Written question asked by Mike Weatherley (Conservative) on Monday, 9 January 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 20 January 2012. It was answered by Lord Vaizey of Didcot (Conservative) on Friday, 20 January 2012 on behalf of the Ofcom.

Radio Frequencies: Audio Equipment

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent assessment he has made of the effect on (a) the availability of, (b) the market for and (c) the price of radio microphones and similar technologies following the sale of channels 31 to 37 and 61 to 69; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The matter raised is an operational one for the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom). Accordingly, my officials spoke to Ofcom, who advised:"““While Ofcom makes spectrum available, the supply of physical equipment (as in other sectors) is a matter for the commercial sector. No assessment has been made of the availability, market for, or price of wireless microphones. There are a number of competing suppliers of programme making and special event's (PMSE) equipment active in the UK, who have been kept informed in a timely manner throughout the digital switchover process so that decisions on market demand and equipment can be made.””"

Secondary information