Ofcom has today published a full list of applications received in the first round of small-scale DAB multiplex licensing. The full list of applicants is available here.
Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology which will provide a low-cost route to digital for local commercial, community and specialist music stations.
A total of 45 applications were received for the 25 licence areas advertised, with all areas receiving at least one application. Leeds and Bradford attracted five and four applications respectively, with South Birmingham, Sheffield and Rotherham, and Dudley and Stourbridge all attracting three bids.
Licences will be awarded by Ofcom in a competitive process, with each applicant judged against specified criteria, and Ofcom expect to publish full details of the applications by the end of this year.
A second around of licences for small-scale multiplexes in the North West of England & North East Wales ‘macro area’ will be advertised in the first quarter of 2021.
Ofcom invites comments on the applications via email to smallscaleDAB@ofcom.org.uk. The closing date for comments is 31 January 2021.