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It's true. Regardless of how well your wireless devices work now, if they operate in the 700 MHz band (as many do), it's time to replace them.

When the government decided to transition from analog to digital television, this freed up the space in the 700 MHz band (698-806 MHz) used by broadcasters (and wireless microphones). In 2008, the Federal Communications Commission auctioned off slices of this spectrum—for billions of dollars—to Verizon, AT&T, and others. When the digital TV transition happens (now slated for June 12, 2009), these companies will start using their respective slices of the spectrum.

What does this mean for churches using 700 MHz wireless devices (including mics, in-ear monitors, and wireless intercom systems)?

"The 700 MHz band has been reallocated and the bottom line is that any wireless mic that operates in the 700 MHz band—and that's a lot of them—needs to be replaced," says Chris Lyons, manager of technical and educational communications for Shure Inc., a microphone and audio systems provider.

The FCC hasn't set an official date for when current users must stop using the 700 MHz band, meaning churches aren't required by law to make a change—yet. But that doesn't mean churches won't encounter problems with the way their equipment works in the near future.

"We don't know when the FCC will tell users to get out of the 700 MHz band," says Lyons, "but whether you can or can't [legally populate the 700 MHz band], by the end of 2009, you'll be experiencing interference."

Lyons says it won't happen instantly—acknowledging, for example, that churches in Chicago will notice interference before a church in Wyoming—but it's just a matter of time.

If churches are hoping this problem will be avoided, they're going to be disappointed.

"Sooner or later, Verizon, AT&T, and others who invested billions of dollars in the 700 MHz spectrum are going to want the FCC to clear [unlawful users] out," says Lyons. "There is zero possibility that this will go away completely."

"It's best to assume you'll need to replace equipment by the end of the year."

Tim Beverly, music director for Twin Lakes Church in Aptos, California, says, "I've heard rumblings about this, but at this point have not worried about it. I have a hard time believing that they would pass a law that would obsolete everything that's been out there, but who knows? I guess I'm sort of treating this like the Y2K scare; I didn't believe that either."

Matt Patman, technical arts director at Friendswood Community Church, also expressed doubts about this restriction. In the past two years, Friendswood—located south of Houston—was hit by Hurricane Ike and the recession. They have four units operating in the 700 MHz range, but because of financial limitations, Patman says, "We are not planning on replacing them at this time—hoping that we can keep them until next year."

Patman also thought his church might be protected by a license, but that's not the case.

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