{"id":21671,"date":"2016-10-04T07:36:28","date_gmt":"2016-10-04T11:36:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=21671"},"modified":"2016-10-04T07:36:28","modified_gmt":"2016-10-04T11:36:28","slug":"ofcom-calls-u-k-small-scale-dab-trials-successful","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2016\/10\/ofcom-calls-u-k-small-scale-dab-trials-successful\/","title":{"rendered":"Ofcom Calls U.K. Small-Scale DAB Trials Successful"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"dab-radio\"<\/a>Radio World\u00a0 reported <\/a>on 9\/30\/16 that the British government’s Office of Communication sees value in small scale DAB technology and will likely allow permanent licensing for smaller stations:<\/h4>\n
\n
\n

Ofcom recently completed a trial of its \u201csmall-scale DAB\u201d technology for 70 local and community radio stations. The official report<\/a> that Ofcom created for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport deemed the trials \u201ca success.\u201d<\/p>\n

Small-scale DAB is designed to allow smaller radio stations that were not able to afford the United Kingdom\u2019s DAB radio platform go on the airwaves with available software and equipment for a lower cost, explains Ofcom.<\/p>\n

The regulator concluded with its trials that small-scale DAB works and stations were able to coordinate with multiplex licensees. It also said the trials suggest there is a demand from smaller radio stations for this technology.<\/p>\n

The U.K. government will look over the findings before determining the next stages, but Ofcom claims that it is ready to work on any necessary steps to enable small-scale DAB stations to be licensed permanently.<\/p>\n

Ofcom added that it has been contacted by other regulators in Europe who have expressed interest in using the same approach.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n
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Ofcom notes:<\/p>\n

The new technique, known as ‘small-scale DAB’, allows local and community stations to hit the airwaves using freely-available software and equipment costing from \u00a39,000.<\/em><\/p>\n

Previously, these stations have broadcast on analogue AM and FM, but have been held back by the higher cost of broadcasting on the UK’s Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio platform.<\/em><\/p>\n

