Phone prices set to fall as Ahern moves to boost competition

TELECOMS prices should fall in the coming years following moves by Communications Minister Dermot Ahern to introduce more competition in the market.

The minister has ordered the telecoms watchdog Comreg to introduce new regulations that will “radically increase competition and cut telecoms prices to consumers using mobile phones, broadband and fixed line telephony”. The move follows a consultation period with the industry to bring prices down.

Mr Ahern wants Comreg to intensify competition in the mobile phone market by directing the existing mobile phone companies to open their networks to Irish and international companies.