In cooperation with RTP - Rádio e Televisão de Portugal and with Eurovision, the Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (ANACOM - National Communications Authority) is already working on monitoring the radio spectrum around the perimeter where this year's Eurovision Song Contest will take place, in order to ensure that the radiocommunications networks and stations operate without interference harmful to the event.
Ensuring the absence of interference is fundamental to the success of this international event in which there is a high concentration of radio media. An event of this nature involves the use of dozens of wireless microphones and in-ear monitoring aids, walkie-talkies for coordinating and managing operations, remote lighting and camera and crane robotics, as well as the actual transmission to the satellite, so that the event can be broadcast to all participating countries. In any of these situations, it is essential to ensure the correct use of the spectrum, without constraints and interference, so that everything can work in the best conditions.
For this, ANACOM already has a remote monitoring station installed in the Altice Arena in Lisbon. It is continuously collecting data on the use of the radio spectrum on site, in order to prepare the complex support operations for the shows, as well as to optimize and ensure the integrity of the spectral resources needed.
In addition to this important infrastructure, which will operate permanently, ANACOM will also have technical teams to monitor the whole event and it is responsible for checking compliance with the legislation currently applicable to radiocommunications and dealing with any interference that may occur.
Monitoring major events involves the use of a wide range of technical resources and requires a very specific level of knowledge about the systems and services, therefore ANACOM's experience and know-how, as borne out by other international events such as the London Olympic Games in 2012 and the 2004 European Football Championships are an important asset for RTP and for Eurovision.
