BEIRG

BEIRG Consultation Response to Ofcom: Draft Annual Plan 2012/13

2012-02-17T13:21:00.000Z

About BEIRG
BEIRG is a non-profit making organisation set up to represent users of radio spectrum in the Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) sector. BEIRG’s members are involved in the production of all areas of television content, at national, regional and local level.

The PMSE sector is a key component of the British entertainment and creative industries, which according to Government statistics contribute at least £36.3 billion annually to the UK economy. The sector relies upon wireless equipment such as microphones, in-ear monitor systems, talk back and instrument systems. Over the last 50 years such technologies have largely been utilised in television and radio programming. However, increasingly high levels of audio quality and ease of use has also led to their deployment across a much wider array of event production. Theatres, film, broadcasting and live sports events all rely on PMSE equipment for production of their content.

What is essential for PMSE users is that they are able to access clean, interference free spectrum. PMSE equipment operates at the forefront of the production chain and thus any interference will affect live content at source. Interference can lead to shows, events or live broadcasts being cancelled. This has serious repercussions, and in the shorter term, can result in the cancelation of shows and events. In the longer term, failure to address the PMSE industry’s need for clean, interference free spectrum could result in a widespread reduction of the industry’s ability to produce the quality live entertainment content which the UK is renowned for worldwide.

Response

General comments

BEIRG believes that the priorities laid out in the 2012/13 Draft Annual Plan are too narrowly focused on economic imperatives and liberalisation of the market, with insufficient attention paid to the wider social and cultural benefits that stem from the UK’s burgeoning entertainment and creative industries. Indeed, the contribution of these industries to the UK’s economy has recently received much recognition in Parliament, with Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries Ed Vaizey MP highlighting the industries’ potential to drive economic growth. BEIRG would like to see greater emphasis on the importance of our creative and entertainment industries reflected in Ofcom’s Annual Plan, as while the value gained from the PMSE sector may be difficult to quantify, the social and cultural benefits that this sector brings are there for all to see.

Given the PMSE sector’s reliance on access to spectrum, BEIRG will limit its response to this strategic priority within the Draft Annual Plan, i.e. that which aims to promote the efficient use of public assets.

Auctioning of the 800MHz, 2.6 GHz and 600MHz spectrum bands

BEIRG has already responded to Ofcom’s consultations on the 800MHz, 2.6GHz and 600MHz bands , and is aware that decisions have already been made to auction these bands in the 2012/13 financial year. The consequences of the auctioning of these bands for the PMSE sector are huge, as a significant proportion of the interleaved spectrum on which they rely will be taken away from them.

From late 2012 PMSE users will have been cleared from the 800MHz band. This means that PMSE users have lost their previously dedicated channel, channel 69, which was an essential component of PMSE use of spectrum, being the only channel available UK-wide. PMSE users are now in the process of moving to a new dedicated channel - channel 38. However, the clearance of users from channel 69 has caused a great deal of disruption to the entertainment industry, with high financial cost.

Following PMSE’s eviction from channel 69, many users have been advised by Ofcom, Equiniti and the PMSE band manager JFMG that channel 70 is available as an alternative to channel 69. Ofcom should now take steps to protect those users who are migrating to channel 70. In particular, the issue of interference in channel 70 must be considered carefully as Ofcom should not continue to advise users to move to channel 70 if there is likely to be such a level of interference from adjacent users that the band is unusable. If no protection is available, it is essential that Ofcom makes every effort to warn users that channel 70 will most likely become unusable once new services come online.

Ofcom must also make every effort to ensure that new use of the 800MHz band does not interfere with adjacent users. Given the disruption already faced by the PMSE sector, any further detrimental impact would be unacceptable.

The Draft Annual Plan includes Ofcom’s stated intention to work on managing interference issues, including a fully operational testing facility for short range devices and work to mitigate interference from mobile broadband. These should be in place before the auction goes ahead, as interference cannot be easily rectified. BEIRG believes that if new service operators breach the technical conditions of their licence and cause interference to adjacent users, this must be considered a suitable condition for their licence to be revoked. PMSE users, who have already seen degradation in the quantity of spectrum available for their industry, should not also suffer a reduction in the quality of remaining spectrum as a result of new mobile services.

The Olympics

The 2012 Olympics is set to be the largest event ever held in the UK and will be broadcast to a global audience of billions of people. As Ofcom has acknowledged, the event is set to present a unique logistical challenge, with up to 20,000 wireless frequencies expected to be used for the Games. The PMSE industry will have a vital role to play throughout and will certainly be a key component of Olympic success.

However, the PMSE sector is concerned that future events of this scale and magnitude will no longer be possible if there is not sufficient spectrum available which will be needed to broadcast the event. As part of the post-Games analysis detailed within the Draft Annual Plan, Ofcom (together with JFMG) must publish information about the quantity of spectrum used at peak times during the Games and about whether future events could take place on a similar scale after planned spectrum auctions have taken place.

White Space Devices

PMSE users heavily rely upon access to the TV white spaces currently available on a regional basis. However, under Ofcom’s plans, White Space Devices (WSD) in the form of hand-held mobile devices are set to be allowed to operate using the interleaved spectrum without requiring a licence to do so. Geolocation databases are due to be set up and a statutory instrument exempting mobile devices from Wireless Telegraphy Act licence arrangements is due to be published, instead of waiting for a harmonised European standards approach.

BEIRG are extremely concerned about the threat posed by WSD to PMSE’s interference-free operating environment. WSD are, as yet, untried and untested in a real life environment. While Ofcom has acknowledged a need for testing, they have yet to set up any such trials themselves. Instead, Ofcom consistently refer to testing currently underway in Cambridge and Bute, which in their opinion BEIRG does not believe will, in their enforcement, provide sufficient evidence on which to base firm conclusions about WSD interference. As current proposals stand, where interference does occur, the suggested mechanism will only allow for correction after the event. In a live content production environment, retrospective responses to interference are not acceptable.

BEIRG is not opposed to innovation; however we are committed to ensuring that the entertainment and creative industries are not damaged by unnecessary haste in allowing new unlicenced devices access to spectrum without adequate safeguards in place to prevent interference. The anticipated level of interference which WSD could cause could make wireless microphones unusable in many, particularly densely populated, locations. Any form of interference during live events will lead to financial and reputational damage.

Future spectrum policy development

Ofcom outline within the Draft Annual Plan a priority to develop a future-looking spectrum policy work programme which takes into account market developments and future demand for spectrum. BEIRG is supportive of this holistic approach to policy development and looks forward to engaging with Ofcom on the future of UHF spectrum bands IV and V.

Given the current strength of the entertainment and creative industries and their potential to drive economic growth, consideration of the needs of these industries must be paramount in future spectrum strategy. PMSE use of spectrum has been increasing year on year in the UK, with world-renowned shows and live events pushing new boundaries in audio, visual and special effects. Increasing demand for greater spectrum for PMSE users should be reflected in future Ofcom policy.

