17/06/05 - Good Signal for VIP

Glasgow-based VIP ON AIR, Europe's first radio service dedicated to the needs of blind and partially sighted people, has been awarded a community radio licence by the communications regulator, Ofcom.

The licence, one of only 15 announced this week for the whole of the UK, means VIP ON AIR will be able to broadcast over the air waves across the Glasgow area. The service is currently available over the internet and  is run by a partnership of organisations including Glasgow City Council, BBC Scotland and RNIB Scotland along with South Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire councils and other charities and organisations working with people with sight loss.

Billy Watson, director of RNIB Scotland, says: "This is a ground breaking announcement which we warmly welcome. VIP ON AIR has won this licence against a lot of competition which speaks volumes for the quality and innovation of the service. It is a tremendous credit to the energy and commitment of the station's staff.

"Only 18 months after launching as Europe's first web-based service for people with sight loss, VIP ON AIR has now secured access to a mainstream broadcasting platform. This is a great opportunity to support more blind and partially sighted people who are often among the most isolated in our society."