§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) what estimate he has of the implications of the use of ETACS frequencies for mobile telephones for the compatibility of United Kingdom systems with other European Community systems after 1991; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he has any plans to seek powers to enable him to restrict the number of new mobile telephone users until system capacity has been improved; and if he will make a statement;
(3) whether he has received any reports from Oftel on mobile telephone systems; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherThe proposed pan-European digital cellular radio system will begin operation in frequencies which are being reserved throughout Europe for the purpose. The use of ETACS frequencies for present analogue systems in the United Kingdom has enabled us to meet demand by the two United Kingdom operators for more capacity without prejudicing the frequencies being reserved for the common European system.
Because the operators compete on quality of service among other things, and the forces of competition have proved more than adequate in stimulating them to provide capacity. The United Kingdom has consequently more 612W capacity, by a large margin, than any other European country. I have received no recent advice from Oftel specifically relating to mobile cellular telephone system.