Ireland's ComReg imposes Local Loop charges, but ALTO wants more

Ireland's communications regulator Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) yesterday published its decision to cut the monthly rate former fixed line monopoly Eircom can charge rivals for access to its network. In its publication, "Response to Consultations & Final Decision: Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) and Sub-Loop Unbundling (SLU) Maximum Monthly Rental Charges", the watchdog said it would trim the local loop unbundling (LLU) charge from the current EUR16.43 (USD22.54) a month figure to EUR12.41. The revised price will stay in force until November 2012, it added. Explaining its decision, ComReg said the current LLU access charge was far above the EU average of around EUR9.28 per month and effectively a bar to competition in the Republic's telecoms market.