CEA Commends Legislators for Protecting FM Radio Listeners.

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 24, 1999--

Rep. Oxley Introduces Bill to Prevent Interference From LPFM 

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA, formerly CEMA) applauds Representative Michael G. Oxley (R-O.) for introducing the Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act of 1999 (H. R. 3439), a bill that would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to maintain current protections limiting the radio frequency (RF) interference created by FM broadcasts.

H. R. 3439 was prompted by the FCC's consideration of a proposal that would eliminate some protections against FM interference in order to issue new low power FM (LPFM) broadcast licenses. The new licenses would allow community radio stations to broadcast on or near the radio frequencies currently occupied by traditional FM radio stations rendering consumers' existing FM radios susceptible to objectionable interference, according to a CEA study.

"CEA applauds Representative Oxley and the other co-sponsors of this bill for their leadership on this important issue," said CEA President Gary Shapiro. "We share Representative Oxley's commitment to protecting consumers' investment in the 710 million FM receivers currently in use in the United States."

The CEA study, initiated with support from National Public Radio and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, found that lifting the current protections would result in the severe degradation of FM radio service to the listening public. At issue are the second adjacent, third adjacent and intermediate frequency channel protections currently mandated by the FCC. These rules specify the acceptable relative signal strength levels of stations broadcasting on neighboring radio frequencies. The rules are designed to provide enough geographic distance and/or radio frequency separation for FM receivers to reject unwanted signals in favor of the selected programming.

"While CEA does not oppose the establishment of a low power radio service," Shapiro continued, "consumer enjoyment of current FM radio services and equipment should not be sacrificed."

CEA is a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA), the 75-year-old Arlington, Virginia-based trade organization representing all facets of electronics manufacturing. CEA represents more than 500 U.S. manufacturers of audio, video, accessories, mobile electronics, communication, information technology and multimedia products that are sold through consumer channels.

CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Your Source for Workstyle and Lifestyle Technology(SM). All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, product promotion, engineering standards development, market research and governmental and legal affairs support. As the first major technology event of the new millennium, the 2000 International CES is the launch pad for 21st century technology.

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