Post: Community-led consortium hopes to introduce local DAB to East London & South Essex

Community-led consortium hopes to introduce local DAB to East London & South Essex

East London and Essex Digital CIC (ELED), a community-lead local radio group has formed, with intentions of becoming the small-scale digital radio (DAB) multiplex operator, as advertised by Ofcom for the latest round of providing an ultra-local DAB service, with a view to operating  North East London and South West Essex DAB service.

East London and Essex Digital (ELED) consortium formed by local community radio stations Phoenix FM (Brentwood) & Gateway 97.8 (Basildon), who have a combined 30 years experience in community radio.

The application from ELED will be unique in its area as it will be the only one to have the backing of every Ofcom-licenced community radio station within the target area (Gateway 97.8, Phoenix 98Basildon Hospital Radio 87.7).
In addition Bedrock Radio serving the health community across East London & South Essex have given support to the multiplex application.

The consortium is also backed by Viamux, who have a successful track record in maintaining DAB services for existing small-scale operators across the country. 

If successful, ELED intend to offer considerably lower carriage rates (compared to existing regional operators), in order to support not-for-profit stations, with seven community DAB radio stations able to broadcast on the digital service.

The new small-scale DAB operation will allow for more truly local radio stations, increasing the selection of stations to enjoy for almost 1 million people living across East London and South Essex area. 
For more information visit https://eled.uk

Bedrock Radio has recently made an application to Ofcom to obtain a a community DAB broadcasting licence and is awaiting a decision from the regulator.
If successful, Bedrock Radio will be able to serve the expanded health community by joining the winning multiplex operator, forecasted to launch in 2024.