The slow pace of Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) in Ireland came under the spotlight again this month as Eircom sought to deflect criticism by unveiling a system which automates the transfer of broadband customers between operators.
Eircom claimed the decision to provide “inter-operator migrations” had been taken unilaterally to “break the gridlock on this difficult issue” and suggested the move would increase competition in the market and allow operators to deliver services using LLU.
While the announcement was welcomed by ComReg, the regulatory body stressed that “progress to date, and the pace of it, in relation to Local Loop Unbundling is unacceptable” and said Eircom’s move was “offset by continued delays in other aspects of the product”.
According to Comreg, LLU has been a key driver of innovation and broadband take-up in many
markets internationally. The regulatory body said the absence of an effective LLU product in Ireland was having an impact on the broadband arena by limiting consumer choice, innovation and pricing flexibility.
“ComReg cannot and will not accept anything short of a speedy and comprehensive solution to all the outstanding issues. Our views and concerns have been fully shared with Eircom and its management team,” it added.
The ComReg statement took the shine off the positive gloss placed on the Eircom announcement by chairman Pierre Danon who described it as “a significant step forward…to facilitate genuine customer choice”.
ALTO, the body which represents alternative operators in the communications market also joined the criticism of Eircom’s tardiness in implementing LLU.
“Our members have reiterated time and again the unacceptable progress Eircom has made in LLU,” said a spokesman. “The lack of a fully effective LLU product continues to damage consumer choice, competition and innovation in the Irish telecoms market.”
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