Competition Authority to study Eircell Proposal on Masts.

The Competition Authority has been requested by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney, T.D., under Section 11 of the Competition Act, 1991, to undertake a study and analysis into a proposal submitted by Eircell, the mobile telephone company, and recently considered by the Government.

The Eircell proposal is that it would locate mobile phone antennae at 260 Garda sites/masts around the country for a period of 15 years. 223 of these sites are included in an agreement which was reached with Esat Digifone in early 1997, allowing it access to 418 Garda station sites.

The Authority will consider competition issues relating to this proposal and will report to the Tanaiste before the end of August.

The Authority invites submissions from interested parties to reach the Secretary of the Authority by 5.00p.m. on Tuesday 28th July, 1998.