NAB’s Rehr warns U.S. Congressional offices of White Space threat to DTV transition

NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr sent a letter to every
U.S. Congressional office this week warning that a campaign by several technology
companies to win regulatory approval to sell unlicensed personal-portable
devices poses a serious threat to a successful digital television transition.

“For
more than a year, these companies have tried to convince the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) and members of Congress that they can make devices that
will not cause interference to broadcasters, wireless microphone users
and other parties that currently use this spectrum,” wrote Rehr.
“Unfortunately, based upon the results of FCC testing to date, their
technical prowess does not match their rhetoric.”

Noting that
prototype devices tested by the FCC have failed testing on at least three
occasions, Rehr cited the technology companies’ continued public relations
campaign, which he said was “designed to convince members of Congress
and the FCC that their engineering failures should not be the focus of
attention.”

“They
would rather you focus on the unrealized benefits of these theoretical,
unproven devices rather than the legitimate interference these devices
cause to televisions and wireless microphones,” Rehr said.

Rehr reminded
lawmakers that broadcasters are a vital lifeline serving as an essential
informant during times of crisis, and he cited NAB’s support for promoting
broadband deployment in rural areas. He also noted that broadcasters are
not alone in expressing concerns over interference, citing a recent FCC
filing submitted by The Sports Technology Alliance, a group that includes
Major League Baseball, NASCAR, the National Basketball Association, the
National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Football League,
the PGA Tour and ESPN. Religious organizations, Broadway theater groups,
wireless microphone manufacturers and healthcare organizations have also
expressed concern regarding the interference-causing technology.