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About 60 stations will begin broadcasting on digital radio for the first time using the 'small scale DAB' approach, which could provide a more affordable way for smaller stations to broadcast via digital radio. “If the trials are successful, UK listeners could benefit from hundreds more local and community radio stations on digital radio in the future,” said Ofcom.

Currently, the cost of broadcasting on DAB is beyond the reach of many small radio stations. But a new approach, pioneered in the UK by Ofcom engineer Rashid Mustapha, means that small-scale radio stations could start broadcasting on DAB radio for a fraction of current costs.

It will use Cambridge 105's site at the OLEM church on Hills Road and the Star Radio facility at the Gog Magog Hills to broadcast a multiplex of stations, all of them new to DAB in Cambridge.

David Harber, Commercial Manager of Express FM, said:"With nearly half of adults nationally having access to a DAB digital radio, being on DAB digital radio in addition to FM, will enable our unique local programming to be heard in Portsmouth on as many radios as possible."

Listeners in ten areas around the country will benefit from new DAB digital stations. Around 60 stations will begin broadcasting on digital radio for the first time using 'small scale DAB'. The new approach could provide a more affordable way for smaller stations to broadcast on DAB digital radio.

Each trial will allow new digital radio services to broadcast to a local area and will help explore how groups of radio stations can work together. The trials will also inform Ofcom's work on identifying suitable frequencies for broadcasting smaller digital stations and help understand how these services could be licensed.

A Cheshire business is looking to trial six new digital radio channels for Manchester in a move which could also see the return of Steve Penk and his wind-up channel. Chester-based Niocast Digital, led by experienced broadcast media pros David Duffy and John Evington has submitted an application to operate a DAB multiplex in Manchester as part of broadcast regulator Ofcom’s nine-month trial of small-scale digital radio.