FCC Begins Field Testing of White Spaces

[MNicolai]

FCC Begins Field Testing of White Spaces

NILES, Ill. – In response to an announcement made late last week by the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology that it will begin field testing of prototype White Spaces devices today, Mark Brunner, Shure senior director of Public and Industry Relations, sounded a sanguine note saying, "We look forward to continuing to offer our full assistance and expertise to the Commission as it formulates the test parameters and protocol."

According to a public notice released by the FCC dated July 10, the field testing will take place over a four-week period. With specific dates, times, and locations being updated regularly at www.fcc.gov/oet/projects/tvbanddevice/Welcome.html, the testing will be open to the public.

Urban, suburban and rural test sites for DTV have been identified, and as of this writing include Patapsco Valley State Park in Elkridge, Md., an aircraft observation area at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, and multiple residences in Maryland and Washington D.C. Wireless microphones are slated to be tested at one sports and one entertainment venue to be named at a later date.

"Shure is gratified to see that the Commission has acknowledged the importance of protecting wireless microphones used in sports and entertainment by including host facilities for such events in its plan," Brunner added, also noting that wireless microphones are integral to many other types of productions used in a wide range of environments. Although the FCC's laboratory testing has not conclusively revealed that White Spaces spectrum sensing technology will reliably protect wireless microphone operations, thorough and well-designed field testing will allow the Commission to meet its commitment to consider the scientific evidence of whether the proposed technology solutions will protect incumbent users from interference. All stakeholders will be best served by data that is both comprehensive and meaningful."

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For more information, please visit www.shure.com

Courtesy of Front of House Magazine @ FOH online

[Hughesie]

at least they are working with shure.....

i wonder if sennheiser and other companies will want to be consulted on this also, otherwise all shure mics may work but others might not be so lucky

[MNicolai]

Originally Posted by Hughesie89

at least they are working with shure.....

i wonder if sennheiser and other companies will want to be consulted on this also, otherwise all shure mics may work but others might not be so lucky

Don't worry, they're concerned more about the industry than just their business, and they aren't the only group working with the FCC.

[...] Shure is a company that is synonymous with the cutting edge of microphone technology for over 80 years. Shure has spear headed a coalition of the industry’s preeminent wireless manufacturers, users and providers to voice their concerns with these proposals to key legislators and FCC officers. Currently the coalition consists of Shure Incorporated, the Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA), the Sports Video Group (SVG), PRG Audio, Springboard Productions, Masques Sound, Sound Associates Inc., Grad Ole Opry, the Recording Academy, National Religious Broadcasters (NAB), American Federation of Musicians (AFM), American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) to name a few. Shure is a member of two groups organized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) – the world’s leading professional association for the advancement of technology. Shure joined these two groups to have a constant presence representing the interests of wireless microphones. The 802.18 Radio Regulatory Technical Advisory Group (RR-TAG) and the 802.22 Wireless Regional Area network (WRAN).
Also working in conjunction with the Shure coalition is the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the Microphone Interests Coalition (MIC), the sports Technology Alliance (STA) and other groups including heavyweights from the music, theater, and house of worship communities. [...]

The FCC Moderates as White Spaces Coalition & Wireless Microphones Battle for Air Superiority GAIN11

[mbenonis]

I'm hoping to be able to attend some of the field tests in Maryland in a few weeks.