[CMA] Ofcom dials up FM's demise

[Michelle McGuire]

Ofcom dials up FM's demise

Leigh Holmwood
Thursday November 16, 2006

Ofcom today signalled the eventual demise of FM radio after  
concluding that other services such as mobile television could make  
more efficient use of the spectrum.

In a discussion document on the future of radio, the media regulator  
said that it would also look at whether AM spectrum could be released  
for other uses; if radio stations should adhere to rigid formats and  
whether changes should be made to ownership rules.

The potential phasing out of FM radio has been pushed to the  
forefront of the agenda following the rapid growth in digital radio.

Ofcom said that new technologies such as mobile TV, further digital  
radio or data services meant there were now other potential uses for  
the spectrum.

"We have no immediate plans to switch off FM radio and would not do  
so without fully considering the impact on consumers, but in the long  
term other services may make more efficient use of the spectrum used  
by existing FM radio services and may provide a better consumer  
outcome," the regulator said.

"This could mean an end to the broadcasting on FM of those commercial  
and BBC services that are also available on digital."
However, it also added that the spectrum could be reviewed to include  
a different range of FM radio services, such as more community outlets.

There are some 300 local BBC and commercial services and five  
national networks using the FM spectrum, although the majority now  
also have digital counterparts.

Any change would require large chunks of FM spectrum to be freed-up  
simultaneously - something that the rolling relicensing of stations  
does not allow for.

Ofcom also warned that if the relicensing process goes ahead as  
planned, the FM spectrum could be tied up for another 24 years.
As part of the review, Ofcom said that it would also consider whether  
any changes to the ownership rules for local radio analogue and  
digital services, radio multiplexes and local cross-media should be  
considered.

The regulator is calling for submissions for its review to be made by  
December 14, with detailed proposals expected to be put out to  
consultation early next year.

Source: MediaGuardian - http://media.guardian.co.uk/radio/story/ 
0,,1949715,00.html



-
Michelle McGuire
Editor, Airflash Magazine
Communications Officer
http://www.commedia.org.uk

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