Save Our Sound UK

Add Your Comment Of Support For The Save Our Sound UK Campaign Here!

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 15:42:00 +0000

If you are in a band, or own a rental company, or will in any way be affected by this issue, please leave a comment and show your support for the campaign.

Update From JFMG

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:19:00 +0000

From 1st July 2012 to the 1st October 2012 access to TV Channels 61 – 69 will only be available in London, North East England and Northern Ireland*. From the 1st October 2012 access to Channels 61 – 69 will cease completely. However, the availability of these channels will be reviewed in the Autumn of 2011 and access may be extended to 31st December 2012 at the latest.

Until such time as the dates above are confirmed annual licences within Channels 61 – 69 will continue to be issued. If an annual licence is issued with an expiry date after 1st July 2012 (or 1st October 2012 in London, North East England and Northern Ireland) and access to Channels 61 – 69 ends on 1st July 2012 (or 1st October 2012 in London, North East England and Northern Ireland) then the licence will be revoked in accordance with Ofcom’s Wireless Telegraphy General Licence Conditions, specifically Paragraph 1.2 (e). [for reasons related to the management of the radio spectrum] If access to Channels 61 – 69 is extended to 31st December 2012 then all annual licences will expire on their due date, but no later than 31st December 2012.

Therefore, any licences issued after 1st January 2012 will be for the remainder of 2012 and will expire on 31st December 2012. Licence fees for annual assignments are based on a fees cap of 4 X 48 hour periods so there are no financial penalties on the licensee nor will there be any refund payments as a result of a licence revocation as described above.

*London, North East England and Northern Ireland refer to the TV regions, London, Tyne Tees and UTV respectively.

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 08:16:00 +0000

BEIRG PRESS RELEASE

Following the publication of the Ofcom consultation on ‘Implementing Geolocation’ which was published 9^th November 2010, BEIRG (British Entertainment Industry Radio Group) raised concern that the four week timeframe for responses was an insufficient period to allow all interested parties to be made fully aware of the existence of the consultation, and allow them to come together with their industry partners to discuss the complex technical implications of these proposals.
Ofcom has now confirmed that the deadline for the BEIRG submission to the consultation has been extended from 7^th December to the 1^st February. This does not, however, extend to all other interested parties, who still only have the original four weeks in which to respond to the consultation. This decision appears to be contrary to Ofcom’s own guidance on fairness and accessibility.
BEIRG has written to the Chief Executive of Ofcom, Ed Richards, to raise their concerns and to request a universal extension of the consultation until 1^st February 2011. BEIRG would be most grateful if other interested parties would also write to Mr Richards endorsing our request for an extension (Ed.Richards@ofcom.org.uk). Sample letter templates can be downloaded using the links.
BEIRG also think it would be helpful to write to your local MP in order to raise parliamentary awareness of the issues and concerns of those involved. In order to find the contact details of your local MP, you should visit the following website and enter your postcode:http://www.parliament.uk/about/contacting/mp/.

Letter to MP
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B08JHs7_2X1bZGVkOWI2ODAtMTM5Ny00OGExLWI3OWQtNGI0NDYxYzRjZmVm&hl=en_GB&authkey=CMSrwA4

Letter to Mr. Richards
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B08JHs7_2X1bYTY1NzI5MGEtM2ZmNy00OWQwLTg5ZWEtZWQ4NjgzYzNiZDYx&hl=en_GB&authkey=CPyKsIMO

BEIRG & OFCOM URGE USERS TO VALIDATE CLAIMS

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:24:00 +0000

Wireless equipment owners, who have submitted claims under the 800MHz Funding Scheme, are being urged to ensure that claims are all complete, and accompanied by the relevant proof of ownership information, before the 2^nd of April 2011, which is the final deadline for all submissions.

So far around 50% of claimants have submitted the necessary documentation. But another 570 claims that have been submitted are still waiting on proof of ownership to be provided in order that claims may be fully verified and approved. Ofcom, supported by BEIRG (British Entertainment Industry Radio Group) are urging users to get in touch and provide the necessary information as soon as possible.

Ian Wainwright, PMSE Implementation Project Manager at Ofcom said, “We realise the difficulty that some people may have in providing all of the required proof of ownership details, but we would urge them to come forward as soon as possible with whatever information they have, so that we can complete this stage of their claim.”

“Even if claimants only have proof of ownership information for a portion of their claim, we would urge them to submit whatever data they have available, as this will allow us to process the relevant items. After that we will review the outstanding issues with the claimant.”

A BEIRG spokesman supported this by saying, “It’s vitally important that users, who have submitted claims, realise that the key issue here is communication. If they are in any way unsure about whether they have enough information to reinforce their proof of ownership, then please just contact Equiniti and talk it through. This is a unique situation and all parties are keen to help arrive at the right outcome for all concerned.”

If any claimants would like to discuss any issues surrounding claims, the BEIRG Steering Group are also happy to take calls and advise, but we would urge everyone that still have claims to validate to take action now before it’s too late. (www.beirg.co.uk)

BEIRG Steering Group

BEIRG Press Release

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 14:41:00 +0000

Following the publication of the Ofcom consultation on ‘Implementing Geolocation’ which was published 9th November 2010, BEIRG (British Entertainment Industry Radio Group) raised concern that the four week timeframe for responses was an insufficient period to allow all interested parties to be made fully aware of the existence of the consultation, and allow them to come together with their industry partners to discuss the complex technical implications of these proposals.

Ofcom has now confirmed that the deadline for the BEIRG submission to the consultation has been extended from 7th December to the 1st February. This does not, however, extend to all other interested parties, who still only have the original four weeks in which to respond to the consultation. This decision appears to be contrary to Ofcom’s own guidance on fairness and accessibility.

BEIRG has written to the Chief Executive of Ofcom, Ed Richards, to raise their concerns and to request a universal extension of the consultation until 1st February 2011. BEIRG would be most grateful if other interested parties would also write to Mr Richards endorsing our request for an extension (Ed.Richards@ofcom.org.uk). Sample letter templates can be downloaded using the links.

BEIRG also think it would be helpful to write to your local MP in order to raise parliamentary awareness of the issues and concerns of those involved. In order to find the contact details of your local MP, you should visit the following website and enter your postcode:http://www.parliament.uk/about/contacting/mp/.

