ComReg is proposing to force the country's two biggest mobile operators, Vodafone and O2, to allow other operators access to their networks.
The regulator today published a consultation paper after a review of the mobile phone market in Ireland in which it found that Ireland had one of the most concentrated markets in the EU, with the two leading players having 95% of customers between them. ComReg is now proposing that both be designated as having Significant Market Power.
Its review also found that prices had not changed significantly since the arrival of Meteor on to the market.
ComReg also said that Irish average revenue per user (ARPU) figures were much higher than those in other EU countries. The mobile phone companies argue that this is because of higher usage, but ComReg said the evidence for this was 'inconclusive'.
The regulator is also consulting on whether Vodafone and O2 should be obliged to provide access to service providers such as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). Today's proposals are directed at the wholesale part of the mobile market.
* ComReg has found that Eircom breached its obligations under a code of practice which covers Carrier Pre-Selection (CPS).
CPS enables consumers to select a specific operator to carry some or all of their telephone calls.
ComReg said some of Eircom's sales personnel had misled customers when making comparisons between Eircom and Cinergi Telecom's call rates. The regulator added that Eircom had now rectified the situation, though it would continue to carry out investigations to ensure the code was followed.
Vodafone rejected ComReg's analysis of the Irish mobile market saying it was 'incomplete' and 'ill-considered'. The operator also said that talk of collective dominance was 'completely outrageous' and that it considers 'the allegation of collective dominance to be very serious and completely without foundation'.
