Business Review 1996/1997

Managing the Spectrum

Programme Making and Special Events

In May 1996 the Agency published its review of the programme making spectrum. One of its main recommendations concerned future spectrum management arrangements. Since 1990 the spectrum had been organised into two pools managed separately on the Agency's behalf by ASP Frequency Management Ltd and Broadcasters' JFMG Ltd. The review recommended that the spectrum should be managed as a single pool by one organisation. This arrangement would:

  Give all programme makers access to the available spectrum on similar terms.

  Maximise sharing opportunities and allow the most efficient use of spectrum.

  Give the flexibility required to cater for changing patterns of use within the developing programme making sector.

Following a competitive tender for the contract to manage and license the spectrum, the Agency appointed JFMG Ltd as the new spectrum management organisation. The company took on responsibility for the work on 1 April 1997.

JFMG's responsibilities cover the use of radio in making programmes for broadcasting; making films, presentations, advertisements and audio and video tapes; and in the staging or performance of entertainment, sporting or other public events. (They do not cover the use of radio for general purpose communications, such as security, safety or catering services.)

The Agency also implemented another recommendation of the review, which was that it should enhance its technical staffing resource dedicated to this sector. During the course of the year a post was created within the Programme Making and Special Events Unit. The postholder is responsible for, among other things, promoting the use of new technology, representing the sector in international fora and studying compatibility issues. The Unit initiated a research project into digital modulation techniques for radio microphones. It is also examining, in conjunction with RTCG, the scope for bandwidth reduction in analogue vision links.

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