The Government is planning to give the communications regulator new powers in an effort to create more competition in the broadband sector.
Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey said the regulator would be given enhanced powers to enforce regulatory decisions and to investigate and take action against companies that abuse their dominance.
Speaking at a telecoms conference in Dublin today, he said legislation paving the way for the move would be introduced within the next few months.
The new powers are aimed at improving the situation whereby one quarter of Ireland still does not have access to broadband technology.