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This was written by a journalist.<BR>
That should tell you enough.<BR>
If you analyse the prose you'll see that he is either under-informed or has a reason to be biassed or probably both.<BR>
Ofcom has very clearly stated that there are no plans to cease broadcasting on FM.<BR>
There will be no FM "switchover".<BR>
That is a term used for the conversion from analogue to digital television and it does not apply to radio.<BR>
There will be no FM "switchoff"<BR>
It is highly unlikely that the FM spectrum will be "sold off" as there is effectuively no demand for it and doing so would isolate the UK format of spectrum usage from the rest of the world.<BR>
Major services will migrate to digital terrestrial radio which will not be DAB long term buit the actual format is not agreed and won't be for a long time.<BR>
Those major services may choose to cease their FM transmissions when they are satisfied that their digital service has adequate listenership.<BR>
Clear now?<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
> From: alan.coote@btinternet.com<BR>> To: cma-l@commedia.org.uk<BR>> Date: Mon, 6 Dec 2010 08:46:10 +0000<BR>> Subject: [cma-l] Community Radio Future In Doubt?<BR>> <BR>> Surely this sounds alarm bells at the CMA? <BR>> <BR>> >From the Independent News Paper this Sunday. <BR>> <BR>> "The DCMS spokeswoman said there were no plans for a sell-off [FM Spectrum]<BR>> "at the moment", but did not rule it out. "We may come to a situation where<BR>> a proportion of bandwidth is no longer required, and will consider possible<BR>> other uses for it." <BR>> <BR>> With an estimated £100M - £200M going into the proposed DAB upgrade, should<BR>> we not expect space for Community Radio to be included then we're all happy<BR>> that FM can be switched off? <BR>> <BR>> Full story here:<BR>> http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/so-who-thinks-dab-is-the-fu<BR>> ture-not-enough-of-us-to-make-it-so-2151512.html<BR>> <BR>> Alan<BR>> <BR>> Alan Coote<BR>> Managing Director <BR>> The Bay Radio<BR>> Office 01202 580200<BR>> Studio 01202 571028<BR>> Mobile 07801 518858<BR>> <BR>> Email alan.coote@thebayradio.com<BR>> Web www.thebayradio.com<BR>> The Bay Radio, 25B Elliott Road, Bournemouth, BH11 8LQ<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> _______________________________________________<BR>> <BR>> cma-l mailing list - cma-l@commedia.org.uk<BR>> <BR>> Community Media Association - www.commedia.org.uk<BR>> _______________________________________________<BR>> <BR>> To manage your mailing list subscription please visit:<BR>> http://mailman.commedia.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/cma-l<BR> </body>
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