The Government may be about to come up with a switch-off date for analogue radio broadcast on the AM and FM bands.  

Industry regulator Ofcom has proposed that licensing of the AM (medium wave) radio spectrum should be reviewed within two years with a review of the FM spectrum to follow in 2012.

This would bring an analogue radio switch-off into a similar timescale to that proposed for the analogue TV switch-off.

But this could happen sooner. Ofcom believes switch-off should happen when “digital listening accounts for 50% of all listening”.  

While Ofcom said there are no immediate plans to switch-off analogue (FM and AM) radio it pointed out that “current trends suggest that 90% of all radio listening will be via digital platforms by 2017”.

“Existing analogue commercial radio licences will expire between 2009 and 2027, depending upon the date of issue. Under current legislation, these licences would be re-advertised. However, in the future this spectrum might be better used for other services such as mobile television, more digital radio, more community radio services or other new technologies,” said Ofcom in a discussion paper.

Ofcom believes that Government may wish to consider how to allow it to achieve common end-dates for all FM and AM licences. “This will be a key question as digital radio listening continues to grow,” said the regulator.

“Radio remains important to many consumers, but the environment which it operates in is changing. It is essential that regulation reflects this. The proposals we outline today seek to ensure a vibrant and innovative UK radio sector,” said Ed Richards, Ofcom’s chief executive.

The closing date for responses to Ofcom’s consultation is 29 June 2007.