Joined: 9/8/2008
Posts: 5
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There’s an FCC rulemaking in motion to remove wireless mics from the 700 MHz spectrum, and now Shure is offering rebates of up to $1,000 for the trade-in of systems in that bandwidth bought before Feb. 1, 2007.
The company is extending the deal to some 700 MHz gear from other companies.
"Our number-one priority is to provide our customers with the highest quality products, service, and support," said Al Hershner, vice president and general manager of the Shure U.S Business Unit. "We've known for some time that the '700 MHz band' would be reallocated for new services following the DTV transition on February 18, 2009. Although a final decision from the FCC is still pending, we felt the need to assure our customers now that we will take care of them regardless of the outcome."
At least one Shure critic, white space device proponent and Media Access project attorney Harold Feld, is not convinced of the company’s benevolent intentions.
“Shure does not mention, of course, that the most likely outcome [of the FCC action] involves outlawing all use of wireless microphones in the 700 MHz, and a reasonable probability that Shure (and other manufacturers) will be required to replace the equipment for free,” he wrote on his blog, with extensive history and speculation provided.
"There has been a great deal of confusion for wireless microphone users regarding the political and technological developments surrounding the DTV transition and the 700 MHz auction over the past few years," said Hershner. "As always, Shure has a team of sales, customer service, and technical support staff available to answer any questions people might have about this rebate program or their products."
Feld sees a darker motive in that offer for help.
“Similarly, I strongly suspect that any customer that calls Shure for more info will be informed that between white space devices and the wireless industry, the FCC has it in for wireless microphones and they should go file a comment with the FCC right away and call their Congresscritters to help save little Timmy's drama club or the church choir or whatever—without mentioning the amnesty and proposed rule changes that would make use of these wireless microphones legal,” Feld wrote. “In one omission in particular, Shure is singularly consistent. Nowhere in any of the rebate information does Shure explain that you need an FCC license to operate on the remaining broadcast bands.”
Shure said customers may submit their rebate forms with the purchase of the following new replacement products: UHF-R, ULX, MX690/SLX4L, PSM700 (H3, L2 bands), and PGX.
More details are available at www.shure.com/rebate or by contacting Shure at 800-25-SHURE (800-257-4873).
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