Page 64 - Lighting & Sound America (December 2019) Magazine

TECHNICAL FOCUS: AUDIO

International Resolution

Benefits Wireless

Microphone Operators

By: Joe Ciaudelli

Joe Ciaudelli, Sennheiser’s director ITU-R 59 is the fruit of a multi-year
of spectrum affairs, was selected to collective effort by audio industry man-
be a member of the US State ufacturers, associations, and thought
Department delegation to the interna- leaders. With their support, Sennheiser
tional Radiocommunication Assembly, has been active in the relevant ITU
leading the effort to enact Resolution working parties during the past four
ITU-R 59, which could prove highly years leading up to RA-19/WRC-19,
beneficial to future wireless micro- contributing technical reports and rec-
phone operations. This article ommendations that document the
explains the process and significance exponential growth of news and enter-
of the resolution. tainment programming during this era
when radio frequency spectrum avail-
Every three to five years, government able for wireless microphones has
delegations from around the globe been constrained. Within the US ITU
gather at the Radiocommunication delegation, many practical solutions,
Assembly (RA) and World developed through industry collabora-
Radiocommunication Conference tion with the Federal Communications
Joe Ciaudelli.
(WRC), conducted by the International Commission (FCC), were integrated
Telecommunications Union (ITU) — into ITU reports and recommenda-
the United Nations (UN) specialized tions. These include allowing wireless Department; and private sector dele-
agency for information and communi- microphones to operate in suitable gates from industries that often have
cation technologies. Their mission is alternate frequency bands and refining conflicting interests other than those
to review emerging technologies, regulations that factor in real-world of the content-creation industries. A
negotiate use of radio frequencies conditions, such as permitting wireless convincing point is the preeminent
(RF) that enable wireless devices, har- microphone transmission on channels role that content creation plays in the
monize frequency bands to specific used for TV broadcast if the local ter- economic vibrance of the nation. The
applications, and codify binding inter- rain or building shielding makes such United States is the undisputed
national treaties. This facilitates cross- operation feasible. These efforts were leader in TV/radio broadcasting,
border, interference-free wireless com- reinforced in Europe through the ITU motion pictures, professional sports,
munications among different services delegation from Germany and the performing arts, and other live cultural
such as broadcasting, live events, Association of Professional Wireless events. Copyrighted programming
mobile broadband, satellite, aviation, Production Technology (APWPT). contributes well over a trillion dollars
ship-to-shore, public safety, and new ITU reports, recommendations, to the US economy, supports more
applications such as smart cars. This and resolutions become global stan- than five million high-paying jobs, and
year, these events, designated RA-19 dards. Their ratification is very difficult has the highest export-to-import ratio
and WRC-19, took pace from October and time-consuming because they of any American-made product or
21 to November 22 in Sharm El- require full consensus at every stage. service. Wireless microphones are
Sheikh, Egypt. They must be reviewed and approved indispensable tools that fuel this
A primary issue at RA-19 was without objections, first domestically; ecosystem. In promoting Resolution
Resolution ITU-R 59. Calling for har- by the US delegation comprised of ITU-R 59 in particular, the fact that
monization of radio frequency bands the FCC, the National Telecommuni- electronic news gathering is an
used for electronic news gathering cations and Information Admini- essential service during emergency
(ENG) and related content, Resolution stration (NTIA); the US State situations, such as natural disasters,

64 • December 2019 • Lighting& &Sound America