Focus of Radio Mic Campaign Switches to Compensation «

Focus of Radio Mic Campaign Switches to Compensation

Posted 5/02/2010

Malcolm Nelson MIBS explores the latest developments concerning the Digital Dividend

Since 2003 the UK Government has been preparing for a ‘digital dividend’: auctioning off a segment of radio frequency spectrum for new commercial uses after the switchover to digital terrestrial television (DTT). By aligning with similar European plans, it’s also hoped that the UK will benefit from fewer restrictions on how that spectrum can be used, particularly for the next generation of mobile broadband services.

Existing licensed users of the 800 MHz band (790-862 MHz, Channels 61 to 69) will have to be moved to other channels, affecting the majority of radio microphone users operating on frequencies in Channel 69 for TV and radio, theatre, film and major live events.

Channel 38 Replaces Channel 69

In June 2009 independent regulator OFCOM announced that Channel 38 (606-614 MHz) will be made available as a replacement for Channel 69, which is to be cleared in 2012.

However, Channel 38 is not an ideal alternative: it cannot currently be used in the North West of England and East Anglia, because of the need to protect radio astronomy sites and terrestrial TV in areas where digital switchover has yet to take place. According to OFCOM, availability will improve from January 2012, when radio astronomy in Channel 38 will cease and the switch to DTT nears completion. Meanwhile, Channels 39 and 40 may be used on a shared basis in those areas, but a web-based tool at the JFMG website must be used to check what frequencies are available at a particular location. (JFMG manages radio spectrum on behalf of OFCOM)

All new and reissued UK Wireless Microphone Licences now include access to those extra frequencies in Channels 39 and 40, as well as 38 and 69. Paul Gill of JFMG has confirmed that anyone whose licence expired after 4 January 2010, but had already renewed, will be able to exchange it for a new 38/39/40/69 licence at no extra cost. However, any existing Channel 69 licensees who wish to use Channel 38 before their current licence expires must buy a new one.

Existing Radio Mics Unusable

As a result of these spectrum changes, the vast majority of the UK entertainment industry’s radio mics will become unusable, and will have to be replaced. However, many PMSE (Programme Making and Special Events) users, including members of the The Institute of Broadcast Sound, will find it hard to afford new equipment in the current economic climate. The fact that channel 38 is subject to geographic restrictions until 2012 will also affect purchasing decisions. As sound recordist Mary Milton MIBS wrote in her blog:

‘I can’t imagine that many freelancers will want to hand over their Channel 69 mics in exchange for funding before Channel 38 is available all over the country.’

Compensation

The Digital Britain report in June 2009 said that the UK Government ‘will meet the costs incurred by broadcasters and PMSE users as a result of these changes’. However, OFCOM has announced a compensation scheme based only on the residual value of equipment for the period starting on 1 January 1 2012 until the end of its ‘useful life’ – and with the end of 2018 as a cut-off date. Compensation would only apply to those systems which currently tune specifically to Channel 69, ignoring the fact that many professional radio mics are used in other affected channels (eg 61, 62).

The British Entertainment Industry Radio Group (BEIRG) says that:

‘Owners of licensed equipment that operates on Channel 69, and any other equipment affected by the clearance of the 800MHz band, should be compensated in FULL, on a ‘new for old’ basis. This situation has been forced onto the industry, and users should not have to bear any costs associated with being moved to a new home.’

Save Our Sound

In November 2009, the Save Our Sound UK campaign was launched, aiming to persuade the Government that no-one whose equipment will be made redundant should suffer financially as a result. SOSUK is a joint initiative representing over 20 major organisations in the entertainment industry, including BEIRG and the IBS. It believes that the compensation package should cover all affected equipment, not just some, and that funding should be based on the cost of replacing equipment with equivalent alternatives.

MP for Mid-Worcestershire Peter Luff has been leading the campaign for PMSE users in Westminster, and has tabled an Early Day Motion calling on the Government to provide full compensation. By the beginning of February 142 MPs had signed up to that, but SOSUK is urging everyone affected to ask for their MP’s support. Although the Government has the final say on this, OFCOM Chief Executive Ed Richards confirms that the expected costs of compensating PMSE users in full would be a ‘small proportion’ of likely auction revenues.

Church Joins the Campaign

While the robust campaign for appropriate compensation continues, the Church of England (C of E) has joined the many organisations supporting Save Our Sound. The C of E faces an estimated bill of £1m to replace or retune sound equipment in many of its parish churches, particularly in urban areas. The Church is also concerned about what it sees as an unreasonable cost for charitable and voluntary organisations.

Although the issuing of licenses for PMSE use of Channel 38 may have begun, the disagreement over compensation for Channel 69 users is not yet resolved to the industry’s satisfaction, and several other questions still have to be answered. One of the most significant is whether arrangements for the use of Channel 38 and its neighbours can be fully and completely implemented by the Channel 69 cut-off date in 2012… the year, of course, when London will be hosting the Olympics, an event needing huge radio mic resources. Watch this space!