Hong Kong’s media regulator has given Phoenix U Radio an extra year to launch its third DAB digital radio station.

This is the second extension given by the Hong Kong Communications Authority since Phoenix was granted DAB licences in 2011.

The company launched its first station in January 2012.

Its broadcast licence stipulates that the second and third stations should be launched within six and twelve months of the first.

In July last year, the company was granted an extension to January 17 2013 for the second station and September 21 for the third.

Its second station was then launched on October 18 2012.

HKCA said it was prepared to grant a second extension as Phoenix U had “demonstrated commitment to the development of DAB services”.

“It was the first licensee to formally launch a DAB service in Hong Kong, eight months ahead of the second licensee, and had rolled out two-thirds of the channels committed in the Licence,” said the regulator’s statement earlier this month.

HKCA has given Phoenix U until September 19 2014 to launch its third station and demanded a HK$1 million performance bond to secure the formal launch within the new time-frame.