Letter to MP

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B08JHs7_2X1bZGVkOWI2ODAtMTM5Ny00OGExLWI3OWQtNGI0NDYxYzRjZmVm&hl=en_GB&authkey=CMSrwA4

Letter to Mr. Richards

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B08JHs7_2X1bYTY1NzI5MGEtM2ZmNy00OWQwLTg5ZWEtZWQ4NjgzYzNiZDYx&hl=en_GB&authkey=CPyKsIMO

One month left for wireless microphone users to register for wireless microphone funding

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 17:14:00 +0000

Ofcom is calling on licensed wireless microphone users to register for a Government funding scheme set up earlier this year to help pay for the replacement of channel 69 equipment. This equipment will stop working in 2012. The scheme closes on 31 December 2010.

Countries across Europe are clearing a block of frequencies to make way for new services like next-generation mobile broadband. Part of this block – called channel 69 (854-862 MHz) – is used by wireless microphones.

Replacement frequencies for channel 69 have been made available in channel 38 (606-614 MHz) as well as other frequencies – but existing microphones will need to be replaced or modified to work at these new frequencies.

In July 2010, the Government announced that it will be providing a contribution towards the cost of new equipment for those users who are eligible under the terms of the scheme. Those affected will receive roughly 55% towards the cost of replacing their equipment.
Who is eligible?
Eligible applicants will have held a valid WT Act channel 69 licence for at least part of the period between 3 February 2008 and 2 February 2009 inclusive. The exception to this will be equipment hiring companies that can prove their channel 69 business exclusively involves renting out (and not installing or operating) channel 69 equipment. The equipment must be in working condition and capable of tuning to channel 69 but not to channel 38. It must have been bought before 30 June 2009.

Users who consider themselves eligible for funding must register their claim by 31 December 2010. Any claim received after this date will not be accepted under the terms of the funding scheme.

Applicants can register and manage their claims online at www.pmsefunding.co.uk. Alternatively, they can call the helpline free of charge on 0800 011 3617.

http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2010/11/30/one-month-left-for-wireless-microphone-users-to-register-for-wireless-microphone-funding/

BEIRG Asks Supporters To Write To Ed Richards & Their Local MP

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 11:27:00 +0000

BEIRG would like to raise awareness about a recent Ofcom consultation regarding the introduction of White Space Devices. This consultation, entitled ‘Implementing Geolocation’ (published 9^th November), sets out Ofcom’s intentions to introduce a framework for the implementation of White Space Devices (WSD’s) in UK spectrum.

Given the complex issues that this consultation raises, it is felt that a four week consultation period is insufficient for all interested parties to pull together meaningful responses. Therefore we request that you and your organisation assist us by writing to Ed Richards, Ofcom's Chief Executive, asking that the consultation deadline be extended to the end of February 2011 at the very least. This should give much needed time for issues to be looked at and addressed more thoroughly.

We attach two template letters to be sent to the following in both email and hard copy format. As templates please feel free to add any further information that you believe may be relevant.

The first letter is addressed to Ed Richards, Chief Executive of Ofcom, (Ed.Richards@ofcom.org.uk). The second is to be addressed to your local MP in order to raise parliamentary awareness of the issues and concerns of those involved. In order to find the contact details of your local MP, you should visit the following website and enter your postcode: http://www.parliament.uk/about/contacting/mp/.

Further, we would be grateful if you could circulate this letter, and the two attachments, to other interested parties in order that we can continue to raise awareness about this particularly important consultation.

BEIRG Steering Committee.

Download letter to Ed Richards
Download letter to MP

www.beirg.co.uk

Save Our Sound UK Release Full Statement On Funding

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 10:14:00 +0000

Foreword

The Government and Ofcom have decided to clear TV bands 31-37 and 61-69 of all wireless microphones and similar technologies that operate on these frequencies. At the end of July, Communications Minister Ed Vaizey announced that the Government would be making a “significant contribution” to the replacement cost, but only for equipment that tunes to channel 69. Following on from this, Ofcom published a statement providing details on the funding package, including eligibility criteria. Save Our Sound UK has since had time to digest the content and consult with stakeholders.

The SOS UK campaign has been successful in persuading Ofcom to take another major step towards addressing the needs of the PMSE community. Following the willingness of the authorities to engage with the issues on a detailed level, and Ofcom’s representations to Government the decision has been made not to take into account the age of equipment that requires upgrading. This is a hugely important step because the ‘residual value’ concept, if implemented, would have been devastating to the industry. We are grateful to Ofcom for having successfully communicated to Ministers and officials the impact that a decision to rely on residual value would have on the PMSE sector.

However, the Ofcom statement does nothing to ease the plight of those who own equipment that does not happen to tune to channel 69 but will still be rendered redundant. As SOS UK has previously stated, this decision will disproportionately hurt those small businesses and individuals that supply equipment and expertise to high-value large-scale events.

In addition, the fact that the ‘significant contribution’ only amounts to around 55% of the cost of replacing redundant equipment means that there will be a large number of affected groups, including theatres, freelancers, musicians and church and community users who will struggle to find the extra capital required to replace their equipment. Ofcom itself recognised these problems in its statement. We also have concerns surrounding some of the eligibility requirements as set out in the funding statement. It seems that where these have been drawn too tightly they will only serve to exclude PMSE users who should otherwise be included in the funding scheme.

The work done by Ofcom in the lead-up to this decision demonstrates that the contribution the Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) sector makes to the UK is a unique and valuable one. Save Our Sound UK welcomes this recognition

Download and read the full document here.

BEIRG Asks For Deadline Extension

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:48:00 +0000

Save Our Sound UK understands that BEIRG has made a formal request to Ofcom for a universal extension to the current deadline for submission of comments to Equiniti regarding the rate card. The funding statement and corresponding rate card was only published on the 5th August yet equipment owners are expected to have reviewed their entire inventory, checked all units against the rate card and submitted comments by 2nd September.

BEIRG considers this to be too short a timescale for the following reasons:
1.     It is the holiday season.
2.     It is the school and university holidays.
3.     The majority of users are unlikely to have more than one or two members of staff who are qualified to do this work. If they are unavailable for whatever reason in this short time period then it will inevitably cause problems.
4.   Whilst we are aware that Ofcom has written to licensees, the licensee (whilst being the owner) might not be the person who is responsible for these issues.

