Eircom aims deal at fixed-line market

EIRCOM has launched a new package to curb the growing trend of residential customers shunning fixed-line phones in favour of their mobiles.

But the package immediately came under fire from rivals for being too expensive.

The new Eircom deal offers unlimited local and national landline calls for a monthly fee of €40. The package includes the cost of line rental, the controversial charge that puts almost €25 on a monthly bill before any calls are made and which has been hiked three times over the past two years. It will cut costs for any user who normally spends more than €15 per month on landline-to-landline calls.