Local DAB service on the way for Ashford

Ofcom, the radio industry regulator, has announced they are awarding a DAB multiplex licence for the Ashford area to Ashford DAB - the joint venture between Radio Ashford - Ashford's not-for-profit community radio station, Nation Broadcasting and Kent Capacity Company. The DAB service will give Ashford its own DAB service for the first time and enable Radio Ashford to be heard on DAB in addition to FM and online.

Radio Ashford has been campaigning and negotiating with Ofcom for sometime that Ashford should be included in Ofcom's roll out of Small Scale Digital Audio Broadcasting (ssDAB) which other areas of the country have had for sometime.

Richard Collins, Co-Director of Radio Ashford, said: “Radio Ashford is the community radio station for Ashford and the surrounding area, broadcasting on 107.1FM since 2011. Throughout those successful years on-air the local media landscape has changed dramatically, however Radio Ashford has grown from strength to strength with audiences enjoying local Ashford people broadcasting daily from the town direct to local listeners.

No one knows Ashford like we know Ashford! We love local and we’re proud of our trusted role, keeping communities updated with key information for the area, as well as supporting and promoting local good causes, voluntary organisations and local services.

We’re looking forward to bringing local voices and local topics to DAB digital radio sets across the region, as well as being able to better serve communities and businesses in neighbouring Tenterden and across the wider borough.

Radio Ashford is exceptionally proud to be able to take this project forward to enhance Radio Ashford's development, but also to ensure that Ashford didn't miss this chance for a DAB service, which in turn enables other small scale stations and specialist services to be heard by Ashford residents too.

Bringing small-scale DAB to the Ashford area is an exciting opportunity that will allow us to further develop our service and, working with our partners, enhance the choice of radio services available in the area. Radio has been an important part of local life for many years, and our bid will help ensure that radio remains a strong local friend for many years to come”.

Jason Bryant, Director of Nation Broadcasting, said: “With existing business interests outside of radio in and around the Ashford area, we are looking forward to working with our application partners to deliver a wide range of popular audio services for this great part of Kent".

Gregory Watson, Director of Kent Capacity Co, said: “We are excited to be working with Radio Ashford and Nation Broadcasting to bring small scale DAB to Ashford & Dungeness. Our experience through MuxCo and MuxNet of building and operating countywide and also small-scale multiplexes, as well as working with local partners, has been unique in the UK - helping small operators to become part of the DAB family and enabling many small radio stations to broadcast for the first time".

Article courtesy of Radio Ashford