In March 2021, Ofcom announced it is conducting a trial implementation of ‘limited coverage’ FM restricted service radio licences, and invited applications from potential participants.
The trial will test whether the use of limited coverage FM spectrum – at low power and over a short range of up to around 1 km radius – is a viable way of making more spectrum available for the licensing of restricted radio services in the future. We expect it to be particularly suitable for providing radio services to defined establishments such as hospitals or army barracks.
Update 18 June 2021 – details of successful applicants
Ofcom received 23 applications from parties wishing to take part in trials by the closing date of 30 April 2021.
Following consideration of those applications against the eligibility criteria and objectives of the trial set out in the Invitation to Apply (PDF, 278.8 KB), Ofcom has decided to award licences to participate in the trial to applicants proposing to serve the following establishments.
| Establishment | Proposed Service Name | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Harrogate District Hospital | Harrogate Hospital Radio | Harrogate |
| Osborne Stable Block Business Park | Our Island Radio | Isle of Wight |
| Derriford Hospital | Hospital Radio Plymouth | Plymouth |
| East Surrey Hospital | Radio Redhill | Redhill |
| Leicester General Hospital | LCR2 | Leicester |
| Stoke Mandeville Hospital | Stoke Mandeville Hospital Radio | Aylesbury |
| George Eliot Hospital | Anker Radio | Nuneaton |
| St Margaret’s Hospital | Forest Gold Radio | Epping |
| University of York campus | University Radio York | York |
| Gilwell Park - Scout Association headquarters | Scout Radio | Chingford |
| Bovington military base | BFBS Blandford | Bovington |
| Shorncliffe military base | BFBS Gurkha Radio | Dover |
The trial licences will have a 12-month duration, and we expect that the trial services will come on-air on 1 September 2021.
Ofcom is inviting applications for ‘limited coverage’ FM restricted service radio licences as part of a new trial.
The trial will test whether the use of limited coverage FM spectrum – at low power and over a short range of up to around 1 km radius – is a viable way of making more spectrum available for the licensing of restricted radio services in the future. We expect it to be particularly suitable for providing radio services to defined establishments such as hospitals or army barracks.
Ofcom is looking to issue 10 of these trial licences, each for a term of 12 months.
In order to participate in the trial, applicants will need to meet the eligibility criteria and provide information on their experiences of participating in the trial to Ofcom, as set out in the 'Invitation to apply' document below.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on 30 April 2021. Please send your completed application form to limitedcoveragetrial@ofcom.org.uk.
Update 21 April 2021 – who can apply for the trial
Following feedback from potential applicants for the trial, we can confirm that Ofcom welcomes applications from corporate bodies other than companies, such as charities. If you have any questions about how to complete the application form, please contact us on the email address above.
Application form: limited coverage FM restricted service radio trial licence (ODT, 83.4 KB)