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Ofcom will announce which areas will form part of Round 6 in the small-scale DAB licensing process this autumn following feedback from potential applicants. After a recent call for expressions of interest, input from stakeholders was received in 65 locations. Ofcom also received requests from stakeholders to re-advertise four areas for which no applications were submitted when originally advertised. Requests for new small-scale DAB areas for the Scottish Highlands and for the Orkney Islands were also received, along with a small number of other requests to add areas to the small-scale DAB advertising programme.

There are 34 applications for Round 5 of Ofcom’s small-scale DAB radio multiplex licence process, plus three for re-advertised areas. Of the total 37 areas, only six received more than one application. They are West London, South West Sussex, South London, South Hertfordshire, North London and North East London/South West Essex. From the six with multiple, there are three applications for South London and three for North London, whilst the others have two each.

Ofcom has published several updates on its work to support the launch of a wider range of ultra-local digital radio stations across the UK. So far, Ofcom has made 86 licence awards. From Edinburgh to Exeter, some 30 multiplexes are now on the air, between them transmitting 213 different stations, the majority of which are new to broadcast radio. Ofcom's fifth round of small-scale DAB licensing covers the South East of England. It received 34 applications for the 32 small-scale DAB radio multiplex licence areas, which were advertised in March. All applications will now be assessed against the specific statutory criteria, and it expects to announce the successful applicants next year.

WorldDAB has commissioned an independent report on the development and implementation of small-scale DAB in markets around the world. The report, by Dr Lawrie Hallett of the University of Bedfordshire, seeks to document for the first time the global development of this innovative approach to DAB transmission, and to analyse the different current implementations, including technical, financial and regulatory models. It may also offer for consideration possible next steps to support its continued growth. The project framework document is designed to set out the initial approach to the topics to be covered by the report, and a timeline for delivery.

Chelmsford Digital Radio has been established to apply for the upcoming small-scale DAB multiplex for the area. The application is being managed by Martin Steers from Steers Media, along with Dean Kavanagh and with the support of Chelmsford Community Radio. Martin said: “It’s great that the area has the opportunity to have its own local DAB, and I’m really excited to hear new and existing stations start broadcasting across the area.”

Middlesex DAB Ltd has announced plans to apply for the West London DAB multiplex. The company is a venture between Nation Broadcasting, the UK’s leading independent radio group and the leading London based Asian commercial radio groups – Lyca Media (Lyca Radio & Lyca Gold Radio), Sunrise Radio and Panjab Radio. Also on the team are Subdigital and local community radio service The Beat. Surjit Singh ​Ghuman MBE, founder of Hayes-based Panjab Radio said, “Since the year 2000 we have been at the heart of the West London community. I have backed DAB for over twenty years and have seen the positive impact it can have to broaden choice and bring new listeners to radio in general. I look forward to bringing not only more choice to listeners, but an affordable DAB multiplex for smaller and non-profit broadcasters.”​

A new consortium led by London Greek Radio has announced its bid for a small-scale digital radio multiplex licence. The group includes Nation Broadcasting, Scout Radio, Kol Radio, and The Beat, alongside industry specialists Ash Elford and Dean Kavanagh. DAB North London Limited says the combination of London Greek Radio’s experience and the diverse expertise brought by the consortium members will create a dynamic and inclusive digital radio landscape for North London.

The Vale's local radio station has launched on DAB+, thanks to support from CJCH Solicitors. It means that listeners to the station, which was recently awarded Silver at the Radio Academy ARIAS will now be able to head into the Welsh capital for work or leisure, keeping connected to their local radio station – whilst those in the Eastern Vale will be able to hear the station on DAB+ enabled radios, as well as on FM, mobile and the stations dedicated website.

Havant-based community station Angel Radio is to apply for the recently advertised full-time Portsmouth DAB multiplex. The organisation was one of ten groups awarded a temporary nine month licence by Ofcom in 2015 to test the viability of small scale digital radio broadcasting. The trial licence has subsequently been extended multiple times, and now nearly eight years later, Ofcom have advertised a long-term licence for Portsmouth which Angel Radio is applying for. Ash Elford, Angel Radio’s Digital Development Manager said: “The trial Portsmouth DAB multiplex has arguably been one of the leading small scale DAB multiplexes. “The trial Portsmouth DAB multiplex has seen one of the most diverse service line-ups and has been at the forefront of technical innovation, for example, we’ve continually broadcast DAB+ services for longer than anyone else in the UK. We hope that Ofcom recognises this when considering our application.”

In 2022, NLPO was instructed by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) to make preparations for the final roll-out of DAB+ in 2024. To this end, a survey of broadcasters with a temporary DAB+ licence was carried out in recent months, among other things. The aim was to map these broadcasters' experiences with DAB+ as input for the final frequency issuance of DAB+ in 2024.