Would UK Regulators Kill Off AM/FM Radio To Make Better Use Of Spectrum?
from the that-would-be-big dept
A year and a half ago, we were pleasantly surprised to find out that UK telecom regulatory agency, Ofcom, was moving forward with a plan to make a much more open marketplace for spectrum. Traditionally, regulatory agencies have simply assigned spectrum for certain purposes. That is, they'll designate a certain spectrum for TV or radio or broadband or cellular communications. In recent years, they then would let companies bid on spectrum, but only to be used for the pre-designated purpose. Ofcom realized how inefficient that idea is, and claimed that the new policy would be to simply auction off the spectrum and allow it to be put to use in whatever manner made the most sense. That's a huge step forward. However, even knowing that, it's a bit surprising to hear that Ofcom is now considering pulling the plug on AM and FM radio in order to put that spectrum to better use. Apparently, the regulators aren't shy in saying they believe traditional radio is a dying medium, and there's little point in prolonging its suffering when the spectrum could be used for much better purposes, including radio replacements. That's quite a statement, and not the sort of thing you'd expect from regulators -- but once again, Ofcom seems to be taking a pretty forward-thinking stance.
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AM/FM Radio
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Re: AM/FM Radio by SPR
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Re: AM/FM Radio
I have an old but still working Grundig Sattelit 2000 in the kitchen. (Communications Receiver) Been there for 30+ years. I often listen to news broadcasts (in english) from around the world. It used to be, in my opinion, BBC World Service was the most balanced. One now needs to listen worldwide to access what is the truth.
In my opinion the news media in the UK is generally biased & censored. Its news items must conform to their own pre conceived opinions, and modified accordingly. Tailored to fit in to their great scheme of things.
It would be so much better if they just told the plain truth, impatially, without underlying motives. They should not be in the propaganda business. I suspect they completely underestimate the intelligence of the average listener/viewer. Many made brain dead with such progs as I'm a celebrity get me out of here, X factor, ect.
Of course, for the socio humanist who thinks he / or she is simply a 'product of chance' in a 'time + chance + change environment,' I'm sure BBC Radio 4 amply supplies all their needs admirably. Contrary views to the accepted norm, i.e. Creation Scientists, Anti Evolutionists, etc. never given the light of day, or watered down, heavily edited, or made to look ridiculous. The way something is said can completely alter it's meaning. In my opinion, the BBC are experts in that field.
I mean, with most of the UK educational system based on naturalist premise, through media propaganda largely rather than personal research, then pride forbids shear unadulterated honesty. Or daring to go out on a limb.
Yes, our freedom is being eroded. What is actual truth, lost in a sea of relative thinking on tv in particular. (I never purchase newspapers, so cannot offer an opinion) Agreed, there must be some controls and regulation, but to what extent?
How easy is it now to purchase a radio with fm, am, & sw? Little demand, heavy price if one can be bought at all. As the old Grundig, despite steam, a few fat fires etc. (in the kitchen) is still working as good as new, I have not needed to find out. (But then, I still prefer analogue sound)
Recently paid £200 for a radio. Inc CD, Cassette Player. Frequencies available, very limited, 'very easily controlled.' Nice & conformist to EEC regs.
We do, of course, have Sky, but no doubt censored! We pay to watch adverts. Thank goodness for plus. (Record and whizz by the commercial breaks).
Some years ago I had my own frequency, like a taxi band which I used in my business. When the guy from the Home Office, at that time, came to check it was ok and legit, he was more interested in what radio stations I listened to on the Grundig. He was the type of person that made you feel guilty, even though you had not done anything.
Suggest, if possible now, a good short wave receiver. Or are they called scanners now? Despite crackles & pops ones spectrum can be broadened and balanced opinions made. It would be very difficult, if not impossible for the Government to stop all incoming am / sw transmissions.
Mind you, we might experience little men in grey coats seated in a car outside the front door depending what was listened to!! Non conformists (I mean people that can think for themselves and see through media bias) are gradually being squeezed out. By propaganda.
John
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Re: AM/FM Radio
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To SPR:
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Re: AM/FM Radio
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Re: Re: AM/FM Radio
Because if he thinks Sean Hannity is completely fair and balanced, he doesnt understand the meaning of 'entertainment' talk show host. Not that I don't listen to Neal Boortz myself (admitted yesterday he's a talk-jockey :P), I just understand that it's not an unbiased medium.
However, if you're in England, I've noticed BBC for example is rather more balanced than CNN or FOX, though it does lean slightly left in oh-so-subtle ways (sympathetically giving news articles to liberal causes, expounding more upon liberal grievances than conservative ones, etc). At least, on the website. But still. It may very well be *less* biased in the radio over there, but not unbiased.
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Emergency use?
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Sounds good to me....
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Re: Sounds good to me....
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What about public good?
I also think that rather than "purchasing" the spectrum, companies should only be allowed to lease it, and in doing so would agree to provide for public use if needed.
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It's over. Move along.
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Have some faith...
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not so fast, mike
imagine for a second that company TerrestialRadio buys spectrum X. now the only way to listen to said radio is to buy one of the TR radios from their store. ok, free market (sirrius? xm?) says go ahead. now the money we've all sunk into having a radio that "just works" when we're in the car is obsolete. ok, fine. i say eventually you'll have a monopoly or oligopoly of radio providers that will then have to be busted up and regulated again. could the FM/AM band be used more effectively? who knows for sure, but why kill an industry when there is a relative fjck-ton of spectrum out there. it's akin to selling off the spectrum that we use for TV...but replacing it so that the standards are not enforceable. i know my point has flaws, but i feel the root of it has true merit
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What about all the land occupied by schools, universities, airports, and public hospitals?
Roads. They really take up a lot of space that could be auctioned off. Let's sell them all. If someone wants to go somewhere let them negotiate with each landowner for the right to cross their property.
Privitization has its merits, but it can go too far. Maintaining some things (like roads) for public use makes the rest of the economy work.
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Are you kidding?
Instead of the spectrum being owned by the public "in common", it will be owned by the highest bidder.
Who do you think is behind that idea? Big business? Ya think?
Some things are simply not to be privatized!
I suggest every one see the movie "Rollerball" - in which the Robert Duvall character said, "There are no countries, just companies". (or very close to that)
No thanks. I'd rather be a citizen of a country than nothing more than a customer.
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Re:
Heh. You mean you prefer it now that massive amounts of useful spectrum has been tied up by a few broadcast companies who were given their spectrum for free?
And now that Ofcom actually wants to allow the market to decide what it's useful for, you're going to complain? Where were you when the spectrum was being doled out before?
You're wrong to think this is a big business money grab. It's nothing of the sort. It's actually taking away wasted spectrum and doing something useful with it.
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"Make Better Use Of Spectrum" ??
By whose standards?
This is a money grab.
Kudos to WhyNotSellItAll - except you didn't go far enough. :)))
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The curren Labour Govt. is too keen to privatise everything, they should have learnt hier lesson when they had to undo the privatisation of Railtrack to set it up as a non-profit company.
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