Having considered the responses to our consultation published on 18 December 20121 we have concluded that we will allow access to two 200 kHz channels at 606.7 and 607 MHz at a maximum ERP of 10 W for wireless applications generally used for Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE). We refer to these applications as high power PMSE.
Access to 606.7 and 607 MHz for high power PMSE will be effective immediately.
High power PMSE is considered to be audio PMSE applications with a radiated power greater than 50 mW, typically used for audio links and high power wireless microphones operating between 1 W and 10 W ERP.
The use of this equipment was previously authorised in channel 69 (854-862 MHz) of the 800 MHz band alongside lower power PMSE applications. This band has been cleared in order to make spectrum available for new broadband services. Channel 38 (606-614 MHz) was identified as a replacement channel for PMSE but initial analysis indicated that the use of high power PMSE applications in channel 38 would pose an unacceptable risk of interference to the Radio Astronomy Service (RAS) in neighbouring countries. Consequently, we decided not to allow high power PMSE use in channel 38. However, our recent analysis of the frequency options for high power PMSE use included a review of the basis for this decision. On re-examining the issues, we concluded that the use of high power PMSE in channel 38 will not pose a risk of harmful interference to the RAS in neighbouring countries provided its use is restricted to the 606-608 MHz range (i.e. outside the RAS band at 608-614 MHz).
Having considered the way that PMSE applications use a combination of interleaved spectrum and channel 38 (and, before this, channel 69) we have concluded that the most appropriate approach is to permit high power PMSE applications in the two 200 kHz channels at 606.7 and 607 MHz