The majority of cable operators have still not accepted new terms being offered by the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation (ODTR).

Despite an intense week of talks, cable operators and the ODTR have not been able to agree terms which would clear the way for them to surrender their existing licences and get new ones. It is understood that the Regulator, Ms Etain Doyle, has still not shown the operators the exact terms of the new licences.

The deadline for accepting Ms Doyle's proposals expired on Wednesday and was extended until yesterday. In a short statement last night the ODTR said it is now "reflecting on the situation and intends to publish a report early next week on the consultation."

It is understood that only one, very small, cable operator has indicated it will surrender its licence. Key unresolved issues include the allocation of spectrum - cable operators want enough spectrum to ensure they can add on sufficient interactive services - and how the services will be priced. However, it is also understood that the cable operators are still seeking the full terms of the proposed new licences, before they agree to surrender the existing ones. To date they have not seen them, according to informed sources. "Without seeing the terms, you are being asked to buy a pig in a poke," said one source.

The operators were asked to submit business plans to the ODTR earlier this year, which they did. However, sources said they wanted to ensure the licence terms are compatible with their business plans.

The terms of the licences - which offer five-year exclusive franchises in the operators' areas of operation will have a crucial bearing on the value of Cablelink, one of the licensees. Moves to sell Cablelink will take place once the issues are resolved.

The ODTR said if any of the companies wish to comment further they are free to do so.