AMPS response to the latest Ofcom PMSE Consultation

30th August 2007

Read this full document by clicking HERE.

In their Consultation Document, Ofcom posed 4 questions.  Below are my answers:

Question 1: Do you agree with our identification and analysis of the options for how the PMSE sector could make use of the digital interleaved spectrum? Which options, if any, do you favour?:

AMPS welcomes Ofcom’s obvious desire to engage with the concerns of the PMSE sector. However The AMPS does not believe that the realities of PMSE future spectrum access conform to any one of Ofcom’s proposed models.

Question 2: Do you agree that we should offer one package of digital interleaved spectrum?:

The AMPS believes that Ofcom should gift one package of ‘digital’ interleaved spectrum to a single commercial band manger.

Question 3: Do you believe that greater licence-exempt use could be made of Channel 70 by PMSE? Are there any obstacles that would need to be overcome first?:

AMPS understanding of Channel 70 is that it constitutes just 2 MHz of spectrum. It is not a full 8 MHz band and spectrum above the 863 MHz band has already been allocated for other uses. AMPS views licence except use of this 2 MHz of spectrum as inappropriate for professional purposes.

Question 4: Do you have any comments on the scope for applying the options discussed above to bands other than the digital interleaved spectrum?:

AMPS are concerned about Ofcom's proposal to de-regulate and un-license Ch.69, allowing non-professional use of an already crowded channel, and the possible effect to this channel by the European Union TG4 proposals. With this in mind, AMPS would like to see Channels 67 and 68 reserved for future regulated professional PMSE use. This would also probably allow the continued use existing PMSE equipment.

Comments:

AMPS cannot stress enough the need to preserve professional access to the UHF spectrum for PMSE use, including Film and Television Production in which our Membership are employed. Loss of spectrum would be disastrous to our industry.

To remind everyone of the 6 Options offered by Ofcom in the latest consultation, I quote below.

In line with BEIRG and the PMSE Pro User Group, I have rejected all the options.

Please read the Ofcom PMSE - Future Spectrum Access Document for further explanation!

Sandy MacRae AMPS