The Cable Communications Association of Ireland has called on the Government to implement a clearly defined policy on broad band telecommunications.

Broad band is seen as the future of communications technology. It will give fast Internet, home shopping and video on demand among other services.

The association welcomed the framework document issued by the Information Society Steering Committee but said it was in danger of allowing its focus to divert to secondary issues like illegal deflector operations.

It added that a number of cable companies were carrying out field tests on the application of field services on cable TV and wireless systems.