Press Releases
Boxer DTT Consortium Awarded Licence to Roll out Digital Television across Ireland
21st July 2008
Boxer DTT Ltd welcomes today’s announcement by The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland that it has been awarded the licence to provide digital terrestrial television services in Ireland. The Boxer DTT consortium, made up of Communicorp, leading Swedish digital terrestrial television operator Boxer TV Access, with BT Ireland as a business partner, beat off strong competition from two other consortia to win the 12 year licence.
Commenting on the announcement Lucy Gaffney, Chairperson of Boxer DTT said; “We are delighted to have been awarded the licence and look forward to rolling out a world class broadcast network in Ireland over the coming months. As an independent operator formed with the sole purpose of providing these services, our offering provides consumers with excellent choice and simple, flexible and affordable access to a wide range of TV channels. I would like to thank all members of our team who have contributed to this success.”
Boxer DTT will launch its offering in January 2009, with a goal of offering an alternative to nearly every Irish household.
The 12 year licence will enable Boxer to operate three multiplexes (broadcasting networks) providing about 30 channels of crystal clear digital TV through existing roof top aerials. The service will debut in major cities and coverage will be extended to the whole country by 2012, when current analogue TV signals are likely to be phased out.
Per Norman, CEO, Boxer Group said Boxer had significant experience as the DTT multiplex operator in Sweden since 1999 and was well positioned to meet the challenges in delivering digital terrestrial television services in Ireland. “We are delighted with today’s announcement and are confident that the Boxer DTT offering will bring competition and an increased variety of programmes to Irish consumers. We look forward to rolling out a service where there is something for everyone” said Per Norman, CEO, Boxer Group.
Entry level pay television services is planned to start at €9.99 per month and Boxer will offer exciting features in the pay TV market including “pay as you go”, “plug and play” installation and a selection of portable card options for different customer requirements. These products have already proved successful in Scandinavia, where Boxer has 710,000 subscribers and is Sweden’s leading digital television service.
For further information contact:
Ruth Burnside, Fleishman Hillard, 01 6188 481 / 087 2266793
James Morrissey, 086 2550487
Note to Editors
About Communicorp Group Ltd.
Communicorp Group Ltd is a media holding company, founded in 1989 by Irish entrepreneur Denis O’Brien. The company’s media holdings include radio stations, Internet portals and service companies. Today, Communicorp has over 800 employees in 8 different European countries. Communicorp is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.
About Boxer TV Access AB
Boxer began trading in Sweden in October 1999 and is owned by networks provider Teracom and the venture-capital company 3i. It focuses on digital terrestrial television offering attractive programme packages and added-value services at competitive prices.
About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
In the year ended 31 March 2008, BT Group plc’s revenue was £20,704 million with profit before taxation and specific items of £2,506 million.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.
For more information, visit http://www.bt.com/aboutbt
