Ofcom has announced how they are going to licence small scale DAB with the first round opening up for applications on September 1st for 12 weeks, read the full plan. The 25 areas in round one are Alnwick & Morpeth; Basingstoke; Derry/Londonderry; Bradford; Cambridge; Cardiff; Clevedon, Avonmouth & Filton; Dudley & Stourbridge; East Bristol, Mangotsfield & Keynsham; Edinburgh; Exeter; Glasgow; Inverclyde; Isles of Scilly; Kings Lynn; Leeds; Newcastle & Gateshead; North Birmingham; Norwich; Salisbury; Sheffield & Rotherham; South Birmingham; Tynemouth & South Shields; Welsh valleys; Winchester.
The second round is focused on what Ofcom calls the "North West macro area", including Blackburn, Burnley & Darwen; Blackpool; Bolton & Bury;
Cheshire – east; Cheshire – mid; Chester & Ellesmere Port; Clitheroe;Congleton & Leek; Crewe, Nantwich & Whitchurch; Glossop & Buxton; Liverpool; Manchester; Oldham & Rochdale; Preston; Rhyl, Ruthin & Mold; Southport; Stockport; Stoke & Newcastle; Warrington, Widnes & Runcorn; Wigan; Wirral; Wrexham.
Any hospital radio station that wants to provide a service on a small scale DAB multiplex will need to be an incorporated organisation the HBA has agreed to a fast track process for stations to convert to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) login required. The HBA is holding a virtual workshop on June 27th for member stations and affiliates with a provider of small scale DAB services, keep an eye on your inbox for further details or sign up as an affiliate to your station just click "Register" in the top right of this page. If you require any assistance with setting up a CIO contact our Management and Governance Specialist Advisor