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

Wed Feb 25 14:05:40 GMT 2015

If Ofcom are swamped with applications It would be lovely to think that they will revise the scale of this trial but let's be realistic and remember that Ofcom operates under a very tight (indeed I believe decreasing) budget.  Hopefully they may have anticipated the demand and kept back something but please don't hold your breath.  Therefore, the quality of your applications is going to be critical.

I do worry about the expectation that this trial will create both in the minds of stations and listeners.  If successful, then turning off the transmitters may prove controversial and CMA members applying to be part of this experiment should be encouraged to state what their 'exit strategy' (to use business jargon) will be.

Richard

From: cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk [mailto:cma-l-bounces at mailman.commedia.org.uk] On Behalf Of Ian Hickling
Sent: 25 February 2015 11:20
To: Associated Broadcast Consultants; Canalside's The Thread
Cc: The Community Media Association Discussion List
Subject: [cma-l] Ofcom announces trials to help small stations join digitalradio

Ofcom is specific (page 11) as to the likely coverage and a cap of 100W ERP.
That answers the "localness" question - Ofcom has said unofficially that it is envisaging coverage that will be on a par with a conventional well-planned 25W FM RSL
Let's not get too hung up on the "multiplex" aspect.
Technically there is nothing to prevent a single service being radiated over a small area in a separate frequency block from the established local muxes.
Ofcom has now said it won't use 11A but will look for other locally-available frequencies dependent on existing Band III usage for other purposes - a sensible move.
The only reason that I can see for specifying a mini-mux for the trials is to evaluate the multiplexing process - not to look at the commercial viability of the formula.
But it was said at the meetings that it could provide an opportunity for an enterprising CR operation to offer coverage to commercial interests and thereby generate valuable revenue.
I've had six separate messages this morning alone asking for advice and prices for installation - both for a trial and for a permanent service from existing CR operators, LPAMs and independent entrepreneurs.
I feel Ofcom is likely to be swamped with Applications and may need to revise the scale of this trial.
If so - surely a big opportunity for the CMA and its membership?

________________________________
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2015 09:23:57 +0000
From: info at a-bc.co.uk<mailto:info at a-bc.co.uk>
To: office at thethread.org.uk<mailto:office at thethread.org.uk>
CC: cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk<mailto:cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
Subject: Re: [cma-l] Ofcom announces trials to help small stations join digitalradio
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<mailto: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''      :)       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> [mailto: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<mailto: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<http://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.
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