The licence is for a term of 10 years from the service's start date, however the service will only be available while the analogue terrestrial transmission of Channel 5 continues.
This means that if the government sticks to its analogue switch-off target of between 2006 and 2010, the Channel 5 analogue signal and any new contract signed will go with it.
The licence, which can be used for a combination of teletext or similar services, will be awarded on the basis of competitive tender or cash bid. Applications should be accompanied by a fee of £40,000.
The licence will be operational seven days a week during the hours that Channel 5 is broadcast and the service will be aired over the transmitters used by the channel.
The closing date for applications is March 1 2002 and the licence will be awarded at the end of April 2002.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand
Republic, join the debate in the .