It looks like the Ofcom debacle is finally coming to a close.

The future of live events, concerts, festivals and theatre shows could be secured thanks to a u-turn by Ofcom.

The regulator has said it will look again at proposals to auction off the spectrum which radio microphones that power such events rely on.

Or is it? L&SI Online:

Ron Bonner, technical resources manager for PLASA, speaking for BEIRG, has said that while this is an important step in the right direction, there is still a great deal of work for BEIRG to do to ensure that sufficient spectrum allowance is made for the PMSE sector. He went on to say, “whilst to the casual observer this may appear as an Ofcom U-turn as suggested by other headlines recently published, the devil is in the detail and Ofcom still hold the opinion that a market-led approach is still an option for this industry.

It will nice to eventually wrap this up, but as with all things politics, this could take a while.

Back in December and February I wrote about Ofcom’s proposal to sell of parts of the analogue radio spectrum. It’s time for an update!

At the end of last month, BEIRG called a brief meeting in London to update on its progress so far. Around eighty people showed up to see where things are standing currently. Unfortunately I wasn’t around on the date, but LSI have a good write up in their current issue.
Speaking at the meeting was Jonathan Sayeed, chairman of Ranelagh International, which has been assisting BEIRG with its parliamentary lobbying.

Sayeed explained that the way to bring pressure to bear is through MPs, and stressed the importance of everyone writing to their MP to ask them to sign the Early Day Motion.

I’ve taken the time this evening to go through the readily available PLASA MP letter template to amend the details pertaining to me (address, etc). I also adjusted the EDM 531 page to show the current count of MPs as it stands, 143. If anyone would like a Mac compatible Pages version of the letter, please leave a comment and I’ll email it to you.

Here’s a few interesting snippets of information for you.

• The British entertainment industry turns over roughly £15 billion each year
• Ofcom are expected to make between £5 - £10 billion pounds when auctioning off the radio spectrum
• Ofcom’s replacement figure for current analogue equipment is rated at £10 million.
• BEIRG’s current estimate for replacing analogue equipment is £50 million
• If 200 plus MPs sign the EDM, the government “gets very worried indeed”

To finish the round up this month, here’s a few useful links should you wish to get involved. There’s also links to the two other posts I wrote.
BEIRG
PLASA MP letter template
EDM 531 Information

Ofcom’s sell off
Ofcom’s sell off, part two.

In December I wrote about Ofcom deciding to sell off parts of the radio spectrum, a potentially bad thing for entertainment purposes.
The BBC have today posted a noteworthy article entitled spectrum plan threatens radio mic.

Plans to auction the spectrum could see theatres, festival organisers and broadcasters that rely on radio mics squeezed out by those with deeper pockets, such as companies offering mobile services.

Certainly something I’ll be keeping my eye on.

Ofcom has it in their mind to sell off analogue radio frequencies, this is why you see all those adverts enticing people to switch to digital TV and radio. Change is a good thing, but Ofcom don’t seem to understand the full impact that selling off analogue radio frequencies could cause.

“Ofcom has employed a firm of consultants to evaluate the way to dispose of the spare frequency, and all the indications are that Ofcom will release spectrum for sale at auction to the highest bidder … mobile phone giants such as, O2, Vodafone etc, are positioning to snap-up the RF to provide TV services on your mobile phones.”

Entertainment uses a lot of openly available radio frequencies for radio microphones, sounds systems, camera and video relay, lighting control and many other control and operation systems. Did you know that in any one west end theatre show, you’re looking at fourteen plus radio microphones? That’s fourteen different radio frequencies being used, not to mention show communications, sound system control, stage props and lighting control.

There’s also the other angle of entertainment. For instance, the Olympic games in 2004 in Athens utilised 527 radio microphones, 290 hand held radios and 423 talkback systems! Just how would the Olympic games here in the UK be affected in 2012 if we had no radio frequencies!?

The selling off of radio frequencies could have a major impact on the entertainment industry if it is allowed to go ahead. If we have to used wired systems, will these events take place? This not only has an impact on sound and noise related people in the industry, but also the other departments too. If a touring concert can’t take place due to the limitation of radio frequencies, that puts everyone involved with it, out of work; riggers, lighting, tour management, drivers, catering, pyrotechnicians, local crew, support acts, backing singers, dancers, photographers, security… I think you get the picture.
There’s also another important group of people that this affects and that’s you, the audience. If we can’t put on a performance, you won’t have anything to see, which in turn will affect the sales and popularity of artists and performers.

The British Entertainment Industry Radio Group have started to act for the masses and consult with Ofcom about the propsed sell off. If you want to join BEIRG and support this cause further, you can download an application form from their website.