Why privatisation was not so Smart

THE 45,000 customers of Smart Telecom are the latest casualties of the crazy decision to privatise Telecom Éireann.

Before privatisation, through State investment, we had one of the most advanced digitally-switched telecoms systems in Europe. Now, due to lack of investment, we have to endure one of the most backward and expensive.

A private monopoly controls the landlines and exchanges and has delayed unbundling local loops to allow access to others. The net result is that we have one of the lowest penetrations of broadband in the EU, with worrying implications for our future economic success (when the property boom fizzles out).

On the mobile side, Eircell was sold off for a song at a time when wireless communication was about to take off. Now we have an effective duopoly with the highest mobile charges in Europe and pre-paid users in border areas and those crossing the border still being hit with massive roaming charges.

The ‘free market’ ideologues in FF, the PDs and FG (and their Labour allies?) who are pushing privatisation have failed to learn the lessons of the Telecom Éireann fiasco.

Cllr Dessie Ellis

19 Dunsink Road

Finglas

Dublin 11