Potential competitors to the second of two new companies seeking telecommunications licences, were not 'wowed' at its hearing yesterday.

World on Wireless (WOW!), the second company to put in a bid to provide digital satellite service in Bermuda appeared before the Telecommunications Board yesterday.

And in a repeat performance of another bid made earlier this week, Bermuda CableVision lawyer Alan Dunch questioned the validity of the application.

On Tuesday, he heavily scrutinised the licence application of SGC Ventures Ltd., and called it "invalid" under current telecommunications laws which states a licence can only be granted to providers of 'cable' services, not digital signals.

WOW!, headed by Bermuda CableVision co-founders Gavin Wilson and William Craig along with Troy Symonds, Shaun Davis and accountant Craig Christensen, told the commission that they intend to provide the local market with up to 310 channels.

In order to receive the company's signal, which will originate from a receiver at Cable and Wireless' site in Devonshire, subscribers will have to mount a one-foot dish on their home.

Once five wireless sites are placed around the Island, the company said it could penetrate 95 percent of Bermuda's households.

According to WOW! engineer Ralph Von Eppinghoven, up to five televisions per household can share the same signal. On Tuesday, SGC Ventures said its antennae could only support two.

Mr. Eppinghoven also said hotels and condominiums could easily receive their signals as existing coaxial cables could be used.

And Mr. Craig told the commission that their business will be very cost effective.

"We can deliver superior signal quality and service interruptions will be reduced," he said. "Costs are lower because there is no cable plant and related service costs. It's a win-win situation in relation to cost."

And while Mr. Wilson admitted that WOW! would have to bring in expatriates to train staff, he pledged his commitment to employing locals.

"I've seen Bermudians install cable, so there's no way they can't install MMDS (multipoint microwave distribution system)," he said.

But Mr. Dunch questioned the company's start-up funds.

"How much money have they actually raised? " he asked. "I now know that the company has not one penny for application."

Mr. Dunch said this after Mr. Davis told the commission that he had both verbal and e-mail commitments from potential investors who were willing to fund the $2 million needed - but only if WOW! obtained a licence.

"But when I looked at the public record, the application said the money was raised," Mr. Dunch said.

But Mr. Davis responded: "It's absolutely impossible to attain funds without a licence."

Mr. Dunch also criticised the company's lack of programming agreements.

"This company has produced nothing," he said. "At least the other company (SGC Ventures) provided letters, albeit inadequate."

And besides questioning whether WOW! had the funds to sustain a business, BTC CEO and president Francis Mussenden also told the commission his company had a problem that WOW!'s business plan had not been made public.

"We should at least receive an abridged version," he said.

But in his response, Mr. Christensen said he believed WOW! would be put at a disadvantage if they divulged their plan.

"We want to compete on an even playing field," he said.