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I just had another look through the Ofcom report on the small scale DAB experiment as it had been a while since I first read it, and I notice that it seems to envisage a much more pragmatic can-do approach to handling frequency allocation and protection than the ultra-cautious approach that it currently uses with FM.
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I noted in particular these two paragraphs:
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<strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">7.2 Spectrum Availability</span></strong>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">While spectrum availability has not yet been extensively studied, it is likely that frequency blocks could be identified in many areas for transmitters radiating power levels in the order of 100 watts or so. In some locations it may be possible to re-use existing DAB frequencies, in coastal regions it may be possible to re-use the blocks of neighbouring countries and in others areas there could be options within cleared PMR spectrum. In the majority of cases, the low power services would need to accept higher than ideal levels of interference that would limit their coverage areas and outgoing interference would also need to beconstrained.</span>
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<strong><span style="font-size: 10pt;">7.3 Service Planning</span></strong>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Once a target coverage area and frequency resource has been identified, it is important to ensure that the opportunity for block re-use is optimised by constraining unwanted overspill of coverage. One approach could be to draw a polygon around the served urban areas and to draw a median line between adjacent polygons. A field strength limit could then be placed on the lines. For example, it might prove acceptable to place a limit so that the 1% time field strength does not exceed ~40dBμV/m over a significant area beyond the lines between co-block areas. There is also the option of planning coverage to overlap between adjacent multiplex areas where contiguous coverage is desirable and where different blocks are available to form a ‘lazy MFN’.</span>
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On 26 November 2013 at 11:58 Ian Hickling <transplanfm@hotmail.com> wrote:
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That's interesting phraseology -  written I would suspect by someone who isn't particularly familiar with the technology. 
<br /> "......committed to reserving part of the FM spectrum as a platform for local and community radio stations......"
<br /> That isn't what's needed - and what will be the function of the "other parts"?
<br /> "......for as long as it is needed......"
<br /> Defined by whose judgement - I wonder?
<br /> "......the potential options for smaller local stations to migrate to digital ......"
<br /> Only by a complete re-working of the present mux system - to which I suspect the big boys will continue to furiously object.
<br /> "......the lead up to and after a future switchover......"
<br /> Ah - but a switchover to what extent and by whom?
<br /> ".....software enabling low cost low power DAB transmissions....."
<br /> Nothing mew here - been around for at least 5 years.
<br /> ".......which has been successfully trialled in Brighton......."
<br /> Really? - Are we aware of what happened and the results?
<br /> Ian
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<hr />From: cma-l@commedia.org.uk
<br />Date: Tue, 26 Nov 2013 11:30:52 +0000
<br />To: cma-l@commedia.org.uk; comradio-l@commedia.org.uk
<br />Subject: [cma-l] Hansard Written Answers & Statements 25/11/13 - Digital Broadcasting: Radio Culture Media and Sport
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++ Greg Knight (East Yorkshire, Conservative)
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<br />To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support her Department is intending to give to small local radio stations in connection with the introduction of digital broadcasting.
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<br />++ Edward Vaizey (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Culture, Communications and Creative Industries), Business, Innovation and Skills; Wantage, Conservative)
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<br />Government recognises the importance of local commercial radio stations to the communities they serve and is committed to reserving part of the FM spectrum as a platform for local and community radio stations, for as long as it is needed. My officials are also working with Ofcom to consider the potential options for smaller local stations to migrate to digital in the lead up to and after a future switchover. We are very encouraged by the recent research Ofcom has carried out on software enabling low cost low power DAB transmissions, which has been successfully trialled in Brighton.
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<br />Hansard Source:
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131125/text/131125w0006.htm#131125w0006.htm_wqn25">http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm131125/text/131125w0006.htm#131125w0006.htm_wqn25</a>
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