Eircom has said it intends to deliver broadband to every town in Ireland with a population greater than 1,500 by March 2005, two years ahead of the Government's target.
The telecoms company has also called on the Government to focus €140m of structural funding on rural areas where the roll-out of broadband is economically unfeasible.
Eircom says it will also introduce a trigger mechanism for towns with smaller populations. A trigger figure will be set for each individual exchange, which will range from 200 to 700 customers.
The towns falling into this category will be identified in January and a web site mechanism set up for customers to register their interest in broadband.
