Ofcom makes revisions to DAB technical rules for broadcasters

Ofcom has made revisions to the technical rules that digital radio DAB broadcasters need to follow.

The rules ensure that digital radio signals are transmitted in a uniform way, and do not conflict or interfere with each other, starting today.

Ofcom has made changes to ensure the Technical Codes keep pace with new technology and industry developments, including the needs of future small scale DAB services.

In a consultation which closed on 28 March 2019, the regulator received 28 responses to proposals from industry stakeholders and members of the public.

Some changes to the original proposals have been made in light of the comments received.

In brief, changes are made surrounding ACI/blocking procedures, Spectrum masks for DAB, and dropping the requirements to gain extra permission to broadcast using DAB+.

Ofcom says: “We propose to remove the requirement for broadcasters to obtain prior written permission from Ofcom to adopt DAB+, so as to put the two encoding formats on a more equal footing. We also propose to discontinue the separate 30% DAB+ limit which currently applies to SDL.”

See the full changes here.

Morecambe Bay

Ofcom is also today inviting applications to provide a local radio ‘multiplex’ service, or services, in the Morecambe Bay, North and West Cumbria and Southwest Scotland areas.

Three frequencies are available which can be used to cover part, or all, of the above areas. The number of licences awarded will depend on the applications received, and how they propose to use the available spectrum.

The closing date for applications is 11 September 2019.