Congressman Bobby Rush, D-IL, introduced a bill March 5 aimed at protecting users of wireless mics from harmful interference that could be generated by proposed unlicensed consumer electronics devices that would share TV channel spectrum.
H.R. 1320 acknowledges that introduction of such devices "without adequate safeguards" would interfere with "other existing television band devices already operating on the unassigned, non-licensed television channels." It further states that these existing devices "require protection to preserve their important operation."
The bill outlines requirements for the FCC to follow in allowing such devices to be used, including:
- Limiting operation to fixed locations in rural areas;
- Allowing operation on unassigned, non-licensed TV channels between 54MHz and 698MHz; and
- Permitting no such use before Feb. 17, 2009.
It also spells out how the commission must protect wireless mics and other such devices from harmful interference generated by these new devices. Steps include:
- Certifying that these unlicensed devices have successfully completed lab and field tests by independent labs demonstrating that they do not cause interference to low-power auxiliary devices like wireless mics;
- Preventing these devices from operating on channels used by incumbent certified low-power devices; and
- Consideration of other ways to protect incumbent certified low-power devices, such as reserving TV channels for their exclusive use.
While not directly addressing the concerns of those in the broadcast community that such devices will cause harmful interference to DTV receivers and ultimately threaten the successful end of the transition to DTV service, the bill is seen as a positive development.
Saying Rush's bill "addresses an important element of the debate," MSTV president David Donovan characterized the bill as "a step in the right direction."
The FCC has established a test bed to evaluate how well these unlicensed devices may co-exist with DTV.
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