Osteen: Protect mega-churches' wireless microphones

Mega-church pastor Joel Osteen sent a letter yesterday to Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) in support of his bill aiming to add protections to wireless microphone systems from interference from other devices.

Rush's bill directs the FCC to let the operators of wireless microphones (namely, places of worship) to register their wireless frequencies in an online database so new devices would know to avoid those frequencies and prevent signal interference.

In the letter, Osteen wrote that his Houston church, Lakewood Church, is committed to reaching millions of viewers with its weekly broadcasts.

"But as we continue to work on achieving this important objective, we must have the right 'tools' and the tools must operate properly and without interference," he wrote. "A wireless microphone system is one of our most fundamental and important tools found in any Church across America. These systems enable communities to worship together through music, prayer, and hear a message of hope each week."

The FCC is setting up a database of all in-use frequencies so new wireless devices using unlicensed "white space" frequencies will not bump occupied signals off the air. Google and others have applied to operate that database.