Mobile users sending more text messages

The ComReg quarterly report has revealed that mobile are users are sending more text messages.

On average, each user sends 78 text messages per month, a 31% jump from last year.

The report also reveals that mobile phone saturation in the Republic is now at 80%, with 3.1 million of us owning a mobile phone.

Subscriptions to digital TV is also on the increase, with 353,000 households now subscribing to a digital TV service, an increase of 36% from last year.

In contrast, there was only a 2% increase in the number using the Internet on a regular basis, with only 38% of us opting to get online.

The roll out of broadband also seems to be on track due to falling prices and almost 50% of phone lines now have access to DSL.

Commenting on the findings, chairperson of the ComReg, Etain Doyle said: "It is important that we continue to promote and develop competition to ensure that Irish consumers get the benefits of lower prices.

"We hope to see the level of access to broadband in Ireland rising to match levels found in other EU countries."

The findings of the report were contained in two separate surveys carried out by Amárach Consulting and TNS MRBI on behalf of ComReg during April and May.