(February 2, 2007) Washington, DC - For three straight days last week, representatives from Shure Incorporated, the Grand Ole Opry, the Professional Audio Manufacturer's Alliance (PAMA), the Sports Video Group (SVG), PRG Audio, Springboard Productions, Masque Sound, and Sound Associates, Inc. among others, met with U.S. Senators, members of the House of Representatives, and Commissioners and staff at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). They emphasized that professional audio productions face significant interference risk from the introduction of unlicensed devices in television broadcast bands unless FCC rules are developed that fully protect wireless microphone systems.

The group, which collectively has decades of experience and a wealth of practical, real-world knowledge in the professional design and application of wireless microphone systems, highlighted the integral role of wireless microphone systems in today's entertainment, sports, and news productions. Concerns about proposed legislation from Senators John Kerry (D., Mass.) and John Sununu (R., N.H.) were specifically expressed. With the forthcoming introduction of fixed access and personal wireless devices slated for operation in the "White Spaces" of bandwidth opened up as part of the transition to HDTV broadcast on 2-17-09, competition promises to be formidable within the RF spectrum.

"We facilitated these meetings to explain to these policymakers that our industry is very important to many sectors of American life, and that we're very concerned about this proposed legislation and resulting rules."said Jeff Krull, vice president for Product Development at Shure. "The group we assembled for these presentations included individuals who are responsible for some of the country's biggest and most significant events in news, politics, sports, music, and theater on a regular basis."

The group consisted of professionals involved with live music, entertainment and sports production, wireless microphone manufacturing, and several respected experts in audio production and engineering, including: Steve Gibson (Grand Ole Opry), Hank Neuberger (Springboard Productions), Ed Greene, RF & Audio engineer, Bob Rendon (PRG Audio), Geoff Shearing (Masque Sound), Richard Fitzgerald (Sound Associates), and Ed Wieczorek, broadcast & studio engineer.

"One of the messages we wanted to deliver is that wireless microphone systems are critical to the production of the content that Americans demand and expect from all media and entertainment outlets," added Krull. "Our group wants to ensure that wireless microphones are protected from potential interference. FCC rules that do not allow for the successful coexistence of unlicensed devices would also significantly harm the greater public interest. Any interference could cripple the production of live, high-profile events like the Super Bowl, World Series, GRAMMY Awards, Broadway shows, and political conventions to name a few."

Shure, Inc.
www.shure.com

PAMA MEMBERS

Audio-Technica USA Inc.
Blue Microphones
Califone
Community Professional
DiGiCo (UK), Ltd
ETA Systems
Fairlight Audio
Genelec, OY
Harman Pro
Loud Technologies, Inc
Meyer Sound
Music & Sales Professional                Equipment GmbH
Neutrik USA Inc
North American Pro Audio
Powersoft
QSC Audio Products
Sennheiser
Shure Inc,
Sony Electronics Inc.
Tascam
Telex Communications
TransAmerica Audio Group, Inc.