LETTER TO PAMA MEMBERS AND MICROPHONE MANUFACTURERS
(October 16, 2008) New York, NY - To PAMA Members and Microphone Manufacturers:

I am taking the liberty of writing all of you, including some non-member companies at one time in order to save time and e-mails. The time for action has come. On October 15, the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology released its Report on Tests of Prototype TV White Spaces Devices (ET Docket # 04-186 available at fcc.gov). At the same time, the FCC has announced a tentative agenda for its Nov 4 Open Meeting (yes Election Day). Of critical importance to our industry is the inclusion on the agenda of the item "Television White Spaces - A Second Report and Order and Memorandum Opinion and Order addressing unlicensed operation in the television broadcast bands." The fact is that the agency is moving to a decision on clearing a new generation of consumer wireless devices in the white spaces at this meeting. The comment period ends on October 28. After that date, all comments and lobbying efforts are frozen.

The exact wording of the ruling is to be determined but if Chairman Martin is able to convince two other commissioners on the need to put better and faster broadband into the hands of consumers. There will be major problems in the protection of professional wireless mic users unless the ruling takes into consideration the concerns of our industry. PAMA has played a role in representing the microphone manufacturers for more than four years. We now feel it's critical that we step forward with an industry wide statement that contains a workable solution that meets our needs. We all know the important role of wireless everyday for entertainment, news, sports and a multitude of other uses. It is time that our industry offers a unified solution for the FCC to consider.

PAMA proposes to use legal consul in DC to file ex-parte comments to Chairman Martin and each Commission before the Oct 28 deadline. Shure and several other manufacturers have informed the commission of industry concerns( a short review is attached) and now have redirected their efforts towards building a workable solution. Please review the attached proposal document which while not satisfying the needs of all your customers, especially the larger users, proactively addresses many of our concerns. After reviewing, we welcome your comments. If you agree in principal with the proposed document, please let me know if we can include you as a participant on the comments that PAMA will file with the FCC. Your company will have the opportunity to review the final documents before filing. Your customers are going to be asking what the industry thinks at this unprecedented time and we as an industry, represented by PAMA, will benefit from a unified position that outlines a workable solution. As we move forward, we will continue our efforts to educate and reassure all customers on the real facts on the "white spaces" as the issue moves forward.

Please let me hear from you as to your plans to participate as soon as possible. This offer is open to non-member companies in the interest of unity and influence. Also, please move forward immediately with efforts to have your customers, both large and small, installers, and other key friends and associates comment to the FCC on our behalf. The deadline date of October 28 is fast approaching.

Paul Gallo, Executive Director, PAMA
pgallo@pamalliance.org

260 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600
New York, NY 10001
Tel: 212.696.1799
Fax: 212.696.1783

PAMA MEMBERS

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