London 2012 set for wireless-enabled Olympics

Ofcom plan aims to ensure availability of radio spectrum for thousands of applications needed during the events

London 2012 will be wireless-enabled

Ofcom has announced plans for the “unique logistical challenge” of managing wireless networks around the London 2012 Olympics.

The Games is expected to be the most technology-enabled Olympics ever, and thousands of wireless applications will be needed to support the events, security, athletes, TV cameras, administration and management during the seven weeks covering the build-up, the Games themselves and the subsequent Paralympics.

Ofcom’s Spectrum Plan details how radio frequencies will be made available to organisers and users from more than 150 countries.

The communications regulator has identified four sources of additional spectrum to meet the needs of the Games: borrowing on a short-term basis from public bodies such as the Ministry of Defence; encouraging more efficient use of civil spectrum; using frequencies freed up by the digital TV switchover; and using licence-exempt spectrum.

A huge range of wireless technologies will be used, from simple devices such as walkie-talkies and remote microphones, through to more complex higher-bandwidth services such as mobile broadband and Wi-Fi. Managing such a diverse set of frequencies is a huge challenge, said Ofcom chief operating officer Jill Ainscough.

"Consumers and businesses are using wireless technologies more than ever. In the UK, spectrum-related businesses account for one-thirtieth of GDP, and spectrum use is growing fast,” she said.

“For the London 2012 Games, this means that the demand for spectrum is likely to be at an all-time high. Add to this the fact that spectrum is already heavily used in London and you begin to appreciate that managing the airwaves is a complex task. This plan provides an important blueprint for how this will be achieved."