ITC Invites Satellite Interest

The ITC is inviting expressions of interest from any group interested in applying for a domestic satellite licence using the old BSB Marcopolo satellite.

The invitation arises directly from the termination of BSkyB’s domestic satellite services contract, which will occur on 30 December 1992.

BSkyB’s programming carried on the Astra satellite is considered non- domestic, but the company took over BSB’s DSS contract when it merged with Sky in 1990. BSkyB will make available the five transponders on its domestic Marcopolo satellite to the providers of Direct Broadcasting by Satellite (DBS) services under licences issued for the purpose by the ITC.

In the special case of services intended primarily for minorities and special interest groups, BSkyB has agreed to charge only a token rental for transponder capacity for as long as the licensee has no appreciable income.

The licences, for which invitations to apply will be issued later this year, are for a fixed term of 15 years and are to be allocated by competitive tender.

ITC: 071 584 7011