26th Jun 2007 10:13
Office of Communications26 June 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ofcom to consult on BSkyB's proposed digital terrestrial television services 26 June 2007 Ofcom announced today that it will conduct a public consultation on proposalsfrom BSkyB (Sky) and National Grid Wireless Ltd (NGW) to replace Sky's freechannels with pay TV services on the digital terrestrial television (DTT)platform. Following Sky's indicative announcement of these plans on 8 February 2007, Ofcomhas been supplied with further detail by the two companies and now hassufficient information to review the proposals. Sky is seeking to replace its three existing free-to-air channels with three paytelevision channels on DTT. However, Sky is not proposing to use MPEG4compression technology at this stage, as originally stated in its previousannouncement. The applications raise a number of important issues, including a considerationof how Ofcom can best ensure fair and effective competition for the benefit ofconsumers. Ofcom expects to issue a consultation document in the autumn, provided there areno further delays in the conclusion of outstanding technical and commercialissues between the applicants. Ofcom's normal consultation period is ten weeks.This will be followed by a Statement, which Ofcom would hope to publish earlynext year. In the meantime, NGW is obliged to ensure that Sky's free-to-air channels remainon the DTT platform pending the outcome of Ofcom's review. Ends. NOTES FOR EDITORS AND CSEs Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UKcommunications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio,telecommunications and wireless communications services. For further details please visit www.ofcom.org.uk. CONTACT Ofcom Media Office [email protected] (+44) (0)20 7981 3033 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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