Shure praises ‘White Space’ protection legislation

Sandy LaMantia, President and CEO of Shure Incorporated, praised Representative Bobby L. Rush (D-IL) for introducing H.R. 1320, The Interference Protection for Existing Television Band Devices Act of 2007. The legislation allows fixed, unlicensed device use of the “white spaces” between broadcast television channels (between 54 MHz and 698 MHz) after the national transition to digital television broadcasting in February 2009. It also requires unlicensed device manufacturers to demonstrate that their device will not interfere with existing “white spaces” products, including wireless microphone systems.

Moreover, the proposed Rush legislation only permits portable (mobile) unlicensed device use of the “white spaces” after the fixed devices operate for three years without causing interference. In addition, portable device manufacturers must assure non-interference from their devices through thorough engineering analysis, design, and testing.

LaMantia strongly endorsed the Rush bill and described it as “an astute and balanced approach to the so-called ‘white spaces’ debate in Washington. It promises the continued development of new technologies without creating mass disruption in the production of major entertainment, religious, sports, and news events.”

LaMantia said that Shure hears regularly from concerned entertainers, broadcasters, spiritual professionals, and production managers on this issue urging Shure to continue taking a proactive position to protect wireless microphone system users from future interference.

“Shure will continue to communicate to all of our customers across the nation, focusing a great deal of our support for the Rush legislation in the major metropolitan areas that are home to so many of these important applications for wireless systems. I would expect legislators from every major metropolitan area to be very interested in this bill based on their constituent reliance on wireless microphone technology,” LaMantia added.