Ofcom Proposes To Lend Radio Spectrum For Olympics
the Ministry of Defence will have to hand over to the make way for the press pack for the duration
The UK telecoms and radio regulator Ofcom has proposed that the Ministry of Defence and other public bodies allow the London Olympics to use their radio spectrum – temporarily – in 2012.
The regulator has published a consultation plan (an 81-page PDF) for spectrum use, 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 estimates the press pack will want 350 wireless microphones, and 75 simultaneous high definition video streams.
Analogue TV will have been switched off that April, freeing up quite a lot of spectrum, but more will be required, says Ofcom. In general, the regulator expects the Olympics to pay its way, for all the non-exempt spectrum it uses. The Olympics organisers, LOCOG, will have a private cellular network run by Airwave, which might meet a lot of the Olympics’ needs.
Ofcom will take comments on its suggestions until August 5th.
