347.This section provides that district councils in Northern Ireland may award grants to persons providing a public electronic communications network, a public electronic communications service, or a facility connected with such a network or service where they believe such network or service benefits their area. Such grants must be for the purposes of compensating such persons for losses sustained in the provision of such networks, services or facilities. Any grant would also need to comply with the European Community rules on state aid. This provision repeals and re-enacts section 97 of the Telecommunications Act, with certain consequential amendments, but only in so far as that provision relates to Northern Ireland.