In June 2009 Ofcom confirmed Channel 38 as the replacement for Channel 69, which will become unavailable for PMSE use during 2012. They also committed to providing better access to Channel 38 prior to this date to facilitate a gradual migration.

With this in mind Ofcom has now announced that Channel 38 will become available for shared use of wireless microphones and personal monitors from 4 January 2010, subject to specific geographic restrictions. From this date onwards the current UHF UK Wireless Microphone Licence will not only include specified Channel 69 frequencies, it will also include access to Channel 38.

Terms of access for Channel 38 will differ from Channel 69 in that the licence will not be limited to specific frequencies; instead a frequency range will be available. This means that coordinated, exclusive use licences will no longer be available in Channel 38. These arrangements were favoured by respondents to Ofcom’s August 2009 consultation on funding arrangements for clearing Channel 69.

In addition, Ofcom recognise that Channel 38 will not be fully available throughout the UK until 2012 and so have also included temporary access to Channels 39 and 40 in those areas where it is not. Licensees are required to use our ‘UHF Spectrum for UK Wireless Microphone Licence’ look-up tool that will shortly be available via our homepage to check exactly what can be used at their location prior to operation.

All licensees affected by these changes will shortly receive letters advising them of how to proceed.

23/11/09 Introducing - Paddy's blog

Why not take a look at our new blog and find out what our Technical & Field Coordinator has been up to. First up Paddy reports on his experiences at the NFL at Wembley.

04/11/09 JFMG - working hard to support DSO

Everyone knows that Digital Switchover is slowly travelling the country, region by region. But what you may not know is the work JFMG has to do to keep track of the changes to the Digital Network in order to protect television reception and support our PMSE customers.

As regions switch to Digital the television channels they use change in number and/or power and this affects wireless microphone frequencies in that area.

DSO gets underway in the North-West of England in November/December 2009 and affects an area with a population of around 7 million; this includes some significant PMSE users. Over recent weeks we’ve been working hard to ensure all TV services are protected during the transition. This will prevent wireless microphone use interfering with TV reception, but will also ensure that PMSE users are not allocated frequencies which could receive interference from the new TV signals.

To facilitate this users may find that our online bookings and look-up tool show reduced availability of frequencies for wireless microphones in the Liverpool, Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire and north Staffordshire areas during the transition.

So if you are having difficulty finding a free frequency within these areas don’t hesitate to contact our Technical Coordinators who will be able to assist and possibly identify a frequency you can use.

Availability for PMSE in this area will improve on completion of DSO in the North-West in early December 2009; however as DSO travels the regions other areas will become affected in the same way.

06/10/09 New Spectrum Information Sheet

A new spectrum information sheet has now been published and will be included in all new licence documentation. The sheet currently focuses on the impact of Digital switch-over for users of 470-862MHz and the PMSE band manager award.

06/10/09 JFMG’s unique perspective on Ofcom’s Band Manager proposals

In June Ofcom published their second consultation on the detailed band manager award.

JFMG’s response is aimed at helping Ofcom develop a band manager award that will result in the creation of a successful and vibrant band manager, with the technical skills and PMSE awareness to serve the PMSE community in a fair and reasonable way and support them through this period of dramatic change.

14/08/09 Funding proposals for the move from Ch69 to Ch38 revealed

On 30 July 2009 Ofcom confirmed Ch38 would replace Ch69 during 2012 and that a funding mechanism would be put in place to help those affected by the move.

Ofcom have now published a further consultation: ‘clearing the 800MHz band’ focussing on more detailed points regarding eligibility and the methodology for calculating funding. It also discusses timing and licensing issues surrounding the move to Ch38.

