BT Ireland cuts rates

ESAT BT turned up the heat on Eircom yesterday by slashing rates on its combined phone and broadband internet package.

The company, which also changed its name to BT Ireland yesterday, said it would cut €15 off its customers’ bills by offering broadband and phone line rental for €49 per month. This compares with Eircom’s offering of around €65.

BT Ireland chief executive Bill Murphy said Ireland continued to suffer from a broadband deficit and the number of businesses and consumers signing up for high-speed internet access remained significantly lower than it should be. “We’ve promised we’ll bring change and choice to the market,” he said.