BEIRG has requested that the deadline be extended until Friday 24th September. BEIRG is aware that the consequence of such an extension would be a three-week delay to the point at which claims will start to be processed (i.e. from March 2011 under the current timetable). Whilst BEIRG recognises the need for the process to start as soon as possible to allow an orderly and timely transition, it believes that the need to (as far as possible) eliminate the risk of people being excluded by virtue of an incorrect rate card outweighs the potential negative consequences of a three-week delay.

In addition, BEIRG considers that the three-week delay to submissions regarding the rate-card need not necessarily result in any movement of the March 2011 date. BEIRG also believes that the solution would be for the spending plan to be digested and approved in a more timely manner by Ofcom and HM Treasury than is currently anticipated.

www.beirg.co.uk

SAVE OUR SOUND UK’S REACTION TO THE OFCOM STATEMENT ON PMSE FUNDING

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 09:09:00 +0000

As we know, the Government and Ofcom have decided to clear TV bands 31-37 and 61-69 of all wireless microphones and similar technologies that operate on these frequencies. At the end of July, Communications Minister Ed Vaizey announced that the Government would be making a “significant contribution” to the replacement cost, but only for equipment that tunes to channel 69. Following on from this, Ofcom published a statement providing details on the compensation package, including eligibility criteria. Save Our Sound UK has since had time to digest the content and consult with stakeholders.

The SOS UK campaign has been successful in persuading the UK Government to take another major step towards addressing the needs of the PMSE community. Following the willingness of the authorities to engage with the issues on a detailed level, the Government has decided not to take into account the age of equipment that requires upgrading. This is a hugely important step because the ‘residual value’ concept, if implemented, would have been devastating to the industry. The change in position is also attributable to the hard work of all those involved in the campaign, including our many supporters in Parliament and industry leaders such as Harvey Goldsmith and Sir Cameron Mackintosh.

However, the Ofcom statement does nothing to ease the plight of those who own equipment that does not happen to tune to channel 69 but will still be rendered redundant as a result of Government action. As SOS UK has previously stated, this decision will disproportionately hurt those small businesses and individuals that supply equipment and expertise to high-value large-scale events.

The work done by the Government and Ofcom in the lead-up to this decision demonstrates that the contribution the Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) sector makes to the UK is a unique and valuable one. Save Our Sound UK welcomes this recognition and looks forward to continued engagement to ensure that this important sector is protected from threats such as ‘white space’ or ‘cognitive’ devices, which have the potential to pollute the airwaves so severely that PMSE applications become unusable. For more information, please contact a member of the British Entertainment Industry Radio Group (BEIRG) www.beirg.co.uk

In terms of the funding package, Save Our Sound UK will work closely with officials to ensure that the funding administration runs smoothly and what is promised is delivered. Since the final spending plan is yet to be determined and approved, SOS will keep the pressure up to help ensure that it is.

In the meantime SOS UK strongly recommends that equipment owners examine their inventories, compare their units with the rate card available at www.pmsefunding.co.uk and inform the scheme administrators Equiniti of any errors or omissions.

For further details, please call Alun Rees, Campaign Co-ordinator for Save Our Sound UK on 020 7828 1603 or via email on alun@ranelagh.info

Ofcom Statement On Funding

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 09:56:00 +0000

Statement published 05|08|10

Executive summary

1.1 Last year we decided to clear the 800 MHz band so it matches the spectrum being released in other European countries. This will benefit people across the UK because the spectrum will be able to be used for new mobile broadband services. Because of this, programme-making and special events (PMSE) users will have to stop using channel 69. To help these users move, we have made a commitment to:

provide replacement spectrum and maintain PMSE access to channel 69 during the changeover period; and
provide funding to eligible PMSE users who are affected by us clearing channel 69.

1.2 In our 15 April 2010 interim statement on our plans for managing PMSE spectrum, we outlined the arrangements for different types of user moving from channel 69 to channel 38, or other replacement spectrum.

1.3 In this statement we focus on funding. The previous Government, in its Digital Britain final report, said that it supported the proposal to clear the 800 MHz band and that it was prepared, in principle, to provide funding for users who had to move.

1.4 In August 2009, we consulted on the detailed arrangements for providing funding for eligible users (below we explain which users are eligible for the scheme). We said we would pay out funding to users based on the value of their existing equipment and that this was in line with our powers to make grants to promote the efficient use of spectrum. Most of those who responded to this consultation said that the funding should cover the full cost of replacing equipment. They said that providing anything less than the full replacement cost would mean some users would find it difficult to invest in new equipment.

1.5 The Government is responsible for making final decisions on the level of funding and how it is provided. It considered the arguments for providing funding to cover the full cost of replacing channel 69 equipment, including those arguments we thought would raise issues wider than the efficient use of the spectrum.

1.6 On 28 July 2010, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills announced the new Government's plan to provide a funding package to support PMSE users moving out of channel 69. The package does not cover PMSE users in other channels. The funding will provide a contribution towards the cost to PMSE users of replacing their channel 69 equipment. It will be based on the cost of bringing forward investment in new equipment. PMSE users will receive the same amount no matter what age the channel 69 equipment that needs to be replaced is, as long as it is in working order and they meet the other requirements of the scheme.

1.7 This statement gives more information on how funding will be provided as a result of the Government's decision to provide funding which will be a contribution to the cost of replacing the equipment. We set out the conditions that users must meet to qualify for funding, the evidence that will be needed to check claims and how payments will be worked out. We finish by setting out the next steps for launching the funding scheme.

Who will be eligible for funding?

1.8 To be eligible for funding, a user must have held a licence to use channel 69 equipment on 2 February 2009 (when we gave notice that we planned to clear channel 69), or in the 12 months before this date. The only exception to this requirement is companies who can prove their business involves hiring out, rather than using, equipment which needs a channel 69 licence.

1.9 Users will only be able to receive funding for working equipment that tunes to channel 69 but not channel 38. They must have bought that equipment before 30 June 2009 (when we confirmed channel 38 would be replacing channel 69).