BEIRG is very concerned that Ofcom’s drive towards greater spectrum efficiency and enabling new spectrum awards must not simply push out pre-existing users of radio spectrum. The PMSE community are already efficient users of radio spectrum. However, taking into consideration all of the above, once the planned 2012/13 auctions have taken place, PMSE users will no longer have access to 790-862MHz, they will see a potential loss of the 550-606MHz band, 65 channels of 8MHz will be used across the country for local TV, and WSD will be operating in the geographic interleaved. So while increasing spectrum efficiency is favourable in many respects if this maximises spectrum potential, this cannot go on indefinitely. If the squeeze on spectrum availability continues, Ofcom must proactively work with industry to identify potential replacement spectrum for PMSE operations.

Finally, BEIRG would like to emphasise the importance of early and well informed decision-making on the future of spectrum allocation in order to provide clarity to those working in this sector so that forward planning can take place. Given the disruption that some PMSE users have experienced in migrating from channel 69, it is important that in the future this is minimised.

Conclusion

• Ofcom’s emphasis on economic growth and liberalisation of the market obscures social and cultural benefits of the entertainment and creative industries. The value gained from the PMSE sector is there for all to see in the production of content that receives world-wide acclaim and continues to attract a global audience.
• PMSE users have seen access to spectrum restricted and diminished. This cannot continue without irrevocably damaging the entertainment and creative industries. As these industries continue to grow PMSE users require increased spectrum access.
• White space devices present a huge danger to the PMSE sector. Ofcom must ensure that sufficient testing of these takes place to prevent interference with PMSE equipment, which would cause substantial financial and reputational damage.
• BEIRG is very concerned that Ofcom’s drive towards greater spectrum efficiency and enabling new spectrum awards will push out pre-existing users of radio spectrum. Ofcom must proactively work with industry to assess the needs of different users of spectrum. BEIRG looks forward to engaging in this process on the future of UHF spectrum bands IV and V.

Download the file here:
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WRC ends with agreement on “second digital dividend”

2012-02-17T11:03:00.000Z

Delegates have reached an unexpected deal to make a mobile allocation in the 700 MHz band, starting in 2015.

The compromise was based on a commitment of all parties to seek harmonisation of that band… and the 800 MHz band worldwide.

The World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) in Geneva – which ends today (17 February) – has agreed to a request from Arab and African countries for a mobile allocation in the 700 MHz band, the so-called “second digital dividend". The 694–790 MHz deal applies to Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Northern Asia, known as ITU Region 1.

It was a request that “came out of nowhere,” according to one delegate, when the general expectation was that this would be discussed at the next WRC in 2015.

“Initially because this was a new proposal, there was significant resistance from CEPT [European] and RCC [mainly former Soviet] countries,” said Francois Rancy, the director of the ITU Radio Communication Bureau, in an interview with PolicyTracker. “The compromise was based on a commitment of all parties to seek harmonisation of that band… and the 800 MHz band worldwide," he said. "The worst thing would have been to have some countries using 700 MHz with one frequency plan and other countries with a different plan – it would have killed harmonisation.”

A further important proviso is that the allocation does not come into force until WRC-15, giving time for ITU technical studies and for countries to rearrange existing frequency usage. “What we expect the African and Arab countries will do is to reshuffle the GE-06 plans so they can use the upper part of the band currently allocated to broadcasting services,” said Rancy.

Although this wasn’t the immediate allocation that the African and Arab countries had requested, Rancy said there was no element of uncertainty about what would happen. “If you listen to the discussion, there is little doubt that the countries in Africa, in Arab groups, in APT [Asia Pacific Telecommunity], in South America are going to... open either the 700 or the 800 or both,” he said.

In many African countries, the 790–862 MHz band – or the “first digital dividend” – is widely used for other services such as fixed wireless access, leaving a benefit of only around 16 MHz (790–806 MHz) from the switchover to digital TV. There are also low expectations of an 800 MHz dividend in the Middle East.

Rancy said the 700 MHz agreement satisfied the ITU goal of meeting everyone’s needs. “The use of the 700 and 800 band provides a way to deploy broadband mobile at a network price which is about one fourth of the price at 2 GHz: you can understand that many of these countries are into making progress quickly,” he said.

The agreement on a 700 MHz allocation brings Region 1 into line with frequency allocations in Regions 2 and 3, so creating an almost global market for mobile devices in this band. Speaking toPolicyTracker, delegates from South America certainly welcomed the development, seeing it as creating enormous economic benefits for the region.

However, European broadcasters have been critical of the move. 700 MHz is widely used for terrestrial broadcasting and the European Broadcasting Union said a mobile allocation “would cause considerable disruption, additional expense and loss of services for millions of viewers across Europe. Broadcasters also consider this band as being crucial to the future development of innovative new terrestrial services.”

But for Rancy, the 700 MHz agreement just offers Europe another option, because the frequency plans developed for the two bands can be used side by side. “Last year the APT adopted a [700 MHz] frequency plan very much compatible with the CEPT plan in the 800 MHz band," he said. "This means that the two plans can be used concurrently, like an a la carte menu: you can take the dessert and the main course or only the dessert or only the main course.”

He says national administrations will choose whether to use the 700 MHz band. “It’s going to be a national or a regional decision to do that," he said. "I suspect in some European countries taking the decision to move out of the 700 band will be much more difficult than moving out of the 800 MHz band… especially in view of the large investment made to transition to digital television. Now we have other technologies available for broadcasting, but it's going to require time before you can do the transition to DVB-T2 and therefore use less spectrum and free up a little bit more for mobile.”

It will be interesting to watch Europe’s reaction to the 700 MHz deal. Most countries’ approach to the future use of the broadcasting bands was based on an assumption that 800 MHz was the harmonised Region 1 band. Now that 700 MHz will soon have the same status, will these plans be revised? Will the call for a “second digital dividend”, made by the French industry minister last year,be echoed elsewhere?•

The Digital Developer's Dream

2012-01-11T11:24:00.000Z

The Digital Developer’s Dream
With all forms of property development there are inevitably winners and losers. The developer generally wins, while incumbents, or existing tenants tend to lose. Rarely have tenants of re-developed land come out of the deal in a better position than before the re-development took place. Often they are promised much before they move, only to be severely disappointed when they arrive at their new home. However, by that time it is too late to go back and the damage has been done. The world of UHF spectrum, bands IV and V (470 – 862 MHz…and beyond) would appear to be no different.

Tools of the Trade
Live music production, live theatre, sports events, TV content production as well as broadcasting, conferencing, in fact a multitude of Entertainment Industry applications, rely on multiple UHF frequencies to make and deliver all manner of artistic, sporting, political and innovative content to the masses.

The tools used are multi-channel wireless microphone and wireless in-ear monitor systems. To perform these tasks, many MHz of interference free spectrum is required. The critical importance and sheer existence of these activities goes largely unnoticed not only by the general public, but they are also often ignored and dismissed by those who are looking to re-develop this sensitive and highly valuable area of spectrum.

The Mobile Developers – Mobile Network Operators (MNO)
Who wishes to re-develop the use of UHF bands IV and V? There is little doubt that Mobile Network Operators in conjunction with economists and regulators have done a great job in convincing Government in general and individual politicians in particular, that the value to be derived from the re-deployment of these frequencies for new mobile broadband service delivery will be significant.

