Independent radio services
31Renewal of national radio licences
1
In section 103A of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (renewal of national licences), in subsection (1), after “renewed” insert “under this section”.
2
After that section insert—
103BFurther renewal of national licences
1
A national licence may be renewed under this section on one occasion for a period of not more than 7 years beginning with the date of renewal (“the renewal period”) (subject to the following provisions of this section).
2
Subsections (2) to (9), (11) and (12) of section 103A apply in relation to the renewal of a licence under this section as they apply in relation to the renewal of a licence under section 103A, subject to subsection (3).
3
Those provisions apply in relation to the renewal of a licence under this section as if the following were omitted—
a
subsection (4)(b),
b
in subsection (4)(c), the words from “or OFCOM” to the end,
c
subsection (6)(a),
d
subsection (8)(a), and
e
subsection (9)(c).
4
Where OFCOM renew a licence under this section they must include in the licence as renewed a condition requiring the licence holder to do all that the licence holder can to secure the broadcasting of a simulcast radio service in digital form throughout the renewal period.
3
Section 103A(12) of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (as applied by section 103B of that Act) does not prevent the determination of a date falling less than one year after the making of the determination where—
a
the Office of Communications consider that the relevant date for the purposes of that section (as applied) is a date which is not more than 15 months after the day on which this section comes into force, and
b
the determination is made as soon as practicable after that day.