Consumer group slams latest eircom move
Consumer group IrelandOffline this morning expressed their frustration with the latest news that eircom has appealed a recent ComReg directive.
Spokesperson John Timmons saId: "eircom's recent actions speak louder than their shallow words. While they continue to spread the myth that eircom wants to bring broadband to everyone, their application to the Electronics Communications Appeals Panel shows what they really want is to preserve their monopoly and do as much damage to potential competition as possible while price gouging the consumer."
Eircom's appeal means that the ComReg ruling could be delayed by a number of months.
Spokesperson Aidan Whyte said: "This is the latest amongst a very long line of delaying tactics by eircom and is a major disservice to the consumers and taxpayers who funded and have paid many times over for the network which eircom now refuse to open up to competition.
"For eircom to continue to place obstacles in front of other operators trying to roll out broadband is totally unacceptable."
"It must stand by its founding principles which requires it to act 'as expeditiously as is practicable'. It must not allow itself to become another element in eircom's armoury of obstructive stratagems.
"The Appeals Panel should identify this move for what it is, a blatant attempt to inhibit competition. The Panel should issue a summary judgement dismissing the appeal at the earliest possible date"
In a sign of support for the Regulator Timmons added: "We are confident that ComReg has the intelligence and foresight, when implementing new regulations, to ensure that they are wholly workable within the current legislative framework.
"We are further confident that the justice system will give short shrift to these blatant delaying tactics and allow Ireland to continue to catch up with the rest of the developed world."