Much is made of the ‘immense value to society’ that the release of these frequencies will achieve. However, no open discussion is entered into as to just how much money these same MNO are predicting that they will earn once they have secured the frequencies, rolled out their new networks and their marketing teams get to work on selling us all shiny new 4G phone services.

As stated, no MNO revenue projections are offered. But, behind the caring exterior, these are premier league businesses that have the money and resources to commission whatever ‘study’ is needed, that will ‘prove’ that the best use of these frequencies is mobile broadband, despite the consequences. And for sure, the roll out of these new services will have consequences.

MNO need dedicated blocks of spectrum in order that it can be assigned; the current trend is by an auction process, solely to the delivery of their services. Once assigned, no other radio frequency users are allowed to operate in these blocks on the basis that other users of the same frequencies would cause interference to the licensed user i.e. mobile broadband customers. 790 – 862 MHz is currently in the process of being assigned on as pan-European basis as possible in order that the MNO and handset manufacturers can benefit as much as possible from the economies of scale that result from pan-European frequency harmonisation.

This leaves, in the UK for example, 470 – 790 MHz left for Broadcasting – the delivery of TV signals to the general public’s rooftop antennas - and Services Ancillary to Broadcasting/Programme Making, or what is now more commonly called Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE – wireless microphones and in-ear monitor systems).

At present the only activities permitted within the 470 – 790 MHz frequency bands are Broadcast and PMSE. However, it should be noted that at many large events, the demand for PMSE frequencies already outstrips supply (i.e. the recent Royal wedding of HRH William Windsor and Kate Middleton being a case in point). And this is before the 790 – 862 MHz band is rendered off-limits for PMSE use due to its re-allocation for mobile broadband. Much of the 800 MHz band was licensed for PMSE use at the Royal wedding, but will be off-limits for this use at the end of 2012.

So, with the 800 MHz band scheduled for sell-off and Ofcom already looking to sell-off another uniquely UK chunk of UHF spectrum, commonly referred to as the ‘600 MHz band’ (550 – 606 MHz), it is obvious that, from a PMSE perspective, we are already experiencing a future with a critical lack of access to required spectrum. How are large events to be covered in the future? With PMSE demand expanding and new users hungry to exploit the same resource! What’s the answer?

The White Space Developers – White Space Devices (WSD)
MNO are spectrum hungry, but at least you know where they are feeding. Quantity of spectrum available is one thing, quality of available spectrum is quite another.

To compound the MNO situation, new technologies are being developed that claims to be able to share the same frequencies as PMSE equipment without causing harmful interference to licensed PMSE spectrum users. This is far from proven, but device development and the desire to implement these new technologies would appear to be running ahead of any serious pan-European testing regime.

Regulators, charged with making the most efficient use of finite resources (a limited amount of frequencies) are understandably enthusiastic about a technology, that if proven to work without causing interference to others, could potentially increase efficiency of spectrum use. But, at what cost to existing services?

Regulators must have the strength of character to accept that, if it is proven that WSD and PMSE equipment cannot co-exist, then WSD should not be permitted to be deployed into UK, or indeed EU white space. While lessons may be learned from how things develop in the USA, it must be remembered that the EU white space environment differs substantially from that of the USA. Much less white space is available in Europe and far more citizens and consumers rely on receiving their television pictures through an antenna. Both WSD and the deployment of 4G networks will undoubtedly compromise the ability of citizens and consumers to receive interference free TV pictures in some areas.

How will politicians react when voters start to complain that changes in spectrum use, sanctioned by them, has severely compromised something on which they, the general public, have come to take for granted.

In the UK one of the prime movers behind WSD technology and largely responsible for laying down the framework for their implementation and deployment while at Ofcom, now works directly for a developer of these devices.

The last consultation from Ofcom in relation to the implementation of these devices, entitled ‘Implementing Geolocation’, and in no small part authored by the same now ex-Ofcom employee, seriously underplayed the number of these devices that might eventually be released ‘into the wild’.

An uncharacteristically short response time was also offered for this consultation document. A cynic might suspect that obfuscation had been used in order to hide the true extent and size of the market that these new developers of technology might expect for these types of devices. Obfuscation, both in terms of it’s real term fiscal size and the timescale for the market to reach maturity. And all marched through quietly and at a pace to boot. Certain parties were alive to the concerns and were given a slightly longer period to respond. However, despite serious concerns raised, Ofcom still seems extremely open to the implementation of these devices.

If extreme care is not taken, the remaining white space spectrum could become so polluted that it will, in effect, become unusable by PMSE devices. If this situation is permitted to happen, then this would have a devastating effect on the UK Entertainment Industry and well beyond.

Serious real world testing of these devices is required, with results scrutinised by a truly independent authority. Results of testing in the USA have been patchy at best with wireless microphone manufacturers claiming that they have experienced severe interference, whilst WSD developers have claimed that there have been no problems.
Where does the truth lie?

In the UK to date, despite trials of WSD being undertaken in the Cambridge area and on the Isle of Bute, (not noted for its use of PMSE equipment) little or no effort has been made to attempt to engage the PMSE community as a whole in the testing process.

Spectrum Regulators – Blind To Existing Services?
While it is important that regulators are pro-active and alive to new developments, they should be wary of their responsibilities to protect existing incumbent users of spectrum.

Idealism and the desire to be an ‘early adopter’ should not be permitted to compromise an existing, active and growing industry sector that supports the production of a greater whole. PMSE, on the whole unseeingly, enables the production of exciting programme content, concert footage, sports events etc, to an audio standard that the general public has come to expect as standard. Any compromise in industry’s ability to capture world-class audio content should be regarded as wholly unacceptable.

Part of the issue here is that PMSE is so invisible to the naked eye, that we really will not miss it until it is gone.

Result? High definition video, with immobile, low definition audio. Surely, this must not be permitted to happen?

Regulators and politicians are understandably very keen to see progress and development in the area of spectrum use. The perceived gains to citizens and consumers from the deployment of new services is an attractive message to deliver to the masses.

Nevertheless, it is an uncomfortable truth that these new services will have at best a negative impact, and at worst a terminal impact on existing spectrum users’ businesses with consequences acutely felt not just by consumers of the arts but way beyond.

As the options for re-development of this vital resource are considered, perhaps the question is; just because in theory we can, does that mean that in practice that we should?

Do the risks of excessive harmful interference to existing services outweigh the perceived benefits to citizens and consumers derived from new services?

It could be argued that in their haste to be seen to be progressive, regulators have given inadequate consideration as to just how disruptive these new services will prove to be. In the UK Ofcom will no doubt argue that all the correct consultations and impact assessments have been carried out and that all will be fine.

However, when difficult responses to consultations, and when studies that show that new services will be disruptive to millions of households are ignored, perhaps the question should be asked; is this one re-development too far?

What might our new home look like?
But regardless of changes, the show will still go on, right?

Of course it will, nobody is suggesting that the increasing loss of spectrum access will mean the end of the show. But with reduced access to available spectrum, and with what we do have access to, constantly disrupted by interference from unlicensed devices, sadly our new home will look very much like our old home; remember the one we used to have back in the early seventies, in the days before multi-channel wireless systems?

