ComReg has announced a consultation on the award of UHF spectrum in an initial five urban areas in Ireland. The regulator says the consultation in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Waterford could spell the launch of a multi-city mobile TV service, but that other mobile multimedia applications will be considered.
ComReg is proposing to award licences for a period of 10 years with wholesale service obligations aimed at ensuring access to the content on fair, transparent and non-discriminatory basis for other operators. Mobile TV services will be expected to launch within two years. Licence fees would be set at an initial €340,000 indexed to the Consumer Price Index.
A second option for alternative applications again focuses on a 10-year licence period. A spectrum mask will provide 8MHz of bandwidth. An annual licence fee of €650,000 indexed to the Consumer Price Index would be payable.
The licences would be awarded through a sealed bid auction.