How will we work out how much funding each person will get and check their claims?

1.10 The contribution to the cost of replacing equipment will be based on the estimated cost to users of having to invest in new equipment before the end of 2012 rather than in 2018 (as they might have reasonably expected based on our previous statements on the availability of channel 69 to PMSE users). This works out as roughly 55% of the cost of replacing the equipment with an equivalent model. If users choose to modify rather than replace their equipment, we will pay for the cost of the modification (up to the amount that we would have paid as a contribution towards the replacement).

1.11 We will use a 'rate card' to decide on the amount of funding to be paid. The rate card shows the amount of funding available for each piece of channel 69 equipment, worked out against the price of equivalent current equipment (channel 38 where available, channel 69 where not). The amount on the rate card is based on the assumption that users will give up their equipment on 1 October 2012. As this is when PMSE users will no longer have the first right of access to channel 69 in any part of the UK. Funding will be slightly higher for equipment claimed for earlier than 1 October 2012 (about 0.1% extra per week). In Annex 6, you can find the list of eligible equipment models affected by clearing channel 69, and the amount of funding that we would pay if users stopped using their equipment on the latest possible date 1 October 2012.

1.12 Users who make a claim will need to prove to us that they own the equipment for which they want funding unless the total replacement value of their claim falls below 6000. This takes into account the circumstances of smaller (particularly non-professional) users who may not have records of when they bought their equipment. Users who are not VAT-registered will receive an extra 20% funding to reflect the fact that they will not be able to reclaim or offset VAT on items they buy.

When will the funding scheme start?

1.13 First, users will need to register their claims through our appointed PMSE funding scheme administrator, Equiniti Ltd. Registration will open on 23 September 2010 and close at the end of December 2010. The scheme administrator will be available to support PMSE users, through the website www.pmsefunding.co.uk, or by phone on 0800 011 3617.

1.14 Users will be asked to provide details of all the channel 69 equipment they own and want to claim for, whether they want to give it up or modify it, when they want the claim to be processed and in how many batches. They can ask that their claim is processed at any time between March 2011 and December 2012, and it can be done in batches if necessary. For example, a user may want to claim for half of their channel 69 equipment in July 2011 and the other half in October 2012, after the London Olympics.

1.15 Users can visit the website now to find out about the scheme and review the rate card. The rate card shows how much funding is available for each item of relevant channel 69 equipment in line with the Government's announcement on funding, and the policy described in this statement. We are asking PMSE users to check the information included in the rate card and suggest, to the scheme administrator, any corrections which may be needed. However, the administrator will need to receive details of these corrections by 2 September. After this, we will review any suggested corrections and decide whether we should change the rate card.

1.16 We expect that the administrator will start paying out funding from March 2011 after receiving formal permission from HM Treasury to pay out grants. We will publish the final rate card, including any changes, at the same time. When the funding scheme administrator processes the claim, they will check that it meets the criteria of the scheme before they pay out the funding.

Download here

MINISTER PRESSES MUTE BUTTON ON HIGH-VALUE LIVE EVENTS

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:40:00 +0000

Minister for the Digital Economy Ed Vaizey today indicated that the Government’s compensation package to those being evicted from the 800MHz spectrum will only encompass 6% of the frequencies being cleared. This puts the large-scale live events, from the West-End to major TV entertainment shows, on notice because it threatens the small businesses that supply them.

The package covers channel 69, but the Government has exploited technicalities to avoid paying out to those high-end users that tune to channels 31-37 and 61-68, which are also being cleared. It is these additional channels that are needed to produce large-scale events like the Olympics.

The excuse that the Government has given is that notice of eviction was given. But what seems to be continually ignored is the fact that no precise alternatives were provided or even now have been published. How can you buy replacement equipment when you don’t know what frequencies it can operate on?

All this because the Government seems to want to line its pockets with mobile network operators’ cash from the radio spectrum auctions.

Whilst there is some encouragement that the Government has accepted Save Our Sound UK’s arguments about longevity and use-value of equipment, it is not known what Vaizey’s ‘significant contribution’ means. Details from Ofcom are expected on that matter.

Save Our Sound UK spokesman said,

“To call this package ‘generous’ is an abuse of the English language. The decision will devastate the small and medium-sized businesses that support the UK’s live events industry. Where are they going to find the extra money to continue to do their job? Without them, the large-scale events sector could collapse like a house of cards.”

“This shows that the Minister simply does not understand how the Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) sector works. An injustice has been done. But worse than that – it is an injustice that will have severe consequences.”

“The winners are the spectrum-greedy behemoth corporations and the Government. The losers are the little guys. So much for ‘Compassionate Conservatism’, and where is Business Secretary Vince Cable who supported SOS UK in the first place?”

Editors notes:

· The Government has approved a move to clear radio channels 31-37 and 61-69 of all existing technologies that use them, including over 95% of the UK’s stocks of wireless microphones, in-ear monitor systems and talkback.

· This wireless equipment makes shows like the X Factor, Big Brother possible, along with stellar events like Live Aid and Glastonbury. In addition, they are vital to broadcasting and newsgathering and the West End wouldn’t function without them.

· The Minister’s decision will impact on schools, churches, theatres, broadcasters, film studios, concert promoters, conference and sports-event organisers, rental companies and sound recordists.

For further details, please call Alun Rees, Campaign Co-ordinator for Save Our Sound UK on 020 7828 1603 or via email on alun@ranelagh.info

BIS Statement On Funding

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:44:00 +0000

Please follow the link to the BIS press release announcing general principles for the compensation package – http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=414707&NewsAreaID=2

"The funding will make a significant contribution to the costs of the PMSE community in upgrading equipment to suit their new operating frequency.
The support provided will not take into account the age of the equipment that requires upgrading, although the equipment will need to be in working order. OFCOM will be providing further details on the package shortly."

The fact that the package will not take into account the age of the equipment is hopefully positive news because it moves away from residual value. However, there is as expected nothing on channels 31-37 and 61-68. We also need to understand what terms like "generous" and "significant" actually mean in monetary terms.

Give us your views on this statement.

