THE Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) has been restricting existing stations to a single frequency band in a bid to free up room on the overcrowded FM band spectrum.

This move comes against the background of a growing demand for radio licences by new operators trying to get in on the shrinking FM-band spectrum, which the SMA feels could be distributed more efficiently to accommodate new stations.

Presently, some stations broadcast the same programmes on scattered frequencies on the FM dial, utilising more space than is necessary, according to Roy Humes, the SMA’s chief technical director.

Consequently, the SMA has started a clean-up programme dubbed “channel rationalisation”, which will essentially place each station in a single dial location, while at the same time making room for new ones.

“What we are doing now is clustering the channels so that they would use just one sub-band. For instance, a station may be scattered across the FM band on 88.1, 93.5 and 101.1 bands, we would make that station control the entire 88 band (88.1 88.3 88.5 88.7 88.9),” he explained.

Humes said between four and five bands were expected to be cleaned up within the year, just enough to allow new players access.

In fact, Humes told the Observer that a “major broadcaster” was requested to stop operating on a number of sub-bands as of New Year’s Eve.

“We are now going to monitor whether they have moved based on our paper trail and investigations. (So that) in February when someone asks if they can get a certain band, I can say that it is available for broadcast,” Humes added.

He pointed out that there were several people lining up to get spectrum space, while the Broadcasting Commission told the Observer that it received three applications for commercial radio licence last year.

“The commission has completed evaluation of the applicants. The next stage of the process is for the minister of information to decide whether to accept the commission’s recommendations,” said Sonia Gill, assistant director at the Broadcasting Commission.

But some operators have not welcomed the move to expand the radio arena. Unhappy at being bounced from their spread on the spectrum, some operators have argued that the reduced space will increase issues of interference between stations.

For example, last year the Broadcasting Commission recorded a total of 16 complaints of interference from Radio Mona, Irie-FM, Zip-FM and Radio 2 FM.

But Humes said that while there was a possibility that the complaints of interference could increase as more people rushed to fill the remainder of the spectrum, the SMA had a responsibility to ensure its efficient usage.

“There are several people asking for spectrum so what we now have is a situation where we are trying to make more available for those that request it.

“Persons realise that once the spectrum is licensed out there can be no more unless companies fold,” he added.

The FM band in theory can accommodate approximately 20 nationwide stations without interference, one megahertz per station between the 88 to 108 megahertz frequency — 16 stations now bombard the airwaves, most with nationwide coverage, four launched last year alone.

Prior to the liberalisation of the industry in the early ’90s when space was not an issue, the SMA allowed broadcasters such as Jamaica Broadcasting Company (JBC) and Radio Jamaica (RJR) to have scattered frequencies.

“How it occurred in the first place was that there was only three channels but when the government opened up the market 10 years ago and a slew of others came in the market. They are now being asked to come to a different location so that there can be more room for others.”