The main proposals are as follows:

Eligibility
Users who will be eligible for funding under the proposals:

users who purchased before 2 February 2009 equipment capable of tuning to Ch69 but not Ch38; and were also in possession of a valid Ch69 licence after 2 February 2008;
licensed users who needed to buy Ch69 equipment between 2 February 2009 and 30 June 2009
Rental companies

Users who will not be eligible for funding under the proposals:

Ch31 – 37 and Ch60 – 68 users;
users whose equipment does not tune to Ch69;
users whose equipment tunes to 69 but also tunes to Ch38;
users who have never held a licence to operate Ch69;
users who purchase Ch69 equipment after 30 June 2009

Residual value of equipment

Under the proposals:

Funding will be based on the residual value of PMSE equipment in 2012;
Ofcom propose that funding will not be given for residual value of equipment past 2018

Licensing arrangements

Ofcom propose to include access to frequencies from Ch39 and 40 in the shared licence arrangements for Ch38 to provide a solution to the issue of providing UK-wide access prior to the UK-wide availability of Ch38
Ofcom also seek views on the options for new licensing arrangements for Ch38 as detailed on the JFMG website: http://www.jfmg.co.uk/Pages/News/Moving_69.htm

This is only a 4 week consultation so please take the time to look at it and send your thoughts to Ofcom by 11/09/2009. In addition why not take part in the discussion on our PMSE forum. We will gather the feedback and ensure that Ofcom are fully aware of all views expressed.

11/08/09 Online tools - Now Mac compatible!

We are pleased to confirm that our online tools are now accessible to a greater number of users. The latest release is now fully compatible with Firefox and Safari browsers accessed via both PCs and Macs.

07/08/09 On the road with JFMG - Paddy O'Reilly reflects on his first events season

More than six months have passed since I joined JFMG, and as the summer progressed, I’ve spent more time in the field. As my first event season reaches its end, I thought it a good time to reflect on what I’ve been doing; and more importantly see how it squares with what I ought to be doing in my new role.

My role developed out of a desire for JFMG to improve not only our service to customers but spectrum availability and quality. As a consequence, my site presence needs to be customer facing with a strong technical focus.

My arrival at the door of an OB scanner or onto a stage is often greeted with cries of ‘It’s The Frequency Police!” But I know this is all just a bit of light-hearted leg-pulling (isn’t it??)

Although I refute the Frequency Police tag, I do always check for compliance with frequency plans and actively monitor spectrum to help resolve potential interference problems. I also try to identify other users & ‘white spaces’. The latter in particular will aid in JFMG validating our own technical assignment assumptions, and hopefully free up congestion.

I also do my best to meet with as many customers as I can at events. OK, so these are often technical staff. But I’m an Engineer at heart, and it’s important to talk ‘tech’ on-site to understand the challenges at each particular location. Topics include the challenges of matching equipment to available spectrum (or vice-versa), difficulties in achieving the required coverage & quality of service, developments in technology and the likely benefits. And in one case, the serious shortage of XLR leads; no, honest. A selection of event passes

But it’s not all talk, and neither will it always be the bigger events. My first seasons’ focus has admittedly been larger gatherings such as Glastonbury and Download, the FA Cup Final and the Moto GP, but I’m striving to attend a wider range of sites. I have visited a couple of provincial theatres, and even assisted a small racing team in getting their newly acquired (and ‘previously enjoyed’) two-way radios licensed and legal.

I also intend to give some focus to the national regions. T In The Park was my first venture into Scotland in my new role, and I received a warm welcome from our customers there; along with a request that I cover other events north of the border. Similarly, Wales & Northern Ireland deserve some of my attention.

I can’t promise to have met every one in the field, nor have I covered every event we’ve licensed. But moving forward, you will see more of me at events. And I’m genuinely interested in requests or recommendations of where my presence would be appreciated, so get in touch if you have any suggestions.

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07/08/09 JFMG provides feedback on the London 2012 Draft Spectrum plan

In May Ofcom consulted on their Draft spectrum plan for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We have provided feedback on the plan, the detail of which can be found in our response document.

17/07/09 Moving out of Ch69 - Join the discussion

On 30 June 2009 Ofcom confirmed that it has decided to clear the 800MHz band including Ch69. PMSE will need to move out but Ch69 will remain available until at least 1^st January 2012.

Also now confirmed is that Ch38 will be awarded to the PMSE band manager on the same terms as for Ch69. The intention is that PMSE use in Ch69 will be moved into Ch38.

With this in mind we have developed our ‘Moving out of Ch69’ topic pages to discuss Ch38 access with users and manufacturers in anticipation of Ofcom’s consultation on the topic.

