The communications regulator ComReg has again threatened Eircom with legal action and possible financial penalties over the issue of Local Loop Unbundling.
Local Loop Unbundling is the process which allows Eircom's rivals to gain access to the telephone line between the local telephone exchange and the customer.
ComReg said last night it had ordered Eircom to respond by 11am on Friday to requests from rival telecoms firms for developments to LLU products and processes which would allow them to offer high-speed internet services.
The regulator described its latest move as 'essential, measured and proportionate', saying Eircom had failed to comply with a direction to it issued on January 18.
'ComReg cannot allow Eircom to delay developments that are affecting the ability of other operators to offer increased choice to consumers through innovative broadband offerings and pricing strategies,' the statement said.
ComReg said failure to comply with the direction would result in an application to the High Court for an order directing compliance or financial penalties.
A spokesman for Eircom said last night that the company had appealed the direction from ComReg, but declined to make any further comment.
