LOCAL DIGITAL RADIO MULTIPLEX SERVICE LICENCE PLYMOUTH/CORNWALL

The Radio Authority invites applications for a licence to provide a local digital radio multiplex service, to transmit a range of programme and other services on the VHF centre-frequencies of 223.936 MHz (Frequency Block 12A) in the Plymouth area and 218.640 (Frequency Block 11B) in Cornwall. This licence is advertised under the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1996, and will be granted initially for a period of twelve years. It is offered for a service in and around the city of Plymouth and covering most parts of Cornwall, as defined in the Authority's coverage brief for this licence. It will be technically possible to provide separate programme services, or 'split' localised content within a given programme service, for Plymouth and Cornwall.

In pursuance of a direction under section 49 of the 1996 Act, digital capacity of 128 kbits/sec is reserved on a net basis to the BBC for the broadcasting in digital form of the relevant local radio service: BBC Radio Devon on the Plymouth part of the multiplex, and BBC Radio Cornwall on the Cornwall part. Remaining capacity may accommodate a range of programme, ancillary and additional services, the number and type of which are for applicants to propose.

Notes of guidance for applicants, containing details of the information required in an application, together with a coverage brief providing specifications for this licence, may be obtained, on written request, from the Director of Development, The Radio Authority, Holbrook House, 14 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5DG.

The closing date for the submission of applications is Tuesday, 16 September 2003. Applications must be delivered to the Authority's offices in London by 2.00 p.m. on that date. A non-refundable application fee of £5,000 must accompany each application.

The Authority welcomes views from the public on the services required from digital radio in this local area, and in due course upon the proposals put forward by applicants for this licence. These should be sent to the address above.