ITC INVITE APPLICATIONS FOR SERVICE LICENCE ON CHANNEL 5

THE ITC today have issued a formal invitation to apply for an additional service licence to use spare capacity within the analogue terrestrial signals on Channel 5.
Applicants are free to propose any combination of teletext or similar services on an open access or closed user group basis. Legislation does not require that there be any positive content requirements.
The licence is for a term of ten years from the agreed commencement date. Applicants must note however, that the licence will only remain effective while the analogue terrestrial transmission of Channel 5 continues and its effective term will be reduced if digital switchover is completed within the ten-year licence period.
The Government target is to achieve switchover between 2006 and 2010. It will also be subject to prevailing legislation.
The licence will be awarded on the basis of a competitive tender. The percentage of qualifying revenue payable to the Treasury will be set at nought per cent. A fee of £40,000 must accompany the application.
The licence will provide for a seven day a week operation during the hours that Channel 5 is broadcast. Coverage of the service under the licence will be effected by the transmitters used to broadcast Channel 5 signals.
The Additional Service carried within the Channel 5 signals will not necessarily achieve the same effective coverage as the Channel 5 service itself.
The closing date for applications is March 1, 2002. This notice constitutes the formal notification required under statute. The ITC anticipates that the licence will be awarded at the end of April 2002. (CD)