The FCC should require all wireless microphones to cease operatio...

Association and the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council have advocated for 700 MHz wireless mic shutdown before (CD March 19 p13), but Tuesday’s letter contained more concessions to wireless mic makers who have opposed them. The groups said they'd prefer to clear devices on June 12 -- the day of the DTV transition -- but would support a Feb. 18 deadline as long as the FCC ensures “any public safety or commercial systems deployed prior” to that date “can operate free of any interference from wireless microphones or other LPAS devices.” A Feb. 18 deadline “would provide an additional twelve months beyond the date originally proposed by the Commission in the 700 MHz Wireless Microphone Notice, and a transition period of eighteen months from the release of that notice,” they said. CTIA and the other groups proposed a 60- day notification process whereby any 700 MHz licensee intending to start operations before Feb. 18 would provide advance notice to wireless mic users in the market. Wireless mic operations would be required to cease within the 60-day period, they said. The groups also urged the FCC to issue a consumer advisory alerting wireless mic users that they must vacate the 700 MHz band, and notifying equipment makers and others that they must stop manufacturing, selling and marketing mics made for the band. The FCC must act quickly, they said. “Absent prompt Commission action, interference and communications disruption in the 700 MHz band are inevitable -- to first responders, to broadband customers, and to users of wireless microphones.”