League Urges FCC to Reject Wireless Device Frequency Plan

The League of American Theatres and Producers, Inc., the trade association for the Broadway industry, has joined with major sports leagues, television broadcasters, and houses of worship in a campaign to urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reject plans to allow portable "white space devices" to operate in frequencies used by wireless microphones.

Today, theatre leaders and a representative from Mayor Bloomberg's administration will meet with FCC Chairman Kevin Martin to outline their concerns with the FCC allowing millions of new wireless devices to operate on the same wireless frequencies as wireless microphones used in theatre, music, dance, and other live performances across the country.  If such devices interfere with wireless microphone systems, the Broadway community and others would be paralyzed.

During any evening in New York, upwards of 3000 wireless units are in use on Broadway, providing state-of-the-art sound to audiences, giving members of the hearing-impaired community the opportunity to experience live theatre, and supporting complex technical coordination. All Broadway musicals and many plays use multiple wireless microphones during each performance.

Broadway theatres have come to Washington to deliver the message of the thousands of actors, producers, theatre owners, stagehands and others who work on the Great White Way in opposition to allowing new devices into the "white spaces".  For 35 years, users of wireless microphones -- Broadway theatres, as well as churches, schools, musicians, newscasters and sportscasters – have operated on radio frequencies between the television broadcast channels – the so-called "white spaces" in the TV band (from 54 MHz to 698 MHz). 

Many parties, including IEEE – the largest engineering organization in the world, are concerned about potential interference and urge the FCC not to proceed with portables. The League has filed a letter with the FCC [attached] signed by more than 40 producers, theatre owners and road presenters and is working with non-profit arts groups such as the American Arts Alliance, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters, the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, the American Symphony Orchestra League and Dance/USA and OPERA America.

While some argue that technology can prevent interference to existing users, such as Broadway shows, this is unproven. Prototype devices have failed FCC tests.  The League will be urging the FCC to undertake additional field-testing in areas like Broadway, before any decisions are made.