This Call for Input seeks to understand the future needs of the PMSE sector and how they might be met given growing demands and potential changes in the spectrum landscape as wireless technologies and applications continue to evolve.
The PMSE sector relies on spectrum for the operation of wireless equipment, such as microphones and cameras, used to create audio and video content in broadcasting, live events, and other productions. This sector plays a key role in supporting the UK’s creative industries, which are important for economic growth and cultural development.
What we are asking – in brief
We are looking for input on what the spectrum demand for PMSE applications could look like in the future and how that demand could be met. We are particularly interested in wireless microphones, in-ear monitors and wireless cameras as those applications have seen the strongest growth to date.
In addition, some of the frequency bands they access could be the subject of future spectrum management decisions and therefore it is important that we are well informed about the spectrum they use.
The questions we are asking stakeholders include:
- What factors have driven demand in recent years and how has growth been accommodated?
- How will demand for PMSE applications evolve in the future and what pressures would that bring?
- What are the opportunities and barriers for accommodating changes in demand, for example through use of more efficient technologies, increasing use of existing PMSE frequency bands, use of alternative technologies or access to alternative bands?
We will carefully consider the evidence provided in response to the CFI and publish additional updates as appropriate.
Today we have extended the deadline for responses to the Call for Input on PMSE by two weeks. Interested parties now have until 5pm 15 April 2026 to respond. We have also republished the CFI document to correct the following errors:
- We have amended the text in Paragraphs 3.30 and 5.11 to reflect our statement confirming our decision to make a range of equipment Licence Exempt and that we expect to implement these changes in 2026. This includes Audio PMSE equipment in 821.5 - 826 MHz, 826 - 832 MHz and 1785 - 1805 MHz.
- In paragraph 3.37 we incorrectly stated that the DME band (960 – 1164 MHz) can be used for low-power wireless video links for broadcasting and major live events. We have corrected this by removing this sentence.
- The heading above Question 18 on p.55 has been amended to “Potential new bands”.
- Question 24 is about wireless video, therefore the reference to the use of wireless microphones and IEMs has been removed.
We have published the licensing data for wireless microphones, in-ear monitors and wireless video that underpins the information in Section 4 of our CFI. The data can be found in the spectrum section of Ofcom’s Open Data page and a brief description of the data is provided here.
Main document
Contact information
Ofcom
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London SE1 9HA