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Latest News
16/07/2010 Major Event – Pope Benedict XVI visits England and Scotland
07/07/2010 JFMG continues to exceed expectations: Some of our achievements 2009/10
15/06/2010 Wireless microphone users to benefit from early exit of radio astronomy from Channel 38
08/06/2010 JFMG moves to new premises
19/05/2010 Upgrade for Channel 38 UK Wireless Microphone Licence - More spectrum for outdoor use
04/05/2010 PMSE as an ideal partner for digital television in auction spectrum
30/04/2010 Unlicensed intruder evicted from PMSE spectrum
23/04/2010 JFMG facilitates better access to channel 38
19/04/2010 Major Event - General Election 2010
15/04/2010 Future availability of channel 69
15/04/2010 Band manager award deferred until after the Olympics
06/04/2010 Major Incident - Service Update
01/04/2010 Major Incident - Service Update
02/03/2010 Communications Manager – Maternity cover appointment
04/01/2010 Channel 38 UK Wireless Microphone Licence - available NOW!
16/12/09 Channel 38 UK Wireless Microphone Licence - available from 4 January 2010
23/11/09 Introducing - Paddy's blog
04/11/09 JFMG - working hard to support DSO
06/10/09 New Spectrum Information Sheet
06/10/09 JFMG’s unique perspective on Ofcom’s Band Manager proposals
14/08/09 Funding proposals for the move from Ch69 to Ch38 revealed
11/08/09 Online tools - Now Mac compatible!
07/08/09 On
the road with JFMG - Paddy O'Reilly relects
on his first events season
07/08/09 JFMG provides feedback on the London 2012 Draft Spectrum plan 17/07/09 Moving out of Ch69 - Join the
discussion 30/06/09
Channel 38 confirmed as replacement for 69
26/06/09
PMSE proposals take industry one step
closer to a commercial band manager
27/05/09 London 2012 draft spectrum plan
14/05/09 Important information for credit and debit card customers
08/05/09 JFMG contribute to cognitive device discussions
20/04/09 'Clearing the 800 MHz band' - Our response
15/04/09 JFMG Newsletter April 2009
06/04/09 Proposals for the future availability of Channel 69
26/02/09 Cognitive device parameters proposed
19/02/09 JFMG gears-up for Band Manager opportunities
03/02/09 Alternative proposed for Channel 69 28/01/09 Fees for longer stay online customers 28/01/09 A new way to book Mic & IEM frequencies
28/01/09 New Secure Credit Card facility 26/01/09 Technical and Field Coordinator – New Appointment Last week Ofcom
published its 2009/10
annual report
for the financial year to 31 March 2010.
JFMG not only met but exceeded all of its KPIs as required
by the Ofcom contract. For example,
although Ofcom requires 100% of routine requests completed
within 5 working days, in the period 1 April 2009 to 31
March 2010, JFMG completed 90% of routine requests within
the same day and 97% within 24 hours.
This is just as well as more than 31% are needed by our
customers within 24 hours. Whilst this is
all great news, JFMG’s successes go far beyond these numbers
as we continue to strive to go the extra mile for our
customers. Read on to find out more. First of all, during
the year 2009/10 the popularity of JFMG’s online booking
system has gone from strength to strength.
The significant increase in the number of bookings
made online show that customer take-up has spread with many
users preferring to make their bookings in this way.
Year on year, the average number of licence schedules
has increased from 40% to 59%. We have
received great feedback from our customers too, with one
commenting that, ‘It’s a pity not every country has such a
good system to sort out radio frequencies and licences!’
Away from the office, our field team has
been out and about meeting a wide variety of users in a lot
of different locations. Paddy O’Reilly, our
Field Coordinator, has welcomed the new year in at the
London Eye, cleaned the spectrum for the live 25th
Anniversary episode of EastEnders and tracked down an
unlicensed intruder at this year’s London Marathon.
You can find out more about his experiences on our
Field Blog.
On top of that, as we do every year, we have been
working hard to coordinate spectrum at major events such as
the Moto GP, Wimbledon and Glastonbury. JFMG also continues
to direct and manage users through the unprecedented changes
that are happening in the PMSE industry as a result of the
digital switchover. We are ensuring that
customers know what the migration out of Ch 69 means for
them and fine-tuning our Ch 38 Look-up Tool with new maps so
that users can easily see which frequencies are available. Lastly, but by no
means least, looking forward we have two exciting new tools
in the pipeline that will improve the way we allocate
frequencies even further. One is an
online events application tool and the other is a tour
planner which will enable multi-venue users to see the
whitespace that is available in the different areas they are
operating in. Watch this space to find out
more! Ofcom announced yesterday that radio astronomy would be
moving out of Channel 38 three months earlier than planned,
by 21 September 2011. This will result in there being
a significant improvement in Channel 38 availability for
wireless microphone users earlier than Ofcom previously
indicated. Currently there are some areas where there is no Channel
38 outdoor availability for wireless microphone users so it
is supplemented with additional spectrum in Channels 39 or
40 where available. On 21 September 2011 Channel 38
becomes available UK-wide for indoor use and there will be a
minimum of 5.6 MHz available UK-wide for outdoor use with
full 7 MHz availability over much of the country. View
our Channel 38 maps to see how availability will change. This milestone is part of the ongoing work to provide
PMSE users with replacement spectrum as they move out of
Channel 69. Channel 69 is due it be cleared in the
second half of 2012. JFMG has moved to brand new
offices close to Oxford Circus in London. Our
new address is: UK House, 4th Floor Please use this address for all correspondence by letter.
