BRITISH TELECOM has officially launched, via its subsidiary BT HAWTHORN, a friendly cash bid on Ireland's ESAT TELECOM, valuing it at USD 2.461 billion. The bid is 17.6% higher than the hostile bid made in December by Norway's TELENOR. The Norwegian group has announced that it would not top BT's bid, which has been greeted favourably by ESAT's Board of Administration. See EI of 10&11 January and 24 December.