Irish telecoms service slammed

Ireland's telecoms infrastructure is proving inadequate for nearly one-third of businesses, according to the country’s Telecommunications Users Group.

The group, a section of Ireland’s main bosses’ organisation, the Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation, claimed today that 30% of users found faults in three areas the generally slow infrastructure, installation delays and the quality of telephone lines.

A study of members showed that 75% would use more up-to-date technology if it were made available.

Particular grievances centred on dissatisfaction over prices, the handling of complaints and repair and service delivery schedules.

There were also complaints about getting hold of price comparisons from service providers, which restricted the ability of customers to obtain the best available deal.

TUG chairman Nick Brennan said Ireland’s speed in adopting new technology in the telecoms sector would prove crucial to competitiveness.

‘‘Organisations in Ireland continue to suffer from a lack of basic services.

‘‘Despite the slowdown in the economy, demand for telecom products will continue to rise sharply as organisations become increasingly reliant on modern communications in order to operate effectively,’’ said Mr Brennan.

Siobhan Masterson, another TUG official, said some firms had to wait as long as 10 months for the installation of higher-technology lines.

There were also problems with ‘‘inconsistent’’ mobile phone network coverage.

The organisation urged that the government’s telecoms regulator should be given ‘‘more muscle’’ to ensure the speedier roll-out of new services.