The use of radio microphones in Germany is generally subject to authorisation. The authority with responsibility for this is the German Federal Network Agency in Bonn with its regional offices (www.bnetza.de).
For some smaller frequency ranges, the agency provides what are known as "general allocations" within which each user can use his/her microphone without having to register (provided the required technical prerequisites are met):
A) 36.61 – 38.125 MHz, limited until 31/12/2015 (Decree 68/2005)
B) 790 - 814 MHz and 838 – 862 MHz, limited until 31/12/2015 (Decree 91/2005)
C) 823 – 832 MHz (so-called "medium band"), limited until 31/12/2021 (Decree 23/2011)
D) 863 – 865 MHz, limited until 31/12/2023 (Decree 47/2013)
E) 1785 – 1805 MHz, limited until 31/12/2021 (Decree 10/2011)
F) 2400 – 2483.5 MHz, limited until 31/12/2024 (Decree 30/2014)
The "B)" range, which to date has frequently been used for radio microphones, is currently being greatly disrupted by LTE ("Long term evolution", broadband wireless Internet access). Radio applications on frequencies that are close together influence one another, regardless of their purpose.
In particular, the top area of the "medium band", range "C)", is very close to the uplink of LTE terminal devices (such as LTE-enabled mobile phones), which means that there is also quite a high risk of interference to radio microphones within this range.
Many other radio applications also operate within the "D)" range, e.g. wireless baby monitors, which can also cause interference to radio microphones.
The"E)" range is within a frequency range allocated for wireless data services such as LTE and problems can also occur here.
In Europe, the "F)" range is currently often used for WLANs and, also here, there can be adverse effects for the operation of radio microphones.
In the ranges 174 – 230 MHz (for stationary application) as well as 470 – 608 MHz and 614 – 790 MHz (stationary and mobile applications), the German Federal Network Agency allocates frequencies individually upon application. This allocation is subject to a charge (currently approx. € 130 per allocation (for 10 years), plus € 10 per transmitter per annum. Some institutions may be exempted from the fees; more information on this can be obtained from the German Federal Network Agency).
As of: November 2014. This is a greatly simplified account.