Yes, the show will go on, but how much money will fans want to pay to see a show that looks like it was produced over 30 years ago? How many other industries do you know that would just accept being pushed out of its home and forced to go back to the way it used to work? So why should we, and what are you going to do to stop the digital developer’s dream becoming the Entertainment Industry’s nightmare?

BEIRG Steering Group

OUTRAGE AS OFCOM CONTRACTOR SELLS TAXPAYER FUNDED EQUIPMENT INTO ‘CLEARED’ SPECTRUM

2011-09-15T11:27:00.000+01:00

Company appointed by Ofcom to make way for new 4G services in the 800MHz band are selling equipment into the spectrum which taxpayers paid them to clear.

In 2009 Ofcom announced that wireless microphone users would be evicted from the 800MHz band to make way for new mobile broadband services. Following an industry campaign, Save Our Sound UK, which pointed out the damage being done to the British entertainment industry, the UK Government agreed to fund part of the clearance of the band. To qualify for taxpayer funding, Channel 69 equipment had to be surrendered.

This equipment is now being resold back into the band which taxpayers paid to remove it from, by the scheme’s administrator - Equiniti. A significant amount of equipment has already been sold, and Equiniti are now gearing up their operations to release up to 80,000 channels for use in UK spectrum. Only a fraction of the profit from the sale is going to the taxpayer who financed the scheme – the rest goes directly to Equiniti.

The British Entertainment Industry Radio Group (BEIRG) has repeatedly warned Ofcom about the damage that resale of this equipment could cause to manufacturers, wireless microphone users, and taxpayers. An influx of under-priced equipment, which will not be licensable in just over a year, will grossly distort the UK microphone sale and hire market – and will go against the very purpose of the taxpayer funded scheme.

BEIRG is also concerned that Equiniti’s actions may ultimately affect the attractiveness of the 800MHz band to mobile broadband companies. The price they are willing to pay in next year’s 4G auctions could be considerably reduced.

If this resale continues UK taxpayers will end up paying for this scheme twice over:

- Once in the original funding scheme (including the fee paid by Ofcom to Equiniti)
- Second, in the reduced price mobile companies pay for 4G spectrum auction

Following a meeting with Equiniti today (Wednesday 14th September) Ron Bonner, from PLASA and the BEIRG Steering Committee, stated:

“Equiniti has been paid from our taxes, through Ofcom, to administer the PMSE funding scheme. Equiniti have not paid for the equipment themselves – the public paid for it. Equiniti now want to sell the equipment on for profit, whilst damaging microphone manufacturers’ and the taxpayers’ chance of getting the highest price for the 800MHz band when it is auctioned next year. Ofcom need to step in now to stop this sale, and ensure that the original purpose of the scheme is not undermined by the re-release of surrendered equipment into UK spectrum.”

Notes for Editors:

- The British Entertainment Industry Radio Group (BEIRG) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation representing the concerns of those members of the Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) sector who use radio spectrum (www.beirg.co.uk)

- PLASA is the Professional Lighting and Sound Association

- PMSE professionals use wireless microphones to produce content for productions in theatres, TV, film, live music and sport.

- Equiniti has been administering the PMSE funding scheme on Ofcom’s behalf (http://www.shareview.co.uk/clients/Ofcom/Default.htm)

- Wireless microphone users who had equipment licensed for use in Channel 69 were granted limited funding to ease their transition to Channel 38.

- The PMSE funding scheme covered only 55% of the replacement cost of equipment. Eligibility criteria to qualify for the scheme were strict, and many PMSE users were unable to receive any funding.

- The auction of 4G spectrum has already been delayed, due to threats of legal action from mobile operators.

- BEIRG has met with Ofcom and Equiniti on numerous occasions to raise its concerns.

- Key areas that BEIRG expressed concern about related to:

- What would happen to the equipment after funding had been received? – It was made clear to Ofcom that this surrendered equipment should not find its way back into the market.

- How can we remove as much channel 69 equipment from the market as possible, and clear the spectrum, ready for use by the new users? - BEIRG has been very co-operative in contacting users and informing the industry, working with Ofcom and Equiniti.

- How can Ofcom ensure that manufacturers and users, who have already had to suffer severe disruption and cost, will not be further disadvantaged? – BEIRG was quite clear that this equipment should not find its way back into the market, and if it did it would not be in the best interests of manufacturers or end-users, who have already suffered significant financial loss as a result of several years of indecision.

For further information, contact:
Fiona Graham
On behalf of the BEIRG Steering Committee
fiona@ranelagh.info
Tel: 0207 828 1603

Update from JFMG

2011-06-14T13:16:00.001+01:00

From 1st July 2012 to the 1st October 2012 access to TV Channels 61 – 69 will only be available in London, North East England and Northern Ireland*. From the 1st October 2012 access to Channels 61 – 69 will cease completely. However, the availability of these channels will be reviewed in the Autumn of 2011 and access may be extended to 31st December 2012 at the latest.

Until such time as the dates above are confirmed annual licences within Channels 61 – 69 will continue to be issued. If an annual licence is issued with an expiry date after 1st July 2012 (or 1st October 2012 in London, North East England and Northern Ireland) and access to Channels 61 – 69 ends on 1st July 2012 (or 1st October 2012 in London, North East England and Northern Ireland) then the licence will be revoked in accordance with Ofcom’s Wireless Telegraphy General Licence Conditions, specifically Paragraph 1.2 (e). [for reasons related to the management of the radio spectrum] If access to Channels 61 – 69 is extended to 31st December 2012 then all annual licences will expire on their due date, but no later than 31st December 2012.

Therefore, any licences issued after 1st January 2012 will be for the remainder of 2012 and will expire on 31st December 2012. Licence fees for annual assignments are based on a fees cap of 4 X 48 hour periods so there are no financial penalties on the licensee nor will there be any refund payments as a result of a licence revocation as described above.

*London, North East England and Northern Ireland refer to the TV regions, London, Tyne Tees and UTV respectively.

BEIRG & OFCOM URGE USERS TO VALIDATE CLAIMS

2011-04-15T10:08:00.002+01:00

Wireless equipment owners, who have submitted claims under the 800MHz Funding Scheme, are being urged return all claim information, including proof of ownership information, urgently.

So far over 50% of claimants have submitted the necessary documentation. But a large number of claims submitted are still waiting for proof of ownership to be provided in order that claims may be fully verified and approved. Ofcom, supported by BEIRG (British Entertainment Industry Radio Group) are urging users to get in touch and provide the necessary information as soon as possible. Although the 2^nd April deadline has passed, proof of ownership information for registered claimants is still being accepted.

Ian Wainwright, PMSE Implementation Project Manager at Ofcom said, “We realise the difficulty that some people may have in providing all of the required proof of ownership details, but we would urge them to come forward as soon as possible with whatever information they have, so that we can complete this stage of their claim.”

“Even if claimants only have proof of ownership information for a portion of their claim, we would urge them to submit whatever data they have available, as this will allow us to process the relevant items. After that we will review the outstanding issues with the claimant.”

