HC Deb 04 November 1983 vol 47 c470W
Mr. Gale

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria have been used by British Telecom in the awarding of the first European satellite channel; what criteria will be applied by British Telecom in deciding the award of the second European satellite channel; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hurd

The provision of telecommunications facilities is primarily a matter for the commercial judgment of British Telecom and Mercury. BT has leased two channels on the ECS 1 satellite, and a number of channels on other satellites, for the purpose of transmitting television signals to cable systems. I understand that in finding customers for this service, BT is seeking to use the capacity to its fullest extent, taking account of those applications that it received first.

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