If you use wireless microphones for events, conferences, shows, audiovisual production, or streaming, you have probably heard of the digital dividend. Although this process began years ago, its consequences continue to affect the purchase and use of wireless systems in Spain.
Many users continue to acquire equipment that operates in problematic frequency bands without knowing that it may suffer interference caused by 4G and 5G mobile networks.
In this guide, we explain what the second digital dividend is, how it affects wireless microphones, and which frequencies are currently recommended for reliable operation.
What is the digital dividend?
The digital dividend is a process of reorganizing the radio spectrum that frees up certain frequency bands previously used by digital terrestrial television (DTT) for mobile telecommunications services.
This reorganization indirectly affects wireless audio systems because many of them use the same frequency bands that were previously available for professional sound applications.
First and second digital dividends: differences
First digital dividend
The first digital dividend freed the band between 790 MHz and 862 MHz to facilitate the deployment of 4G networks. As a result, many wireless systems operating in that range began to suffer interference.
Second digital dividend
Subsequently, the second digital dividend took place, freeing the 700 MHz band (694–790 MHz) for the deployment of 5G networks. This further reduced the spectrum available for professional wireless systems.
How does the second digital dividend affect wireless microphones?
The main consequence is an increased risk of interference when a wireless system operates on frequencies close to those used by mobile networks.
Possible problems
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Signal dropouts.
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Audio loss.
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Reduced range.
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Noise or distortion.
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Coordination problems between multiple wireless systems.
Equipment operating within the affected ranges may experience these problems, especially in urban areas with a high density of mobile phone antennas.
Which frequencies should we avoid when buying a wireless microphone?
If you are thinking about acquiring a new wireless system, it is best to avoid equipment that operates in bands historically affected by spectrum reallocation processes.
Especially:
Frequencies from 790 to 862 MHz
This band was allocated to 4G services and may cause compatibility issues and interference.
Frequencies from 694 to 790 MHz
After the second digital dividend, this band became associated with the deployment of 5G services.
Which frequencies are currently recommended?
For professional applications in Spain, UHF bands located approximately between 470 MHz and 690 MHz continue to be the most recommended option.
Advantages of the UHF band
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Greater stability.
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Excellent range.
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Less susceptibility to interference.
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Better performance at events and shows.
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Ability to use multiple channels simultaneously.
For this reason, most professional manufacturers continue to develop wireless solutions optimized for these bands.
Are 2.4 GHz systems a viable alternative?
We are increasingly finding wireless systems that operate at 2.4 GHz, especially aimed at content creators, podcasts, and online video.
Advantages
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Easy setup.
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Global use with almost no restrictions.
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Compact equipment.
Disadvantages
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They share spectrum with Wi-Fi.
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They share spectrum with Bluetooth.
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They can be affected in highly congested environments.
Therefore, for critical applications or large-scale events, UHF systems remain the preferred option for many audio professionals.
How to tell if your wireless system may be affected
Before buying or using a wireless microphone, check:
The frequency band
It should be listed in the manufacturer's technical specifications.
The exact model
Many manufacturers market the same model in different bands.
The equipment's country of origin
Some systems imported from other markets use frequencies different from those recommended for Spain.