White Spaces Devices Fail to Accurately Sense Wireless Mics at NFL Game

The FCC tested prototype “white spaces” devices prior to and during the Washington Redskins vs. Buffalo Bills August 9 preseason game. During the tests, the devices failed to accurately sense wireless microphone transmissions.

WASHINGTON (Business Wire EON) August 11, 2008 -- The FCC tested prototype “white spaces” devices prior to and during the Washington Redskins vs. Buffalo Bills August 9 preseason game. During the tests, the devices failed to accurately sense wireless microphone transmissions.

Shure appreciates the FCC, the NFL and ESPN acknowledging the importance of wireless microphones and agreeing to conduct these tests today. Wireless microphones are critical to the players, referees, and fans. If these sensing devices cannot be counted on, then the FCC must put them on the bench.

The following statement can be attributed to Mark Brunner, Shure Inc.’s Senior Director, Public and Industry Relations:

“The FCC’s tests of prototype white spaces devices at FedEx field prior to Saturday’s game between the Redskins and the Bills conclusively show that spectrum sensing white spaces devices will cause harmful interference to wireless microphones during live events. Simply stated, the prototype devices were unable to consistently identify operating wireless microphones or distinguish occupied from unoccupied TV channels. More troubling, the devices failed to detect the presence of wireless microphones when switched on – an occurrence that takes place multiple times during any NFL game.

“Given the poor performance of these sensing devices, there is no reason to believe that the other proposed protections, such as beacons, will be any more capable of providing reliable and robust interference protection to wireless microphone transmissions. These tests reveal fundamental deficiencies of sensing devices -- issues that cannot be pushed off with a promise to resolve these problems at some later time during certification testing.

“Shure appreciates the FCC, the NFL and ESPN acknowledging the importance of wireless microphones and agreeing to conduct these tests today. Wireless microphones are critical to the players, referees, and fans. If these sensing devices cannot be counted on, then the FCC must put them on the bench.”

About Shure Incorporated

Founded in 1925, Shure Incorporated (www.shure.com) is widely acknowledged as the world's leading manufacturer of microphones and audio electronics. Over the years, the Company has designed and produced many high-quality professional and consumer audio products that have become legendary for performance, reliability, and value. Shure’s diverse product line includes world-class wired microphones and wireless microphone systems for performers and presenters, award-winning earphones and headsets for MP3 players and smartphones, and top-rated phonograph cartridges for professional DJs. Today, Shure products are the first choice whenever audio performance is a top priority.

Shure Incorporated corporate headquarters is located in Niles, Illinois, in the United States. The Company has additional manufacturing facilities and regional sales offices in China, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, The United Kingdom, and the United States.