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Ofcom has started awarding small-scale DAB multiplex licences in Round 4 of the awards process today. Glenrothes & Kirkcaldy, Ludlow, and Newport & Chepstow licences were awarded to the only applicants, whilst the two-horse race between Torbay DAB and TorDAB was won by TorDAB.

Exeter has a suite of new radio stations broadcasting exclusively to the city and surrounding area, following the launch of a DAB transmitter network. Exeter is one of the first of 25 locations around the country to be selected in the first round of such networks which enable new radio stations to broadcast to relatively small areas. Last year broadcast regulator Ofcom awarded the licence to operate the service to local company ExeDab, which is led by Devon’s commercial station Radio Exe and Exeter’s community station Phonic FM.

Exeter has a suite of new radio stations broadcasting exclusively to the city and surrounding area, following the launch of a DAB transmitter network. Exeter is one of the first of 25 locations around the country to be selected in the first round of such networks which enable new radio stations to broadcast to relatively small areas. Last year broadcast regulator Ofcom awarded the licence to operate the service to local company ExeDab, which is led by Devon’s commercial station Radio Exe and Exeter’s community station Phonic FM. Launched on 1 December, eight stations are now broadcasting on high-quality stereo DAB+ to an area of around 150 square miles around Exeter. and reaching around 135,000 adults.

Ash Elford of UK DAB Networks recently launched the small-scale DAB multiplex in Basingstoke – but it didn’t all go to plan. Here’s what happened in his own words. “There’s nothing like a deadline to focus the mind. When I took control of the Basingstoke and Winchester DAB licences in July 2022 from Nation Broadcasting (having divested my initial shareholding to Nation in December 2021), I had a lot of work to do. Ofcom is very firm that small-scale multiplexes must be launched within 18 months of licence award... ”

The Exeter small-scale DAB multiplex has officially launched in the city with eight services now live. It is operated by ExeDab, led by Radio Exe and Exeter’s community station Phonic FM. The ExeDab network is broadcast from three transmitter sites: the Exeter College tower in the city centre, Hilltop Riding School in the Pennsylvania area, and at Cranbrook Education Centre.

On 5 December, during a live broadcast from Bristol Beacon, community radio stations in the Greater Bristol area will start broadcasting on DAB Digital Radio. This is a landmark moment, making it easier for more local people to find and listen to their community radio stations. Bristol and Severnside Digital Radio were founded as community interest companies to apply for and run digital radio services for community radio stations in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. They have been awarded licences by Ofcom and have worked with local organisations to create a digital radio network which covers over 530,000 people. The surplus from operating the network provides a new source of funding for community-based media. All of the stations will now have much wider and more consistent coverage than they currently have on FM, and will be listed on digital radios alongside other national and regional radio stations. In Bristol, where over 70% of listeners listen to DAB Digital Radio alongside a continuing decline in FM radio listening, making the move to digital is important so that people can continue to find their local and community stations.

The small scale DAB trial between Heilbronn and Stuttgart can continue. As founder Dana Diezemann from the consortium "Regionalradio BW" told SateliFax, the trial on channel 12B was approved on 1 December for an extension until 30 June 2023. Furthermore, a second location for the ensemble at the Güglingen telecommunications tower is to go on the air before the end of December. Regionalradio BW wants to offer smaller private radio stations or non-commercial radio projects a cheaper alternative in digital radio DAB+ in the medium term.

Almost a year since the launch of the first small-scale DAB multiplex in Tynemouth and South Shields, 148 stations are now broadcasting across the UK, increasing choice for local listeners. Small-scale DAB is an innovative technology which provides a low-cost way for local commercial, community and specialist radio stations to broadcast on digital radio. Some of the brand-new local interest stations serving their communities are Salisbury Radio, Winchester Today, Rother Radio (Sheffield & Rotherham), Radio West Norfolk (King’s Lynn) and Central Radio (Blackpool). Not-for-profit community stations that were previously only able to broadcast on AM or FM have also begun broadcasting on digital. These include Radio Cardiff, Drive 105 (Derry/Londonderry), Radio Tyneside, Cambridge 105, Switch Radio (Birmingham), Black Country Radio, Future Radio (Norwich) and Akash Radio (Leeds).

Edge Radio hit the airwaves on DAB in Edinburgh this summer after operating online for almost a year. The station saw an increase in listeners since Jay purchased the station in October last year, and Jay has used all his experience as the former programme director at Real, Smooth and Rock Radio to bring a team of presenters together and help make the station a success.

After two years online Radio West Norfolk has launched on DAB in King’s Lynn. Simon Rowe, Radio West Norfolk director and the presenter of breakfast, said: “I have always believed radio should be a voice for the community. When I first set up the station for Smart Speakers and mobile phones, I wanted to make sure it reflected what this area is interested in, was concerned about, and enjoys doing. We will continue doing that and making sure everyone knows what is happening on their door-step thanks to our great mix of presenters who enjoy chatting to our listeners and playing songs to sing-along to every day.”