A computer aid to spectrum management of broadcast ancillary services

In 1985 the Department of Trade and Industry agreed that the broadcasters could self manage the frequency spectrum allocated to them for broadcast ancillary services. These broadcast ancillary services are needed to support outside broadcasts and other types of programme production on location. They include temporary programme links on site and between site and the permanent network. Radio channels are also needed for activities closely associated with programme making such as producer/directors talkback and programme for cueing purposes. The broadcasters formed a joint frequency management group (JFMG) to administer these broadcast ancillary service frequencies. The authors discuss how the spectrum assigned to the JFMG is in small sub-bands between 50 MHz and 12 GHz and there are many restrictions on its use. The spectrum is used by the BBC, 15 ITV companies, ITN, Channel Four, 45 ILR companies and by independent production companies commissioned by the broadcasters. Effective co-ordination between users is essential for optimum use of a common resource. To cope with diverse demands on the spectrum and be able to respond to requests for spectrum at short notice, a computerised database is used. The authors describe the JFMG frequency planning database used