NEWS: OFCOM TO REVIEW 'RSL'

TEMPORARY LOW-POWER RADIO STATION LICENSING

SYSTEM

by GRANT GODDARD

www.grantgoddard.co.uk

May 2006

News: Ofcom To Review 'RSL' Temporary Low-Power Radio Station Licensing System Page 2 ©2006 Grant Goddard

Ofcom has revealed that the future of its Restricted Service Licence [RSL] temporary radio station licensing system and its present allocation to the 87.7 to 87.9 FM sub-band will be considered within the 'Future Of Radio' project that the regulator launched recently. In the meantime, Ofcom is proposing that the scope of RSLs be extended to allow commercial organisations to participate, and that the regulatory process be made simpler. In a new consultation that invites comments by 5 July 2006, Ofcom is suggesting that companies such as shopping centres and theme parks be allowed to apply for long-term RSLs, and that current restrictions be lifted to allow RSLs in areas where commercial or community radio stations are being advertised. Views are also being invited as to how Ofcom should award an RSL licence where there are several competing applicants wanting the same time period, such as during Ramadan. Much of the existing Ofcom RSL policy has been inherited from former regulator The Radio Authority and has remained unchanged since then. Peter Davies, Ofcom director of radio and multimedia, said: "The proposed changes will help to reduce the regulatory burden for stakeholders, while also expanding the range of restricted radio services in the future." [First published in 'The Radio Magazine' as 'RSL Deregulation Proposed', #734, 3 May 2006]

Grant Goddard is a media analyst / radio specialist / radio consultant with thirty years of experience in the broadcasting industry, having held senior management and consultancy roles within the commercial media sector in the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia. Details at http://www.grantgoddard.co.uk