Radio Frequency Selloff Wireless audio device users Scott Doyle (left), Nick Carroll, the Reverend Mark Pearce and Irene Nickole. Thousands of small businesses, schools and community groups will be forced to pay millions to replace wireless audio equipment after the federal government sold the radio frequency on which they operate. The government has reaped nearly $2 billion from the sale of radio frequency in the the 700 MHz and 1800 MHz bandwidths to mobile carriers in March. That decision will render obsolete more than 120,000 wireless PA devices around the country. According to the Australian Wireless Audio Group, which represents thousands of users and suppliers, the total cost of replacing the equipment is more than $200 million, and the government is refusing to compensate users. Group chairwoman Susan Twartz says more than 80 per cent of devices in Australia are in the 700 MHz band that is being sold. Between 120,000 and 150,000 devices in that band will become redundant in just 18 months. "The government wants us to move [to a different frequency] but they are not providing a mechanism for [those affected] to move their products, and there is no compensation for people who own these products," she said. The Reverend Mark Pearce, vicar of St James' Anglican Church in Glen Iris, estimated it would cost the church about $5000 to replace its PA system. He said there should be a government buyback scheme of the soon-to-be-useless equipment, along with further consultation with community groups. The replacement cost for the church will be borne by a community development fund that had been earmarked for disadvantaged people. Currently, audio wireless users can use radio frequency between 520 MHz and 820 MHz. But after the auction of the 700 MHz spectrum to major telcos last month, they will only be able to use radio frequency between 520 MHz and 694 MHz. Craig Moran is one of 11,000 marriage celebrants in Australia required under law to have a PA system. "Someone buying a unit today will be faced with having to buy a new one or spending about $900 to replace the receivers in less than two years," he said. It is not being thought through properly. The Australian Media and Communication Authority has indicated it will ask importers and suppliers of audio wireless equipment to sell only products that are compliant with the new regulation. ACMA said it had been working with the wireless audio transmitter community since 2010 to plan for the changes. "The ACMA wants to minimise the disruption to users and suppliers by helping them make informed decisions in a timely manner," it said. But Ms Twartz said it was "quite late for them to start restricting supply and it still does not address the issue of devices that have already been bought over the last 10 to 15 years."