Programme Making And Special Events Sector And Digital Switchover

EDM number 100 in 2007-08, proposed by Peter Luff on 06/11/2007.
Categorised under the topics of Arts, Broadcasting and Telecommunications.

That this House recognises the critical importance of wireless microphones and other short range wireless devices for the production of live and recorded entertainment including the performing arts, broadcasting, news gathering, film and independent production, corporate events, concerts, night venues and sports events; welcomes Ofcom's recognition of the size and importance of the programme making and special events (PMSE) sector but is concerned that uncertainty over Ofcom's plans for the digital switchover continue to threaten a £15 billion per annum British entertainment industry; welcomes Ofcom's recognition of the PMSE sector's inability to compete in a spectrum auction and the need for a single band manager, mindful of the needs of the PMSE community, to coordinate spectrum usage; is concerned that Ofcom's guarantees to PMSE users for temporary access to interleaved analogue spectrum are unclear; understands that without a concrete and detailed programme for provision of interleaved spectrum, the PMSE sector cannot adequately plan for its future; recognises that there is currently no feasible commercial alternative to use of analogue equipment in the PMSE sector and that access to interleaved spectrum is essential for the continued production of world class entertainment; and urges the Government to guarantee that sufficient quality and quantity of such regulated spectrum be reserved for PMSE use to prevent the collapse of a renowned and valuable UK industry.

This motion has been signed by a total of 70 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.