Our telephone, fax number and email address all remain the
same. Please continue to contact us in the usual way. JFMG has undertaken a further
assessment on how much spectrum is available for outdoor
PMSE use in channel 38, and also in channels 39 and 40 in
those areas where there are restrictions on the availability
of channel 38. As a result, we are now able to allow
PMSE access to more frequencies in channels 38, 39 and 40
than was originally set out in the new channel 38 shared
licence that users received at the beginning of the year. All channel 38 licenses issued from 19 May 2010 will
reflect this enhanced availability, as will our channel 38
look-up tool. Ofcom is in the process of contacting
all licensees who have been issued with a channel 38 shared
licence to offer a free replacement.
The areas in this consultation that were of particular
interest to PMSE included the level of protection for PMSE
users from possible interference and the identification of
PMSE as potential users of any auctioned spectrum. JFMG believes that the best outcome for PMSE users is a
combined award where DTT is the preferred application and
PMSE use is enabled in the white spaces.
Our response
highlights several considerations that need to be taken into
account to make this work. Take a look for further
information Earlier this week, a
joint operation between Ofcom and JFMG field teams
successfully closed down an intruder who had been operating
unlicensed in PMSE spectrum. The illegal use was
identified following reports of severe disruption to a
communications system deployed for coordinating at the
London Marathon. Close liaison between Ofcom, the
affected customer and JFMG, resulted in the signals being
traced to a high rooftop in the Whitechapel area of East
London, some 7km from the start of the Marathon. The illegal
transmissions were immediately shut down and all the
equipment, valued at around £2000, was seized. JFMG has been
working with Ofcom to facilitate better access to channel 38
for PMSE users. This has been achieved
without compromising the level of protection for Radio
Astronomy which is not due to move out of channel 38 until
2012. As a result, outdoor
use of Channel 38 is now permitted in a wide range of places
that were previously restricted to indoor use only.
These include Birmingham, Derby, Leicester and
Nottingham in the Midlands, Sheffield, Leeds and Bradford in
the North and Bedford in the South. There is
also improved indoor availability with Huddersfield and
Blackburn now enjoying better access. Our updated
shared licensing look-up tool
can help you check the availability of
channel 38 in your location. This will also include,
in the next few days, a gazetteer of towns and cities to add
to our database of popular PMSE venues and locations. JFMG will continue
to closely monitor the changing whitespace environment so
please look out for further news. The long-awaited
general election will take place on Thursday 6 May 2010.
We anticipate a significant increase in demand for
PMSE spectrum around the election hot spots in London on
this day and the day after. These areas are
Westminster, Downing Street and the headquarters of each of
the three main political parties. To ensure the most
efficient and equitable use of the key bands for wireless
cameras, we have temporarily suspended first come first
served assignments in 2GHz bands at these hot spots on 6 May
and 7 May. Please send us your
requirements directly, either by email or fax, and we will
endeavour to accommodate your request.
Other frequency bands for wireless cameras, talkback and
wireless microphones will remain fully available for booking
inhouse and online. In June 2009, Ofcom announced its
decision to clear the 800 MHz band and release it for new
services. This meant that PMSE would have to move out
of channel 69 and into replacement spectrum in channel 38.
Ofcom has now published the timings of when this will
take place: PMSE users will keep
access to channel 69 in all of the UK until
at least 1 July 2012 PMSE users will keep
access to channel 69 in London, Northern
Ireland and the northeast of England until
at least 1 October 2012 The final date for
clearance of channel 69 will be decided in
2011 but will be no later than 31 December
2012. JMFG will continue to work with
customers to ensure that the move from channel 69 to channel
38 goes smoothly. In December 2007 Ofcom announced its
intention to award the frequencies currently managed by JFMG
to a commercial band manager. Following the subsequent
consultations in July 2008 and June 2009,
Ofcom has decided to postpone the band manager award
until after the Olympics in 2012. Minimising
disruption for PMSE users and reducing the risks around the
Olympics are the main reasons for this decision. Ofcom still believes that band
management is the best long-term approach for PMSE spectrum
access and expects to resume work on the award after the
Games. Ofcom is now considering how best to
manage the PMSE spectrum until then. It will choose
between continuing to outsource licensing or taking the
function in-house and intends to announce the decision by
July 2010. Please be advised that the
situation at the BT Exchange has now been resolved and that
our main telephone and fax numbers are now working again.
