MAP Files Complaint Over Microphones Sharing TV Band

Consumer groups have filed a complaint at the FCC against Shure and other wireless microphone manufacturers, saying they have induced individuals, churches and even Broadway producers to buy microphones they are not authorized to use at a potential risk for emergency communications. Shure vigorously denies the characterization but says it is already working to clear up any potential problems with emergency communications. The complaint was filed by Media Access Project on behalf of the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition, which is pushing the government to get more bang out of its spectrum buck. An FCC source concedes that the majority of wireless microphones, including those used by churches and Broadway producers, are technically in violation of the FCC rules, but says that there have been few if any complaints from broadcasters or anyone else about interference. The microphones operate in the UHF band, including channels 52-69, which are being reclaimed after the transition to digital for use by, among others, first responders. One of the goals of the complaint, and an accompanying proposal for how to resolve it, is to clear away an obstacle to the use of so-called "white spaces" between TV channels by unlicensed mobile devices, which computer companies are pushing for. One of the arguments against those is that they interfere with wireless mikes at church services and Broadway shows. While the MAP plan for resolving the issue includes granting amnesty to all those unlicensed wireless mike users and giving them licensed, secondary status in the lower TV band 2-52, it also said that failure to resolve that issue should not stand in the way of making use of the White Spaces. In addition to launching an investigation into microphone maker Shure, and the amnesty/relocation proposal, the plan also includes preventing the further sale of microphones that operate in channels 52-69 and changing to second-class status all licensed users of wireless mikes operating in that band after the transition to digital.