The group has been formed as a non-profit making trade association to address the issues arising from the potential sell-off of RF spectrum currently used in the above-mentioned industries on a daily basis. Should the spectrum be sold off to other parties, the effect for these industries could be catastrophic, resulting in greatly increased difficulties in any form of production.
A three-month consultation into the future of the UK RF landscape by Ofcom is due to start at the beginning of June 2005. Tim Sherratt of Orbital, who called the meeting, stated: "It is the view of BEIRG that it is better to have our views collated and presented in a calm, rational and professional way than sitting back and waiting to be asked questions by Ofcom's chosen consultant. Indeed, we cannot be sure that they will even ask the right questions, so far better to be prepared and make our case."
Ofcom's consultation is due to finish at the end of August 2005 and the intention is to have the future plans for PMSE (Programme Making and Special Events) RF usage in the UK 'done and dusted' by April 2006. This is a very short timescale, so BEIRG is urging interested parties to get in touch swiftly, but better still, sign up as members of the group. This will ensure that people get a chance to put their views across, demonstrate to Ofcom the breadth and depth of wireless mic and in-ear use here in the UK, as well as help to fund the hiring of BEIRG's consultant. Details of membership rates can be found at the web address below.
Dennis Harburn, managing director of Shure Distribution UK and Paul Whiting, managing director of Sennheiser UK jointly stated: "The situation is potentially very serious. This is not a brand versus brand thing, but cuts right across the industry as a whole. Rather than scaremongering, BEIRG is a response to a real situation, happening now, that will not go away. Pressure on spectrum has never been greater and we need to make sure that, as an industry, we do all we can to ensure continued access to clean spectrum. The only people that can do this is ourselves, so as an industry we need to organise, and quickly."
Meeting Attendees were: Paul Whiting (Sennheiser UK), Duncan Bell (Autograph), Richard Greenleaf, Dennis Harburn and Alan March (Shure Distribution UK), Brian Clarke (Better Sound), Chris Headlam and Tim Sherratt (Orbital Sound), Nigel Woodford (Richmond Film Services), Phil Wade (Picture Canning), Peter Roberts (SOLT), Tony Reid (Trantec), John Turnock (BEIRG), Kishore Patel (Audio Ltd) and Nick Bruce-Smith (Hand Held Audio).
The current members of BEIRG are: Audio Ltd, Audio-Technica, Autograph Sound Recording, BBM Trantec, Better Sound, Charter Broadcast, Handheld Audio, Orbital Sound, Picture Canning Co, Richmond Film Services, Sennheiser UK, Shure Distribution UK and Terry Tew Sound & Light.
(Lee Baldock)