A BEIRG spokesman supported this by saying, “It’s vitally important that users, who have submitted claims, realise that the key issue here is communication. If they are in any way unsure about whether they have enough information to reinforce their proof of ownership, then please just contact Equiniti and talk it through. This is a unique situation and all parties are keen to help arrive at the right outcome for all concerned.”

The BEIRG Steering Group urges everyone that still has claims to validate to take action now before it’s too late. (www.beirg.co.uk)

BEIRG Steering Group

Press Release

2010-12-01T14:38:00.001Z

Following the publication of the Ofcom consultation on ‘Implementing Geolocation’ which was published 9th November 2010, BEIRG (British Entertainment Industry Radio Group) raised concern that the four week timeframe for responses was an insufficient period to allow all interested parties to be made fully aware of the existence of the consultation, and allow them to come together with their industry partners to discuss the complex technical implications of these proposals.

Ofcom has now confirmed that the deadline for the BEIRG submission to the consultation has been extended from 7th December to the 1st February. This does not, however, extend to all other interested parties, who still only have the original four weeks in which to respond to the consultation. This decision appears to be contrary to Ofcom’s own guidance on fairness and accessibility.

BEIRG has written to the Chief Executive of Ofcom, Ed Richards, to raise their concerns and to request a universal extension of the consultation until 1st February 2011. BEIRG would be most grateful if other interested parties would also write to Mr Richards endorsing our request for an extension (Ed.Richards@ofcom.org.uk). Sample letter templates can be downloaded using the links.

BEIRG also think it would be helpful to write to your local MP in order to raise parliamentary awareness of the issues and concerns of those involved. In order to find the contact details of your local MP, you should visit the following website and enter your postcode:http://www.parliament.uk/about/contacting/mp/.

Letter to MP
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B08JHs7_2X1bZGVkOWI2ODAtMTM5Ny00OGExLWI3OWQtNGI0NDYxYzRjZmVm&hl=en_GB&authkey=CMSrwA4

Letter to Mr. Richards
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B08JHs7_2X1bYTY1NzI5MGEtM2ZmNy00OWQwLTg5ZWEtZWQ4NjgzYzNiZDYx&hl=en_GB&authkey=CPyKsIMO

One month left for wireless microphone users to register for wireless microphone funding

2010-11-30T17:11:00.000Z

Ofcom is calling on licensed wireless microphone users to register for a Government funding scheme set up earlier this year to help pay for the replacement of channel 69 equipment. This equipment will stop working in 2012. The scheme closes on 31 December 2010.

Countries across Europe are clearing a block of frequencies to make way for new services like next-generation mobile broadband. Part of this block – called channel 69 (854-862 MHz) – is used by wireless microphones.

Replacement frequencies for channel 69 have been made available in channel 38 (606-614 MHz) as well as other frequencies – but existing microphones will need to be replaced or modified to work at these new frequencies.

In July 2010, the Government announced that it will be providing a contribution towards the cost of new equipment for those users who are eligible under the terms of the scheme. Those affected will receive roughly 55% towards the cost of replacing their equipment.

Who is eligible?
Eligible applicants will have held a valid WT Act channel 69 licence for at least part of the period between 3 February 2008 and 2 February 2009 inclusive. The exception to this will be equipment hiring companies that can prove their channel 69 business exclusively involves renting out (and not installing or operating) channel 69 equipment. The equipment must be in working condition and capable of tuning to channel 69 but not to channel 38. It must have been bought before 30 June 2009.

Users who consider themselves eligible for funding must register their claim by 31 December 2010. Any claim received after this date will not be accepted under the terms of the funding scheme.

Applicants can register and manage their claims online at www.pmsefunding.co.uk. Alternatively, they can call the helpline free of charge on 0800 011 3617.

http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2010/11/30/one-month-left-for-wireless-microphone-users-to-register-for-wireless-microphone-funding/

BEIRG Asks Supporters To Write To Ed Richards & Their Local MP

2010-11-17T11:12:00.015Z

BEIRG would like to raise awareness about a recent Ofcom consultation regarding the introduction of White Space Devices. This consultation, entitled ‘Implementing Geolocation’ (published 9^th November), sets out Ofcom’s intentions to introduce a framework for the implementation of White Space Devices (WSD’s) in UK spectrum.

Given the complex issues that this consultation raises, it is felt that a four week consultation period is insufficient for all interested parties to pull together meaningful responses. Therefore we request that you and your organisation assist us by writing to Ed Richards, Ofcom's Chief Executive, asking that the consultation deadline be extended to the end of February 2011 at the very least. This should give much needed time for issues to be looked at and addressed more thoroughly.

We attach two template letters to be sent to the following in both email and hard copy format. As templates please feel free to add any further information that you believe may be relevant.

The first letter is addressed to Ed Richards, Chief Executive of Ofcom, (Ed.Richards@ofcom.org.uk). The second is to be addressed to your local MP in order to raise parliamentary awareness of the issues and concerns of those involved. In order to find the contact details of your local MP, you should visit the following website and enter your postcode: http://www.parliament.uk/about/contacting/mp/.

Further, we would be grateful if you could circulate this letter, and the two attachments, to other interested parties in order that we can continue to raise awareness about this particularly important consultation.

BEIRG Steering Committee.

Download letter to Ed Richards

Download letter to MP

New Statement From Ofcom On PMSE

2010-08-31T11:31:00.001+01:00

Ofcom has released a statement setting out their decisions on a number of key issues relating to future spectrum access for programme-making and special events (PMSE). This encompasses a broad and diverse set of stakeholders, ranging from broadcasters and major theatrical companies to churches and schools, whose use of spectrum includes wireless microphones, wireless cameras and related equipment. Together, they make a major contribution to the economic, social and cultural well-being of the UK.

Read the full statement here.

BEIRG Asks For Deadline Extension

2010-08-24T17:54:00.001+01:00

BEIRG has made a formal request to Ofcom for a universal extension to the current deadline for submission of comments to Equiniti regarding the rate card. The funding statement and corresponding rate card was only published on the 5th August yet equipment owners are expected to have reviewed their entire inventory, checked all units against the rate card and submitted comments by 2nd September.

BEIRG considers this to be too short a timescale for the following reasons:

1. It is the holiday season.

2. It is the school and university holidays.
3. The majority of users are unlikely to have more than one or two members of staff who are qualified to do this work. If they are unavailable for whatever reason in this short time period then it will inevitably cause problems.

4. Whilst we are aware that Ofcom has written to licensees, the licensee (whilst being the owner) might not be the person who is responsible for these issues.

BEIRG has requested that the deadline be extended until Friday 24th September. BEIRG is aware that the consequence of such an extension would be a three-week delay to the point at which claims will start to be processed (i.e. from March 2011 under the current timetable). Whilst BEIRG recognises the need for the process to start as soon as possible to allow an orderly and timely transition, it believes that the need to (as far as possible) eliminate the risk of people being excluded by virtue of an incorrect rate card outweighs the potential negative consequences of a three-week delay.

