Capita is to take over the administration of the television
licensing system, after the BBC awarded the IT services group a
£500m contract ahead of incumbent operator Consignia.
The BBC said Capita was better placed to help it push down the
evasion rate - people who watch television without a licence - and
that it would offer better value for money than Consignia (formerly
the Post Office).
As part of the 10-year deal, Capita will be responsible for contact
centres, associated administration and inquiries and collection
teams in the field. Field staff will be equipped with palmtop
computers to enable them to access the most up-to-date information
in the battle to keep the evasion rate down.
The existing call centre and field operations, including about
1,500 staff, are scheduled to transfer to Capita in July
2002.
Capita will work in partnership with advertising group AMV, which
will provide marketing and communications support for TV licensing,
starting in April.
Zarin Patel, head of revenue management at the BBC, said, "Capita
and AMV demonstrated throughout the bid process the ability to be
innovative and to work in partnership with the BBC."
Rod Aldridge, executive chairman of Capita Group, said, "We see
extensive opportunities for innovative use of new technologies and
new ways of working to enhance the service."