Save Our Sound UK Meet With Treasury & BIS

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:31:00 +0000

Representatives of Save Our Sound UK attended a meeting today at HM Treasury. Once again the plight of the PMSE sector was laid before Government officials. During the meeting it was stated that Treasury and BIS (Department for Business Innovation and Skills) are trying to find a compensation scheme that is the right one. However, industry representatives are fearful that any scheme, when and if finalised, could eventually prove to be no more generous than the terms originally proposed by Ofcom – the reason for launching the Save Our Sound UK campaign in the first place.

On current evidence Government would still appear to be sticking to the line that only Channel 69 capable equipment will qualify and that compensation levels will be based on residual value of equipment. The effect of this will be to exclude owners of equipment that does not tune to Channel 69 but will still be rendered redundant as a result of PMSE’s eviction from Channels 31-37 and 61-68. Additionally, owners of Channel 69 equipment would end up receiving a small fraction of the true value of their equipment.

The previous Government’s position was to ensure that any compensation package should leave the PMSE sector ‘no better, no worse off’ as a result of the changes to spectrum access. The new coalition administration has yet to commit to this and Save Our Sound UK is extremely concerned that it may not.

Final decisions have yet to be made on the structure and scope of any compensation package but it is possible that things will be finalised by the end of July 2010, before Parliament rises for summer recess. Consequently, Save Our Sound UK urges supporters to contact their recently elected MPs as a matter of urgency to highlight the issues and ask them to pursue a satisfactory outcome for the PMSE sector.

If you do not know who your local MP is, then simply type your postcode into this page on the UK Parliament website http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/

Save Our Sound UK rallies against Government’s ‘questionable priorities’

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:21:00 +0000

While the Government is taking steps to ‘divvy-up’ the airwaves in the face of strong opposition, it keeps thinking of reasons not to fully compensate the little-guys being booted-out. Save Our Sound UK asks ‘why the inconsistency in political will?’

In an unprecedented move last week, the Government sought approval from Parliament to tell the regulator Ofcom how to cut the spectrum cake, which the Government has referred to as the ‘billion pound prize’[1]. Meanwhile, the same Government has found a number of obscure barriers to delivering what Save Our Sound UK believes is needed to prevent a major setback to the live events and entertainment industries.

The eviction of the Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) sector from the airwaves in question will generate a massive windfall for the Treasury. Just to make sure that it is allocated in the right way, the Government wants to tell Ofcom how to do it. However, the Government seems to be hiding behind the regulator’s limited powers when it comes to providing compensation to those being evicted and who need it in order to continue to operate.

Save Our Sound UK is lobbying the Government to provide compensation for all frequencies being cleared at levels that will provide for the purchase of like-for-like replacement equipment. Acknowledging that the regulator’s powers are limited, the group has consistently argued that Government should act if and where Ofcom cannot.

Passing the buck?

Despite this, the Government’s spokesman in the House of Lords said last Monday that the ‘decision must be made within the powers that have been laid out for Ofcom by Parliament’. Contrastingly, Ofcom has said that ‘our duty is to secure the optimal use of spectrum….Any considerations beyond promoting spectrum efficiency are a matter for the Government to consider’.

Sir Cameron Mackintosh, legendary theatre producer, said, ‘It is puzzling that the Government is prepared to flex its muscles and take the tiller from Ofcom in one instance, where it can make a lot of money, but not another, where it will have to spend a bit of money. Too much emphasis is being placed on the identity of the winning bidders. This should not come at the expense of providing for the vibrant industries being evicted.’

Tony Lennon, President of the Media and Entertainment Union BECTU, said, ‘It seems that the Minister has either exposed an important weakness in the regulatory regime or someone is being disingenuous. From our perspective, the answer is simple: if Ofcom cannot legally do what is needed, then the Government must. If neither can legally do what is needed, then the law should be changed’.

For further details, please call Alun Rees, Campaign Co-ordinator for Save Our Sound UK on 020 7828 1603 or via email on alun@ranelagh.info

[1] http://interactive.bis.gov.uk/digitalbritain/2009/09/spectrum-the-billion-pound-prize/

Radio Frequency Crisis Unfolds - Barry Fox (www.resolutionmag.com)

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:17:00 +0000

The confusion and anger surrounding the allocation of radio frequencies for use by the entertainment industry in the UK continues with the latest developments throwing in a weak dose of conditional compensation. BARRY FOX taps into the Save Our Sound campaign and examines the facts.

Idon’t envy the Save our Sound bunch of 21 organisations in the PMSE (Programme Making and Special Events) sector the job of persuading the UK government that the sound from radio mics, in-ear monitoring and TV talkback is worth saving. Our politicians have wars to worry about in Iraq

and Afghanistan, global warming, mountains of national debt, flakey banks and greedy bankers, embarrassment over expenses and a looming election. Selling off radio frequencies to highest bidders is a much easier and safer way to make free money than piling on more vote-losing taxes.

What’s more the whole topic of frequency allocation and re-allocation is hugely confusing and an eye-glazing mystery to all but a handful of engineers and experts. So we reckoned that the November launch of the SOS campaign ‘to secure the future of live music, news-gathering, musical theatre, film making, television production, sports events, concerts, conferences (including party conferences) and church, school and community events in the UK’ called for an updated crib sheet on the whole sorry mess.

First things first. All countries are replacing analogue TV with digital TV, and because digital TV coding is far more efficient than analogue modulation, national A-D conversion releases frequencies that can be sold off for new digital services. This is the so-called ‘digital dividend’.

Whereas the USA switched off all analogue TV overnight, last June, and gave away vouchers to help viewers buy simple digital convertor boxes, the UK is futzing around over five years and making viewers pay for their own convertors or new TVs. When the UK switchover finishes, in 2012 in time for the Olympics, UHF channels 21-69 (470MHz–862MHz) will have been cleared of analogue TV across the whole country. UHF channels 21-30 and 39-60 will be kept for digital television, and other frequencies sold to the highest bidders.

In February 2009 Ofcom in the UK confirmed plans to harmonise with Europe and maximise spectrum value by adding UHF channels 61, 62 and 69 to thepreviously confirmed block of channels to be sold, 63-68, and so create the highly desirable chunk of channels 61-69 (790-862MHz) known as the ‘800MHz band’. The block of channels 31-37 will also be sold off. Download the full article here: Radio Frequency Crisis Unfolds (Barry Fox) © Resolution 2010

www.resolutionmag.com

UK Music Add Their Support To Save Our Sound UK Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:11:00 +0000

Save Our Sound UK is delighted to have the support of UK Music. The campaign now has the support of all major associations and unions across the entire Entertainment Industry.

