News
Ofcom announces band manager consultation
Andy Wood Aug 7 2008, 9:00am
Comments (2)
UK PMSE RF users get their say on proposals for spectrum manager appointment
UK RF spectrum regulator Ofcom has announced the last of its three Digital Dividend Review (DDR) consultations, which deals with its plans for awarding a new commercial Band Manager for programme makers and special events (PMSE) organisers.
The consultations concern the release and management of spectrum that will be freed up by the switch to digital television by 2012.
According to Ofcom, this consultation outlines proposals for appointing a band manager by a comparative selection process, also known as a ‘beauty contest’, to manage the airwaves currently used by wireless microphones and wireless cameras.
This kind of equipment is widely used by groups such as theatres, outside broadcasters, live event organisers and programme-makers as well as community users including schools and places of worship.
Ofcom proposes to judge applications for the band manager role against three main criteria:
- understanding of, and commitment to meeting, the needs of PMSE users;
- promoting effective use of the spectrum; and
- technical, financial and managerial capacity.
In order to protect PMSE users during the transition to making more use of market mechanisms in managing spectrum, Ofcom proposes to require the band manager to commit to:
- pricing on a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory basis;
- providing service levels and key performance indicators; and
- establishing internal and independent external dispute resolution procedures.
Ofcom also proposes an independent annual audit of the band manager’s performance, the results of which will be published, and a formal review every three years.
The regulator also states that; "As long as the band manager meets its primary obligations to PMSE users, it will be able to allow other uses of its spectrum to deliver new services – potentially including more digital television – to citizens and consumers."
The document also sets out Ofcom’s commitment to continue its role helping to meet the spectrum needs of major events.
The consultation, which runs until 16 October 2008, can be found here
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Comments
“Ofcom Consultation”
Posted by: john steven - Aug 7, 10:59am
It would be very easy to look at this article and get the impression that all is going well and Ofcom are being very supportive to the wishes of PMSE, and to a certain extent they have been. However please read the whole consultation and I'm sure your opinion will change. You will realise that the summary does not tell you the whole picture. Look at section 5.69 for instance;
5.69 We note that channel 69 in isolation is of limited use for PMSE because much of the equipment used by touring companies, who benefit most from channel 69’s national availability, also tunes only to channels 67 and 68. We will discuss with PMSE users whether there is alternative spectrum, comparable in quality and quantity, that could meet their long-term needs better than channel 69.
Do we as an industry really want to move from channel 69? Do you agree with that statement?
Please do not think for a minute that all is fine. We still have a real fight on our hands to secure anything like the amount of spectrum that we are going to need to meet future demand. In some areas post 2012 it is going to be almost impossible to stage touring musical theatre shows. It's up to everyone in our industry to make sure they are making their voice heard. If we do not secure enough quality and quantity of spectrum to meet future demand then we will all be paying the price of apathy for years to come. Can you and your business afford that? I urge you to please to make sure you know all you need to know about this topic and how it will affect your business.
Support BEIRG and it's mission to secure the spectrum for PMSE use for years to come. For more information go to www.beirg.org.uk
“Re: Ofcom Consultation”
Posted by: Andy Wood - Aug 7, 11:10am
Wise words from John Steven - Andy Wood, editor, Audio Pro International.