We have identified a number of potential ‘Licensing options’ and want to encourage users to let us know if they would prefer Ch38’s licensing arrangements to be the same as the current Ch69 system or whether there is an opportunity to improve on the current licensing regime.

Our ‘Moving in to Ch38’ page shows our thoughts on a potential channel plan for Ch38. This plan could become part of a ‘Shared’ licence or used as an advisory resource depending on the licensing option preferred.

Finally we dispel a few myths in ‘Ch69 revealed’. We have analysed the compatibility of the existing Ch69 ‘Shared’ plan so that users can compare current usability with Ch38 once it becomes fully available.

Please take a look at the pages and use our online forum to debate the key issues. We wish to encourage the widest possible debate so get involved and tell us what you think!

Visit the Forum.

30/06/09 Channel 38 confirmed as replacement for 69

In February 2009 Ofcom made proposals to clear channel 69 of PMSE use in 2012 and consulted on candidate replacement bands with channel 38 being their preferred option.

Today’s ‘Clearing the 800 MHz band’ statement confirms that channel 69 will be cleared and replaced by channel 38. Decisions of note are as follows:

Ch38 (606 – 614 MHz) will become available on a UK wide basis from 1 January 2012, as a replacement for Ch69 (854 – 862 MHz);
Ch38 will be available on the same terms as Ch69 (i.e. shared licensing arrangements);
PMSE users will continue to have access to Ch61 – 69 (790 – 862 MHz) until at least 1 January 2012, and possibly up to the end of DSO in 2012;
PMSE users will continue to have access to Ch31 – 35 (550 – 590 MHz) until the end of DSO in 2012;
Users of Ch36 (590 – 598 MHz) will be given 12 months notice to vacate once the spectrum has been awarded; and
Funding will be provided for the move from Ch69 to Ch38 subject to eligibility criteria

Timings:

July 2009                Study on options for funding
July – Sept 2009     Consultation on eligibility criteria
September 2009     Confirmation of final date for PMSE clearance from Ch61 - 69
October 2009          Decision on funding

JFMG have been devising a channel 38 shared plan and will be consulting with users over the coming months to develop something that best satisfies all requirements.

26/06/09 PMSE proposals take industry one step closer to a commercial band manager

The latest proposals published by Ofcom mark another step towards their aim of implementing a commercial band manager to the PMSE industry.

If the current timetable goes to plan the arrangements by which users gain access to frequencies from JFMG will change in 2010. Fees will no longer be set by and passed to Ofcom. Instead the new band manager will set and retain its’ own fees.

The latest document sets out how Ofcom intend to ensure PMSE users do not suffer unduly as a result of the change in arrangements. It’s clear they’ve spent a lot of time ensuring that the measures put in place provide sufficient comfort for the PMSE industry as a whole.

The document focuses on ensuring PMSE users suffer as little disruption as possible during the transition to the commercial manager in terms of fees increases and licensing products. Any major increases in fees will have to be phased in over time and there will be limits to the way the band manager charges for access to specific frequencies. In addition, in the first instance, the band manager will be expected to provide users with similar licensing products such as shared licences.

Proposals also ensure the band manager makes commitments to provide fair reasonable and non-discriminatory access to PMSE users. Band manager applicants will be required to make detailed commitments within their bid that Ofcom could later refer to in event of any claims of unreasonable treatment.

The band manager will also need to prove to Ofcom that no PMSE users will be disadvantaged by allowing access to spectrum by non-PMSE users. In fact permission from Ofcom will need to be sought before any other use is permitted.

The proposals also include the amount the band manager will be expected to pay Ofcom for the spectrum and the band by band technical licence conditions that will be included within their licence.

The overall focus of the document is to ensure that the PMSE industry transition smoothly to a market-based model. Whilst also recognising it is vital that any proposals ensure PMSE have continued access to the spectrum they require, at reasonable prices. But the measures do need to carefully balance the well-being of PMSE with the band manager’s ability to create a viable and attractive business model. We are looking at the proposals in minute detail and will advise Ofcom of our views in this regard over the coming months.