Please contact us in the usual way. Due to a major incident at a BT Exchange in West London
our main telephone and fax numbers are not working. We are advised that they may
remain out of service at least until Tuesday 6 April 2010. BT is currently unable
to divert our numbers to our emergency back-up lines.
Jo North has joined the JFMG team
as Communications Manager. Jo will be dealing with all
company communications, both internal and external facing,
whilst Amanda Houchen is on maternity leave. Jo was
previously at Accenture for 9 years and is an experienced
communications professional. Jo’s most recent role at
Accenture was as Communications and High Technology
Marketing Manager for the UK and Ireland, where she worked
with several prestigious communications companies. Prior to this, Jo worked on some
high profile campaigns including London’s bid to host the
Olympic Games in 2012.
16/07/2010 Major Event – Pope Benedict XVI visits England and Scotland
Pope Benedict XVI will visit England and Scotland on a four-day Papal visit from Thursday 16 September to Sunday 19 September 2010.
He will be visiting Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Birmingham and we anticipate a significant demand for PMSE spectrum
in these locations during his visit. To ensure the most efficient and equitable use of spectrum of the key bands for wireless cameras,
we will be treating this visit as a major event and have temporarily suspended first come first served assignments for talkback
and 2GHz wireless cameras, in these areas. Please send us your requirements directly, either by email or fax,
and we will endeavour to accommodate your request.
For further details on the Pope’s visit including who he will be meeting and where please visit the
Papal Visit website.
07/07/2010 JFMG
continues to exceed expectations: Some of our achievements
2009/10
15/06/2010 Wireless
microphone users to benefit from early exit of radio
astronomy from Channel 38
08/06/2010 JFMG moves to new premises
2-5 Great Titchfield Street
London W1D 1NN
19/05/2010 Upgrade for Channel 38 UK Wireless Microphone
Licence - More spectrum for outdoor use
04/05/2010 PMSE as an
ideal partner for digital television in auction spectrum
In February, Ofcom published its
consultation on the
potential uses of the 600 MHz band and geographic
interleaved spectrum which will be made available as a
result of the digital switchover.
30/04/2010 Unlicensed intruder evicted from PMSE
spectrum
23/04/2010 JFMG facilitates better access to channel 38
19/04/2010 Major Event - General Election
2010
15/04/2010 Future availability of channel 69
15/04/2010 Band Manager award deferred until after the
Olympics
06/04/2010 Major Incident - Service Update
01/04/2010 Major Incident - Service Update
Website:
Fully operational
02/03/2010 Communications
Manager – Maternity cover appointment
18/02/2010 New consultation published on the potential uses of 600MHz and the Geographic Interleaved spectrum
Today sees the publication of a new
consultation:
“600 MHz band and
geographic interleaved spectrum: Consultation on potential
uses”.
As a result of Ofcom’s decision to
align the 800MHz band (790 – 862MHz) with Europe, they have
decided to reconsider the proposals set out in 2008
regarding the award of the 600MHz band (550 – 606 MHz) and
the so called “geographic interleaved” spectrum.
Ofcom’s decision to auction the 600MHz
band, the 800MHz band and geographic areas within
interleaved spectrum remains the same. However there
are some areas which will be of specific interest to
wireless microphone and in-ear monitor users:
-
Protection from potential interference into PMSE use including Ch38 (606 – 614MHz)
-
Identification of PMSE as a potential user of auctioned spectrum
The remaining “interleaved” spectrum
will be awarded to a Band Manager with PMSE obligations, a
detailed statement of which is expected in due course.
This consultation closes on 28 April 2010.
04/01/2010 Channel 38 UK Wireless Microphone Licence - available NOW!
Channel 38 is now available for
shared use of wireless microphones and personal monitors,
subject to specific geographic restrictions. The UHF UK
Wireless Microphone Licence now not only includes specified
Channel 69 frequencies, it also includes access to Channel
38.
Terms of access for Channel 38 differ from Channel 69 in that the licence does not state specific frequencies; instead a frequency range is given. View licence
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
‘Ch38 look-up tool’ available
via the link on our homepage to check exactly what can be
used at their location prior to operation.
The addition of Channels 38, 39 and 40 to a UHF UK Wireless Microphone Licence does not affect the cost of the licence on renewal or new purchase.
All licensees affected by these
changes will have received letters advising them of how to
proceed.
View:
Ch69Shared letter;
Ch69Coordinated letter;
Ch38 letter;
Ch39/40 letter
16/12/09 Channel 38 UK Wireless Microphone Licence - available from 4 January 2010
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!
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.
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.
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 1st 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!
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…
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
- 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.Go to Top
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.