With more than 30 years at the leading edge of broadcasting, NEP Australia continues to deliver premium sports and studio content to major networks and streaming platforms. As the broadcast landscape has evolved, NEP recognised challenges in managing limited RF spectrum, reducing set-up times and enabling more effective remote production, recently turning to Sennheiser’s Spectera wideband wireless ecosystem to simplify and modernise traditional RF workflows.
From the AFL and NRL to netball, international football and entertainment hits like The Chase and headline boxing events such as SBW vs Gallen, NEP has built a reputation for quality, agility and technical leadership. ‘We provide broadcast facilities for the majority of sporting codes in Australia, as well as a wide range of studio shows,’ says Senior Supervising Audio Director, We’ve been looking forward to using Spectera across all of them.
‘It’s a pretty hostile world out there for frequency management. We need something agile and easy to set up,’ he adds.
NEP’s audio team faced challenges with an increasingly congested RF environment and the logistical burden of deploying multichannel systems. Spectrum coordination became especially difficult in cities like Sydney, where dense RF traffic limited flexibility. The logistical demands of Outside Broadcast (OB) production only heighten the need for streamlined systems that reduce time and equipment load on site. Additionally, NEP’s shift toward remote production required systems that were reliable, remotely manageable, and light on on-site configuration.
With Sennheiser’s Spectera, NEP has a wireless system that integrates microphones, IEMs and control data into a single RF channel, simplifying RF planning and reducing equipment complexity. The system chosen includes a 1U-high Base Station, SEK bidirectional bodypacks and DAD antennas, with remote monitoring handled through LinkDesk and the browser-based Spectera WebUI.
Initially drawn to the compact footprint and simplified cabling, NEP deepened its understanding through an in-depth RF session led by Volker Schmitt, Manager Technical Application Engineering at Sennheiser. ‘That session really helped us see how Spectera could address our spectrum issues and support more effective remote control,’ says Wong.
Presently, Spectera is in use at productions including The Chase, Fox Footy and AFL coverage, improving audio and streamlining workflows. Trials are also underway for sports and NRL events, showcasing its versatility across live sports.
Since adopting the system, NEP has reduced set-up times from several hours and resources to under 40 minutes, allowing the team to focus on content production rather than technical logistics. Remote management is more effective, too – with Spectera WebUI and LinkDesk, engineers can monitor battery levels, RF performance and pack status remotely, reducing the need for onsite adjustments and supporting
Importantly, the rollout has also shifted internal workflows. Spectera enables more responsibility to sit with A1s in central control rooms, easing the load on field-based A2s and paving the way for scalable, multi-site deployments.
Also being used in the set-up are Neumann monitors and Merging’s Anubis audio interface. Used alongside Spectera, it allows the team ‘to transport, set-up and run the system single-handed,’ Wong says. ‘Clients were impressed with the small footprint, ease of use, versatility and, of course, how it all sounded.’
As of mid-2025, NEP is preparing to bring Spectera into OB environments. Initial hybrid set-ups will pair the system with Sennheiser’s 6000 Series handhelds for full versatility.
Following the success of a test trial that took place during the live broadcast of SBW vs Gallen, a headline boxing match at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena, an indoor venue that seats up to 20,000, NEP is eyeing broader Spectera use across high-profile live sports, including upcoming NRL events, where the combination of flexibility, fast set-up and reliable coverage could transform referee comms and IEM deployment.
‘We’re testing Spectera for referees and IEMs in live games. The idea of putting a Base Station in the OB truck and running antennas out is a new opportunity for us,’ says Wong.
A major focus is the forthcoming integration of SMPTE 2110, allowing audio to travel over IP networks rather than traditional cabling. This will enable Spectera to connect directly to mixing consoles, intercom systems, and commentary units remotely. ‘Its scalability and flexibility have already impressed us,’ says Annabelle Salomon, Audio Director at NEP.
Wong sees this evolution as transformative: ‘If we can stream signals from anywhere to anywhere, we’re not limited by geography anymore. That’s the future.’
NEP Australia’s implementation of Spectera represents a major step forward in simplifying and enhancing live and remote broadcast audio. ‘Spectera isn’t just another RF system; it’s a shift in how we think about broadcast audio. And we’re ready for what’s next,’ Wong closes.
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