UK Music is an umbrella organisation representing the collective interests of the UK’s commercial music industry, from artists, musicians, songwriters and composers, to major and independent record labels, managers, music publishers, studio producers and collecting societies.

UK Music's members include the Association of Independent Music (AIM), theBritish Academy of Composers & Songwriters (BASCA), BPI (British Recorded Music Industry) Limited, PRS for Music, the Music Managers Forum (MMF), theMusic Publishers Association Limited (MPA), the Musicians Union (MU) andPhonographic Performance Limited (PPL).

www.ukmusic.org

Video Supports The Radio Stars - Institute of Videography Add Their Support

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:12:00 +0000

Save Our Sound UK welcomes the supports of the IOV - Institute of Videography.

"The pending changes to the way radio microphone technology can be used in the UK could have a direct and immediate financial impact on professional videographers. Radio microphones are considered to be an essential piece of their day-to-day equipment. Any government-led change which imposes costs on videographers in retuning or, at worst, replacing technology must be adaquately compensated." Kevin Cook F.Inst.V. - Executive Administrator Institute of Videography.

The IOV was established in 1985 by its founder - Geoff Belmont-Rixon - who recognised the need to provide an association of like-minded professionals within the, then, developing videography market. The IOV and its list of membership benefits soon expanded, and the organisation adopted its present incorporated form and constitution in June 1991.

www.iov.co.uk

Unwired for sound: Church joins campaign for compensation for organisations “evicted” from special events frequency

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:34:00 +0000

Hundreds of churches could face bills to replace or retune sound equipment rendered useless by changes to the way that radio frequencies are allocated. It has prompted the Church of England to join an industry-led campaign to press Government to provide adequate compensation for affected groups.

Many larger churches use wireless microphones to transmit the voice of clergy and others leading services through a public address system. Some of these audio systems, in churches and cathedrals using four or more such ‘radio microphones’, currently use a channel dedicated for use by programme makers and special events production staff (along with other frequencies that are subject to geographical restrictions). But changes proposed by the communications regulator Ofcom, and supported by Government, to clear and sell spectrum currently used by radio microphones mean that this channel, alongside others, will be closed to such traffic. A new UK-wide dedicated channel will be provided, plus different frequencies that are restricted by location, but older equipment will need to be retuned by technicians, or in some cases replaced completely.

The unexpected bill could total as much as £1 million for Church of England churches and cathedrals alone, according to an estimate*.

The government has indicated that a compensation package for those disrupted by these changes is appropriate, but has yet to announce how much will be devoted to this fund and who will be eligible. To help draw attention to the plight faced by churches using significant amounts of wireless equipment, the Church of England has joined Save Our Sound UK (http://www.saveoursounduk.com), a collection of theatres, entertainment and event production companies and technical trade bodies, which has formed around this issue, to lobby government for an appropriate funding package that meets the real cost that will be born by these organisations when the channels are ‘migrated’.

Local churches are being encouraged to lobby their MP to support an Early Day Motion tabled by Peter Luff MP, or raise the issue in Parliament in other ways to demonstrate the potential impact on churches and other voluntary groups in particular.

The Rt Revd Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter and Chair of the Churches Legal Advisory Service, says: “Churches need to be aware that these changes are happening and that, if they currently use licensed channels for their wireless equipment, they will need to get in touch with their installation company to discuss what practical steps will be needed to ensure their services don’t fall silent in 2012.”

Aware of possible confusion surrounding the reasons behind the threat facing local churches, the Church stresses that the spectrum changes result from the advent of digital television and a desire to increase the availability of frequencies for services such as mobile broadband, rather than digital radio switchover. The move is part of a Europe-wide harmonisation of spectrum allocation, which will also reap significant financial benefits for the Government when it sells access to the cleared frequencies.

“The fact that government will be receiving considerable sums for access to the channel some of our landmark churches and cathedrals have effectively been evicted from makes the disruption even more difficult to stomach,” comments Bishop Michael. “The least that can be done is to ensure that full compensation is offered to all organisations, whether commercial or charitable, that are going to be affected by this change.”

* Estimate based on one in eight parish churches needing to retune or replace, at an average cost of £500.

Churches currently using licenced Channel 69, which is being migrated to Channel 38, will be the churches most affected by this move. These tend to be churches with four or more wireless microphones, or those in dense urban areas which have experienced problems with interference in the use of unlicensed channels. Ofcom have recently made Channel 38 available on a shared-use basis to assist with the transition.

For further information please contact:

Ben Wilson at the Church of England Communications Office, telephone 020 7898 1326.

Alun Rees at Save Our Sound UK, telephone 020 7828 1603

SOSUK Channel 38 Press Release

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:05:00 +0000

PRESS RELEASE: Friday 18th December 2009

Battle for compensation is still the main show in town says SOS UK after channel 38 announcement

This week Ofcom announced the new licensing arrangements for channel 38 which will be implemented from 4^th January 2010[1]. The Ofcom announcement this week is nothing new, save for confirming the date when the new licensing arrangements will become available and that there would be a shared licence in place with channels 39, 40 and 69.

With some commentators welcoming this move, Save Our Sound UK is keen to stress that channel 38 has previously been announced as a future channel for the use of wireless mics and other PMSE equipment. We would presume to say that the PMSE sector looks forward to seeing the detail.

As Chairman of the House of Commons Select Committee for Business, Innovation and Skills, Peter Luff MP was at pains to state this week, the key issue of compensation has still not been resolved. Speaking in the Commons this week, Mr Luff directly challenged the Government to honour their promise made in the Digital Britain Final Report published on 16^th June 2009 to meet the cost of clearing channels 61, 62 and 69. These are radio channels that are crucial to the continued ability of the PMSE sector to provide the services and equipment that shows such as the “X Factor”, “Strictly Come Dancing…” and the majority of West End theatres depend on.

