ODTR quarterly report on the telecoms industry

The ODTR yesterday issued a quarterly report for the period July to September, 2001. The report indicates that after three year of the markets being open, one fifth of total turnover is now in the hands of new entrants and prices have fallen substantially.

New entrants now hold 20% of the fixed line market [ESAT Clear and Worldcom]. Mobile penetration rates stand at 75% and there has been a 150% increase in the number of text messages compared to last year. Eircell Vodafone has 58% of the market, Digifone 40% and Meteor has 2%. There does not appear, however, to be a likelihood that there will be any movement soon on 3G mobile licences.

The report said that one third of the population now has access to the internet at home, and the cable companies are now rolling out a digital television services.

According to the Regulator Etain Doyle: "While the market opened very rapidly in the first two years , in the last two quarters of 2001 it does appear to have stabilised. The Telecoms sector is going through a period of correction and realignment. In this challenging economic climate it is important that we seek to press ahead on all fronts - fixed, mobile, satellite and other new technologies."

Etain Doyle said that a major challenge now was the provision of broadband.