We are very pleased to advise that the Ofcom consultation process for the reinstatement of Winchester SS-DAB has now been completed, and we are officially approved to bring the Winchester DAB service back on-air.
All documents regarding the Ofcom consultation process can he found on the Ofcom website.
This has been an unprecedented and extremely demanding process to achieve in such a short timescale, from establishing a new multiplex operations company to acquiring Ofcom licences and equipment, seeking a new landlord and technically feasible transmission site, developing a new financially sustainable business model, arduous technical, coverage and antenna propagation planning, through to the new site installation and build – a process that new licensees have over 18 months to complete, we have managed to achieve in just under 3 months!
Given we have now reached this stage, we are very keen to bring radio services back on-air as soon as possible, as we are aware that the loss of service to this area since November has been very damaging. In the first instance, we are therefore re-engaging with radio stations previously available on the Winchester DAB multiplex to discuss re-joining.
If you are a former radio station who we have not yet contacted, or a new party interested in joining the Winchester multiplex, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We will provide a further update in due course confirming the Winchester DAB re-launch date.