Batt O'Keeffe
Question:110 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he has satisfied himself with the progress being made by Esat who were awarded the second mobile phone licence in 1996. [2715/97]
Written Answers. - Esat Digifone.
The licence for GSM mobile telephony was issued to Esat Digifone on 16 May 1996 with an obligation to launch service within nine months. I am aware that Esat have experienced some problems with regard to planning permissions, which is not entirely surprising given the number of separate applications involved in such a major project. This may give rise to a short delay in the launch date. I am satisfied that it would be preferable for them to launch with wide coverage even at the expense of a short delay.