Olympics To Create Record Demand For Wireless Spectrum

The London Olympic and Paralympics games are likely to create a record demand for wireless spectrum, it has been revealed.
According to the communications regulator Ofcom the Olympics are likely to require up to 20,000 separate wireless frequency assignments. This is nearly double the number of licences that it granted for the city over the course of last year.
Demand will be fuelled by the increasing use of wireless technologies by broadcasters, such as wireless cameras and wireless microphones.
The extensive use of walkie-talkies by the organisers, talkback systems for broadcasters, timing and scoring systems and sports commentary systems for the audience, will also be essential for the organisation of the Games.
The body says that it plans to finalise its Spectrum Olympics Plan by early February.
In a statement Ofcom said: "Careful management of London’s airwaves will be essential for the coverage and organisation of the London 2012 Games. The event presents a unique logistical challenge never faced before by the UK. However, Ofcom has been working on a plan since 2006 to ensure that viewers will not miss any of the sporting action."
Around 26,000 members of the world’s media will base themselves in the capital to cover the Games, making London 2012 the biggest media event in history.
However, getting the glimmer of gold medals and the blur of world records into viewers’ living rooms will depend on spectrum – a limited resource that you can’t see, hear or touch.
From cameras on motorbikes tracking Mark Cavendish’s progress in the cycle road race to camera crews inside the Olympic stadium aiming to get that special picture of stars like Usain Bolt, Jessica Ennis or Mo Farah, broadcasters and the media will be placing more demand on the UK’s spectrum reserves than ever before.
(LB)