WMSA Announces New Efforts With FCC To Secure Wireless Mic Spectrum

The Wireless Microphone Spectrum Alliance (WMSA) released a report highlighting the increasing difficulty of securing enough radio frequency (RF) spectrum for wireless microphones, which are essential for live performances, officiating, and global broadcasts.

The group, formed last year by a coalition of manufacturers, audio engineers, and broadcast professionals, is lobbying the FCC, Congress, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to protect dedicated spectrum for professional wireless use.

“Without sufficient availability of suitable spectrum for wireless microphones, medium-to-large-scale events … will simply become unviable in many cities,” the WMSA stated in its report.

The alliance pointed to the 2026 Super Bowl as a primary example of the “massive scale” required for modern sports production. The event requires hundreds of wireless channels for talent, crew, referees, and sideline personnel.

The core of the issue lies in the 470-608 MHz band. Following the 2017 incentive auction and the subsequent loss of the 600 MHz band, wireless microphones have been squeezed into a shared space with broadcasters, public safety operations, and white space devices. Spectrum scans in several U.S. cities now show limited or no available TV channels for wireless microphone use.

Currently, many major productions rely on Special Temporary Authority (STA) grants from the FCC to access additional spectrum. However, the WMSA argues these ad hoc grants are “unpredictable, burdensome on staff and simply not a viable long-term solution.”

The economic stakes are high. The WMSA noted that wireless microphones support content creation sectors valued at more than $2 trillion globally. Data from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games underscored the reliance on specific frequencies, with 89 percent of all audio links using the 470-694 MHz range.

While current federal focus regarding 6G commercial use remains on bands above 2.5 GHz, the WMSA said it remains “vigilant” to ensure the TV-UHF frequency range used by wireless mics is not targeted for reallocation.

The alliance recently met with the FCC and other federal agencies to discuss securing access to additional spectrum. The group described itself as “encouraged” by the progress of those meetings as it seeks a more permanent solution for the future of live event production.

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