We have also identified space in the airwaves that could support a UK-wide roll out of the technology, using spectrum bands previously occupied by business radio. Re-using these bands could pave the way for hundreds more stations to join the digital radio revolution.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This certainly seems like it could open up room for a good deal of alternative programming targeted toward smaller communities. It will be interesting to see the developments and the impact on the local radio community.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Robert Gulley, AK3Q,\u00a0is the author of this post and a regular contributor<\/a> to the SWLing Post. Robert also blogs<\/em>\u00a0at All Things Radio<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Radio World\u00a0 reported on 9\/30\/16 that the British government’s Office of Communication sees value in small scale DAB technology and will likely allow permanent licensing for smaller stations: Ofcom recently completed a trial of its \u201csmall-scale DAB\u201d technology for 70 local and community radio stations. The official report that Ofcom created for the Department of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[5517,3],"tags":[2478],"class_list":["post-21671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-digital-audio-broadcasting","category-news","tag-dab"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-5Dx","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":38419,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/small-scale-dab-could-lead-to-hundreds-of-new-uk-radio-stations\/","url_meta":{"origin":21671,"position":0},"title":"Small-scale DAB could lead to hundreds of new UK radio stations","author":"Thomas","date":"July 7, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Southgate ARC) Hundreds of new local digital radio stations could start broadcasting in the UK from next year, under proposals outlined by Ofcom Ofcom say: With over 40% of the UK\u2019s radio listening now taking place on the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) platform, today\u2019s proposals mark a major step\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/DAB-Radio-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/DAB-Radio-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/DAB-Radio-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15436,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/ofcom-tackling-pirate-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":21671,"position":1},"title":"Ofcom: Tackling pirate radio","author":"Thomas","date":"November 4, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"This Ofcom press release\u00a0focuses on the FM pirate radio scene in London--if interested, you might also check out this short documentary on London pirates. (Source: Ofcom via Southgate ARC) A new approach to tackling pirate radio has eradicated the problem in one London borough, and could save up to \u00a31\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"London","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/London.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/London.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/London.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":53071,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/06\/radio-waves-ofcom-london-pirate-stats-rnz-invests-in-new-sw-transmitters-public-media-supports-ukraine-refugees-and-migration-to-dab-spurred-by-energy-costs\/","url_meta":{"origin":21671,"position":2},"title":"Radio Waves: Ofcom London Pirate Stats, RNZ Invests in New SW Transmitters, Public Media Supports Ukraine Refugees, and Migration to DAB+ Spurred by Energy Costs","author":"Thomas","date":"June 23, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a collection of links to interesting stories making waves in the world of radio.\u00a0Enjoy! Many thanks to Eric Jon Magnuson for summarizing these news items for Radio Waves! Pirate radio stations operating outside London\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Digital Audio Broadcasting"","block_context":{"text":"Digital Audio Broadcasting","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/digital-audio-broadcasting\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Sony-ICF-SW100-Milk-Stout.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Sony-ICF-SW100-Milk-Stout.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Sony-ICF-SW100-Milk-Stout.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Sony-ICF-SW100-Milk-Stout.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Sony-ICF-SW100-Milk-Stout.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Sony-ICF-SW100-Milk-Stout.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7405,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2013\/09\/southgate-arc-notes-ofcoms-approach-to-fm-pirate-enforcement\/","url_meta":{"origin":21671,"position":3},"title":"Southgate ARC notes Ofcom’s approach to FM pirate enforcement","author":"Thomas","date":"September 25, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Southgate ARC news) \"The UK communications regulator Ofcom have published information about tackling pirate radio Although Ofcom have occasionally raided pirate stations operating in the 88-108 MHz band, such enforcement actions have been few and far between. After the 2008\/9 financial year, Ofcom stopped publishing their Prosecution\/Formal Warning Statistics\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Articles"","block_context":{"text":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/articles\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"City_of_London","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/City_of_London-295x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":39741,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/09\/pirate-dab-multiplexes-take-to-the-air-in-dublin-and-cork\/","url_meta":{"origin":21671,"position":4},"title":"“Pirate DAB multiplexes take to the air in Dublin and Cork”","author":"Thomas","date":"September 19, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Radio Today Ireland via Mike Terry) Pirate radio stations are appearing on unlicenced DAB digital multiplexes in Dublin and Cork, and more are planned for other cities in Ireland. The \u201cFreeDAB\u201d platform, now carrying around ten stations, was born out of frustration over the procedures in place to broadcast\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Digital Audio Broadcasting"","block_context":{"text":"Digital Audio Broadcasting","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/digital-audio-broadcasting\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Soundboard-Mixer-Microphone-Pirate-Radio-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Soundboard-Mixer-Microphone-Pirate-Radio-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Soundboard-Mixer-Microphone-Pirate-Radio-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Soundboard-Mixer-Microphone-Pirate-Radio-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":61530,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2025\/01\/sbc-pulls-the-plug-on-fm-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":21671,"position":5},"title":"SBC pulls the plug on FM radio","author":"Thomas","date":"January 2, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, David Iurescia, who shares the following news item via SwissInfo.ch: Swiss Broadcasting Corporation pulls plug on FM radio (SwissInfo.ch) The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) switched off outdated analogue FM transmitters at 11:59pm on New Year's Eve. Connections to around 850 ultra-shortwave transmitters throughout Switzerland\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Digital Audio Broadcasting"","block_context":{"text":"Digital Audio Broadcasting","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/digital-audio-broadcasting\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Digitech-AR-1780-RDS-FM-Info.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Digitech-AR-1780-RDS-FM-Info.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Digitech-AR-1780-RDS-FM-Info.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Digitech-AR-1780-RDS-FM-Info.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/Digitech-AR-1780-RDS-FM-Info.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/54"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21671"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21671\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}