The final steps towards the commercial band manager will be detailed when Ofcom’s decisions are published in a statement expected Autumn 2009. Then the competition really begins…

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22/06/09 PMSE protection detailed in latest step towards commercial band manager

In December 2007 Ofcom announced their intention to award the frequencies currently managed by JFMG to a commercial band manager. The band manager would pay them for a licence for the spectrum and would then charge PMSE users for access. These fees would be retained by the band manager in contrast to the current model where all fees are passed to Ofcom.

Today sees the publication of the second consultation on the detailed band manager award.

The document focuses on how the band manager will be expected to behave towards PMSE users and provides details on:

The band manager’s licence fee and how it will be introduced to avoid disruption to PMSE users and their businesses;
The commitments the band manager must make in relation to making spectrum available to PMSE users on fair reasonable and non-discriminatory terms and conditions;
The way Ofcom will scrutinise any requests made by the band manager to allow non-PMSE use of the spectrum; and
The technical licence conditions of the spectrum to be awarded to the band manager

Timings:

7 September 2009         This consultation closes
Autumn 2009                 Statement; necessary Information Memorandum and regulations published
Winter 2009                   Regulations come into force and invitation to apply published
Spring 2010                   Deadline for applications; consultation on applications and final decision
Summer/autumn 2010    Band manager starts operating

27/05/09 London 2012 Draft spectrum plan

Today sees the publication of Ofcom’s draft spectrum plan for the London 2012 Games and Paralympic Games.

It details the spectrum that Ofcom will make available to ensure all frequency requirements for the organisation of the Games are met. Areas of particular interest for our customers are the details of the available spectrum for wireless microphones, talkback, wireless cameras and audio distribution. Of particular note is the inclusion of channels 63 – 69 for wireless microphone use and the inclusion of bands ranging from 1.3 – 61 GHz for wireless cameras.

The consultation closes on 5 August 2009.

14/05/09 Important information for credit and debit card customers

Online transactions
From the 1 June 2009 a mandatory security requirement comes into force requiring all card users to submit their three- or four-digit Card Security Code (CSC) when undertaking online transactions. This does not apply to those who have a credit card stored on file with us (a “Company card”).

In-house transactions
The change will also impact the way we deal with credit card information in-house. We are not required to submit the CSC when taking payments internally and the new rules prevent us from storing any CSC information on our systems.

With this in mind we ask all customers to refrain from sending us their CSC numbers either in emails or on our application forms. All of our application forms have now been amended so the CSC is no longer requested. Therefore if you hold copies of our application forms for ease of access please delete them and download the updated versions from our website instead.

Application forms can be found on the left hand menu bar under 'How to Apply': http://www.jfmg.co.uk/pages/apply/apply.htm. Alternatively email us at info@jfmg.co.uk and we’ll forward you the correct form.

08/05/09 JFMG contribute to cognitive device discussions

The debate on cognitive devices in interleaved spectrum continues to be of particular interest to wireless microphone users. The recent Ofcom consultation suggested parameters for devices to ensure they would not interfere with wireless microphone and Digital Television use.

In our response we have stated our belief that further work focussing on outdoor use of equipment should be undertaken. We also state that cognitive devices should use geolocation technology to provide greater protection for both PMSE users and Digital Television transmissions. Take a look at our response in full for more details.

20/04/09 ‘Clearing the 800 MHz band’ – Our response

At the beginning of February Ofcom published their ‘clearing the 800 MHz band’ consultation where they announced their proposals to clear channel 69 of PMSE use in 2012.

Channel 38 has been proposed as a replacement for 69 and we have highlighted a number of considerations regarding the proposed move in our response. Take a look for further information.

15/04/09 JFMG Newsletter April 2009

In this issue:

DDR – the picture so far
Meet the new arrivals
Microphone and IEM bookings tailored to your equipment
JFMG Login – Managing your account
ADS arrives online
Browser compatibility

06/04/09 Proposals for the future availability of Channel 69

If you have a UHF Wireless Microphone licence or have had frequencies licensed in channel 69 in the past two years you will already have received a letter from Ofcom regarding the proposed changes for PMSE. The letter informs licensees of Ofcom’s proposal to include channel 69 within the Digital Dividend which will be auctioned for new uses in 2010. It also details their proposal to replace 69 with channel 38 by the end of 2012.

