The FCC should prohibit wireless microphones and other low-power auxiliary...

refresh the record on wireless mics. “In 2010, the Commission concluded that wireless microphones and LPAS devices could interfere with commercial base and mobile receivers (and public safety) entering the 700 MHz band and determined that such devices must be cleared from the band,” said the group’s comment filing (http://xrl.us/boc4g3). “Among the lessons learned as part of the digital television transition, the Commission concluded that wireless microphones and other” LPAS “devices in the 700 MHz band ‘pose a significant threat of interference’ to new wireless services entering the band and mandated that such devices be cleared,” the association said. “The risk of interference found in the 700 MHz band applies equally to the 600 MHz spectrum.” The FCC also got comments in response to a notice of proposed rulemaking on proposed rules for an incentive auction of TV spectrum (See separate report above in this issue). The FCC’s proposal “including TV Band repacking, the creation of exclusive use guard bands, and an elimination of reserve channels” are among measures that “would cause significant harm to the wireless microphone community,” Shure said. Wireless mic makers already feel under siege, Shure said (http://xrl.us/boc4bo). “In assessing the impact of its new proposals, the Commission should be aware that the wireless microphone community is still struggling to absorb the significant costs and disruption of the White Spaces and 700 MHz band decisions and any actions that further impair their wireless microphone operations will cause substantial hardship.” Sennheiser said that at a minimum the FCC should leave in place the two TV channels now set aside for wireless mics. “The very high demands that professional users place on wireless microphones as to audio fidelity, reliability, and low latency effectively rule out their operation on frequencies much above or below the TV bands,” Sennheiser said (http://xrl.us/boc4ce). “Motion-picture production, from Hollywood blockbusters with nine-digit budgets down to student work at the local community college, relies heavily on wireless microphones for clear, accurate audio. Live events like outdoor concerts and Broadway productions need wireless microphones to reach the back row. Presenters in large auditoriums, lecture halls, and houses of worship find them indispensable.” The FCC needs to protect wireless mics from interference, the Broadway League said. “The technological reality is that, because of the low power and relatively isolated locations of wireless microphones in near proximity to paired receivers, they do not interfere with other users,” the league said (http://xrl.us/boc4cp). “However, because of the same factors of low power and location, it is easy for other users of the same spectrum to overpower wireless microphones.