[cma-l] Community Radio Future In Doubt?

[Alan Coote]

Hi Jaqui,

I don't believe there is another media outlet in the country which would
'ask' the government for a roadmap for their industry. Surely we are clear
about the way forward? 

It's in everyone's interest; government, commercial, BBC and Community Radio
for there to be a single platform. Logically this must be digital. The
replanning  of DAB is an ideal time to be very clear about our needs as a
sector. 

May I suggest as a starter for 10; 

a) That as a minimum all current community stations should have access to a
FM quality stereo  DAB+ multiplex channel within their current licenced
period. I believe the average person in the UK can receive 25 - 30 radio
services (excluding digital set-top and satellite). DAB+ provides around 18
services per multiplex and with two or three multiplexes per region there is
enough room for community radio. 

b) The funding should set at an achievable level and be split between
government and individual community radio stations, with a change in the 50%
rule enabling stations to find the extra money. 

c) As for areas that DAB+ is not a viable alternative, then there should be
a 10 year plan to enable DRM+ to be used within the UK. This would be used
in a subpart of the current band II (VHF) spectrum. This then would enable
the other part of Band II to be auctioned off, thereby paying for the DRM+
introduction.    


Regards 
Alan


-----Original Message-----
From: jaquicma at googlemail.com [mailto:jaquicma at googlemail.com] On Behalf Of
jaqui devereux
Sent: 06 December 2010 10:09 AM
To: Alan Coote
Cc: cma-l
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Community Radio Future In Doubt?

Dear Alan

Absolutely - we are asking for a roadmap for community radio, just to let
you know too that we attended the first Digital Radio Ministerial Group and
will continue to press for the needs of community radio and other small
radio both to keep FM in the medium term and to migrate for those that want
to.

The "at the moment" quote means that FM to be retained for a very long
foreseeable future (2025??)

We will keep you all posted on progress,


Best wishes


Jaqui

--
Jaqui Devereux
Director, Community Media Association




On 6 December 2010 08:46, Alan Coote <alan.coote at btinternet.com> wrote:
> Surely this sounds alarm bells at the CMA?
>
> >From the Independent News Paper this Sunday.
>
> "The DCMS spokeswoman said there were no plans for a sell-off  [FM
Spectrum]
> "at the moment", but did not rule it out. "We may come to a situation
where
> a proportion of bandwidth is no longer required, and will consider
possible
> other uses for it."
>
> With an estimated £100M - £200M going into the proposed DAB upgrade,
should
> we not expect space for Community Radio to be included then we're all
happy
> that FM can be switched off?
>
> Full story here:
>
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/so-who-thinks-dab-is-the-fu
> ture-not-enough-of-us-to-make-it-so-2151512.html
>
> Alan
>
> Alan Coote
> Managing Director
> The Bay Radio
> Office 01202 580200
> Studio 01202 571028
> Mobile 07801 518858
>
> Email alan.coote at thebayradio.com
> Web www.thebayradio.com
> The Bay Radio, 25B Elliott Road, Bournemouth, BH11 8LQ
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Jaqui Devereux
Director, Community Media Association