Home > Latest News > News Archive > News Archive 2005
News Archive 2005
01/11/2005 Licensing Policy for VHF Band III, Sub-band 3
16/9/2005 Appointment of Managing Director
15/9/2005 Presentation at PLASA Seminar
01/08/2005 Extension to ADS Trial
01/06/2005 Future Spectrum Management for PMSE
19/05/2005 The Demand, Supply and Value of Programme Making Spectrum
28/04/2005 Ofcom Announce New Fees
28/02/2005 JFMG make a difference on Spectrum Pricing
21/02/2005 3.58 – 3.60 GHz No Longer Available
11/02/2005 Spectrum Framework Review
01/11/2005 Licensing Policy for VHF Band III, Sub-band 3
Ofcom have published a consultation document concerning the re-allocation of four blocks of spectrum in VHF Band III, Sub-band 3, for Terrestrial Digital Audio Broadcasting (T-DAB). These have been designated 10B, 10C, 10D and 11A and cover the frequency range 210.88 to 217.696 MHz.
The re-allocation of this spectrum would have consequences for PMSE users operating Talkback, Audio Links and Radio-microphones, which operate on a non-interference to broadcasting basis. The following frequencies may be affected:
Band Use Proposed T-DAB Block
211.91875 to 212.19375 MHz Coordinated Talkback 10B
215.26875 to 215.49375 MHz Coordinated Audio Links 10D
216.00000 to 217.10000 MHz Shared & Co-ord Radio-microphones 11A
Via the consultation process, users have the opportunity to voice their views on the spectrum re-allocation and on the future needs of PSME in this band in general. The closing date for responses to the consultation is 16th November 2005 .
The consultation document can be found at www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/vhf/
16/9/2005 Appointment of Managing Director
JFMG has today announced the appointment of Paul Gill as Managing Director from 1st November 2005…more
Paul takes up the role following Ron Little’s wish to leave the company at the end of October….more
15/9/2005 Presentation at PLASA Seminar
To help promote discussion in this forum on the future of spectrum for wireless applications in programme making, JFMG contributed a short presentation. The presentation focussed on the threats and opportunities resulting from the proposed introduction of market based spectrum management. You can view the presentation here.01/08/2005 Extension to ADS Trial
Ofcom have announced an extension to the trial period of Audio Distribution System licensing.
More here
01/06/2005 Future Spectrum Management for PMSE
Ofcom intends to introduce market based methods for spectrum management into the programme making sector in 2007. It is expected that the current arrangements, where JFMG manages spectrum under contract to Ofcom, are likely to cease on 31st March 2007.
One option for the future that has been widely discussed is for one or more commercial Spectrum Management Organisations (SMO) competing for spectrum in the PMSE sector. JFMG prefers an alternative model where spectrum rights are owned directly by the users themselves rather than by intermediaries. The concept is described in our document Future Spectrum Management for Programme Making and Special Events which is available here.
Go to Top
19/05/2005 The Demand, Supply and Value of Programme Making Spectrum
Ofcom have commissioned a comprehensive study into the programme making and special events sector. The study aims to assess programme makers’ demand for spectrum and the availability of spectrum to the sector, both today and in the future. There is particular emphasis on digital TV switchover and how this will impact the availability of spectrum for wireless microphones.
The study will also look at the economic and social value derived from all uses of spectrum by the programme making and special events community, explore how spectrum can be secured for these uses and consider future spectrum management arrangements. This will inform Ofcom as it prepares to move the programme making sector towards market-based methods of spectrum allocation and management in 2007. The study is to be undertaken by a joint team from Quotient Associates Ltd and Spectrum Strategy Consultants and is to be completed by Autumn 2005.
28/04/2005 Ofcom Announce New Fees
Ofcom (the Office of the Communications regulator) have announced new prices for licences and frequency assignments issued on their behalf by JFMG.
This follows a period of consultation by Ofcom which closed on the 24th of March, and affects the cost of most frequency assignments.
These prices take effect within the sector from the 24th of June.
Details of the new fees are on the JFMG Web site under the Equipment and Licensing menus.
28/02/2005 JFMG make a difference on Spectrum Pricing
Ofcom have published their response to the comments received on the Spectrum Pricing consultation which closed on 3 December 2004. This can be found at: www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/spec_pricing/statement/
We are delighted to have made a difference. It looks like our response and the support from customers is making Ofcom think again about the increase in the second year.
Ofcom have published in the response several extracts from the JFMG submission including:
" JFMG is keen that UK Shared Radiomicrophone Licences should not be subjected to an across-the-board increase in fees. As these were set in 2001 it would not be justifiable to apply the full increase.” Ofcom have listened to us on this.
In addition, our proposal that the current fees structure needs simplifying has also been listened to and Ofcom have stated that their intention is to work with JFMG on this initiative.
The full JFMG response can be found here.
21/02/2005 3.58 – 3.60 GHz No Longer Available
Due to the growth in use of Fixed Wireless Access technologies the frequency range 3.58 – 3.60 GHz (JFMG centre channel 3.59 GHz) is no longer available for PMSE use.
We do, however, have access to new spectrum between 3.42 – 3.44 GHz. This is for digital links only though with some geographical restrictions.
For a full list of spectrum avaialable for PMSE use please see the Register.
11/02/2005 Spectrum Framework Review
Ofcom is consulting users on its vision for spectrum management. In our contribution to the consultation we have given our view on issues such as: spectrum rights for secondary users; publication of a spectrum issues document; digital TV switchover; trading and liberalisation; market based spectrum management; resolving interference; cognitive access to spectrum. Our contribution is available here.
The consultation closes on 15 February.
28/01/2005 Ultra Wideband
Ofcom has published a consultation to consider how this emerging technology might be introduced in the UK. Ultra Wideband (UWB) is a wireless technology for the consumer that can transfer large amounts of data (100Mbit/s to 1GB/s) over short ranges of typically less than ten metres. UWB occupies a very wide band of spectrum. For example, a single UWB transmission might occupy the whole frequency band from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz.
Proponents of UWB claim that it would not have a detrimental effect on conventional radio communications systems. Others believe that there is a significant risk of interference to existing services.
The programme making frequency bands at 3.4, 3.5, 5, 7 and 10 GHz directly coincide with the proposed spectrum for UWB. Other bands such as 2 GHz may also be affected by UWB emissions. These bands are used for wireless cameras and other video links. JFMG has responded to the consultation. A copy of our response is available here.
Ofcom’s consultation document is available from here. The closing date for contributions is 24 March 2005.
Go to Top