EON APPLY FOR SERVICE LICENCE

THE ITC have received an application from Eon Telecommunications for a non-exclusive local delivery service licence to provide television services over broadband cable or telephone networks.
The licence will permit the company to offer a full range of television services in the whole of the United Kingdom.
Eon Telecommunications is a wholly owned subsidiary of Eon Communications, which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Eon Holdings.
The applicant has committed to serve the minimum 1001 homes in the 15-year licence period. A nominal cash bid of £1 has been made and the ITC have set the percentage of qualifying revenue to be paid for non-exclusive licences at zero.
The next step is for the ITC to consult the Communications and Information Industries Directorate of the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), the Radiocommunications Agency (RA) and the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel) to establish that the technical plan proposed is acceptable.
The ITC must also be satisfied that the applicant will be able to maintain their service throughout the period of the licence. For this purpose the ITC will be evaluating the confidential financial information submitted and may seek additional details if necessary.
The ITC hope to be able to announce their decision on the award of the licence early autumn 2001. (CD)