No Irish or international media groups have decided to challenge applications from Today FM and NewsTalk 106 for new and existing radio licences.

Today FM, which is now owned by Emap plc, is seeking a second 10-year national licence. Yesterday chief executive Willie O'Reilly submitted the application to the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) and last night a BCI spokeswoman confirmed there were no other applications.

Meanwhile, NewsTalk 106, which currently has a licence to broadcast in Dublin city and county, has applied for a new quasi-national licence. This licence is expected to give the station about 85-90 per cent coverage in the Republic. The BCI said there were no other application for this licence either.

Speculation over the last few months suggested the former chief executive of NewsTalk and 98FM, Dan Healy, might put together a consortium to oppose Today FM's licence or seek the quasi-national licence. But it understood he is more likely to concentrate on other regional or local licences.

Speculation had also centred on an application from UTV, but it indicated recently it was not interested in developing a new station and wanted to focus on building up existing stations like Q102 and LMFM.

Today FM has been providing the major radio competition to RTÉ over recent years. It currently has an 11 per cent market share. Moreover, it is understood Emap, its owner, has made a long-term commitment to the Irish market and may make further acquisitions. Today FM spent €100,000 alone submitting its application to the BCI.

Despite the absence of competitors both stations will have to go through the usual licence approval process, including oral hearings. A decision by the BCI board is likely to be taken on both licences in April or May.