Advice needed about getting an FM licence

mcscrub

Hi guys,

just off the bai website, and sadly it was of no help, I'm hoping to find out what the procedure is to apply for a full licence for FM radio in Ireland.

There were forms available for 3 month and temporary licences but there was very little information about how to apply or to even seek full fm licences.

I'm looking for advice on how to get both community and commercial full licences as well as national fm commercial licences.

I'd appreciate anything yee know.

Thanks and all that,
McScrub.

dh0661

www.comreg.ie

Commission for Communications Regulation - ComReg
Commission for Communications Regulation, ComReg, Telecommunication Regulation Ireland, Radiocommunications Regulation Ireland, Postal Regulation Ireland, ...

Fuzzy Clam

You can't just apply for a full national licence. The licence has to be available first. If you're not aware of this, then you're obviously not in a position to hold one. Don't even think about wasting the BAI's time with this.

Losty Dublin

mcscrub wrote: »

Hi guys,

just off the bai website, and sadly it was of no help, I'm hoping to find out what the procedure is to apply for a full licence for FM radio in Ireland.

There were forms available for 3 month and temporary licences but there was very little information about how to apply or to even seek full fm licences.

I'm looking for advice on how to get both community and commercial full licences as well as national fm commercial licences.

I'd appreciate anything yee know.

Thanks and all that,
McScrub.

You can only apply for full licences if and when the BAI list for applications to apply for whatever it is that they want be serviced. The forerunners to the BAI, the BCI used to ask for Expressions of Interest which was basically touting ideas at them to see how they'd fit in.

The temporary stations, you just get the form and apply with a good idea and away you go; you should contact an ex station like the 90's Network or the current Heartbeat for ideas and advice

catch--22

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

You can't just apply for a full national licence. The licence has to be available first. If you're not aware of this, then you're obviously not in a position to hold one. Don't even think about wasting the BAI's time with this.

Jesus, the guy was just asking for advice.

Fuzzy Clam

catch--22 wrote: »

Jesus, the guy was just asking for advice.

You don't say.

Anybody who is serious about applying for a national licence would already be aware of the procedure. Not to mention all the costs.

If you think the best advice for gaining one of these licences can be got here on Boards, then go ahead and give that advice.

mcscrub

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

You don't say.

Anybody who is serious about applying for a national licence would already be aware of the procedure. Not to mention all the costs.

If you think the best advice for gaining one of these licences can be got here on Boards, then go ahead and give that advice.

Jaysus fuzzy Clam....I'm working on a media project here where I was hoping to use information on FM licencing as part of it.... don't worry I won't be beating you to an fm licence or anything - excuse my ignorance!

catch--22

Yeah, I know. You managed to answer the guys question in your first two lines.

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

You can't just apply for a full national licence. The licence has to be available first.

But no need for the narky follow up.

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

If you're not aware of this, then you're obviously not in a position to hold one. Don't even think about wasting the BAI's time with this.

This is a forum for the discussion of radio and to give people the opportunity to ask and answer questions. Replies in that tone are really not needed.

Fuzzy Clam

Op made no mention that it was for a project.

It is natural to assume that when somebody inquires as to the procedure of acquiring a national radio licence, then that is what they intend to do.

No mention of a media project.

Donkey Oaty

OP, you might find it useful to look at a successful submission for a full-time licence.

Here's one.

It should give you a good idea of the kind of info the BCI are looking for.

Bard

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

Op made no mention that it was for a project.

That doesn't make it ok to reply in a narky way. Keep it civil, please.

The Muppet

mcscrub wrote: »

Hi guys,

just off the bai website, and sadly it was of no help, I'm hoping to find out what the procedure is to apply for a full licence for FM radio in Ireland.

There were forms available for 3 month and temporary licences but there was very little information about how to apply or to even seek full fm licences.

I'm looking for advice on how to get both community and commercial full licences as well as national fm commercial licences.

I'd appreciate anything yee know.

Thanks and all that,
McScrub.

I'd appoach the BAI with aproposal, If they think it's a runner they would advertises for statements of interest for such a licence, which I would then apply for and take it from there. I'd be prepared for mountains of paperwork and red tape.

Bard

Fuzzy Clam & Lapin - whatever about wasting the BAI's time .. Stop wasting mine by posting off-topic messages.

Fuzzy Clam

The Muppet wrote: »

I'd appoach the BAI with aproposal,

You might, but that's not the procedure. Most likely outcome would be that the BAI would inform you that there are no licences available.

Losty Dublin has given the most accurate answer so far. I'm not sure about the expressions of interest but afaik, applications also need to accompanied by a hefty, non returnable, fee. 10 or 20,000 euros, not too sure.

mcscrub

Thanks for all of the help - I have a lot to work with here.

The Muppet

Fuzzy Clam wrote: »

You might, but that's not the procedure. Most likely outcome would be that the BAI would inform you that there are no licences available.

Losty Dublin has given the most accurate answer so far. I'm not sure about the expressions of interest but afaik, applications also need to accompanied by a hefty, non returnable, fee. 10 or 20,000 euros, not too sure.

It may not be the written procedure but it's an avenue that from my experience could work. The BAI are more likely to advertise for declarations of interest in a sector that they know there are already group/s interested in setting up a station, It makes sense really.

Mike O' Brien

mcscrub,

as someone who has run 2 temp stations the piece of advice I can give you is to raise about 5grand for a temp licence and kick off from there. The BAI are most hepful on things you may need help with. Just prepared that it can and nealrly always does turn in to a money pit.

just my 2 cents.

More Music

The BAI need to advertise the licence first and invite applications from interested parties.

You need:

> Well know backers and a token charity/do gooder type person.
> Legal, banking and management in place.
> A detailed application outling ownership, mangement, programming, staffing, finances and technical.
> Market & programming research.
> Critical path analysis & readiness date.
> Approx. 20 copies of said application.
> Approx €20k submitted with your application (bulk of which is non refundable).
> Roughly another €20k to put the whole submission together.

Then if you're successful, a lot of money to start the whole thing up. And more again if it's a national station.

Riamfada

Ive done the temp forms 4 times at this stage, all successful. If you want I have a successful submission around here somewhere. PM me if you want advice. Its fairly easy but a little expensive.