[cma-l] Ofcom announces trials to help small stations join digitalradio

Associated Broadcast Consultants info at a-bc.co.uk
Wed Feb 25 09:23:57 GMT 2015 

Yes Nick - it's open to all - not just Community stations - anyone with an
inclination to do it (I wouldn't be surprised if Arqiva threw their hat in
the ring).  Two things to remember:-

   1. This low cost technology is not "plug and play yet".  It takes some
   expertise.  If you have a Linux expert and someone who knows radio
   engineering then you are most of the way there.
   2. Just like "high cost DAB" remember that the technology enables a
   number of stations on one frequency - this fundamentally changes how you
   think about a trial and an ongoing service.  You'd have the Mux operator
   who holds the Wireless Telegraphy licence, and then you'd have stations on
   that Mux (who all need a Digital Services licence - kerr-ching!).  The Mux
   operator may or may not also be one of the stations on the Mux.

Cost - that's part of the reason for the trials to understand.  For this
trial Ofcom are offering to supply all the kit AND backhaul links for 1
year.  So only cost is incidental stuff like installation, site rental,
electricity etc.

Going forward after the 1 year trial (if permitted) then a lot of the Mux
encoding and modulation can be done with free software on average to good
spec PC's.  The expensive bit would be the part that generates the radio
waves and the amplifier and filter  that comes after that.  Finger in the
air guess £10k for that. But remember cost could be shared across a number
of services on the Mux.   The backhaul links may or may not be expensive
depending on what is needed - could range form a few £hundred one-off cost,
to thousands of pounds per year link rental depending on the solution.

It will be interesting to see how local Ofcom want to make these DAB
areas.  In my opinion, if they are too small there are unlikely to be
enough radio services to fill it - making it financially challenging and a
waste of spectrum.  So I feel the Mux areas need to be sufficiently large
(but not as silly-large as current hi-cost DAB areas) to solve those two
issues.

Glyn

-- 
Glyn Roylance - Principal Consultant
Associated Broadcast Consultants <http://www.a-bc.co.uk/>




On 24 February 2015 at 17:44, Canalside's The Thread <
office at thethread.org.uk> wrote:

>     Sorry about this chaps .... I did say I would rest for a week, but I
> have just seen this. We wouldn't mind avin' a dabble here.
>
> Is this open to Community Radio as in small Local or does small Local
> include whoever wishes to call themselves small local ?   and, is it now a
> free-for-all for anyone wanting to have a go ?    ie:- internet Stations
> who are not on FM ......will they get preference or will existing Community
> licence holders get a chance to go digital.
>
>
>
> Also, if everyone does end up on DAB, does that not open the door for the
> DCMS to flick the FM switch to 'off'  ??   or will this never happen ?
>
>
>
> I'm not rocking Boats here, I'm just looking for some clarification.
>
>
>
> How much is low cost ?              come on tecky chaps, we're in your
> ball park area now.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I did however fall off my chair laughing when I read the next bit
>                         see below
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  Radio interference
>
> Since the operation of a new system may cause interference to existing
> users, you or your supplier may consider it necessary to carry out
> compatibility tests before you apply for your licence. Once installed and
> operating, your system must not cause undue interference to any other
> wireless telegraphy equipment. If it does, you may need to stop operating
> until the cause of the interference has been rectified. Ofcom cannot offer
> any protection against interference radiated by other authorised services,
> or by industrial, scientific and medical equipment; however, if you do
> experience interference, please contact the Ofcom Licensing Centre on 0300
> 123 1000
>
>
>
> the last bit should read        ''However, if you do experience
> interference, please contact the Ofcom Licensing Centre on 0300 123 1000
> and they firstly tell you what you already know, not give you a logical
> explanation as to why it can't be tweaked and will do absolutely sod all
> about it''      J       LOL
>
>
>
> Tongue in cheek of course ...............funny though, If we didn't laugh, we'd go
> nuts
>
>
>
> Please advise ... is anyone else having a DABble ?   pardon the pun
>
>
>
> Nick
>
>
>
>
>  ------------------------------
>
> *From:* cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk [mailto:
> cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] *On Behalf Of *CMA-L
> *Sent:* 24 February 2015 10:11
> *To:* cma-l at commedia.org.uk
> *Subject:* [cma-l] Ofcom announces trials to help small stations join
> digitalradio
>
>
>
> Ofcom has today confirmed plans
> <http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/small-scale-dab/statement/Small_scale_DAB_trials_statement.pdf> for
> trials of a new technology that could provide small radio stations across
> the UK with an affordable way to broadcast on DAB digital radio.
>
> Known as 'small scale DAB', the new approach is best suited for
> broadcasting to small geographic areas, ideal for community and local radio
> stations.
>
> Small scale DAB is cheaper than current systems because it is uses
> software freely available from opendigitalradio.org, rather than relying
> on often expensive hardware equipment.
>
> Ofcom is planning up to ten UK trials which will help inform Ofcom's work
> on identifying suitable frequencies for broadcasting smaller digital
> stations and help understand how these services could be licensed.
>
> The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is funding Ofcom's work on how
> small stations could access DAB digital radio.
>
> Ofcom is today inviting applications
> <http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/radio/digital/small-scale-trial-multiplex-licensing/Application_form.rtf>
> to take part in the trials, which are expected to run for nine months. The
> deadline for applications is *3pm on 7 April 2015*.
>
> A news release <http://media.ofcom.org.uk/news/2015/small-scale-dabradio/>
> is available on Ofcom's website.
>
> \\
>
> Community Media Association
> --
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> https://www.facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation
>
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> http://www.canstream.co.uk/
> https://twitter.com/canstream
>
>
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