Good start for new bill structure

OVER 17,000 people have taken advantage of new rules governing phone bills since they were introduced in June, the telecoms industry regulator said yesterday.

ComReg’s quarterly report on the Irish communications market said the introduction of so-called single billing, which allows customers to eliminate the need for separate phone bills governing line rental and calls made, had enjoyed a “promising” start and would improve competition in the market.

Single billing is currently available to customers of fixed-line phone service providers Esat BT, Smart Telecom and Access Telecom, who now include line rental charges as part of their bills. Belfast broadcaster UTV, which recently entered the fixed-line market south of the border, will also offer the feature. Customers of these companies paid a separate bill to Eircom for line rental before the new rules came in. Single billing is expected to be good for consumers by making it easier to switch between fixed-line providers.