In addition, BEIRG considers that the three-week delay to submissions regarding the rate-card need not necessarily result in any movement of the March 2011 date. BEIRG also believes that the solution would be for the spending plan to be digested and approved in a more timely manner by Ofcom and HM Treasury than is currently anticipated.

SAVE OUR SOUND UK’S REACTION TO THE OFCOM STATEMENT ON PMSE FUNDING

2010-08-14T10:16:00.001+01:00

As we know, the Government and Ofcom have decided to clear TV bands 31-37 and 61-69 of all wireless microphones and similar technologies that operate on these frequencies. At the end of July, Communications Minister Ed Vaizey announced that the Government would be making a “significant contribution” to the replacement cost, but only for equipment that tunes to channel 69. Following on from this, Ofcom published a statement providing details on the compensation package, including eligibility criteria. Save Our Sound UK has since had time to digest the content and consult with stakeholders.

The SOS UK campaign has been successful in persuading the UK Government to take another major step towards addressing the needs of the PMSE community. Following the willingness of the authorities to engage with the issues on a detailed level, the Government has decided not to take into account the age of equipment that requires upgrading. This is a hugely important step because the ‘residual value’ concept, if implemented, would have been devastating to the industry. The change in position is also attributable to the hard work of all those involved in the campaign, including our many supporters in Parliament and industry leaders such as Harvey Goldsmith and Sir Cameron Mackintosh.

However, the Ofcom statement does nothing to ease the plight of those who own equipment that does not happen to tune to channel 69 but will still be rendered redundant as a result of Government action. As SOS UK has previously stated, this decision will disproportionately hurt those small businesses and individuals that supply equipment and expertise to high-value large-scale events.

In addition, the fact that the ‘significant contribution’ only amounts to around 55% of the cost of replacing redundant equipment means that there will be a large number of affected groups, including theatres, freelancers, musicians and church and community users who will struggle to find the extra capital required to replace their equipment. Ofcom itself recognised these problems in its statement.

The work done by the Government and Ofcom in the lead-up to this decision demonstrates that the contribution the Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) sector makes to the UK is a unique and valuable one. Save Our Sound UK welcomes this recognition and looks forward to continued engagement to ensure that this important sector is protected from threats such as ‘white space’ or ‘cognitive’ devices, which have the potential to pollute the airwaves so severely that PMSE applications become unusable. For more information, please contact a member of the British Entertainment Industry Radio Group (BEIRG) www.beirg.co.uk

In terms of the funding package, Save Our Sound UK will work closely with officials to ensure that the funding administration runs smoothly and what is promised is delivered. Since the final spending plan is yet to be determined and approved, SOS will keep the pressure up to help ensure that it is.

In the meantime SOS UK strongly recommends that equipment owners examine their inventories, compare their units with the rate card available at www.pmsefunding.co.uk and inform the scheme administrators Equiniti of any errors or omissions.

Ofcom Statement On Funding

2010-08-05T10:58:00.001+01:00

Last year we decided to clear the 800 MHz band so it matches the spectrum being released in other European countries. This will benefit people across the UK because the spectrum will be able to be used for new mobile broadband services. Because of this, programme-making and special events (PMSE) users will have to stop using channel 69. To help these users move, we have made a commitment to:

provide replacement spectrum and maintain PMSE access to channel 69 during the changeover period; and
provide funding to eligible PMSE users who are affected by us clearing channel 69.

Read the full statement here.

MINISTER PRESSES MUTE BUTTON ON HIGH-VALUE LIVE EVENTS

2010-07-28T15:48:00.001+01:00

Minister for the Digital Economy Ed Vaizey today indicated that the Government’s compensation package to those being evicted from the 800MHz spectrum will only encompass 6% of the frequencies being cleared. This puts the large-scale live events, from the West-End to major TV entertainment shows, on notice because it threatens the small businesses that supply them.
The package covers channel 69, but the Government has exploited technicalities to avoid paying out to those high-end users that tune to channels 31-37 and 61-68, which are also being cleared. It is these additional channels that are needed to produce large-scale events like the Olympics.
The excuse that the Government has given is that notice of eviction was given. But what seems to be continually ignored is the fact that no precise alternatives were provided or even now have been published.
How can you buy replacement equipment when you don’t know what frequencies it can operate on?

All this because the Government seems to want to line its pockets with mobile network operators’ cash from the radio spectrum auctions.
Whilst there is some encouragement that the Government has accepted Save Our Sound UK’s arguments about longevity and use-value of equipment, it is not known what Vaizey’s ‘significant contribution’ means. Details from Ofcom are expected on that matter.
Save Our Sound UK spokesman said,
“To call this package ‘generous’ is an abuse of the English language. The decision will devastate the small and medium-sized businesses that support the UK’s live events industry. Where are they going to find the extra money to continue to do their job? Without them, the large-scale events sector could collapse like a house of cards.”
“This shows that the Minister simply does not understand how the Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) sector works. An injustice has been done. But worse than that – it is an injustice that will have severe consequences.”
“The winners are the spectrum-greedy behemoth corporations and the Government. The losers are the little guys. So much for ‘Compassionate Conservatism’, and where is Business Secretary Vince Cable who supported SOS UK in the first place?”
Editors notes:
·       The Government has approved a move to clear radio channels 31-37 and 61-69 of all existing technologies that use them, including over 95% of the UK’s stocks of wireless microphones, in-ear monitor systems and talkback.
·       This wireless equipment makes shows like the X Factor, Big Brother possible, along with stellar events like Live Aid and Glastonbury. In addition, they are vital to broadcasting and newsgathering and the West End wouldn’t function without them.
·       The Minister’s decision will impact on schools, churches, theatres, broadcasters, film studios, concert promoters, conference and sports-event organisers, rental companies and sound recordists.

www.saveoursounduk.com

BIS Statement On Funding

2010-07-28T13:47:00.000+01:00

Please follow the link to the BIS press release announcing general principles for the compensation package – http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=414707&NewsAreaID=2

"The funding will make a significant contribution to the costs of the PMSE community in upgrading equipment to suit their new operating frequency.
The support provided will not take into account the age of the equipment that requires upgrading, although the equipment will need to be in working order. OFCOM will be providing further details on the package shortly."

The fact that the package will not take into account the age of the equipment is hopefully positive news because it moves away from residual value. However, there is as expected nothing on channels 31-37 and 61-68. We also need to understand what terms like "generous" and "significant" actually mean in monetary terms.

Give your views on this statement at www.saveoursounduk.com

Save Our Sound UK - Write To Your MP

2010-07-22T16:49:00.005+01:00

Representatives of Save Our Sound UK attended a meeting recently at HM Treasury. Once again the plight of the PMSE sector was laid before Government officials. During the meeting it was stated that Treasury and BIS (Department for Business Innovation and Skills) are trying to find a compensation scheme that is the right one. However, industry representatives are fearful that any scheme, when and if finalised, could eventually prove to be no more generous than the terms originally proposed by Ofcom – the reason for launching the Save Our Sound UK campaign in the first place.

