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On 26th February, BEIRG staged a meeting in the Noel Coward Theatre, St. Martins Lane, London, to inform and bring up to date the British Entertainment Industry on progress on the Ofcom DDR Consultation. The meeting was well attended and Alan March of Shure, and leading member of the BEIRG Steering Group, made an excellent presentation of the situation as we understand it. BEIRG are in constant communication with Ofcom and are trying to clarify many aspects of the DDR proposal. The situation is highly unsatisfactory and the best brains of our Industry find themselves very confused as to Ofcom's intentions. There is no clear picture of what alternative spectrum, if any, would be made available for PMSE use after 2012. Ofcom have been repeatedly asked the question. Also, it is perfectly obvious to all of us that there is NO WAY our industry could compete in open auction for our current frequencies, up against the financial power of the big Mobile Phone giants and commercial radio and television interests. The point BEIRG make is that if we are forced to enter the auction process and inevitably loose, we will end up with nothing and the blame will be on us for not bidding high enough! So the main thrust of the BEIRG approach to Ofcom is to point out this fact as clearly as possible. Market failure is inevitable and they MUST realise what that means. We want Ofcom to abandon the Auction Process and come up with a better plan, taking properly into account the genuine concerns of the PMSE sector who will need to utilise the frequencies. But there are many deaf ears within the Ofcom structure so it is hard work for all involved. BEIRG are currently working on a formal response to the DDR Consultation Document and this will be released to all in the Industry before the closing date or 20th March 2007. EVERYONE is being urged to respond, even if it is exactly the same, word for word. Ofcom will be counting heads. Alan March's presentation was then followed by Jonathan Sayeed of Ranelagh International, the political lobbyists engaged by BEIRG and PLASA. He explain quite clearly the workings of the Parliamentary System as it applies to Ofcom. He feels the only way to change the direction in which Ofcom are currently heading is by making their political masters aware of the folly about to be imposed on us. He urged everyone to write and meet their local MP and bring him or her up to date with the current situation. There is an Early Day Motion, No.531 (2006), being launched in Parliament and currently has 87 signatures from MPs. At the 100 level, the matter must be discussed at Cabinet level. This is being actively pursued by Jonathan's company. A template letter to send to your MP is available at the PLASA Website. In conclusion, it was recommended again that everyone should make representations to their MPs to raise awareness of the problem. Also make anyone connected with the Industry aware of the problem as there is a considerable amount of ignorance. BEIRG are surprised and, indeed, mystified that the Broadcasters do not seem to be taking part in the process. Speculative explanations were offered; the ITV Companies are no longer Programme producers but rely on external Production Companies to provide content, thus the problem is shifted to these companies; it is suggested that the BBC still believe that the frequencies they currently use belong to the them and will not be affected. This is a very wrong assumption and the JFMG Ltd. Presentation should have dispelled that belief. The truth is we don't know how the Broadcasters are going to deal with the proposed sell-off. Jonathan Sayeed made a very pertinent observation in that Government Agencies like Ofcom enjoy a 'divide and rule' mentality, setting one against the other. Again BEIRG appealed for the Broadcasters to join in a unified approach. Our interests are the same. I will continue my watching brief on the situation. Watch this space for further developments. Sandy MacRae AMPS |
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