Ireland’s First Romanian Christian Community Radio Station, Betania 99.5 FM, Dublin.

dublin | arts and media | press release Monday December 19, 2011 22:58 by Osman Sen-Chadun - A.V. Broadcast Limited osman at avbroadcast dot com

Broadcasting from Damastown, Mulhuddart, Dublin, and supported by Irish broadcast technical services provider A.V. Broadcast Ltd, Betania FM, the first Romanian Christian Community Radio Station in Ireland, received its’ FM radio license and began broadcasting on 17th December 2011 for 30 days.

A.V. Broadcast Limited of Co. Wexford Supports the Launch of Ireland’s First Romanian Christian Community Radio Station, Betania 99.5 FM, Dublin. Broadcasting from Damastown, Mulhuddart, Dublin, and supported by Irish broadcast technical services provider A.V. Broadcast Ltd, Betania FM, the first Romanian Christian Community Radio Station in Ireland, received its’ FM radio license and began broadcasting on 17th December 2011 for 30 days. December 19, 2011 Operating under the BAI (Broadcasting Authority of Ireland) Temporary Licence for Community Radio Stations, and targeting the Romanian community in Dublin, Betania FM broadcasts news, Christian messages for families and young people, programs for children, testimony of lives transformed, Christian music and carols. Broadcast technical services provider, A.V. Broadcast Limited (AVB) of County Wexford, was appointed as “Certified Transmission Installer” in June 2011. From the time of appointment through to the on-air date, AVB worked very closely with Betania to understand their requirements, and ensure the process and handling of all technical and general licence application matters were carried out smoothly and professionally. “It’s been a pleasure to be chosen by and work with a community group as professional, well organised and focused as Betania”, said AVB Director, Nick Peare. “Whilst this is their first broadcast licence, Betania are working towards the goal of a longer term service in the future, and we’ll continue working closely with them to help achieve this. We know how hard Nicolae, Adrian and Valerian have worked to bring this service to their community, and we are delighted with their achievements so far. This is the start of a very much needed service for the Romanian population in Dublin, and one they plan to make full use of to the benefit of their community. Due to the spread of the Romanian population in Dublin, Betania were looking for a particular level of coverage in order to ensure that their broadcast service would be effective. AVB liaised closely with the BAI to make the necessary adjustments to coverage planning predictions and broadcast technical equipment specifications, in order to allow the limitations of the Temporary Radio Licence to be used as efficiently as possible. Detailed site surveys, installation planning and professional coverage mapping allowed Betania to submit their licence application to the BAI by September 2011, allowing enough time for any possible adjustments that may be required as part of the process, and the BAI / ComReg (Commission for Communications Regulation) broadcast licence was issued to Betania in November 2011. The recommended transmission equipment was specified and supplied to Betania by AVB, and installation was carried out at the Betania Romanian Church in Dublin in early December. Prior to the on-air date, AVB carried out full technical commissioning in accordance with BAI regulations. Detailed measurements, analysis and documentation of all technical parameters were carried out by AVB, in order to fully ensure that the broadcast operations of Betania FM were not only fully compliant with regulations, but also reliable and of the highest possible quality and standard. Test transmissions for Betania began on 15th December 2011, and full services began on 17th December 2011. AVB wishes Betania a successful month of broadcasting, and looks forward to working with them toward their future goals. A V Broadcast Limited was formed in March 2010, with headquarters in the Republic of Ireland. The company was awarded European Union capital grant funding by Wexford County Enterprise Board, following a feasibility study of AVB's business and financial plans. For parties interested in applying for operating a temporary or community radio service in Ireland, please contact A.V. Broadcast Limited on 0766 060 050 or 086 155 0280 / 0281, e-mail [email protected] or visit our website: http://www.avbroadcast.ie/community. Press Contact: Osman Sen-Chadun A.V. Broadcast Limited 086 155 0281 [email protected]

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