The UK’s Digital One has applied to extend its national DAB multiplex to Northern Ireland for the first time.
The mux, which has been on-air for over a decade, has never been available in Northern Ireland but since the Digital Economy Act 2010, it has been entitled to extend the coverage of its licensed area, subject to consultation.
Now Digital One owners have asked to commence the consultation process which would see national UK stations such as Smooth Radio, UCB, Planet Rock, Jazz FM and Kiss available in the area on terrestrial radio for the first time.
Digital One proposes to provide coverage of Northern Ireland using six transmitters, at each of Divis, Carnmoney Hill, Londonderry, Brougher Mountain, Strabane and Limavady. It says that it will launch all of these transmitters within six months of Ofcom granting its request.
Before deciding whether to agree to Digital One’s request, Ofcom is legally required to seek representations on the request from any interested parties. This consultation represents that opportunity. The closing-date for representations to be made is 14th March 2013.