ALAMEDA, CA.—The BCC has adopted the Clear-Com Communications FreeSpeak II wireless communications system as part of a major replacement project at New Broadcasting House in London, Salford Quays and a dozen other sites.

The BBC issued a request for proposal earlier in 2018 to replace extensive wireless audio systems following regulator Ofcom’s announcement of a reduction of 700 MHz spectrum for Programme Making and Special Event (PMSE) users beginning in May 2020.

First up will be 12 studios at New Broadcasting House, which will be followed by two studios in Salford Quays and 10 English Regions sites. BBC’s Parliament studio at Millbank and Academy facilities at Evesham will also get new equipment.

Every studio will be equipped with its own base station and the necessary number of beltpacks and antennas required at each location. This approach was deemed more cost-effective, easier and better suited to a fast-paced broadcast environment than a matrix system, Clear-Com said.

More information is available on the Clear-Com Communications website.

ALAMEDA, CALIF.—Clear-Com has opened the “THINK Academy," a new training room at its manufacturing facility in Carlsbad, Calif. The company will use the new training location to provide training and sales demonstrations for partners, dealers, and end-users. The THINK Academy is equipped with a wide range of Clear-Com products including, Eclipse HX Matrix, FreeSpeak II wireless intercom, LQ IP transport, and HelixNet digital partyline to allow flexibility in its training offerings.

“Clear-Com has always strived to provide industry leading products and support. As intercom systems evolve, we at Clear-Com recognize the need for training on new technologies and equipment,” said Frank Linton, Training Program Manager.

Clear-Com provides a variety of training options. “Factory training in Carlsbad is currently available every six months, and as demand increases, we will add more dates,” explained Linton. “Training is also offered in Cambridge, UK and Alameda, CA.”

Scheduling of factory training is booked through Eventbrite.com. Training and sales demos on customer and Partner sites are also available upon requests by emailing TechnicalTraining@clearcom.com.

ALAMEDA, CALIF.—The music’s worlds stars came out to be honored at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards, while Clear-Com and its FreeSpeak II digital wireless intercoms had a presence behind the scenes. During the live production on Sunday, Aug. 28, at Madison Square Garden, FreeSpeak II was used to connect the live production crew to cover the entire venue with 20 integrated Transceiver Antennas and 25 wireless beltpacks.

Firehouse Productions ran this year’s VMAs, and used FreeSpeak II for all of its 20 stage managers. The intercom system was also able to support five more tech positions. Full coverage was possible with the addition of Clear-Com’s Eclipse HX-Delta digital matrix with two E-Que-HX cellular frame cards, according to Vinny Siniscal, Firehou’se director of RF communications division. The production was able to operate the FreeSpeak II intercoms in the 1.9 GHz band, which allowed it to leave the 2.4 GHz band open for other signals, like lighting control and Wi-Fi devices.

Additionally, the FreeSpeak’s beltpacks can support up to five configurable channels per unit and hold an 18 hour charge. The beltpacks also come with a bottom-mounted LED flashlight.

“Whether they are handling cues for the talent, the rigging, or automation, I know that each stage manager can connect seamlessly to the people they need to talk to anytime,” said Siniscal.

ALAMEDA, CALIF.—Clear-Com has announced that its integrated FreeSpeak II wireless intercom system was recently installed at CNBC’s studios in Englewood Cliffs, N.J. Made up of an Eclipse HX-Medium system frame and two E-Que HX cards, the FreeSpeak II system allows for the operation of four FreeSpeak II splitters, 25 wireless beltpacks and 20 transceiver modules.

CNBC is using the FreeSpeak II in the 1.9 GHz band, which according to the press release provides a clear, low interference intercom service, as well as avoids traffic issues that occur in the UHF band. This reportedly saves the studio’s spectrum for wireless microphones and in-ear monitors.

The FreeSpeak II’s design allows its coverage area to be increased with additional transceivers on its edge.

Clear-Com also reports that CNBC has purchased another FreeSpeak II system for its studios at the New York Stock Exchange.