Seamus Brennan
Question:185 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications when he intends to issue a licence for a second national mobile phone company; and the person to whom this licence will issue. [3788/95]
Written Answers - Mobile Telephone Operating Licence.
I hope to announce a competition for a licence for a second mobile telephone operation in competition with Telecom Éireann's Eircell shortly. Applications will be evaluated by reference to a range of selection criteria including market development plans, quality of service, the approach to tariffs and the amount that each applicant is prepared to pay for the licence. Consultants will be engaged to assist in the evaluation process.The closing date for submission of applications will be approximately four months after the announcement of the competition and the decision on the new licensee will be made within a further four months.
It follows from this that the person to be granted a licence will emerge from the competition and that all applications will be considered on their merits.