Following major coverage of the Save Our Sound UK campaign in the media, NCA Director Louise de Winter met Ofcom Chief Executive Ed Richards last Wednesday to discuss the issues affecting users of radio microphones. In terms of campaign representation, the meeting was also attended by Duncan Bell from the British Entertainment Industry Radio Group (BEIRG) and Alun Rees from Ranelagh International (Public Affairs).

The first point Louise raised with Richards was the reason why Ofcom were only proposing to provide funding on the basis of 'residual value' rather than what equipment would cost to replace, and whether this related to Ofcom's statutory duties. Richards said that it was the Government and not Ofcom that would decide on the criteria for funding eligibility and the amount to be provided. When pressed on Ofcom's influence in this matter, Richards affirmed that Ofcom would be a source of impartial information and a conduit for debate, but again that it was a matter for Government. In terms of the notice period provided as related to replacement frequencies, Richards acknowledged Save Our Sound UK’s argument.

The two other vital issues that the SOS UK representatives raised were the requirement for security of tenure in replacement frequencies, 2018 being Ofcom's proposed end-date to protected access, and that those frequencies must be sufficient for current and future needs. Richards said that he recognised that security of tenure was a very important issue and that Ofcom was considering the sector's concerns about its proposals in the context of the increasing demand for spectrum, which was a finite resource. In terms of providing sufficient frequencies, Richards reaffirmed that Ofcom expected to be able to provide more information about interleaved availability in mid-2010 and remained confident that this would be sufficient to satisfy historic peak PMSE demand.

Overall, we were pleased to have the opportunity to meet Mr Richards, and look forward to an ongoing productive dialogue with Ofcom. But in terms of the Save Our Sound UK campaign, nothing has changed. We will continue to pressurise the Government to deliver an adequate compensation package.

More information about the Save Our Sound UK campaign can be found here.