Ofcom starts auction for local TV stations

Ofcom has published details on the auction of radio spectrum licences for the Manchester and Cardiff areas.
Each licence is for an 8 MHz frequency channel in the spectrum used for terrestrial television. These frequencies are being freed-up by the digital switchover.
Small packages of spectrum are being created between television transmitters as part of the switchover process. These ‘white spaces’ are then suitable for local television services.

The channels could serve around 180,000 homes in the Cardiff area and more than 500,000 households in Manchester.
The date for receipt of applications for the Manchester licence is 26 January 2009, while the date for receipt of applications for the Cardiff licence is 18 February 2009.