It’s time for Ofcom to Set Fixed TimeLines for Small Scale DaB Application Determination

Small-scale DAB is a method of transmitting digital radio that uses advances in software and low-cost computer technology to provide a flexible and inexpensive approach to the terrestrial broadcast of digital radio services to relatively small geographic areas. 

Each small-scale multiplex Ofcom licenses allows local stations to take to the digital airwaves, including grass-roots community services, specialist music stations, and services aimed at minority groups and other under-served audiences.

An important part of the policy rationale for the introduction of small-scale DAB was to enable a pathway to DAB for existing analogue (FM or AM) community radio stations, as well as smaller or more specialist commercial radio services who have found it difficult to obtain and afford slots on the existing local radio multiplexes which serve much larger areas.

There has been a good level of demand for small-scale multiplex licences, with 212 applications received by Ofcom for the 167 areas that have been advertised.

To date, 115 licences have been awarded, with 64 multiplexes having launched so  far, between them covering 30.3% of the UK adult population. 

14 of the licence awardees (12%) have been unable to launch their multiplexes within the 18-month statutory launch deadline.

The reasons for this are varied, but in most cases the awardees either ran out of time to launch their multiplex, or considered that the multiplex had become commercially unviable in the time since the licence was originally applied for.

Only a minority of licensees have been able to launch their services on the basis of their original transmission plans submitted at the licence application stage. Despite this, the average predicted coverage being delivered by the launched multiplexes is broadly in line with what was anticipated at licence award.

Around half of awardees have come on the air in the final month of their 18-month launch window, which has left little contingency in case of unforeseen difficulties.

Ofcom is currently considering the applications submitted for round Six of the licence award process and has advertised 29 new areas in its new round seven with the application deadline for round seven set to close at 5pm on Tuesday 29 April 2025.

A fixed deadline for all prospective small scale DaB multiplex operators to have their applications submitted with full coverage maps and broadcast transmission sites set out and how the service will operate prospective stations that will broadcast on the multiplex and prices that will be charged to those services to use the multiplex.

On the 19th April 2024 Ofcom advertised the round six 31 areas with a closing date of 5pm on the 18th July 2024 with the full application all coverage maps and the all important £500 nonrefundable application fee.

Ofcom received 33 round-six applications for the 31 small-scale DAB radio multiplex licences advertised although 4 areas were re advertised from previous rounds that had faced issues. In October 2024 it awarded four licenses.

Since the advertisement of round six almost a year ago only 14 areas out of the 31 areas advertised have been awarded to applicants with Ofcom still considering applications for the other areas some of which had just one application submitted.

Those businesses and organisations that submitted applications within a fixed deadline and time frame set by Ofcom have no idea if or when they will know if Ofcom are to announce the award of a licence or indeed the rejection of an application to run a small scale DaB multiplex but are expected by Ofcom within 18 month of an award that could come out the blue to be full operational with the multiplex.

The word is changing rapidly for everyone from geopolitical, economic and technology indeed in many locations radio stations that may have planned to use a multiplex could have merged or closed down.

Changes to transmission site due to the inability of organisations to sign firm leases until they know if they have a licence can impact plans and delay launch once licences are awarded by Ofcom.

But those who submit bids to Ofcom have no clear set timeline for the process and already left in limbo with no update on the application stage and potential award dates by Ofcom.

Ofcom must put a clear fixed process and timeline in place to enable business and organisations to plan and. It be left in limbo for what has for many been a year or more.

The levels of failure to get on air by small scale DaB operators in the 18month period would be significantly reduced if only Ofcom gave some fixed timescales on its part with an obligation placed on Ofcom to have decided all applications by a fixed deadline in each round.

This would also enable unsuccessful applicants to look at other areas in other rounds something the current system makes impossible for many small organisations.

Ofcom must play its part to help foster growth and unlock the potential of Small Scale DaB.