Section 218: Duty to secure the provision of a public teletext service
477.This section imposes a duty on OFCOM to secure (i) the provision of a single, nationwide, public teletext service in a digital format broadcast by way of a television multiplex service, and (ii) the provision of an analogue teletext service on the spare capacity available on Channels 3 and 4 and S4C until the first of these services ceases to transmit in analogue format. The licence holder will thereafter have the option of continuing to provide an analogue service.
*Subsection (4) specifies that the analogue teletext service is a single additional television service that uses the spare radio spectrum allocated to Channel 3 services, Channel 4 and S4C for the provision of additional television services.
478.OFCOM must ensure that the analogue and digital teletext services are provided by the same person, although the content of the two services may differ and the licence holder may appoint third parties to provide the teletext services in accordance with section 220.
479.OFCOM shall have regard to their duties under this section when making radio spectrum available to providers of Channel 3 services, Channel 4 and S4C and when making determinations of spare capacity under section 48(2)(b) of the Broadcasting Act 1990.
