[cma-l] URGENT: Clarification of scope of Ofcom's 14th February Local TV Deadline

[Dave Rushton]

Dear All,

As a reminder - Ofcom has identified 71 sites out of 80 from which 
local TV might be delivered on interleaved spectrum. Organisations 
outside the 71 areas are making the case for inclusion for assignment 
of interleaved spectrum suitable for local TV

The presentation to Local TV stakeholders can be downloaded from 
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ddr/events/ddrevent140108/

The following list of 25 transmitter sites are those sites Ofcom has 
included in an indicative list in preparation for auction, anticipating 
local TV interest lies only in these areas. For many organisations the 
scale of the signal from these transmitters is too big, covering 
several civic and/or regeneration areas, therefore putting smaller and 
more local organisations at some disadvantage in bidding for spectrum 
whose scale and coverage they do not require. Following discussion with 
Carmel
McLaughlin today, Ofcom will consider looking at dividing the spectrum 
before auction to enable signals in different directions to better suit 
a more local scale of reach but only if there is strong demand for this 
identified and presented to the regulator. Currently that deadline 
remains the 14th February although there will be a later opportunity to 
negotiate during the consultation on the interleaved spectrum packaging 
envisaged by Ofcom to run from March for ten weeks.

At the local TV presentation on 14th January Peter Madry suggested as 
an example that spectrum from the Winter Hill transmitter could be used 
to deliver separate services for Manchester, Liverpool and Blackpool 
(or Preston) if the antenna arrangement on the transmitter tower and 
allocation of spectrum were coordinated. However, if there is no 
evidence of interest in such an arrangement in any transmitter area 
then the spectrum will be auctioned as a single omnidirectional 
assignment.

  If there is only one scale of allocation at the initial auction, t he 
alternatives to achieve a more localised reach, include:-

the successful bidder for a multiplex of in group TV spectrum at their 
discretion sells on channels or radial segments not required to third 
parties (if they choose not to hang on to it to command access and 
revenues on a regional scale and evacuate a more local competition);

there is a second in band allocation of interleaved spectrum, with the 
same coverage pattern,and this is won at auction by a second bidder 
representing a consortium of local interests, (who divide up by 
channels and/or radial segments) or;

the band manager (whose role will be to manage left-over spectrum) 
identifies unallocated spectrum suitable for TV transmission and 
reception in the areas on a smaller scale from relays at some later 
date (so long as this is not in the bands awarded).

Currently the remit of the band manager - and length of license they 
might issue - has not been resolved. The alternatives carry significant 
risks - so if you know what your plans are for your area then make 
these known to Ofcom before 14th February

25 indicative sites 			

Crystal Palace
Sutton Coldfield
Winter Hill
Emley Moor
BlackHill
Wenvoe
Divis
Rowridge VP
Pontop Pike
Mendip
Waltham
Dover
Tacolneston
Sudbury
Bilsdale
Oxford
Belmont
The Wrekin
Sandy Heath
Hannington
Londonderry
Heathfield
Craigkelly
Ridge Hill
Caldbeck

As a reminder this was the substance of the earlier email, originally 
alerting those outside the 25 larger sites, but with the relevant to-do 
list.

The emerging view is that unless you actually need spectrum to reach 
the entire population of one of these large transmitters (and are 
prepared to bid for its omnidirectional signal and audience reached) 
you should submit your narrower service requirements to Ofcom before 
14th February ..... there are no guarantees but perhaps better to have 
made the argument and lost than not to have made the argument at all!!

If nothing else this exercise may bring into the open possible 
consortia to bid for a mux - comprising up to 10 SD channels - on a 
cooperative basis.

You can give me a ring (0131-466 3021) if you can't locate frequency 
plans - 71 of the 80 total are on Ofcom's site

>> http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/ddr/statement/

Dave Rushton

>
>> Dear All,
>>
>> NGWireless has identified 71 of the 80 main UK TV transmitters from
>> which local TV is possible using in-group digital spectrum, so that a
>> local signal can be picked up alongside PSB and commercial mux 
>> channels
>> on existing aerials.
>>
>> Ofcom has selected 25 of these sites as already offering sufficient
>> evidence, on the basis of population or earlier local TV activity, to
>> configure spectrum to be released for auction in 2008 and 2009 in
>> patterns suitable for use by local TV services (but still in
>> competition with other possible uses). Ofcom want to know if there is
>> any other local TV interest out there beyond the 25 areas identified 
>> so
>> they can consider configuring additional locations for local TV.If you
>> are interested, you'll need to provide evidence of service intentions
>> as below.
>>
>> Ofcom require evidence to be submitted by 14th February to assess the
>> extent and location of 'serious' interest in local TV for any of the
>> further identified 46 plus 9 as yet unexamined sites. This won't be 
>> the
>> final opportunity but being part of the identified group could include
>> benefit of 18 year licenses, later licenses issued after digital 
>> switch
>> over may not be so generous. Local TV evidence should include:-
>>
>> Demand - local support, council interest, health board interest etc,
>> economic plans, cultural and civic importance, public interest,
>> supporting organisations for service, possible partners etc
>>
>> Geographic area to be served - post code areas for each transmitter
>> area (broadly as identified above, these are the islands plus 
>> Caithness
>> down to Inverness
>>
>> Business plan - unlikely till you have information on available
>> spectrum and costs of transmission, so evidence of capability to run 
>> as
>> community or commercial enterprise, community media activity,     
>> radio
>> station activity etc
>>
>> Finance - here evidence of past performance in media related funding
>> (grants, funds raised for such activity, commercial activity ) would
>> help
>>
>> Send any expression of potential interest related to each site direct
>> to Ofcom (and please could you copy me in)
>>
>> Carmel.McLaughlin at ofcom.org.uk
>>
>> The relevant NGWireless annexes illustrating the 71 spectrum plans
>> undertaken to date can be found here in the annexes with the 25
>> selected in the body of the Statement:
>> http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/ddr/statement/
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>>
>> Dave Rushton
>> Director, Institute of Local Television
>> and
>> Public Interest Fellow, Department of Geography and Sociology,
>> University of Strathclyde
>>
>> 0131-466 3021
>>
>