Deadline For Digital Multiplex Applications

The deadline for applications to operate digital terrestrial television multiplexes is noon on Friday 31 January 1997.

Once the ITC has received the applications, the Commission will announce the names of the applicants, and the licences for which they have bid by 4pm the same day. This information will be available on Newsline as soon as it is received.

Copies of the summaries of applications will be available from the ITC from Monday 3 February.

There is no cash bid involved in the applications. The ITC will award each multiplex licence to the applicant it considers best fulfills the six criteria. The criteria to be considered are:

-the coverage area proposed.

-the speed of the roll-out service.

-the applicants’ ability to establish and maintain the service.

-the appeal of the programme services to a variety of tastes and interests.

-the applicants’ plans for promoting or assisting the acquisition of decoders by viewers.

-the applicants’ plans to ensure fair and effective competition in their dealings with providers of

programme and additional services.

The ITC hopes to award the licences in the Spring of 1997. First services should be on-air by mid 1998.

ITC: 0171 255 3000