+ What is Small-scale DAB?

Small-scale Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) is a new approach to radio broadcasting that will open up across the UK in 2020. With small-scale DAB, digital output from up to approximately 20 radio services are transmitted in a single multiplexed signal to DAB digital radio sets at home and in vehicles in a given local area. As the name suggests these digital radio signals are transmitted to areas smaller than those of the existing county-wide multiplexes or those covering the biggest cities. Small-scale is expected to cover up to 40% of the population within the existing local multiplex area.

+ Were is a good place to find out more about Small-scale DAB?

A good place to start is by reading Ofcom’s current consultation document ‘Licensing small-scale DAB’ which sets out how multiplexed radio will work in the UK at this hyper-local level. It also explains how the community digital radio service providers will be licensed and what is expected of them (this includes obligations and requirements Ofcom will expect from these licensees).

+ What is the Small-scale DAB trial?

There are ten small-scale DAB multiplexes broadcasting across different localities in the UK. Each multiplex operator carries a number of programme services (or radio stations). More information can be found on broadcast regulator Ofcom’s website here.

+ What is the time frame for Small-scale DAB?

Ofcom’s current consultation concludes 4 October 2019. Meanwhile, a Parliamentary Committee has unanimously approved the final draft of legislation required to allow Ofcom to start the process advertising and issuing small-scale DAB licences and it is anticipated the necessary legislation will be passed into law by the end of the year.

Ofcom will then provide information on their consultation conclusion by early 2020. This statement is expected to include a list of the local areas where Ofcom will invite the first applications to run a small-scale DAB multiplex.

Some of the ten trial multiplex operators will be among the first to be licensed, although Ofcom also proposes to give priority to the most populated areas and localities where there is greatest demand for small-scale DAB. This licensing work is planned to commence in early 2020.

• Applicants will be told the deadline for submission of a completed application.

• Licences will be awarded by Ofcom.

• Successful applicants will have 18 months to get their multiplexes up and running.

• Once licences have been granted they will have a duration of seven years.

+ What are the costs?

This is a big question. It’s one that is fairly complex too. We will try to explain. Please expect this page to be refined and updated over the coming months once the Parliamentary process completes and Ofcom issues a statement next year on the back of their current consultation.

Mux Transmission

For a would-be licensed small-scale DAB multiplex operator the principal items needed to establish a single site broadcast transmission station are:

• Power amplifier and mask filter

• Software defined radio

• Low cost computers to modulate, multiplex and encode (plus back-up)

• Cables and sundry materials

• Antenna and feeder

Total approximate cost for this could be between £8,000 and £15,000 dependent upon a number of variables.

If you are considering one or more relay transmitter systems and sites to ensure a robust signal throughout your coverage area, then the figure above will increase and some additional items of equipment such as an on-channel repeater and/or a GPS frequency reference device will be required.

It is also worth bearing in mind that digital broadcasting signals do not gradually degrade (i.e. getting a mushy or ‘thinner’ sound for example). With digital you either get the signal, or you don’t! So you may need relays in places where you didn’t have them for FM transmission.

There will also be additional annual costs for:

• Site and accommodation

• Broadband circuit(s)

• Electricity supply

• Ongoing maintenance

Typically between £3,000 and £12,000 dependent upon location within the UK (e.g. big cities are likely to be more expensive).

Service provider

Typical costs include the running costs of your radio station (we assume you will know this). In addition you will need to include the cost of an Ofcom Digital Service Provider DSP or Community DSP licence (£250). You will also need a licence from music labels and publishers (PPL & PRS) if you play recorded music, and budget for the method to get your ‘live’ output to the DAB multiplex transmitter and encoded.

Carriage cost is what the Small-scale DAB multiplex operator will charge you to ‘carry’ your service. Operators often charge more for higher quality sound, because to do this requires more capacity. The negative trade off is that while using a smaller amount of capacity may be cheaper, the audio quality (what your listeners hear) may sound a bit rubbish. This has been a bone of contention in DAB broadcasting over the last two decades or longer.

+ What can Opendab offer me?

We have knowledge and experience and we are willing to share this with would-be small-scale multiplex operators through our website which we intend to keep updating as the platform evolves.

Beyond this for those who choose to go into partnership with us, we can refine our joint plans and draw on more in-depth information as part of the application process.

The application process will out of necessity be on an area-by-area basis based on Ofcom’s licensing proposals, which we expect to be published in the early part of 2020.

