Mobile operators resist Ahern jibe

Mobile phone companies have moved quickly to respond to comments made today by the Minister for Communications, Dermot Ahern.

Ahern had earlier criticised what he termed "madcap" pricing on roaming fees for customers in the Republic and Northern Ireland.

The Minister said that he expected the complete abolition of roaming charges early 2004 and one price tariff to apply for the whole of Ireland.

O2 said it had already abolished roaming charges between the two jurisdictions through its new service, All Ireland, introduced in July this year through its 'Choices' price plan. However, this service is subscription based.

Fellow mobile operator Vodafone said the company plans to introduce an all-Ireland tariff early next year, but was not clear yet whether this would be available to pay-as-you-go customers.

Meteor insisted the comments weren't aimed at them as it has no network in Northern Ireland.

Ahern, who was speaking at the Communications Regulator ComReg's national conference in Dublin today, said he would be meeting his Northern Ireland counterpart Ian Pearson to discuss the issue next week.