I have written a number of times regarding the recent decision by the FCC to outlaw wireless mics operating in the 700 MHz range, the so called “white space” frequency allocation that has been part of the roll out of digital television broadcasting in this country. There is lots of speculation regarding the government’ss announcement of how making this spectrum available for new wireless uses will lead to lots innovation.
Companies like Microsoft and Google have paid billions in auctions to be able to control spectrum once used by wireless microphones and many believe that they will make their billions (and much more) back by being able to take advantage of this government mandated monopoly.
Little has been said about another windfall. That is sales that will go to wireless mic manufacturers. An article buried in the back pages of FOH Magazine about sound for Cirque du Soleil shows caught my eye. Dave Stephens, a sound engineer for one of Cirque’s Las Vegas shows dropped the fact that the MGM Grand had spend $140,000.00 in order to replace their 700 mHZ wireless microphone equipment. That’s just one entertainment center in one city. Admittedly, the Grand is a major facility, but there are hundreds more of comparable size and complexity around the country and hundreds of thousands of churches, theatres, schools and entertainers that will also be replacing their mics.
In theory, all of this activity needs to take place in the next three months in order to meet the FCC deadline. While that will surely not happen, it is reasonable to assume that the majority of this “soon to be illegal” equipment will eventually be replaced, reaping multi-million dollar sales for companies like Shure and Sennheiser.
It’s a good time to be a manufacturer of wireless mics!
GoodBuyGuys.com is your online source for Permacel gaffers tape,Duracell Procell batteries, Nashua duct tape, Bay State wire ties, Hosa and Entertainment One extension cords and OnStage Stand mic stands.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.