A new community-led local radio group has been created to apply for the small-scale DAB multiplex in North East London and South West Essex.
East London and Essex Digital is a collaboration from Phoenix FM and Gateway 97.8, which have 30 years of broadcasting on FM between them.
The application will be the only one to have the backing of every Ofcom-licenced community station in the target area.
Phoenix FM Chairman, Paul Golder said: “This is a community-led application aiming to give a louder voice to small community radio stations throughout our area.
“Very few community radio stations are currently able to broadcast on DAB due to the high cost of carriage from existing operators.
“East London and Essex Digital will offer considerably lower carriage rates, with further discounts for not-for-profit stations.
“At least 7 community radio stations will be carried on the new service, each reaching nearly a million new listeners.
“We’re delighted that Phoenix FM has teamed up with Danny Lawrence and the team at Gateway 97.8 to provide a strong foundation for our community plans.”
The consortium is also backed by small-scale DAB specialists, Viamux.
This story first appeared on radiotoday.co.uk