§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list(a) the names of each company operating mobile telephone networks in Northern Ireland, (b) the number of transmitting masts for which each of those companies has sought planning permission, (c) the number of masts already erected, (d) the number of masts which each of the companies intends to erect to complete their network and (e) where a full list of the masts to be erected by each company can be inspected. [40009]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyFour companies are currently licensed to operate mobile telephone networks in Northern Ireland. These are Vodafone Limited, Telecom Securicor Cellular Radio Limited (trading as Cellnet), Orange Personal Communications Services Limited and Mercury Personal Communications Limited (trading as One 2 One). In line with the Government's general policy of facilitating the growth of new and existing telecommunications systems, extensive permitted development rights have been granted to licensed operators whereby the Department's express planning permission to erect certain types of masts is not required. Where the Department's express planning permission to erect a mast is required, details of the number of applications submitted is as follows:
Company Name 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998(to date) Mercury PC Ltd. 11 5 0 0 0 Vodafone Ltd. 9 4 1 5 1 Orange PCS Ltd. 0 1 2 48 8 Telecom Securicor Cellular Radio Ltd. 3 0 0 5 1