Vol. 444 No. 5
118 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications when he will start the process to select a company to which a licence will be issued to operate mobile service; when tenders will be invited; when he will issue a licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The preparatory work necessary to announce the opening of a competition for the licensing of a second operator for digital cellular mobile radio telephony (GSM) in Ireland is almost complete and I will make the announcement shortly. After the announcement, I will be allowing a period of about three months for formulation and submission of proposals by applicants. A further three months will be required for assessment of the proposals and selection of the successful applicant, following which a licence will be issued.
