'Digital Dividend' won't benefit leisure

The Federal Government's move to Digital TV Transmissions in 2014 is going to require Australia's many thousands of users of wireless microphone systems in fitness clubs, aquatic and recreation centres, entertainment venues and attractions to replace their wireless microphone systems.

Writing in the latest issue of the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine, John Penhallow, Managing Director of Aerobic Microphones Australia, explains how the Federal Government is set to sell off parts of the broadcasting spectrum currently used by wireless microphone systems to mobile carriers and new spectrum users.

As a result, Penhallow writes "as of 2014 large communications corporation are likely to own the spectrum that leisure industry operators are using and are almost certain to want it free of interference from low output microphone system such as those used by the leisure industry.

"The new spectrum owners are likely to get very upset when they hear complaints from their customers about receiving exercise instructions over their mobile phones while stopped at the traffic lights outside a fitness club."

Penhallow continues "as a result, clubs and centres through no fault of their own, will have to change their microphone system over to one in the new allowable ranges.

"Industry operators need to consider making the change sooner rather than later, as no one wants to start 2014 with a microphone system making funny noises!

"Start planning for this change now and budget the capital expenditure so you don't get caught out."

The full feature can be read in the September/October 2012 issue of the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine.

Click here to view the Aerobic Microphones Australia entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.