Digital deal clears borough’s airwaves

A PIONEERING deal to deliver a state-of-the-art digital radio network for the borough has been struck by Oldham Council.

Even before domestic TV and radio users began making the digital switchover, it became clear that Oldham’s set of ageing analogue radio channels — used by the council and its partners — was fast becoming obsolete.

The channels — used by NiteNet Radio for town centre pubs to communicate with each other, the police and the local authority — are unreliable and dogged by interference that degrades the quality of the signal.

Now a new deal with Arqiva will unlock digital radio technology covering the whole borough and provide crystal-clear sound, improved communications flexibility, plus a direct link to the council’s control room and on to emergency services.

The deal is particularly good news for small local businesses — such as taxi firms, security companies and retail premises — which rely on radio communications.

Installing a digital network of this size would be prohibitively expensive for any small firm, but now they will be able to access the new local network without incurring those set-up costs.

Councillor Mark Alcock, cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said: “Small businesses that rely on clear communications need the very best radio service they can get, but often they are forced to struggle along with old technology as the latest is simply too expensive.

“We recognised that and through this deal we’re now able to provide access to digital technology at prices that small firms right across the borough can afford.

“Our current radio system is on its last legs. It has poor sound quality, is affected by bad weather and different channels that are not lined up.

“We are delighted to have reached this unique partnership deal with Arqiva that will now deliver the modern radio infrastructure that Oldham needs for the future.”

Arqiva are leaders in broadcast transmission, media services, communications infrastructure and network solutions for the digital world.

Steve Mace, Arqiva’s public safety sales director, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Oldham Council in the delivery of a new and improved digital radio communications network.”

“We believe that the partnership approach adopted for this project will provide real benefits to a broad range of local businesses and organisations and could provide a benchmark for other similar projects around the country.”

The deal — which will see an investment of £340,000 in digital radio infrastructure — is the first time a local authority has entered into a public-private partnership contract to provide a radio network available to both the local authority and the private sector.

The move will enable Oldham Council to remodel its communications requirements and cut costs — allowing certain unnecessary mobile phones to be replaced by cheaper radio solutions.

It also means the authority can consolidate its radio services, remove the analogue infrastructure, and clear much-needed space on masts, including the Civic Centre roof.