Ofcom has asked for expressions of interest from prospective applicants for community radio licences to help plan for a possible third phase of community radio development:

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radio/ifi/rbl/commun_radio/tlproc/interest/

In order to assist the planning for a possible third phase of community radio development, Ofcom is now inviting prospective applicants for a community radio licence to submit an ‘expression of interest’, outlining their intention to apply.

An ‘expression of interest’ should include the following information:

• The name of your organisation
• The area you wish to broadcast to (or location of the service) (FM frequencies are not expected to be available in some areas, please see ‘availability of FM frequencies’ below)
• A short description of the community you wish to serve
• Your contact details

Any groups needing help, guidance or advice with regard to submitting
an expression of interest for the third round of licensing should
email thirdround [at] commedia.org.uk or telephone the CMA office on
0114 279 5219.

The submission of an ‘expression of interest’ will not form part of any subsequent licensing scheme, and it will not be taken as a binding promise on the part of its author to apply for a licence. Equally, an invitation to apply for a community radio licence will not be limited only to those who have previously submitted an ‘expression of interest’.

The ‘expressions of interest’ will help Ofcom to decide whether to invite applications, and if so to help them design a licensing process which takes account of the pattern of expected demand in different parts of the country, as well as anticipated FM (and AM) frequency availability. This may involve inviting applications on a regional basis, as Ofcom did in the second round, rather than from all over the UK at the same time (as in the first round).