Ofcom has been granted the powers to roll-out small-scale DAB Digital Radio broadcasts across the UK, starting with 25 locations.
Pioneered in the UK by an Ofcom engineer, small-scale DAB uses freely available software and computer technology to transmit digital radio services and broadcast to a relatively small geographic area. It allows stations to use inexpensive equipment to get on air for far less money than was previously possible.
Small-scale DAB will expand local digital radio coverage and ensure that listeners will be able to tune into a diverse range of radio services across the UK, on the Digital Audio Broadcasting platform which now accounts for 40% of the UK’s radio listening.
Kevin Bakhurst, Ofcom’s Content Group Director said; “Small-scale DAB is making it cheaper and easier for local stations to get on the digital airwaves, which will give more choice to listeners up and down the country.”
In a statement, Ofcom confirmed its next steps, added that it is; “setting out how we will license small-scale DAB, an innovative technology which will provide a low-cost route for local commercial, community and specialist music stations to take to the digital airwaves.
“We will advertise licences for small-scale DAB in batches, starting with 25 local areas across the UK, including five where trials are already underway. The second round will be for north west England and northeast Wales.
“Community radio applications, in the form of the new Community Digital Sound Programme (‘C-DSP’) licences, will open for each local area at the same time as the publication of multiplex licence advertisements.”
Five stations have been taking part in a trial of the service to test the technology and prove its ability to allow existing small stations – as well as new services – to broadcast cost-effectively on digital radio. Stations taking part included Skylab Radio, Strawberry Radio, Cosoro Radio and Solar Radio.