Mobile Phones
mobile phone competition - telecom policy - mobile operators - mobile telephone calls

Dermot Ahern TD, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources today published new rules designed to radically increase competition and cut telecoms prices to consumers using mobile phones, broadband and fixed-line telephones.

The new rules, published today as draft policy directions to the Communications Regulator (Comreg), involve price cutting measures for mobile phone users, broadband and fixed telephone line users.

The Minister said:

Mobile Phone Networks

I am directing Comreg to use its powers to mandate mobile phone companies to open up their networks to other Irish and international mobile phone companies.

This move will provide all the three licensed mobile phone operators with nationwide coverage and equal opportunity to compete and drive down mobile phone prices.

I am also directing ComReg to minimise cross-border roaming and other charges for businesses and consumers living close to the border.

Businesses in border regions incur additional charges and higher per minute tariffs rates from mobile phone companies in order to avail of all-island tariffs. This puts businesses in border areas at a competitive disadvantage with the rest of the country.

Single Billing

I am also directing ComReg to introduce, by March 31^st, a single billing wholesale line rental product for voice and data.  I am directing ComReg to ensure that this product can be provided at rates which will drive competition.

This move will have two practical benefits for consumers. First, it will mean that all telecoms companies will be able to offer a single billing product to consumers. This should lead to competition and lower prices for consumers.

Secondly, it will mean that consumers who chose to switch to a new, cheaper, telecoms company, will only receive a single bill from that company. At present consumers receive a line rental bill from Eircom, as well as a bill for phone calls from their new company.

Competition

The overall aim of these Policy Directions is to drive competition, cut prices and deliver value for money services to Irish consumers, Minister Ahern said.

The Minister is also issuing a draft General Policy Direction to ComReg, which specifies clearly that the promotion of competition is to be their key objective.

Specifically, the Minister wants ComReg to focus on; 

• market share of new entrants;
• price margins on offer to operators at the wholesale level with the goal to ensure that  such price margins will incentivise and advance competition;
• price level to the end user;
• competition in the fixed and mobile markets;
• possibilities for incentivising alternative technology delivery platforms to support competition.

The Ministers draft directions are open to input from both the industry and the public. He has also asked the Commission to come up with any proposals that they consider would help progress the sector.

A copy of the draft Policy Directions, and the reasons for them, are available on the Departments website at http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/display.asp/pg=1454

Closing date for receipt of submissions is Monday, 1^st March next.

ENDS

For further media information, please contact:

Richard Moore

Press Advisor

Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources

Adelaide Road

Dublin 2

Tel: +353-(01) - 678-2440

Fax: +353-(01) - 676-6161

 or

Tom Mc Loughlin

Press Officer

Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources

Adelaide Road

Dublin 2

Tel: +353-(0) 1-678-2441

Fax: +353-(0) 1-676-6161

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