Following full liberalisation of the telecommunications market in December 1998, competition has been developing with the sector, with consequential benefits for Irish consumers and business. In addition to the traditional fixed line telephone network a number of new platforms, such as digital cable, MMDS and wireless in the local loop will provide customers with alternative sources of access to telecommunications services.
There has been much recent debate concerning the local loop. On 19 April 2000 the Director of Telecommunications Regulation announced a decision mandating the introduction of bitstream access to the local loop and laying out a framework for the introduction of local loop unbundling in Ireland. On 26 April 2000 the European Commission issued a recommendation on unbundled access to the local loop. I will be introducing legislation to address competitive access to the local loop in the context of a new regulatory framework for the telecommunications industry in Ireland.
I am advised that bitstream access as proposed by the Director of Telecoms Regulation does not require legislation. However, full local loop unbundling requires primary legislation.
In the coming weeks my Department will be consulting with interested parties on the proposed legislation. Following this, I expect to be in a position to bring proposals to Government later this year.
