Sir, We are writing to draw attention to the fact that live entertainment productions and events in the UK, which bring great cultural benefits, are under threat because the regulator Ofcom, supported by the Government, is planning to auction the radio frequencies that the industry relies on.

Your article (“Britain’s airwaves to be auctioned to aid mobile broadband access”, Oct 16) highlighted that the mobile network operators (MNOs) will benefit from the clearance of the 800Mhz band, prime real estate due to be used for mobile broadband, but it did not mention the eviction of existing live entertainment and events users that will be necessary for the auctions to take place.

The vast majority of the UK’s valuable stocks of wireless microphones, worth tens of millions of pounds, operate in the 800Mhz band and will be rendered redundant as a consequence of the clearance. These technologies are essential for live music, newsgathering, musical theatre, film making, television production, sports events, concerts, conferences (including party conferences) and church, school and community events in the UK.

If these productions are to continue then all affected equipment will need to be replaced, with cost implications that the industry cannot or would seriously struggle to afford. Ofcom, whose powers to provide grants are limited, has put forward a funding package that is unacceptable.

Under the proposed terms, many will receive only a fraction of what it will cost to replace their equipment, and the rest will receive nothing at all.

It is the view of the industry that the Government must intervene and deliver what is needed. As the auction process will generate very significant sums for the Government, we believe that it must put aside a fraction of those proceeds to compensate fully those forced to move.

If it does not, then activities that use wireless microphones, which benefit everyone, may not be heard again, with huge cultural loss to the UK.

Tony Hall

Chief Executive, Royal Opera House

Nick Hytner

Director, Royal National Theatre

Nick Starr

Executive Director, Royal National Theatre

Loretta Tomasi

CEO, English National Opera

Vikki Heywood

Executive Director, Royal Shakespeare Company

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