The German Federal Network Agency, known as the Bundesnetzagentur (BNetzA), implemented a new general frequency assignment for wireless microphones on April 15, 2026, marking a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for professional audio production. While the move was intended to streamline administrative processes, it has sparked a formal critique from the Association of Professional Wireless Production Technologies (APWPT). The association expresses deep concern that the new regulatory framework introduces ambiguity regarding primary frequency users, potentially threatening the operational reliability of the live event, broadcast, and cultural sectors.
The APWPT, a leading advocacy group for spectrum users in the Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) sector, met with representatives of the Bundesnetzagentur in Bonn last week to discuss the implications of the updated directive. While the association acknowledges the positive step of consolidating five previous general assignments into a single, unified regulation—a move intended to reduce the bureaucratic burden on users—the focus of the debate has shifted to specific language within the document that could signal a loss of spectrum security for professional users.
The Push for Administrative Simplification
The transition to a single general assignment is, on the surface, a victory for administrative efficiency. Historically, frequency management for wireless microphones—which includes everything from handheld microphones used in news gathering to complex multi-channel systems for Broadway-style musicals—was governed by a fragmented set of rules. By merging these into one document, the Bundesnetzagentur aims to provide a clearer overview for users.
However, the APWPT argues that this simplification is overshadowed by a critical caveat regarding the 470–608 MHz frequency range. This specific band, often referred to as the "Culture Band," is the lifeblood of the professional audio industry due to its superior propagation characteristics and its historical status as a shared space with terrestrial broadcasting (DVB-T2).
Ambiguity in Primary User Status
The core of the dispute lies in a specific clause within the new assignment: "When operating wireless microphones in the frequency range 470–608 MHz, locally and temporally limited restrictions may occur in individual channels of the radio channel grid due to other primary frequency uses, which must be accepted."
Jochen Zenthöfer, Chairman of the APWPT, has voiced strong opposition to the lack of transparency regarding these "other primary users." In the professional audio sector, predictability is the cornerstone of technical success. Zenthöfer emphasizes that the industry has long operated on the understanding that terrestrial broadcasting is the sole primary user in this range. Because broadcast transmitters are stationary and operate on a fixed schedule, frequency managers for live events can plan around them with high precision.
"We criticize the fact that it remains unstated who these ‘other primary frequency uses’ are," Zenthöfer stated following the meetings in Bonn. "From our perspective, only broadcasting is intended as a primary user in this area. Coordination with broadcasting is sensible and feasible. We know where they transmit and in what static form. We reject further ‘primary users’ on legal, methodological, and economic grounds."
The Precedent of Military Encroachment
The APWPT’s concerns are not merely theoretical; they are rooted in recent regulatory shifts. In 2025, the industry witnessed a troubling precedent in the regions of Pöcking, Starnberg, and Munich, where military frequency uses were granted status equivalent to a primary radio service. This move effectively displaced PMSE users or forced them into unpredictable interference scenarios.
The association fears that the new wording in the 2026 general assignment facilitates a nationwide expansion of this policy. If military or other undisclosed governmental entities can claim primary status at any time, the 470–608 MHz band becomes "unpredictable." For a professional sound engineer managing 80 channels of wireless audio for a live televised gala, "unpredictable" spectrum is synonymous with "unusable" spectrum.
While the Bundesnetzagentur has assured the APWPT that interference would be "very rare," the industry remains unconvinced. Zenthöfer noted the distinction between "rarely" and "never" is substantial in a high-stakes environment where a single second of audio dropout can ruin a multi-million-euro production.
Economic and Operational Implications for Live Events
The potential for sudden, localized frequency restrictions places a heavy burden on the cultural and media sectors. Silke Lalvani, a member of the APWPT board, highlighted the practical impossibilities of the new framework. She argues that if the general assignment becomes unreliable, users might be forced to apply for short-term, individual frequency assignments (Kurzzuteilungen) to guarantee protection.
"We reject the path of applying for short-term assignments in each case because it represents a significant financial and bureaucratic extra effort for users, service providers, and live events," Lalvani explained. "The culture, event, media, and film industries cannot afford this."
