The IBA’s latest strategy on radio frequencies severely restricts potential independent commercial stations, writes Neil Bierbaum
ONLY five low-power frequencies are available for commercial stations in Gauteng and some of these may be allocated to the South African Broadcasting Corporation. This is only one severely limiting implication of the frequency spectrum plan published by the Independent Broadcasting Authority in the Government Gazette last week.
The five frequencies are only available at 3,5kW each, and all are coupled at Brixton, which severely restricts their potential coverage area. Highveld Stereo, by comparison, has a 38kW transmitter for Johannesburg while 5FM has a 75kW transmitter.
“It’s terrifying,” says independent consultant Malcolm Russell. “In real terms there is no way that these can be commercially viable. The IBA is setting them up to be small players.”
Koenie Schutte, head of the frequency management unit of the IBA, does not see these low-power frequencies being a problem “given the height of Brixton. “There is not much of a difference between a 100kW transmitter and a 10kW transmitter when you take into account the curvature of the earth and the mountains.” He admits that 5FM, with its 75kW transmitter, still has to use gapfillers and relay stations in Gauteng and that the signal from a 5kW transmitter would only cover greater Johannesburg.
The reason for the dearth of available frequencies, according to Schutte, is that “all the gaps, especially in Gauteng, have been taken up by community stations.” The existing SABC stations, he adds, are protected by grandfather clauses which preclude the IBA from making any changes to their frequency usage.
Spare frequencies in other areas are equally sparse. In Cape Town there is only one spare frequency at 10kW; in Port Elizabeth there is one of 5kW and one of 1kW; in East London there are two of 10kW and in Durban there are three of 25kW which, given the area’s unique topography, will probably only cover from the Bluff to Umhlanga, but certainly not to Pietermaritzburg, says Russell.
One consolation, according to Gavin Kennedy of Solid Gold, is that the IBA has stated it will regard reception within the target community as more important than in the overlap area. “This opens up a lot of space,” he says. A station in Pretoria can then use the same frequency as one targeting Randburg and the overlap in Midrand becomes irrelevant.
Kennedy adds that the plan fails to bring the frequencies closer together, which would create space on the spectrum for additional frequencies. While the plan recommends three-channel spacing, there are still many four- and five-channel spaces. “If these were all shifted closer together there would be more room at the end of the bed,” he says.
He recommends a “spectrum day” on which all stations would have to move. This would make it easier for those stations to publicise the shift. However, the IBA has different plans, it seems. Schutte points out that the IBA will take submissions every year and “can review” the frequency spectrum plan — although he doubts it can make more frequencies available.
The IBA is also looking at a new frequency plan “for a year or two’s time”, to see if it can increase the number of frequencies available in metropolitan areas. Asked about the marketing cost of changing frequencies once they have been in place for a year, he says, “At least there is a plan at this stage. We will never have a perfect plan; this is the best one for the moment.”