We were thinking that since the FCC wants to sell the new "free space" in the spectrum we should get together the big users of wireless gear and buy some of the space.
If you are talking about frequencies where most existing
UHF wireless mic systems could operate, I believe that other than one or two odd bands that did not go in the 700MHz auctions, there is no available "free space" for sale. The FCC may dedicate some specific bandwidth for wireless mics, that is one option being explored, but I believe the frequencies being mentioned are outside the range used by many existing wireless systems.
What do I mean? Well, you have industries like ours (
theatre) and you have industries like TV, and you have sports (yup, all those nice com systems for coaches and teams). All of these industries use essentially the same chunk of spectrum for their wireless devices.
TV and film, including major sporting events, are using the frequencies for which they have already paid for broadcasting rights, so I don't see them being part of anything like this.
I agree that it would likely take several groups together to even think about affording such an endeavour, but it being multiple groups that in turn represent multiple entities seems to represent some real challenges. Are you suggesting that these groups pay for the bandwidth rights and then open it up to everyone with no control? Or that it somehow be limited to members of the groups involved?
If open to anyone, then we might be right back to the same problems. Most assigned frequency bands are single users or groups who are trying to communicate with one another, frequency coordination within that band is not an issue. Currently wireless mic users either have the rights for those frequencies or don't, you don't have a situation with two legitimate users of the same frequencies. Frequency coordination within a limited bandwidth with a multitude of legitimate users could be interesting.
If limited to 'approved' users, how would you identify those users? Say
USITT is part of the group, would that then be seen as covering all theatrical related users or only systems operated by people who are
USITT members or what? What groups would represent the schools, corporations, churches, rental and staging houses, convention centers, hotels,
etc.? Would a school being part of this through any one group
address just that specific use or all of their wireless systems? How about a rental
house that rent the same systems to theatres, churches, schools and corporate users, do they have to be members of the organizations representing every area or just one and how do you control that? How would you tell if an entity is a legitimate user or not? And who is going to manage and enforce any of this, at that
point is a not an FCC issue.