BBC installs Clear-Com FreeSpeak II intercoms in fourteen studios

The project is part of a major replacement of wireless systems following Ofcom licensing changes to reduce spectrum in the 700Mhz band.

The FreeSpeak II wireless intercom of Clear-Com has been adopted as part of a project to replace wireless systems in 14 BBC sites, including New Broadcasting House in London and Salford Quays.

Earlier this year, the BBC issued a request for proposals to replace a large amount of its wireless audio equipment, following Ofcom's announcement of a reduction in available 700MHz spectrum for Program Making and Special Events (PMSE) users from May 2020.

The project will begin with installations in 12 studios at New Broadcasting House, followed by two studios in Salford Quays, plus 10 sites in English regions. The BBC Parliament studio in Millbank and the Academy premises in Evesham will also have the new equipment installed.

Each studio will have its own base station plus the required number of beltpacks and antennas needed at each installation. Although a matrix system was initially considered, it was determined that individual base stations would allow the studios to operate independently, and would be more suitable for a fast-paced broadcast environment, as well as being more cost-effective and easier to use.

Damien Egan, regional sales director at Clear-Com, notes that "the FreeSpeak II wireless system provides a flexible, future-proof communications solution that can be configured specifically for each studio and easily expanded if needed. We are delighted to be working with system integrator, dB Broadcast, selected in this prestigious installation.”