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Alan<BR>
I fail to see why you're saying that "we are to be consigned to the FM backwaters".<BR>
FM is currently the foremost platform for delivery of radio programming is it not?<BR>
There are many digital formats - none of which is compatible with any other - and all rely on some form of radio or a restrictive fixed landline link for delivery to the customer.<BR>
Putting aside all the motivational words used by the under-informed, digital broadcast radio certainly has a future in the UK - it's not DAB - and it does not and will not involve the cessation of VHF FM services in general at all - at least not for a very long time.<BR>The CMA and Ofcom have both made this very clear on a number of occasions.<BR>
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> From: alan.coote@btinternet.com<BR>> To: cma-l@commedia.org.uk<BR>> Date: Wed, 8 Dec 2010 01:14:01 +0000<BR>> Subject: [cma-l] Community Radio Future In Doubt?<BR>> <BR>> Hi Jaqui,<BR>> <BR>> I think therein lies the problem. We will never be anything other than a<BR>> disparate group of also-rans if there isn't a single strong voice. <BR>> <BR>> I'm confident that the more progressive amongst us really see a vibrant<BR>> future for community radio as the new local radio, but only if we are not<BR>> downtrodden again by the incredibly strong lobbying from the commercial<BR>> radio sector. They had their way forcing the burdensome over regulations on<BR>> us and now it seems that we are to be consigned to the FM backwaters whilst<BR>> they get £100Ms government funding for DAB. This does not seem proportionate<BR>> or reasonable. <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> Alan <BR>> <BR>> -----Original Message-----<BR>> From: jaquicma@googlemail.com [mailto:jaquicma@googlemail.com] On Behalf Of<BR>> jaqui devereux<BR>> Sent: 07 December 2010 11:11 AM<BR>> To: Alan Coote<BR>> Cc: cma-l<BR>> Subject: Re: [cma-l] Community Radio Future In Doubt?<BR>> <BR>> Hi Alan<BR>> <BR>> The problem is that not all our community radio membership agrees that is<BR>> the way forward for them! We will consider and put out a call for views on<BR>> the most robust lobbying way forward.<BR>> <BR>> Thanks<BR>> <BR>> Jaqui<BR>> <BR>> On 6 December 2010 23:59, Alan Coote <alan.coote@btinternet.com> wrote:<BR>> > Hi Jaqui,<BR>> ><BR>> > I don't believe there is another media outlet in the country which <BR>> > would 'ask' the government for a roadmap for their industry. Surely we <BR>> > are clear about the way forward?<BR>> ><BR>> > It's in everyone's interest; government, commercial, BBC and Community <BR>> > Radio for there to be a single platform. Logically this must be <BR>> > digital. The replanning of DAB is an ideal time to be very clear <BR>> > about our needs as a sector.<BR>> ><BR>> > May I suggest as a starter for 10;<BR>> ><BR>> > a) That as a minimum all current community stations should have access <BR>> > to a FM quality stereo DAB+ multiplex channel within their current <BR>> > licenced period. I believe the average person in the UK can receive 25<BR>> > - 30 radio services (excluding digital set-top and satellite). DAB+ <BR>> > provides around 18 services per multiplex and with two or three <BR>> > multiplexes per region there is enough room for community radio.<BR>> ><BR>> > b) The funding should set at an achievable level and be split between <BR>> > government and individual community radio stations, with a change in <BR>> > the 50% rule enabling stations to find the extra money.<BR>> ><BR>> > c) As for areas that DAB+ is not a viable alternative, then there <BR>> > should be a 10 year plan to enable DRM+ to be used within the UK. This <BR>> > would be used in a subpart of the current band II (VHF) spectrum. This <BR>> > then would enable the other part of Band II to be auctioned off, <BR>> > thereby paying for the DRM+ introduction.<BR>> ><BR>> ><BR>> > Regards<BR>> > Alan<BR>> ><BR>> ><BR>> > -----Original Message-----<BR>> > From: jaquicma@googlemail.com [mailto:jaquicma@googlemail.com] On <BR>> > Behalf Of jaqui devereux<BR>> > Sent: 06 December 2010 10:09 AM<BR>> > To: Alan Coote<BR>> > Cc: cma-l<BR>> > Subject: Re: [cma-l] Community Radio Future In Doubt?<BR>> ><BR>> > Dear Alan<BR>> ><BR>> > Absolutely - we are asking for a roadmap for community radio, just to <BR>> > let you know too that we attended the first Digital Radio Ministerial <BR>> > Group and will continue to press for the needs of community radio and <BR>> > other small radio both to keep FM in the medium term and to migrate <BR>> > for those that want to.<BR>> ><BR>> > The "at the moment" quote means that FM to be retained for a very long <BR>> > foreseeable future (2025??)<BR>> ><BR>> > We will keep you all posted on progress,<BR>> ><BR>> ><BR>> > Best wishes<BR>> ><BR>> ><BR>> > Jaqui<BR>> ><BR>> > --<BR>> > Jaqui Devereux<BR>> > Director, Community Media Association<BR>> ><BR>> ><BR>> ><BR>> ><BR>> > On 6 December 2010 08:46, Alan Coote <alan.coote@btinternet.com> wrote:<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<BR>> > Spectrum]<BR>> >> "at the moment", but did not rule it out. "We may come to a situation<BR>> > where<BR>> >> a proportion of bandwidth is no longer required, and will consider<BR>> > possible<BR>> >> other uses for it."<BR>> >><BR>> >> With an estimated £100M - £200M going into the proposed DAB upgrade,<BR>> > should<BR>> >> we not expect space for Community Radio to be included then we're all<BR>> > happy<BR>> >> that FM can be switched off?<BR>> >><BR>> >> Full story here:<BR>> >><BR>> > http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/tv-radio/so-who-thinks-dab-is-<BR>> > 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>> >><BR>> ><BR>> ><BR>> ><BR>> > --<BR>> > Jaqui Devereux<BR>> > Director, Community Media Association<BR>> ><BR>> ><BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> --<BR>> Jaqui Devereux<BR>> Director, Community Media Association<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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