Radio’s Official Response To Digital

The Radio Authority has issued its formal response to the Government’s Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting Paper.

The main points of the authority’s response are:

General Approach

• The Authority is keen to foster a more positive climate for investment, building on the strengths of the existing analogue system;
• The principle of the multiplex provider would change the character of commercial radio and deserves debate;
• If the system of licensing multiplex providers is adopted, the Radio Authority will need the powers to lay down clear provisions at the stage of advertising DAB licences, in order to meet the Government’s aspirations for diversity.
• The nature of the licence that will be granted to the multiplex provider, the requirements which the Authority will be able to include in it, and how they will be enforced should be specific in the legislation. Ownership
• The absence of any restriction on ownership of multiplexes may be inconsistent with concerns about plurality.

BBC

• Some issues relating to the BBC’s participation in the local multiplexes need to be clarified.

Local Multiplexes and Local Licences

• Some areas may not receive local DAB initially;
• FM will remain necessary for local services for the foreseeable future. therefore a sufficient part of the VHF band II should be preserved for ILR use even after digital is established.
• ILR licences should be for ten years rather than the existing eight.

Radio Authority: 0171 405 7058