Encom to seek a listing

ENCOM, the London-based cable television company, is expected to seek a listing on the London stock market within a year, writes Mary Fagan.

The company - owned by Bell Canada, Cable and Wireless and Jones, a US cable company - is seeking funds to develop its London franchises and to expand elsewhere in Britain.

Encom yesterday launched the first of three telephone- switching centres in London, forming a key element in a network that will serve up to 2 million people and 45,000 businesses in its franchise area. Encom plans to invest pounds 200m by the end of the decade.

Cable companies are expected to invest pounds 6bn by the year 2000 in the UK, which is alone in offering them the opportunity to combine telephone and cable services.