Telecoms regulator ComReg has expressed concern over new data from Eircom that shows fault rates on lines for business customers doubled in the second quarter of 2007, writes John Collins.

The data shows there were 6.2 faults reported per 100 business lines in the second quarter of last year, up from 3.1 in the previous three-month period.

ComReg chairman John Doherty said he was also "concerned to note the high fault rate in the residential segment" which was at 6.2 per 100 lines, although this was down on the 7.5 figures recorded in the prior quarter.

An Eircom spokesman acknowledged a problem with faults in the first half of last year but said this was largely due to seasonal issues such as storm damage.

"We would be hopeful you will see an improvement in the figures for the third and fourth quarters," he said.

The ComReg data shows that faults have been increasing steadily between the beginning of 2006 and the second quarter of 2007. The number of residential faults reported rose from 4.5 to 6.2, while business faults climbed more dramatically from 1.9 to 6.2 per 100 lines.

Eircom has previously announced plans for an investment of €100 million in its network over the next three years. The spokesman said this would include an investment in preventative maintenance which would reduce the number of faults.

The data shows that Eircom completed requests for new phone lines within the agreed timeframe for 90 per cent of home users and 82 per cent of business customers.

Eircom is obliged to publish the data as part of its universal services obligations (USO). Last summer, ComReg began a consultation on Eircom's current targets under USO and it is expected new targets will be published shortly.

Separately, ComReg yesterday published a decision that 3 Ireland has significant market power (SMP) over the termination of calls on its mobile network. Under EU rules, ComReg can set the prices charged by any operator ruled to have SMP.