Consultation and Proposed Decision on the review of GO plc's application for funding relating to the provision of universal service obligations on electronic communications services during 2019.

In accordance with national law, an undertaking designated with the obligation to provide universal services in the electronic communications sector, has the right to submit a claim for compensation for any unfair burden it may consider having suffered for providing part or all of the universal services. The MCA received a written request from GO plc (GO), as the designated undertaking, claiming compensation for the net costs it believes to have incurred for the provision of universal services during financial year 2019. The MCA has commissioned Ernst & Young Limited (EY) as an independent body to review and verify the application received. Following the review and verifications exercise carried out by EY, it was established that GO had incurred an element of unfair burden for providing the following universal services, namely, public payphones, comprehensive electronic directory and social tariffs. As part of its USO funding application, GO also included the intangible benefit of brand enhancement resulting from providing universal services. After deducting such market benefit from the burden incurred, the total net costs amounted to €107,940. The consultation period shall run from the 9th August to the 9th September 2024.