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21|05|08

Ofcom awards new local digital radio multiplex licence for Somerset

Ofcom today announces the award of the new local Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) radio multiplex licence for Somerset

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 23 April 2008 , Ofcom received one application for the Somerset licence. After giving careful consideration to the application submitted, the Ofcom Radio Licensing Committee has decided to award the licence to:

MuxCo Somerset Limited
96a Curtain Road , London EC2A 3AA
Contact: Gregory Watson; Tel: 07917 413700; e-mail: gregory@muxco.com

The shareholders of MuxCo Somerset Limited are as follows:
UKRD Group Ltd 33.3%
The Local Radio Company Ltd ('TLRC') 33.3%
MuxCo Ltd 33.3%

MuxCo Somerset Limited is proposing to provide seven local digital sound programme services, in addition to BBC Somerset, as follows:

Format description	Service name	Provider
Full local service	Star Radio	UKRD Group
Full local service	Ivel FM	TLRC
Contemporary Hit Radio	Orchard FM	GCap Media
Full local service	Quay West	Laser Broadcasting
Easy Listening	Easy Radio	Easy Radio Ltd
Religious	UCB UK	United Christian Broadcasters
Traffic and Travel	Traffic Radio	Highways Agency

MuxCo Somerset Limited also proposes to provide "a wide selection of speech and music 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 480,000.

The licence will be issued for a twelve year period. MuxCo Somerset Ltd is committed to launching two transmitters and all of its programme services by September 2009.

Ofcom shortly will 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/.

3. Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.

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