RADIO SPECTRUM POLICY
TOWARDS A WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR ALL STAKEHOLDERS
POSITION OF PEARLE*
January 2011
Pearle* is the European trade federation in the live performance
Live performance relies since
decades on analogue radio spectrum
(mostly in the 800 MHz band) to
provide audiences best quality
perfomances.
The EU has developed over the past
years a framework and a policy that
allows for the information and
technology based industries to grow
thereby creating an environment and
argumentarium that enables those
industries to be leading companies in
Europe.
Being able to access its potential audiences via new digital
communication tools allows to create new business opportunities
and to fulfil its culture role to reach out to different niche publics. A
good access to the radio spectrum is conditional to communicate
through digital means with its publics in the furthest corners of
Europe.
BUT our sector cannot deliver any creative content and have
audiences enjoy a concert, a performance or event if it cannot
access radio spectrum for the use wireless microphone
equipment.
The live performance sector, that
Pearle* represents is equally
benefitting from that growth.
The information and technology
based industries cannot further
grow without good developed
sectors which provide for the
creative content.
The live performance sector
needs access to radio
spectrum to deliver best
quality performances, using
wireless microphone
applications.
a WIN-WIN situation for all
is what Europe needs now !
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Some facts and figures (estimations ) on the live performance sector:
More than 3 million people are employed
more than 250,000 performances take place every year seen by more than 1 billion spectators a year.
Turnover in excess of an estimated figure of € 38 billion
The number of performances is steadily growing with some 2% every year, although a standstill was reported for
2009 and a
slight fallback is expected for 2010-2012.
- About a third of the performances are foreign productions (the majority from European origin). For certain touring
companies
more than 50% is export.
- It is sector of SMEs, ranging from small independent groups, over middle scale venues to BIG summer music festivals
and emblematic theatres.
- Live performance is “Made in Europe” – the delocalisation of production such as is the case in other economic sectors
does
not apply. Therefore growth and jobs are realised in Europe itself.
-
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Eurostat lacks data on this culture industry sector
Key messages
The sector needs:
Arguments:
Access to spectrum for culture
purposes.
Access to spectrum under the best
quality conditions, avoiding any
interference.
Certainty to be able to use spectrum
when needed.
The best culture diverse offer, for which Europe is reknown and in
which Europe is a global market leader, has to be preserved.
The audience deserves a continuation of the best quality
performance, with no interference and with the smallest transmission
delays (even a delay of a second can drive a drummer mad).
This is as well needed for a big event such as the culture opening
night of the Olympic games as it is needed for regular productions in
theatres, concert halls, festivals, circus, etc.
Member States should endorse the subsidiarity principles on culture
policy in such way that the culture exception notion continues to exist
so that spectrum use for cultural purposes is ensured.
The sector wants its businesses to grow, as it is there to create quality
time for people. Attending a performance or concert enhances people’s
wellbeing, improves ones social life and allows to share experiences
with family, friends or relatives.
The live performance sector could be considered as a flagship example
of what the benefit of a coordinated policy in the EU could mean. It
would be beneficial for touring companies and touring productions
could they rely on a minimum spectrum available across Europe.
A minimum harmonised band
across the EU for continued
unlicensed use of spectrum for micro
and small productions allowing to
foster the social dimension of
spectrum usage.
A coordinated approach to allow
productions to easily tour in large
Member States and in the EU as a
demonstration of internal market
integration.
Transparency and clarity on the
available spectrum, with guidance and
support provided by governments and
putting at the disposal of the sector
clear information, to avoid extra
costs as a result of the switchover.
A long term view, allowing sectors to
adapt, remodel, respond to the
changes, avoiding that a second
generation digital dividend would
have detrimental effects on the sector.
A special treatment for the culture
sector when it comes to situations
where spectrum is auctioned in order
to be able to access spectrum at
affordable prices.
An environment to ensure a win-win
situation for offering creative content
in the next decades.
Guarantee safety of staff and the
audience: wireless communication
technology is an unconditional
necessity.
The sector is forced to adapt to the refarming of the spectrum; the
economic loss accruing from these changes would amount to EUR
3.5 billion for the SAP/SAB community. The costs for one middle
scale theatre is up to EUR 300,000. As a consequence of the changed
conditions under which users can operate Member State governments
should provide tools with clear information.
The life cycle of equipment is about 20 years. Replacing equipment
is a huge investment for theatres, therefore the EU needs to have
longterm visions so that manufacturers can develop equipment that
can be used for a relative long period.
The live performance sector is characterised by SMEs turning on
little or no profits. Even a large show in the West End may need
almost a year to recover its initial investment. SMEs, neither the sector
federations, can compete to levels of large industries or companies to
pay for spectrum. Therefore a special treatment for cultural
purposes is essential so that the sector can continue its activity.
Europe will be confronted with challenges facing the ageing society.
According to Eurostat, a growth of 37% is expected, in the period
2010-2030 in the group 65-79 years (in the group of +80 years even +
57% ). The sector wants to be able to reach specific groups in society,
to ensure access to culture, such as through streaming of live events.
Wireless communication guarantees the safety of artists and
personnel, as it permits to reduce the number of wired technologies.
Wireless communication allows also to guarantee the safety of public,
as stewards can communicate with each other to avoid frigthening
situations when large sizes of audiences are taking part in an event.
Therefore we call upon the European Parliament and the Member States to aim at a
WIN-WIN situation for all through a policy and a RADIO SPECTRUM POLICY PROGRAMME
that allows for growth in all sectors that are concerned by this policy.
Contact: Anita Debaere, Director – Pearle* (Performing Arts Employers Associations League Europe)
Square Sainctelette 19 – B-1000 Brussels – Tel +32-2-203.62.96 – e-mail [email protected] – www.pearle.ws