RTE terminates sale of transmission network

RTE have terminated the sale of their transmission network, after what is described as "a full review of the process."
The review noted that the sole applicant for the network had withdrawn from the Government’s digital multiplex licence (DML) process, though why the unnamed consortium had lost interest was not revealed.
RTE said that the current poor market and economic conditions, coupled with the announcement by the Irish Government that it now intends to review all options for the roll out of digital television in Ireland, also influenced the decision to abandon the sale.
RTE had retained the services UK merchant bank Rothschilds to advise on the sale, estimated to be worth as much as €127 or as little as €20 million.
In a statement, RTE said it looked forward to "being a significant contributor to the Government's consultative process on the future digital policy framework."
(GB)