Ofcom plan to publish a statement which will confirm future arrangements during the Summer of 2009.

26/02/09 Cognitive device parameters proposed

Ofcom have recently published a consultation on the parameters they believe cognitive devices will need to meet in order for them to be used within interleaved spectrum.

This is of particular relevance to our customers as these parameters need to ensure that the devices will be able to detect wireless microphones and so avoid causing interference.

The document suggests parameters for devices that will use detection technology only and those that will also use geodata to establish whether a channel is available in a particular area.

The closing date for responses is 1 May 2009.

19/02/09 JFMG gears-up for Band Manager opportunities

Paul Gill, MD, announces the acquisition of JFMG Ltd by Arqiva in an open letter to customers.

03/02/09 Alternative proposed for Channel 69

Ofcom have published their latest DDR consultation: “clearing the 800 MHz band” in which it details proposals to align the UK’s digital dividend with other European countries.

The main headlines for our customers are:

It is proposed to clear Ch69 (854 – 862 MHz) of PMSE use in order to include it in the ‘cleared’ award
Ch38 (606 – 614 MHz) is the preferred option as a replacement for Ch69
PMSE users will continue to have access to Ch31-35 (550 – 590 MHz), Ch37 (598 – 606 MHz) and Ch61-69 (790 – 862 MHz) until the end of 2012
Users of Ch36 (590 – 598 MHz) will be given 12 months notice to vacate once the spectrum has been awarded
It is proposed that financial assistance will be provided for licensees of Ch69 to help them move to alternative spectrum (details of which will be determined by Ofcom in the coming months)

In the coming months users can also expect the publication of a further two documents. The first will detail Ofcom’s latest findings on availability for wireless microphones in the ‘interleaved’ spectrum to be awarded to the Band Manager. The second will be a consultation dealing with the technical licensing conditions and related annual charges the successful PMSE Band Manager will need to pay Ofcom.

This consultation closes on 20 April 2009.

28/01/09 Fees for longer stay online customers

We’ve now introduced more favourable charging for longer-term users of wireless microphones and IEMs. Previously our online tool only dealt with multiples of our standard 48 hour charges, but our new release means that bookings of 6 days or more will be capped in the same way they are in-house. The cap also applies when 6 or more frequencies in the same channel are booked online.

28/01/09 A new way to book Mic & IEM frequencies

There’s now a second way for customers to book wireless microphone and IEM frequencies online. We have introduced a ‘Mic/IEM Lists’ tab in addition to ‘Mic/IEM Bands’.

Accessing the Lists facility allows you to choose specific frequencies grouped under commonly used equipment types, bands and banks. So if you use Sennheiser or Shure mic and IEM systems you can simply choose the frequencies that your equipment operates on.

If your equipment or the frequencies that you most commonly use are not on our standard list we can create a tailored list especially for your company. Just send your requirements to admin@jfmg.co.uk and we’ll see what we can do.

We would like to encourage customers to migrate from using the ‘Mic/IEM Bands’ to ‘Lists’ if possible as this method of booking allows for greater flexibility and efficiency for all.

28/01/09 New Secure Credit Card facility

If you have a credit card there is now a much easier and quicker way to pay for frequencies.

If your credit card details are held on-file in our office simply give us a call and we can set the online facility up for you. Your nominated main user can then log onto the system and set a private password that can be distributed to everyone who needs it. When you next go to pay by credit card all you’ll need to know is that password and the last three digits of the card.

26/01/09 Technical and Field Coordinator – New Appointment

Paddy O’Reilly has joined the JFMG team as Technical and Field Coordinator.

Paddy is part of the Operations team and will be responsible for managing the use of PMSE spectrum at a wide range of events as well as proactively researching and implementing ways to respond to the competing demands of different spectrum users. Paddy’s arrival will allow us to increase our on-site presence at events and our capacity to address spectrum scarcity and interference issues.

Previously Paddy was a Senior Project Engineer with Arqiva, planning broadcast & mobile networks; most recently focussing on the UK’s Digital TV Switch Over.

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