Peter Luff MP said:

“At some stage in the relatively near future, the Chancellor will receive a welcome windfall from the auction of the spectrum release by the digital dividend process, so will he honour the pledge given to users of radio microphones in the "Digital Britain" White Paper and earmark at least a small proportion of those significant revenues fully to compensate those users for their unwelcome eviction from the spectrum?”[2]

Following the Government’s response, Peter has followed this up with further parliamentary questions which will hopefully reveal the Government’s own estimates of the PMSE industry’s costs of adapting to the enforced removal from spectrum that they have used for a very long time.

Editor’s note:

Geographical restrictions on the use of channel 38 are in place, prohibiting its use throughout large swathes of the North West of England. Whilst Ofcom have tried to help alleviate this by providing access to channels 39 and 40 in affected areas, detail is yet to arrive. The Programme Making and Special Events sector needs many more channels than this to stage large productions. Information regarding the future availability of frequencies within additional interleaved, or “white space”, channels 21-30 and 41-60 remain unspecified.

For further details, please call Alun Rees, Campaign Co-ordinator for Save Our Sound UK on 020 7828 1603 or via email on alun@ranelagh.info

[1] http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consumer/2009/12/new-licensing-arrangements-for-wireless-microphone-users/

[2] http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm091215/debtext/91215-0004.htm

ISM BACKS SOSUK

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:22:00 +0000

Save our Sound Uk now has the support of the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM).

The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) is the UK’s professional body for musicians. We promote the art of music and the interests of professional musicians through campaigns, support and practical advice.

They are a wholly independent non profit-making organisation founded in 1882. Without political interference or financial imperatives they express robust and authoritative views which champion both music and professional musicians. ISM members come from all branches of the profession – performers, composers, teachers, music therapists, academics and advisers. They also have other levels of membership for students and those just starting out in the profession as well as for bodies such as schools, conservatoires and orchestras and those who simply want to support our work as advocates of music.

For more information: www.ism.org

Federation of Scottish Theatre Add Their Support To SOSUK

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:52:00 +0000

The Federation of Scottish Theatre exists to advance the interests of Scottish Theatre at home and abroad.

It is the membership organisation for the professional theatre sector in Scotland undertaking advocacy at a national level with government and funding bodies, co-ordinated initiatives and providing advice and services to members to secure the creative future of theatre in Scotland. The key objectives of the FST cover three key areas of activity:

Advocacy and Communication
Information
Training and Learning

For more information - www.scottishtheatres.com

SOSUK Press Update - Tuesday 8th December 2009

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:01:00 +0000

1. Government ‘doesn’t say no’: SOS UK receives letter from Communications Minister Stephen Timms

SAVE OUR SOUND UK has recently received a letter from Communications Minister Stephen Timms as a response to SOS UK’s approach to Lord Mandelson on 9th November. As well as acknowledging the contribution that the PMSE community makes to the social, cultural and economic well-being of the UK, the Minister stated that ‘You have set out your case for a wider basis for financial support, beyond that proposed by Ofcom and we are currently giving this careful consideration, in consultation with Ofcom’.

2. Peter Luff MP grills Ofcom Chief Executive at oral evidence session

At his Select Committee oral evidence session on Ofcom’s Annual Plan, Chairman Peter Luff MP questioned Ed Richards on compensation for PMSE and called for proposals to be changed. Ofcom Chief Executive Richards pointed to the Government as final decision-maker but confirms that expected costs for PMSE would be a ‘small proportion’ of likely auction revenues.
Whilst the transcript is not yet available, watch events unfold on Parliament TV: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=5266 starts 01:17:46

3. SOS UK supplies estimates to the Government as eyes turn to the Pre-Budget Report

SOS UK last week informed officials at the Department for Business that, on the basis of the investment in existing equipment, then if the campaign’s revised criteria were adopted then the estimated cost would be a shade under £75 million. It is worth noting that, of this £75 million, only £7-8 million would be needed to cover those being evicted from channels 31-37 and 61-68 since the bulk of affected equipment tunes to channel 69 anyway.

An indication of the Government’s intentions on the issue is expected to be included in the Pre-Budget Report this Wednesday (9th December).

4. Select Committee Chairmen table Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons

Peter Luff, the MP who has been leading the campaign for PMSE in Westminster, last week tabled a Motion calling on the Government to provide a compensation package that covers all fifteen spectrum channels being cleared, and at levels that cover the full costs of replacing existing equipment with like-for-like alternatives http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=39883&SESSION=903

Peter Luff MP is the Chairman of the Commons Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee. John Whittingdale MP, the second signatory of the EDM and co-sponsor, is Chairman of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee. Select Committees scrutinise the work of the relevant Government department on behalf of Parliament and as such are extremely influential. SAVE OUR SOUND UK is now writing to all MPs to urge them to sign the Motion.

5. The Bishop of Manchester makes the case for compensation

During a debate on the Digital Economy Bill on Wednesday 2nd December the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, raised concerns about the impact on voluntary organisations:
‘As part of the overall policy on the digital economy and the sale of the audio spectrum, Ofcom is going to move the channels on which community groups and churches operate their radio mics, rendering the old equipment useless. I am aware that Ofcom is now looking at compensation for that, but are the Government aware that from the point of view of many charities, not just churches, there is a potential problem and a possible case for compensation for equipment that is still serviceable but is no longer useable? I am concerned about unreasonable costs being faced by some voluntary organisations’. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/91202-0004.htm

SAVE OUR SOUND UK Issues Call To Action: Write To/E-mail Your Local MP!

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:17:00 +0000

Support for the campaign and coverage has been increasing over the past few weeks. We are now at a critical stage and need the support of the wider industry and indeed the general public. The campaign is calling on all those affected to write to their MP and ask them to sign Early Day Motion number 323, called ‘SAVE OUR SOUND UK campaign’. We intend to make this as easy as possible. Therefore, we have uploaded draft letters on the website that you can either e-mail or post to your MP once it has been appropriately personalised.