On current evidence Government would still appear to be sticking to the line that only Channel 69 capable equipment will qualify and that compensation levels will be based on residual value of equipment. The effect of this will be to exclude owners of equipment that does not tune to Channel 69 but will still be rendered redundant as a result of PMSE’s eviction from Channels 31-37 and 61-68. Additionally, owners of Channel 69 equipment would end up receiving a small fraction of the true value of their equipment.

The previous Government’s position was to ensure that any compensation package should leave the PMSE sector ‘no better, no worse off’ as a result of the changes to spectrum access. The new coalition administration has yet to commit to this and Save Our Sound UK is extremely concerned that it may not.

Final decisions have yet to be made on the structure and scope of any compensation package but it is possible that things will be finalised by the end of July 2010, before Parliament rises for summer recess. Consequently, Save Our Sound UK urges supporters to contact their recently elected MPs as a matter of urgency to highlight the issues and ask them to pursue a satisfactory outcome for the PMSE sector.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

SAVE OUR SOUND UK urges all affected by the compensation issue, especially those who work in the industry but also those who enjoy live events, to write to or e-mail their local MP and ask them to support the campaign.

How to do it – step by step guide

If you do not know who your local MP is, then simply type your postcode into this page on the UK Parliament websitehttp://findyourmp.parliament.uk/
Use the template below to send to your MP, filling in the MP’s name at the top and including your name at the bottom.
Once your letter is complete, either send it to your constituency MP by post or e-mail it across. E-mail addresses can also be found on the UK Parliament websitehttp://www.parliament.uk/mpslordsandoffices/mps_and_lords/alms.cfm

Download the letter template here.

If you have any further questions or require clarification, contact Alun Rees on 020 7828 1603 or alun@ranelagh.info

BEIRG - Feedback on Channel 38

2010-04-22T12:10:00.000+01:00

Now that the migration from CH69 to CH38 has begun in earnest, BEIRG is keen to get feedback from users with regard to the use of CH38. How well has the migration worked for you – both in terms of availability of suitable kit and practical use of the band? Have your experiences differed when comparing use indoors and outdoors? BEIRG would welcome your comments and observations.

BEIRG Statement in response to Ofcom's statement on "Future spectrum management, access and availability"

2010-04-20T16:27:00.001+01:00

BEIRG is pleased and relieved that Ofcom has accepted the Programme Making and Special Event (PMSE) sector’s arguments regarding security of tenure. We consequently welcome the fact that they have committed to address the ‘cliff edge’, which would have otherwise resulted in no guaranteed spectrum access for the sector beyond 2018. We are grateful to our supporters in Parliament, especially Peter Luff, who have helped us on this issue. We look forward to continued constructive discussions with Ofcom officials as they move forward with more detailed policy plans and a final decision on how to address that cliff edge.

The extension of guaranteed access to channel 69 until at least 1st July 2012 is also a step in the right direction. We need to consult our members and other stakeholders before we can give more detailed reaction, since the availability of the replacement channel 38 affects different end-users in different ways.

Regarding the postponement of the band manager award until after the Olympics in 2012, we understand the reasons for this decision. In this regard, our concern is that there is an adequate spectrum management regime in place for the interim period that provides continuity of spectrum access at reasonable prices. Ofcom have said that they will ensure that this is the case in light of their objective to minimise disruption to the PMSE sector. We welcome this and look forward to hearing the precise details.

BEIRG is however at great pains to point out that these developments have no bearing on the Save Our Sound UK funding campaign. As Ofcom have said, the Government has not yet made a decision on this matter.

In addition, whilst we welcome these important statements on security of tenure for PMSE spectrum access, we are greatly concerned about its quality and quantity. This of course refers to the reduction in spectrum availability post-DSO and the potential influx of so-called ‘cognitive or white space devices’, which have the potential to severely pollute the airwaves and make licensed PMSE applications effectively unusable.

www.beirg.co.uk

Ofcom Release Statement - Programme-making and special events Future spectrum management, access and availability

2010-04-15T14:42:00.000+01:00

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/bandmanager09/statement/statement.pdf

Digital dividend: 600 MHz band and geographic interleaved spectrum

2010-02-18T11:50:00.000Z

The 600 MHz band and geographic interleaved spectrum are part of the UK's digital dividend that will be freed up for new uses with the switchover from analogue to digital terrestrial television (DTT) that is due to be completed in 2012. Ofcom are considering how to make the spectrum available in ways that best suit the needs of potential users, in order to maximise the total value to society they generate over time. They intend to publish proposals on this later in 2010.

Ofcom say the consultation aims to:
Update stakeholders on spectrum availability, how developments have changed this and how technical considerations may affect spectrum use; and
seek stakeholders' input on potential uses of the spectrum and on their level of interest in acquiring it. This information will help us develop proposals on how best to make the spectrum available.

These proposals could have a major impact on PMSE. Read the full consultation here.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/600mhz_geographic/

SAVE OUR SOUND - www.saveoursounduk.com

2009-11-10T08:59:00.000Z

BRITISH ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY LAUNCHES ‘SAVE OUR SOUND UK’ CAMPAIGN

Today, 21 major organisations representing the breadth and depth of the British Entertainment Industry launched a campaign calling on the Government to act to secure the future of live music, newsgathering, musical theatre, film making, television production, sports events, concerts, conferences (including party conferences) and church, school and community events in the UK.

All of these activities, that benefit everyone either directly or indirectly, are under threat. This is because Ofcom, supported by Government, has decided to clear out and sell the radio frequencies that the industry relies on, and move those evicted elsewhere. The precise location of this new much smaller ‘home’ remains for the most part undetermined. Meanwhile, all proceeds from the sale of the old ‘home’ will go to the Government.

As a consequence of the enforced ‘migration’, the vast majority of the UK’s valuable stocks of wireless microphones, which are essential tools for content production in the creative industries and beyond, will become unusable. If the activities and events listed above are to continue, then all affected equipment will need to be replaced at a stroke. This will cost tens of millions of pounds.

If the Government does not provide adequate funding to cover the costs, then live music, newsgathering, musical theatre and other events including those listed above are likely to become impossible to stage. There is little doubt that companies will go bust, individuals will go bankrupt, employees will be made redundant, and charitable and community organisations will have to divert funds from core services.

The impact will be so severe due to the fact that the UK’s pool of equipment for professional use is generally owned by small specialist firms and individuals that supply to end users when required. These businesses work to very tight margins and either cannot, or will struggle to cover the cost of replacing entire inventories. If they are forced out of business, which is likely under current proposals, then all productions that depend on their equipment and expertise will be under threat.

Inadequate redress
The funding scheme that Ofcom has put forward is totally inadequate. It is analogous to a compulsory purchase order with little or no compensation. This might be because the regulator is constrained by legislation. Under their proposed terms (1) only equipment that tunes to 8MHz out of the total 120MHz due to be sold would be eligible and (2) amounts provided would be based on an estimate of ‘residual value’ of equipment rather than what it will cost to replace. If Ofcom’s proposals are implemented, many will only receive a fraction of what it will cost to replace their equipment, and the rest will receive nothing at all.

