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13|07|06

Ofcom sets out approach for the second round of community radio licensing

Ofcom today sets out its approach for the second round of community radio licensing. Community radio licences, provided on a not-for-profit basis, cover small geographical areas and focus on the delivery of specific social benefits.

The Community Radio Order 2004 paved the way for Ofcom to make these new kinds of radio licences available in the UK. During the first round of community radio licensing Ofcom awarded 107 licences from a total of 194 applications. Ofcom has received 184 letters of intent to apply for a community radio licence in the second round of licensing.

Today’s statement outlines the new approach for the second round of licensing. Key points include:

• Applications will be invited on a region-by-region basis from August 2006.
• Due to spectrum scarcity there is limited scope for licences in some urban areas throughout the UK. In London, for example, Ofcom will only be able to accept applications for FM services within the Boroughs of Harrow, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Sutton, Croydon and Bromley.
• Applicants, within each region, will be given a period of 12 weeks to apply for a licence.

The revised application form and accompanying notes of guidance will be published, alongside the first invitation for applications, on 16 August 2006.

The full statement ‘Community radio licensing – second round’ can be found in the Related Items.

Ends.

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