Last week, Peter Luff MP tabled a Motion in the House of Commons. This has already been signed by several supportive MPs, including two Select Committee Chairmen. The Motion calls upon the Government to provide a compensation package that covers all fifteen spectrum channels being cleared, and at levels that cover the full costs of replacing existing equipment with like-for-like alternativeshttp://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=39883&SESSION=903

If the campaign is to be successful, SAVE OUR SOUND UK needs Parliament to apply pressure to the Government. Early Day Motions or ‘EDMs’ are a way by which backbench MPs and opposition frontbenchers can raise or show their support for a particular issue. Obviously, the more MPs sign the motion, the stronger the show of support and the more influential it can be.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

SAVE OUR SOUND UK urges all affected by the compensation issue, especially those who work in the industry but also those who enjoy live events, to write to or e-mail their local MP and ask them to sign EDM 323. This should not take long and we have made this as easy as possible.

How to do it – step by step guide

If you do not know who your local MP is, then simply type your postcode into this page on the UK Parliament website http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/

Download the draft letter on the SOS UK website that applies to your individual situation and personalise it.

Once your letter is complete, either send it to your constituency MP by post or e-mail it across. E-mail addresses can also be found on the UK Parliament websitehttp://www.parliament.uk/mpslordsandoffices/mps_and_lords/alms.cfm

Once your correspondence has been sent, you can ascertain whether your MP has signed the EDM by clicking on this link – the signatures should be updated dailyhttp://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=39883&SESSION=903

Some MPs cannot sign EDMs but most can. Follow up your letter with a phone call to your MP’s office if you do not receive a positive response.

DRAFT LETTERS TO MPs

Letter Of General Concern

Freelance Engineer – non owner of equipment

Wireless equipment user – non owner

Wireless equipment owner & user

Wireless equipment owner

If you have any further questions or require clarification, contact Alun Rees on 020 7828 1603 or alun@ranelagh.info

SAVE OUR SOUND UK PRESS UPDATE - Tuesday 1st December 2009

noreply@blogger.com (BEIRG) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:17:00 +0000

1. Baroness McIntosh raises the PMSE funding issue in the House of Lords in support of the industry and asks the Government whether it will deliver
2. The Hoosiers add their support to the campaign
3. The National Operatic and Dramatic Association also add support
4. Louise de Winter, Director, National Campaign for the Arts responds to Matthew Conway’s letter in the Times

In a speech to the House of Lords, 25th November 2009, on the subject of the Digital Economy Bill, Baroness McIntosh raised the issue of funding for the PMSE Industry. In her speech the Baroness said, “ In a tough environment its way forward is still not clear. I hope that Ofcom and the Government will do everything in their power to promote an outcome that will ensure a healthy, diverse public service landscape for the next generation of citizens and consumers.”

The Baroness then went on to talk about Ofcom’s new obligation “to promote appropriate levels of investment in electronic communications” by stating:
“"Appropriate" can be a slippery word, leaving much to the judgment of the regulator, with the possibility of consequences not intended by Parliament. We have one example already before us in the current plight of the UK's Programme-Making and Special Events sector, PMSE. This sector is largely defined by the technologies it uses and the activities that rely on them. Those technologies are wireless microphones, commonly known as radio mics. The activities for which they are essential include musical theatre, news gathering, live music, film-making, TV production, sports events, concerts, community events at all scales and, indeed, party conferences. Justified, in its own view, by duties enshrined in the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom has decided to clear and sell the 15 channels relied on by the PMSE sector, with auction revenues going to the Government. As a consequence, the vast majority of the industry's stock of radio mics will become unusable. If the activities and events I mentioned are to continue even at current levels, all affected equipment will need to be replaced in one go, and at enormous cost to those who own and supply it, many of whom will not have the resources to make the necessary new investment. Nor can the sector plan ahead as it has not been told which alternative channels it will be offered. All productions that depend on the availability of this equipment will therefore be under threat.

I understand that the Government is committed to offering limited compensation to those who are being cleared from one of the 15 bands due to be sold. This leaves those to be evicted from the other 14 entitled to nothing. This cannot be right. The PMSE sector is running an excellent campaign on this issue, Save Our Sound, and I am grateful to it for briefing me. It aims to persuade the Government that none of those whose equipment will be rendered redundant should suffer financially as a consequence. I sympathise with this aim and ask my noble friend whether he can assure me that the Government will act promptly to mitigate the damaging consequences of Ofcom's interpretation of its current duties under the Communications Act by providing compensation to all those affected, not just to some. This is not a small matter. If it is not resolved, we shall all notice the difference whether we are theatre or concert-goers, sports fans or involved in events in our local communities, even in our churches. Perhaps the Government might learn from this problem and, looking ahead, beware of giving regulators broad powers couched in vague language.

I am a slightly reluctant citizen of Digital Britain; on good days I delight in its diversity and on bad days I long for the information superhighway to be dug up. I am a realist, however; I know that I and everyone else must engage with what a digital future has to offer and I commend the Government for taking steps to help our economy to make the best of it.”

Save Our Sound UK is also delighted to have the support of The Hoosiers. Commenting on the campaign the band said, “We at Hoosier HQ are bereft at the thought of losing audio frequencies which will restrict live performances the land over when the government sell them on for mere profit.”
The Hoosiers first single “Worried About Ray” reached #5 on the UK Singles Chart in July 2007. They released their debut album The Trick to Life, in October 2007 reaching number 1 in the album charts. The band also had a huge hit with “Goodbye Mr. A” (http://www.myspace.com/thehoosiers)

After the recent declaration of support from T In The Park and DF Concerts, the Save Our Sound UK campaign would like to see more major artists show their support, and urge them to write a message and send an image for the website to saveoursound@me.com

The Save Our Sound UK campaign was also lifted by support from The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA). Founded in 1899, NODA is the main representative body for amateur theatre in the UK. It has a membership of some 2500 amateur/community theatre groups and 3000 individual enthusiasts throughout the UK, staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and pantomimes in a wide variety of performing venues, ranging from the country’s leading professional theatres to village halls. (http://www.noda.org.uk)

On Monday, November 23rd, Louise de Winter, Director, National Campaign for the Arts responded (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article6927460.ece) to an earlier letter in The Times by Matthew Conway, Director of Operations, Spectrum Policy Group, Ofcom. (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article6922074.ece)
For further information on the Save Our Sound UK campaign and to read the many comments left by worried companies and individuals about the potential effects of the funding proposals, please visit the website at http://www.saveoursounduk.com