What needs to be done?
The Government must act, if and where Ofcom cannot, to provide what the industry needs. The Government must ensure that (a) the funding package covers all affected equipment, not just some and (b) that funding is based on what it will cost to replace equipment with like-for-like alternatives.

Harvey Goldsmith CBE, legendary music promoter and organiser of Live Aid, said, ‘Yesterday SAVE OUR SOUND UK wrote to Lord Mandelson to raise these crucial issues and urge the Government to intervene. The valuable real estate we are talking about will be sold-off very soon, and there will be no second chance to secure the future of those affected. The time to act is now’.

Louise de Winter, National Campaign for the Arts (NCA) Director, said, ‘We see this as a matter of moral obligation as well as public policy. It would not be right for those affected, which includes charitable organisations, to effectively pay for their own eviction. As this process will generate very significant sums for the Government in auction revenues, it must put aside a fraction of those proceeds to fully compensate those forced to move’.

Media Enquiries: Alun Rees, 020 7828 1603/ 020 7932 0110, alun@ranelagh.info

Notes to Editors
1. SAVE OUR SOUND UK is a joint initiative launched by the following organisations
a. ABTT – Association of British Theatre Technicians
b. AMPS – Association of Motion Picture Sound
c. APRS – Association of Professional Recording Services
d. BECTU – Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union
e. BEIRG – British Entertainment Industry Radio Group
f. CPA – Concert Promoters Association
g. Equity – the Actors and Artists Union
h. FEU – Federation of Entertainment Unions
i. IBS – Institute of Broadcast Sound
j. MIA – Music Industries Association
k. MU – Musicians Union
l. NCA – National Campaign for the Arts
m. NUJ – National Union of Journalists
n. PFA – Professional Footballers Association
o. PLASA – Professional Lighting and Sound Association
p. PSA – Production Services Association
q. RSC – Royal Shakespeare Company
r. SOLT – Society of London Theatre
s. TMA – Theatrical Management Association
t. The Writers Guild of Great Britain
u. Unite – Britain’s biggest union

2. The Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) sector is responsible for both content production and content delivery for live and recorded entertainment. It plays a critical role in the ongoing success of the UK’s creative industries that, according to the Government, contribute £60 billion a year, employ over two million people and grow at twice the rate of the wider economy.

3. The PMSE sector consists of a wide and diverse community, both professional and amateur, including broadcasters, theatres, large event organisers, freelance engineers, rental companies, schools and houses of worship, all of which use spectrum to relay sound and/or picture data across relatively short distances. This allows, for example, wireless microphones to be used on stage in musical theatre, and at events such as Live 8 and the Olympics.

4. Radio microphones, in-ear monitor systems and talkback applications operate within the frequency bands reserved UK-wide for analogue television broadcasts. Analogue terrestrial television signals in the UK are currently being ‘switched off’ and replaced with digital signals in a process known as ‘digital switchover’ (DSO). Digital broadcasting is more efficient than analogue so less frequency bands need to be reserved UK-wide for digital television broadcasts than was the case for analogue. Those frequencies that were used for analogue television broadcasts but will not be used for digital television broadcasts are said to be ‘freed up’ by DSO and are referred to as the ‘digital dividend’.

5. Ofcom, the independent regulator, has decided to sell the fifteen 8MHz frequency bands being ‘freed up’ by DSO, namely ultra-high frequency (UHF) channels 31-37 and 61-69, for new services. The vast majority of the UK’s stocks of radio microphones operate in these channels. Ofcom’s consultants have estimated that 95% of these microphones tune to channel 69 . All equipment that operates in the frequencies due to be sold will be rendered unusable because of interference from new services. They will also become illegal to use. These stocks will need to be replaced with equipment that can operate in new replacement frequencies awarded to a band manager with obligations to PMSE.

6. The auctions for channels 61-69, known as the ‘800 MHz band’ are being specifically designed by the Government so the channels in question will be acquired by the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) for next generation mobile services, as per the open consultation on the Wireless Spectrum Modernisation Programme . These auctions are expected to take place next year.

7. The Government stated in the Digital Britain Report that it ‘is committed to the timely release of 800 MHz spectrum and will work with Ofcom to understand and meet the technical challenges. It has already endorsed Ofcom’s proposal setting out plans to clear channels 61, 62 and 69. The Government will facilitate this re-planning and will meet the costs incurred by broadcasters and PMSE users as a result of these changes’ . However, significant numbers of professional wireless microphone systems operate outside of these frequency bands and so, under current proposals, will be ineligible for funding (yet they will be still be rendered redundant).

8. In the context of its powers to make ‘spectrum efficiency grants’ under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006, Ofcom has recently consulted on the basis on which it proposes to provide funding. Under Ofcom’s proposed eligibility criteria, only equipment that tunes to channel 69 (8MHz of 120 MHz due to be sold) will be eligible, and funding will be calculated on ‘residual value’ rather than what it will cost to replace. Responses are here http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/pmse_funding/responses/

9. Wireless microphone systems have a fixed limited ‘tuning range’, commonly 24 MHz. Therefore, if a wireless microphone that tuned across UHF channels 67-69 (838 MHz -862 MHz) and these channels were subsequently sold for new uses, the wireless microphone would no longer be useable.

10. UHF channels 21-69 (470 MHz – 862 MHz) make up the UK’s digital dividend. Under current proposals, channels 31-37 and 61-69 will be cleared of television broadcasting and PMSE and awarded for new services. Channels 21-30 and 39-60 will be retained for digital television, with the available interleaved frequencies in-between awarded to a band manager with obligations to PMSE. These frequencies have still not been specified.

11. The PMSE sector works on the basis that 8 wireless microphones can ‘fit’ into 8 MHz of spectrum, with a maximum of 12. Large events such as musicals and pop concerts need to use up to 100 radio microphones, thus requiring up to 100 MHz of interference-free spectrum access. Ofcom has estimated that 350 wireless microphones and a further 100 in-ear monitors (IEMs) will need to be accommodated in the Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games .

BEIRG Response To The "Clearing The 800MHz Band" consultation

2009-09-10T10:04:00.000+01:00

BEIRG response to DDR funding consultation - Final Draft

Here is a final draft copy of the BEIRG response to the recent consultation "Clearing the 800 MHz band: Funding for programme-making and special-events". We advise anyone that owns equipment to respond to this consultation now. This is the only way you can ensure that you get what you deserve and are not left with a large bill for changing over your equipment.

DOWNLOAD HERE

BEIRG Press Release: Equipment Funding

2009-08-19T12:48:00.000+01:00

BEIRG has today published a press release regarding the funding of equipment that will be displaced by Ofcom's changes to PMSE frequency allocations at 800MHz.

Download file

New Members

2009-08-16T12:47:00.000+01:00

We would like to welcome Karen Hunter of Pomobags, and Amanda Hill to BEIRG.

Ofcom - Further consultation on ch's 69 / 38

2009-08-14T12:46:00.000+01:00

Ofcom has published a 'focussed consultation' on how it intends to move PMSE users from channel 69 to channel 38, including more detail on compensation, timescales and band planning.
This consultation has a short timescale (11th September) and is the users' final opportunity to influence Ofcom on this vital issue.

The document is available here.