Two Bid for UK DAB License

LONDON -- Ofcom has received two applications for the Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) national radio multiplex licence. The multiplex licence will allow the broadcast of a number of radio services as well as the delivery of other services including mobile television channels.

The licence is designed to cover the whole of the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, subject to constraints on international frequencies and the location of transmitter sites.

The applicants are:

4 DIGITAL GROUP LIMITED
124 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2TX
Contact: Nathalie Schwarz, Tel: 020 7396 4444, Email:
[email protected]

The shareholders of 4 Digital Group Limited are as follows:
Channel 4 Radio Limited 55%
Sky News Radio Limited 10%
Emap Digital Radio Limited 10%
UTV Radio (GB) Limited 10%
The Carphone Warehouse Group plc 10%
UBC Media Group plc 5%

NATIONAL GRID WIRELESS LIMITED
Wireless House, Warwick Technology Park, Heathcote Lane, Warwick CV34 6DD
Contact: Stephen Arnold, Tel: 01926 416870, Email:
[email protected]

National Grid Wireless is a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Grid.

Ofcom intends to make an award decision within four months. The service will be able to launch any time from the beginning of 2008, once the spectrum for this licence becomes available.

Ofcom