THE latest entrant into the telecoms market plans to leverage the Ryanair brand to win thousands of customers from former State monopoly Eircom.

Ryanair, the brand that has revolutionised airline travel by cutting costs hand-in-hand with flying frills throughout Europe, is now going to attempt to do the same for the communications industry.

The founder of low-cost airline EasyJet, Stelios Haji-Ioannou's new company, EasyTelecom is expected to offer discount mobile service in Britain some time this year, with plans to expand to the rest of Europe, according to the International Herald Tribune.

Ryanair, using technology provided by 2PM, is to offer passengers access to their personal and business e-mail when they’re away from the office, either at home or abroad.