Beyond the financial cost, there is a physical limitation. During a major festival or a touring production, frequency managers and sound technicians are often working at maximum capacity. The suggestion that they could monitor for sudden primary-user interference and file emergency paperwork for alternative frequencies mid-event is, according to the APWPT, detached from the reality of production workflows.
A Historical Context of Spectrum Erosion
To understand the intensity of the APWPT’s reaction, one must look at the history of the "Digital Dividend." Over the last two decades, the ultra-high frequency (UHF) spectrum has been systematically reclaimed from broadcasters and audio professionals to be auctioned off to mobile telecommunications providers for 4G and 5G services.
- Digital Dividend I (2010): The 800 MHz band was cleared of microphones and broadcasting to make way for LTE.
- Digital Dividend II (2015): The 700 MHz band followed suit, further compressing PMSE users into the remaining UHF gaps.
- The 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-23): This international summit resulted in a decision to keep the 470–694 MHz band primarily for broadcasting and PMSE in Region 1 (Europe/Africa) until at least 2031, but with provisions for increased mobile use in the future.
The 470–608 MHz range is essentially the "last stand" for high-quality wireless audio. The industry has already invested billions in hardware optimized for these specific frequencies. Any move that degrades the reliability of this band is seen as an existential threat to the quality of live performance and news gathering.
Formal Demands to the Bundesnetzagentur
In light of these developments, the APWPT has submitted a formal request for clarification to the Bundesnetzagentur. The association is calling for three specific commitments:
- Confirmation of Exclusivity: A clear statement that broadcasting remains the only primary user in the 470–608 MHz range.
- Regulatory Consistency: A guarantee that no other frequency uses will be granted "equivalent to primary service" status, avoiding the "Pöcking model" of 2025.
- Mandatory Coordination: A requirement that any additional or secondary users must coordinate their activities with existing PMSE applications to prevent interference.
The APWPT points out that the European Union has officially recognized that the demand for spectrum for PMSE is actually increasing, not decreasing. As productions become more complex—using more wireless in-ear monitors, more wireless instrument packs, and more sophisticated communication systems—the "spectral efficiency" of the industry has improved, but the total need for "clean" airwaves remains high.
Alignment with Political Promises
The association also highlighted a disconnect between the regulatory actions of the Bundesnetzagentur and the stated goals of the German federal government. The current coalition agreement explicitly mentions the need to protect the "Culture Band" for the creative industries.
"The APWPT welcomes the fact that the Federal Government recognizes this need; this is also the case in the current coalition agreement," the association noted. However, they argue that the vague language in the April 15th directive undermines these political promises. By allowing "unnamed" primary users to take precedence, the regulator is creating a "backdoor" that bypasses the protections promised to the cultural sector.
Analysis: The Future of Wireless Production
The tension between the APWPT and the Bundesnetzagentur reflects a broader global struggle over a finite resource: radio spectrum. As mobile data consumption continues to soar, the pressure to reallocate UHF frequencies to telecommunications giants remains immense. However, the PMSE sector represents a vital part of the European economy, contributing billions in value through tourism, ticket sales, and media exports.
If the 470–608 MHz band becomes a "shared" space with unpredictable military or governmental users, the risk profile for large-scale events changes. Insurance costs for major broadcasts could rise, and the technical barrier to entry for smaller cultural festivals could become insurmountable if they are forced to navigate a complex web of daily frequency permissions.
The APWPT has offered to engage in "eye-level discussions" with these mysterious new primary users, provided the Bundesnetzagentur identifies who they are. The association maintains that technical solutions for coexistence can often be found—but only if there is transparency and a willingness to coordinate.
As of late April 2026, the industry remains in a state of watchful apprehension. The "simplification" of the general assignment has arrived, but for the professionals who keep the lights on and the sound clear at Germany’s largest venues, the price of that simplicity appears to be an unacceptable level of uncertainty. The coming months will likely see further legal and political maneuvering as the APWPT seeks to solidify the "Culture Band" against further encroachment.