Many larger churches use wireless microphones to transmit the voice of clergy and others leading services through a public address system. Some of these audio systems, in churches and cathedrals using four or more such 'radio microphones', currently use a channel dedicated for use by programme makers and special events production staff (along with other frequencies that are subject to geographical restrictions). But changes proposed by the communications regulator Ofcom, and supported by Government, to clear and sell spectrum currently used by radio microphones mean that this channel, alongside others, will be closed to such traffic. A new UK-wide dedicated channel will be provided, plus different frequencies that are restricted by location, but older equipment will need to be retuned by technicians, or in some cases replaced completely.
The unexpected bill could total as much as £1m for Church of England churches and cathedrals alone, according to one estimate.
The government has indicated that a compensation package for those disrupted by these changes is appropriate, but has yet to announce how much will be devoted to this fund and who will be eligible. To help draw attention to the plight faced by churches using significant amounts of wireless equipment, the Church of England has joined Save Our Sound UK (http://www.saveoursounduk.com), a collection of theatres, entertainment and event production companies and technical trade bodies, which has formed around this issue, to lobby government for an appropriate funding package that meets the real cost that will be born by these organisations when the channels are 'migrated'.
Local churches are being encouraged to lobby their MP to support an Early Day Motion tabled by Peter Luff MP, or raise the issue in Parliament in other ways to demonstrate the potential impact on churches and other voluntary groups in particular.
The Rt Revd Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter and Chair of the Churches Legal Advisory Service, says, "Churches need to be aware that these changes are happening and that, if they currently use licensed channels for their wireless equipment, they will need to get in touch with their installation company to discuss what practical steps will be needed to ensure their services don't fall silent in 2012."
Aware of possible confusion surrounding the reasons behind the threat facing local churches, the Church stresses that the spectrum changes result from the advent of digital television and a desire to increase the availability of frequencies for services such as mobile broadband, rather than digital radio switchover. The move is part of a Europe-wide harmonisation of spectrum allocation, which will also reap significant financial benefits for the Government when it sells access to the cleared frequencies.
"The fact that government will be receiving considerable sums for access to the channel some of our landmark churches and cathedrals have effectively been evicted from makes the disruption even more difficult to stomach," comments Bishop Michael. "The least that can be done is to ensure that full compensation is offered to all organisations, whether commercial or charitable, that are going to be affected by this change."
(Jim Evans)
