The Stage

Ofcom reassures wireless microphone users about their future

Published Wednesday 16 December 2009 at 11:47 by Matthew Hemley

Ofcom has moved to allay concerns about the future use of wireless microphones in musical theatre productions following digital switchover.

Users of wireless microphones had complained that uncertainty surrounding what spectrum they will be moved to when the current section they use is auctioned off by Ofcom was making it difficult for them to plan for the future.

They have argued that their existing equipment will become redundant following the auction, and said they would not be able to invest in new equipment until Ofcom clarified what spectrum they will be able to use.

A group of campaigners, including Equity and Bectu, recently wrote to business secretary Peter Madelson, claiming equipment could not even “be manufactured until the new frequencies are precisely specified”.

However, in a statement today, regulator Ocom provided clarification and announced it had revised licensing arrangements to help wireless microphone users.

It said that, in order to “safeguard the future interests of wireless microphone users”, the replacement spectrum – which it has confirmed will be Channel 38 - “will offer the same utility” as the spectrum users currently rely on, known as Channel 69.

Ofcom said that equipment used in different locations would be covered by the same licence, claiming this would “reduce costs and bureaucracy particularly for those who travel with their equipment”.

It added that the clarification given today should “give confidence to those looking to invest in new equipment”.

However, despite its announcement, the campaigners - operating under the banner Save Our Sound – are still claiming that the government should cover the costs of replacing their existing equipment, an issue they also highlighted to Mandelson in their letter.