  
Of those 156 licenses, most are authorized to operate in other spectrum bands as well, and only 
30 are authorized to operate only in the 614-806 MHz band, of which the 700 MHz Band is a 
part.  After the end of the DTV transition, low power auxiliary stations would be able to continue 
operating in additional spectrum bands that allow such operations on a secondary basis, 
including certain broadcast television channels below 700 MHz. 
Today’s Order also imposed a freeze, effective upon release of the Order, on the filing of 
new applications for low power auxiliary station license that seek to operate on any 700 MHz 
Band frequencies after February 17, 2009.  The Order imposed a freeze on granting any 
equipment authorization requests for low power auxiliary station devices that would operate in 
any of the 700 MHz Band frequencies.  The FCC will hold in abeyance, until the conclusion of 
this proceeding, any pending license applications and equipment authorization requests that 
involve operation on frequencies in the 700 MHz Band after the end of the DTV transition.  
The draft Notice also seeks comment on various requests recently made by Public 
Interest Spectrum Coalition (PISC) in its Informal Complaint and Petition regarding the use of 
wireless microphones. 
2
Action by the Commission on August 15, 2008, by Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Order 
(FCC 08-188).  Chairman Martin and Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate, and McDowell.  
For additional information, contact Paul D’Ari in the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau at 
(202) 418-1550 or Paul.Dari@fcc.gov. 
WT Docket No. 06-150
MB Docket No. 87-268
ET Docket No. 01-75
PS Docket No. 06-229
– FCC –
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