UTV offering Net service in Republic

Ulster Television (UTV) has introduced a residential Internet service, UTV Internet, in the Republic, a move which forms part of a £10 million sterling investment in its Internet division.

Offering unlimited email addresses and personal website space, local call Internet access, free ISDN capacity and free customer technical support, the new service for the Republic coincides with UTV's entry to the North's telecommunications market.

Yesterday UTV initiated a telecoms service in the North offering an off-peak discount of at least 25 per cent on local, national and international calls compared with British Telecommunications' (BT) standard rates. UTV will offer unlimited off-peak Internet calls with no per minute charges to Northern Ireland subscribers.

It is offering the services through alliances with telecoms providers nevada tele.com, Worldcom and BT's Ocean for the Internet service.

UTV Internet says it plans to offer a similar telecommunications service in the Republic once the "regulatory environment improves". It is understood the company is talking to a number of telecoms operators in the Republic, including Ocean, with a view to offering a telecoms service once a wholesale unmetered rate is introduced here.

Speaking to The Irish Times, UTV Internet managing director, Mr Scott Taunton, said: "We wouldn't rule out obtaining a telecoms licence in the Republic, and will be investigating over the next six months whether it is economically viable to become a full carrier class telco."

UTV Internet will extend the service to business customers within the next two to three months. This service will provide the primary revenue stream for UTV Internet by offering web hosting, domain registration and web development services.

The firm now plans to spend £1.9 million on its marketing campaign. Access CDs to the Internet service will be available through Maxol branches throughout the Republic. Further details of the service are available online at www.utvinternet.com, by emailing support@utvinternet.com or telephoning 1890 926 000.