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18|03|08

Ofcom awards new local digital radio multiplex licence for Mid and West Wales

Ofcom today announces the award of the new local Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio multiplex licence for Mid and West Wales.

This is one of a number of new local radio multiplex licences planned to develop DAB coverage for services in those parts of the country not already served. This licensing process will lead to a significant expansion in digital radio services throughout the UK.

By the closing date of 20 February 2008, Ofcom received one application for the Mid and West Wales licence. After giving careful consideration to the application submitted, the Ofcom Radio Licensing Committee has decided to award the licence to:

MuxCo Wales Limited
96a Curtain Road, London EC2A 3AA
Contact: Gregory Watson Tel: 07917 413700, Email: gregory@muxco.com

The shareholders of MuxCo Wales are as follows:
Town & Country Broadcasting Ltd 70%
MuxCo Ltd 30%

MuxCo Wales Limited is proposing to provide three local digital sound programme services, in addition to BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, as follows:

Format description	Service name	Provider
Full service	Radio Pembrokeshire	Town and Country Broadcasting Ltd
Full service	Radio Carmarthenshire	Town and Country Broadcasting Ltd
Full service	Wales Live	Town and Country Broadcasting Ltd

MuxCo Wales Limited also proposes to provide "a wide selection of podcasts provided by a range of companies".

Ofcom estimates that this licence could achieve coverage of an area with an adult (aged 15+) population of around 460,000.

The licence will be issued for a twelve year period. MuxCo Wales Limited is committed to launching two transmitters and all of its programme services by Q1 2010, with a further two transmitters being implemented within two years of launch.

Ofcom will shortly publish a statement setting out the key determining factors for the award of this licence.

Ends.

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. DAB radio multiplexes carry a number of stereo and/or mono radio channels, as well as multimedia services such as text and data.

2. Today's licence is part of a wider licensing process which will lead to a significant expansion in local and national DAB radio services over the next three years. Further details can be found within Ofcom's 'Future licensing of DAB digital radio' Statement at: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/dab/statement

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