Norwegian regulator forces DTT multiplex review

NTV, the operating company of the Norwegian DTT platform, has been forced to withdraw a letter inviting expressions of interest in an additional half multiplex that will become available after switchover.

The Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority sent NTV an eight-page letter asking the company to reconsider its proposals.

After switchover in 2009 Norway will have five multiplexes: the first two have been allocated to the public broadcaster NRK and the incumbent commercial network TV2. Two and a half multiplexes have been allocated to the commercial operator Riks TV with the remaining half multiplex held back to fulfil NTV’s obligations to ensure competition on the platform.

However, the telecommunications authority believes the half multiplex to be insufficient, and NTV could be forced to withdraw its offer to NTV. The situation is complex because NTV and Riks TV have common shareholders in NRK, TV2 and Telenor.

The closing date for the call was March 14, and although no offers had been received, this is typical for such a process.