ComReg rejects Eir calls over ‘uneconomical payphones’

Eir has called on ComReg to remove its universal service obligations (USO) to ensure it provides public payphones, describing the requirement as “entirely unjustifiable” given the rise in use of mobile phones.

Eir made the call in its submission to ComReg’s consultation on public payphone thresholds, which currently stipulates that the telecoms company may only remove a payphone if it is the focus of antisocial behaviour or if its usage is low — averaging at less than one minute a day over a six-month period.

Following the consultation, ComReg has announced it will not make any changes to the thresholds.