HomeInsightsOfcom proposes to extend trial of small-scale digital radio multiplexes for two years.

Due to the success of the trial, which has enabled 85 smaller radio stations, such as community radio stations, to broadcast on digital radio, Ofcom is proposing to extend it for a further two years.

Ofcom reminds readers that small-scale DAB is “an innovative technology” that makes use of software freely available from the website opendigitalradio.org, rather than relying on often expensive hardware equipment.

Ofcom wishes to continue to monitor the longer-term performance of small-scale DAB while it develops a new licensing framework.

Currently, there are ten small-scale digital radio multiplexes around the UK on the trial.  Each had a licence awarded in June 2015 for a nine-month period.  Ofcom would now like to extend these for a further two years, and will now begin the licence variation process with the individual multiplexes.  Ofcom says that it will keep the trial under review, given its longer-term programme of work around licensing.  To read Ofcom’s statement, click here.

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