Telecoms regulator Comreg has laid out a framework which will enable Eir to switch off its remaining copper network around the country.
The telecoms provider has been rolling out a fibre network across Ireland which is capable of handling much higher volumes of data at greater speed.
Eir wants to move towards a switch-off of the legacy copper network so that it does not have to continue to maintain two separate networks.
However, according to Comreg an estimated 1.8 million premises still have a copper connection, although this has been reducing steadily in recent years.
Comreg says its regulatory framework decision setting out the process, which was published today, will ensure customers who have no choice but to migrate from a copper service will not have to pay extra one-off charges as they migrate.
Eir will also have to offer alternative services on its modern network of comparable quality to the copper services before switch-off of the copper network.
There will also be a clear timetable for the phased switch-off of legacy equipment in over 1,200 exchanges in the country, with a minimum time from notification to closure of 18 months.
Service providers will also have to be given sufficient notifications and time to engage with their customers around the migration before the copper network is switched off, including where necessary extra time for vulnerable customers to access alternative services.
Competition will also have to be safeguarded through the provision of the same conditions for all service providers including Eir's retail arm.
"In arriving at its decision, ComReg's key objective has been to ensure there is a successful transition to modern networks," said Commissioner Garrett Blaney.
"ComReg has a duty to ensure that consumers and businesses get the benefits of new modern networks, while ensuring that the interests of customers are protected at the same time," he said.
"ComReg wishes to see that any transition to modern networks is implemented in a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory manner," he added.
The regulator added that it had updated its draft decision after carefully considering comments on it by the European Commission, in a letter in September.
In that letter, the European Commission's director general for Communications, Networks, Content and Technology, Roberto Violo, criticised aspects of the draft plan including delays in finalising it.
Responding to today's development, Eir said it welcomes the long-anticipated publication of the final plans from ComReg.
"We are currently in the process of reviewing the document and wish to emphasise eir's ongoing concern regarding the required intervention by the European Commission on ComReg decisions of such significance for Ireland," it said.
"Replacing outdated copper-based infrastructure with dependable high-speed fibre broadband stands to offer numerous advantages for Ireland, including enhanced connectivity, a decrease in environmental impact and energy consumption, spurring economic growth, and ensuring that fibre networks are well-prepared for forthcoming technological advancements and increasing data demands."