If you are a would-be small-scale multiplex operator please keep in touch and bookmark our website for updated information.

+ How do I broadcast on a small-scale DAB Mux?

This section assumes you are operating or are ready to operate a radio station/service and so deals with DAB related matters only.

Firstly you will need to choose from two types of digital broadcast licence in order for your service to be allowed to be carried on a small-scale DAB mux.

You will be able to buy your licence from Ofcom. Licences will be available ‘on demand’ meaning they will always be available. The question you will face is whether there is capacity or space on a mux to carry your service.

The two types of licence are called C-DSP licence and DSP licence.

C-DSP stands for Community Digital Service Provider. A C-DSP means that Ofcom’s rules and restrictions relating to analogue community radio will apply to C-DSP licensees as well.

Each licensed mux operator will be required to reserve space for some C-DSP licensees, so that when a C-DSP licensee approaches a small-scale DAB mux operator, there could be a greater opportunity to get onboard. This may also lead to lower carriage costs being charged to you (for the transmission).

A DSP – Digital Service Provider can operate with fewer rules. While this is seen as an advantage by some (i.e. fewer restrictions) it may well mean that there may be fewer carriage slots available on a licensed small-scale DAB Mux because capacity for DSP licensees will not be reserved. You may also have to pay the market rate for carriage of your service.

Ofcom will issue further information in the New Year on how the DSP and C-DSP licensing will operate.

+ How do I consider whether I should apply to operate my own DAB Mux?

Small-scale DAB multiplex licenses will be advertised in tranches from early in 2020. As with any kind of competitive licensing process, Ofcom will choose one successful applicant per area based upon which applicant, in the view of Ofcom, is the best. Each local area has already been specified by Ofcom. To aid the early planning stages the regulator has called these localities ‘polygon areas’.

The regulator has said they will assess each application to see which one best meets the criteria they will publish.

If you are serious about applying for a small-scale DAB Mux operator’s licence for a specific area then it is best to read the details set out in the Ofcom consultation document, the information they have published relating to the small-scale DAB trial, as well as the Ofcom small-scale DAB statement which is due to be published early in 2020.

Here are some headlines that you may find useful. They touch on key points but are not an exhaustive list.

Identify a polygon area and conduct a feasibility study

Work out a budget showing outgoings such as the cost to provide signal coverage for the area. See our FAQ on costs for an indication. Work out running costs.

Identify income, this will be the money radio stations will pay to you to broadcast their DSP or C-DSP licensed service. Remember through DAB multiplexing about two-dozen radio services can ‘share’ a single transmitter. Put another way, that’s about 24 customers.

Develop and refine your business plan

It would be good to do this so you know where the money comes from and goes to. You’ll also learn what you will be letting yourself into. As part of the application process Ofcom will expect to see your plans, so starting early is better than starting late.

Part of the business plan will cover the purchase of equipment needed (capital expenditure). This will run into thousands of pounds, so you will need to put in place a method of funding the setting up and running of the small-scale DAB mux. Ofcom will expect to see evidence of this as part of your submitted application. They will also assess your plan along with competing applicants, before they award a licence for a polygon area.

Develop a Technical Plan

In the Technical Plan you will set out the configuration of the technical equipment (transmitting and ancillary equipment); aerials, antennas and masts; how the audio/programme signal will reach your transmitter(s); where the transmission points will be placed; how strong your signal will be; demonstrate that it will not exceed the technical limits that Ofcom will determine in the licence advertisement.

To help with planning signal coverage, Ofcom will publish the type of modeling software they will use in judging an applicant’s Technical Plan. Access to this software will be essential for any applicant that wants to justify the locations and powers etc set out in their Technical Plan. Some organisations may be able to do this work for you – for a fee.

Other matters to bear in mind

Beyond the financials and the technicals, there are restrictions on ownership of a small-scale DAB Mux. In addition Ofcom has published information on how they will assess applications and set out other matters that are important to grasp. Reading through the documents named in the highlighted text above will make you fully aware of what is required to submit an application to become a small-scale DAB Multiplex operator.

One last thing -good luck!

For ease of reference, here are links to Ofcom’s small-scale DAB information:

Ofcom consultation (now closed) ‘Licensing small-scale DAB’ https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-1/licensing-small-scale-dab-new-powers-and-duties-proposed-by-government

Ofcom’s small-scale DAB trial: ‘Final Report’ https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research-and-data/tv-radio-and-on-demand/radio-research/small-scale-dab-final-report