Funferal

Comreg shuts church-run ‘public address’-style pirate radio stations

Long time funferal readers may recall that last year, under the Scagaire moniker, I authored a submission to Comreg on spectrum management. So much, so wonky. However, one of the main issues I concentrated on in that document was Comreg’s proposed response to the existance of pirate broadcast operations based out of churches around the country.
In essence, many churches in Ireland use small FM transmitters to broadcast church services to the surrounding area. The idea, of course, is that this is a service to those unable to physically attend church. I’m unsure of the number of such operations, but from the anecdotal evidence I have, I’d imagine it’s a fairly widespread practice.
Comreg’s proposal was to offer licenses on a non-exclusive basis on non-broadcast bands (which would require the provision of special receiving equipment to potential listeners). Coupled with Comreg’s suggestion that community radio stations should not be accommodated in any transition to digital broadcast radio (such as DAB), and their description of these ‘public address’ offerings as community radio, as potentially very significant and threatening for the future of community radio in Ireland.
Now I see, from a Tommy Broughan press release, that Comreg undertook a series of raids over the weekend of the church-based pirate operations:

On the Liveline programme this afternoon, Joe Duffy, highlighted the severe loss felt by citizens with disabilities and others who are unable to attend their local mass but benefited from the illegal broadcasting of the service by parishes around the country. ComReg has closed down these broadcasting operations because they have no licence and there were alleged complaints by the Aviation Authority.
Clearly it is essential that all radio stations operate within the law and the proper regulatory framework. Would-be broadcasters must compete for available spectrum in a fair and transparent manner. But BCI has so far licensed very few community radio stations. By comparison a city like Stockholm has over 60 radio stations, including national, regional, community and local.