ANACOM was at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018, continuously monitoring the radio spectrum to make sure the necessary conditions were in place for the complex operations inherent not only to the security device installed, but also to the television production of the event. It was therefore essential to ensure the proper functioning of the hundreds of radiocommunications stations used to stage an event of this size, without any interference.
The extensive and widespread use of wireless systems required ANACOM to prepare, in collaboration with Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP) and Eurovision, a huge operation to monitor and control the spectrum, which required the mobilization of a great many technical and human resources. A total of 133 frequencies were registered and licensed for in-ear monitoring equipment and microphone transmitters, 66 frequencies for private networks of the land mobile service and 12 frequencies for wireless cameras and other video connections. Three terrestrial news gathering stations (via satellite) were also licensed.
ANACOM had a fixed monitoring station in operation at Altice Arena, which recorded all uses of spectrum, allowing remote monitoring of everything that was happening at the site. This analysis was supplemented by the resources made available by a mobile monitoring station installed outdoors. A technical vehicle was also made available for the rapid locating of any interfering sources that might appear.
While the shows were on, the simultaneous use of more than 200 frequencies was monitored, attesting to the large number of radio resources involved and the level of demand of the work undertaken by the teams that monitored the event.
