BBC Studio TC1 go Wireless with FreeSpeak^®

News Release: September 23, 2005

ClearCom, the world’s market leader in the design and development of cutting edge communication technology, has started the first phase of the site wide FreeSpeak® installation at BBC Television Centre in London.

Studio TC1 is the first to be installed with a 4000 Series II Matrix controlling 50 FreeSpeak beltpacks. 40 antennae will be placed around the studio and corridors to create a honeycomb of wireless cells, seamlessly interconnected to provide coverage throughout. The installation should be completed and working by mid-September 2005.

Danny Popkin, Technical Development Manager for BBC Studios added, “The BBC needed to move away from conventional, simple 2 way radio in VHF and UHF bands towards full duplex, high audio bandwidth integrated solution which only FreeSpeak® allows us to do. Also the VHF and UHF bands are becoming more congested and frequency planning and allocation is time consuming and can be difficult. FreeSpeak® eliminates these complexities with the added advantage of all users being able to roam freely around Television Centre whilst still being in constant communication with all, or selected members of the production team is invaluable.”

During the last year, FreeSpeak has been tested at Elstree Studios on the set of EastEnders, the UK’s favourite soap opera. It has proved very successful as it allowed production staff to operate freely around the complex whilst remaining in constant communication.

The BBC plans to continue the site wide installation in Studios TC2, TC3 & TC4. These studios will be prepared for installation and ready to receive FreeSpeak by the end of the year.