BT Wins Cable Franchise

The ITC has awarded the local delivery licence for Milton Keynes to BT New Towns Cable TV Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of British Telecommunications Plc. BT New Towns Cable submitted the highest of four bids received for the licence. BT paid £4,500 for the licence; it is proposing to upgrade the existing narrowband system in Milton Keynes and to expand the service into new areas of the franchise. It hopes to be able to serve at least 114,000 homes by the year 2001.

Meanwhile, South Cumbria Cable & Telecoms Ltd, backed by US Cable Corporation, has been awarded the local delivery licence for South Cumbria. The franchise area covers Barrow-in-Furness Borough and South Lakeland District; the licensee is committed to serving 61,500 homes by the end of the year 2002.

Finally, the local delivery licence for the Isle Of Wight has been awarded to Isle Of Wight Cable and Telephone Company Ltd. The franchise covers the whole of the island and the licensee is committed to serving 43,000 homes by the end of the year of 2002.

BT New Towns Cable TV Ltd: 0171 487 1254

US Cable Corporation: 01582 873 006

Isle Of Wight Cable and Telephone Company Ltd: 01983 531761

ITC:0171 306 7743