Ofcom Details Plan to Borrow Spectrum For London Olympics

The UK telecoms and radio regulator, Ofcom, has detailed its plans to borrow spectrum to meet demand posed by the London Olympic Games in 2012, including approaching public bodies such as the MoD (Ministry of Defense) and the Civil Aviation Authority.

Ofcom first mooted the plan back in May this year when it published a consultation plan for spectrum use at the Olympic Games, based on the fact that there will be a high demand for wireless links, with around 21,000 reporters and other media workers on site. Ofcom estimated that the press pack would want 350 wireless microphones, and 75 simultaneous high definition video streams.

Yet spectrum is a finite resource and Ofcom has now set out its plans for how the airwaves will be managed during the 2012 Games.

“Thousands of wireless applications will be needed during the seven week event, presenting a unique logistical challenge, never faced before by the UK,” it said. “From walkie-talkies used by event organisers to TV cameras broadcasting to a global audience of five billion viewers, the demand on radio spectrum a scarce resource will be unprecedented.”

Ofcom said it will source the required spectrum in four main ways. By borrowing spectrum on a short-term basis from public sector bodies, such as the Ministry of Defence; encouraging more efficient use of civil spectrum; making use of spectrum freed up by the digital switchover; and using licence exempt spectrum.

“Consumers and businesses are using wireless technologies more than ever. In the UK, spectrum-related businesses account for one thirtieth of GDP and spectrum use is growing fast,” said Jill Ainscough, Ofcom’s Chief Operating Officer.

“For the London 2012 Games, this means that the demand for spectrum is likely to be at an all time high,” she said. “Add to this the fact that spectrum is already heavily used in London and you begin to appreciate that managing the airwaves is a complex task. This plan provides an important blueprint for how this will be achieved.”