ISME welcomes increase in ComReg powers

ISME has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey to increase the powers of ComReg to enforce more competition in the broadband sector.

The associationsaid that the "stranglehold" held by eircom over its competitors, which has prevented them from effectively providing alternative services, should not be allowed to continue.

ISME Chief Executive, Mark Fielding, said: "According to a recent ComReg survey 47% of SMEs have no access to broadband. This ongoing fiasco is undermining our competitiveness and reputation as a so-called first world, hi-tech economy.

"The Association continues to receive numerous calls from member companies, who have indicated their frustration at being unable to receive a broadband service or are having to wait several months for installation," he said.

According to Forfas, Irish SMEs ranked 18th of 20 EU countries in terms of broadband take-up.