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<body class='hmmessage'><div dir='ltr'>Ofcom is specific (page 11) as to the likely coverage and a cap of 100W ERP.<div>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<br><div>Let's not get too hung up on the "multiplex" aspect.</div><div>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.<br>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.</div><div>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.</div><div>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.</div><div>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.</div><div>I feel Ofcom is likely to be swamped with Applications and may need to revise the scale of this trial.</div><div>If so - surely a big opportunity for the CMA and its membership?</div><div><br><div><hr id="stopSpelling">Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2015 09:23:57 +0000<br>From: info@a-bc.co.uk<br>To: office@thethread.org.uk<br>CC: cma-l@mailman.commedia.org.uk<br>Subject: Re: [cma-l] Ofcom announces trials to help small stations join digitalradio<br><br><div dir="ltr">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:-<div><ol><li>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.</li><li>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.<br></li></ol></div><div>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. </div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>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. </div><div><br></div><div>Glyn</div><div><br></div><div>-- <br><div class="ecxgmail_signature">Glyn Roylance - Principal Consultant<div><a href="http://www.a-bc.co.uk/" target="_blank">Associated Broadcast Consultants</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div><div><br></div><div class="ecxgmail_extra"><br><div class="ecxgmail_quote">On 24 February 2015 at 17:44, Canalside's The Thread <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:office@thethread.org.uk" target="_blank">office@thethread.org.uk</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="ecxgmail_quote" style="border-left-width:1px;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);border-left-style:solid;padding-left:1ex;">
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<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;">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.<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;">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.<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;">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 ?<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;">I’m not rocking Boats here, I’m
just looking for some clarification.<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;">How much is low cost
?
come on tecky chaps, we’re in your ball park area now.<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;">I did however fall off my chair laughing
when I read the next bit see
below<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<p style="text-indent:0cm;"><font color="navy"><span style="font-size:10pt;color:navy;"> </span></font>Radio
interference<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12pt;">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</span></font><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;">
<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;">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’’
</span></font><font color="navy" face="Wingdings"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Wingdings;color:navy;">J</span></font><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"> LOL<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;">Tongue in cheek of course ……………funny
though, If we didn’t laugh, we’d go nuts<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;">Please advise … is anyone else
having a DABble ? pardon the pun<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;">Nick<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font color="navy" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<div>
<div class="ecxMsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:12pt;">
<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center">
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<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><b><font face="Tahoma"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold;">From:</span></font></b><font face="Tahoma"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;">
<u></u><a href="mailto:cma-l-bounces@mailman.commedia.org.uk" target="_blank">cma-l-bounces@mailman.commedia.org.uk</a><u></u>
[mailto:<u></u><a href="mailto:cma-l-bounces@mailman.commedia.org.uk" target="_blank">cma-l-bounces@mailman.commedia.org.uk</a><u></u>]
<b><span style="font-weight:bold;">On Behalf Of </span></b>CMA-L<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sent:</span></b> 24 February 2015 10:11<br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold;">To:</span></b> <a href="mailto:cma-l@commedia.org.uk" target="_blank">cma-l@commedia.org.uk</a><br>
<b><span style="font-weight:bold;">Subject:</span></b> [cma-l] Ofcom announces
trials to help small stations join digitalradio</span></font><span lang="EN-US"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
</div><div><div class="h5">
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size:12pt;"><u></u> <u></u></span></font></p>
<div>
<p style=""><font size="1" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial;">Ofcom has today confirmed <a href="http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/small-scale-dab/statement/Small_scale_DAB_trials_statement.pdf" target="_blank"><font color="#2ba6cb"><span style="color:rgb(43,166,203);">plans</span></font></a> for
trials of a new technology that could provide small radio stations across the <u></u><u></u>UK<u></u><u></u> with an
affordable way to broadcast on DAB digital radio.<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p style=""><font size="1" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial;">Known as ‘small scale DAB’, the new
approach is best suited for broadcasting to small geographic areas, ideal for
community and local radio stations.<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p style=""><font size="1" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial;">Small scale DAB is cheaper than current systems
because it is uses software freely available from <a href="http://opendigitalradio.org" target="_blank">opendigitalradio.org</a>,
rather than relying on often expensive hardware equipment.<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p style=""><font size="1" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial;">Ofcom is planning up to ten <u></u><u></u>UK<u></u><u></u> 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.<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p style=""><font size="1" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial;">The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is funding
Ofcom’s work on how small stations could access DAB digital radio.<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p style=""><font size="1" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial;">Ofcom is today inviting <a href="http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/radio/digital/small-scale-trial-multiplex-licensing/Application_form.rtf" target="_blank"><font color="#2ba6cb"><span style="color:rgb(43,166,203);">applications</span></font></a>
to take part in the trials, which are expected to run for nine months. The
deadline for applications is <b><span style="font-weight:bold;">3pm on 7 April
2015</span></b>.<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p style=""><font size="1" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial;">A <a href="http://media.ofcom.org.uk/news/2015/small-scale-dabradio/" target="_blank"><font color="#2ba6cb"><span style="color:rgb(43,166,203);">news release</span></font></a> is
available on Ofcom’s website.<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
<p style=""><font size="1" face="Arial"><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial;">\\<u></u><u></u></span></font></p>
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