As the analogue signal is switched off between 2008 and 2012, new airwaves will be released for use in television transmission, mobile broadband or any number of other transmission possibilities – these airwaves are referred to as the “Digital Dividend”. Public Voice believes that non-profits will lose out to large commercial players if they are forced to bid for use of these airwaves, as the current Ofcom plan (the Digital Dividend Review) is proposing.

In response, Public Voice has written to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Department of Trade and Industry which, along with Ofcom, will ultimately be responsible for deciding if the sell-off takes place. The letter, undersigned by representatives from the BBC, RNIB and Media Trust to name a few, urged government to ensure some of the airwaves were made available for community, citizen and public use.

Public Voice’s project manager for the Digital Dividend Project, Rebecca Fulton, said: “Under the Communications Act of 2003 Ofcom has a duty to further the interests of citizens in relation to communications matter. However, since their plans to auction these airwaves became public we’ve heard from a range of groups who do not believe these plans are reflective of that duty. We hope the DCMS and DTI select committees will step in to rectify this.”

For more on the Digital Dividend Review visit: www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ddr