Does the FCC Know Churches Exist?
By Brian Blackmore
Editor and Publisher
Church Production Magazine
The short answer is yes, the FCC knows the church market exists, but the extent to which churches rely on wireless communications (microphones, monitors, inter-coms etc) is something FCC administrators in Washington may not completely grasp.
As the FCC continues to sell off wireless bandwidth and allocate existing segments for new products --- mostly hand-held internet devices that will likely hit the market within a year --- the commission has requested current users of wireless communications provide input on several proposed solutions to designed to promote compatibility between new and existing users of the wireless devices.
According to several sources we talked to within the industry, the FCC understands how broadcasters, theater operators and concert touring companies use wireless microphones and monitors. Churches, arguably the largest users of wireless microphones and monitors in the United States, are a group our sources say the FCC does not understand.
Your input is vital. First, please take our short survey <link to above URL> so we can tell the FCC how you are using wireless communications. Second, please respond directly to the FCC with your individual comments. Shure has taken several steps to simplify this process. The company has assembled guidelines on how you can submit comments on this issue. Simply send an email message to wirelessmicrophones@shure.com. You will receive a reply message with details on what information must be included in your comments and how to file them with the FCC.
Comment deadline is Monday, February 22, 2010, so please do not delay.
# # #
