Mobile operators' profits excessive, says ComReg

IRISH mobile phone operators are earning excessive profits from their customers, who pay the most expensive charges in Europe, according to a damming new report from the telecoms watchdog.

The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) said Vodafone and O2 Ireland had a "dominant" position in the Irish market and were not competing with each other for customers.

"Lack of effective price competition at the retail level, sustained over a period of years in the face of a highly concentrated market, suggests that the Irish mobile retail sector might be particularly susceptible to a position of joint dominance being exhibited by Vodafone and O2," the report said.