ACTION ALERT: FCC May Sell FM Band

Editor: There is huge competition these days for the right to use various parts of the radio spectrum. With the advent of all sorts of wireless devices and systems, more people are clamoring for parts of the spectrum. Naturally, there is a shortage now, and organizations are looking enviously on the frequency band that's used for FM assistive devices. And the FCC is considering allowing other systems to use that band!

Anyone who has used or will use an FM system has to be concerned about this. AG Bell is so concerned that they've issued an Action Alert. Here it is:

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Many deaf and hard of hearing children are able to participate fully in regular classroom education with the aid of FM systems. These devices allow the teacher, or other speaker to talk into a small microphone, which transmits their voice directly to the child's hearing aid. This reduces the impact of poor acoustics and classroom noise and allows the child to hear what she needs. The Federal government understood the value of this service and had set aside a part of the radio spectrum 216-217 MHz for use by these devices.

Unfortunately, priorities have changed in Washington, and as a part of the deficit reduction package Congress has directed the Federal Communications Commission to auction off parts of the spectrum to commercial users. Among the bands currently being considered for auction is 216-217 MHz. Naturally, AG Bell is strongly opposed to this sale, and we in the Volta Bureau are working hard to preserve this important resource for our children. To do this we need your help.

AG Bell is working in coalition with Self Help for Hard of Hearing People and the Hearing Industry Association to protect this band. As part of this effort we will be submitting formal comments to the FCC opposing the sale of this band. Our comments will focus on the importance of FM systems to the education of deaf and hard of hearing children.

This is where your help is absolutely vital. Our comments need to include information on the experience of people throughout the country with FM systems. We are asking for each chapter to pass this request to its members.

We need member's comments on the importance of an FM system to their child's education. We also need to hear if you have had problems with your FM, particularly problems related to interference from outside sources.

This is a time for you to contribute to an absolutely vital goal, protecting our children's access to information in school. But time is short. Our comments must be submitted to the FCC by no later than February 22, 2001.

Please send us your stories immediately so that we may paint an accurate picture of the importance of this technology. Comments should be sent to the Children's Rights Advocate by email at jflanders@agbell.org, or mail them directly to:

John Flanders Children's Rights Advocate
AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
2000 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036