EIRCELL will introduce a wider range of tariffs and payment methods for customers in the autumn. Eircell's chief executive, Mr Stephen Brewer has also indicated that 12-month contracts, currently mandatory on all new subscribers, may no longer apply in all cases.

Eircell is examining a number of payment methods, including payment in advance for certain customers. Mr Brewer said he wanted to introduce more choice for payments and tariffs, such as new packages for off-peak or weekend users.

"It may be that we may be seeing the end of 12-month contracts with new billing methods," he said.

However, he defended 12-month contracts, whereby new subscribers must sign up with Eircell for one year. Although not used by Eircell's rival Esat Digifone, Mr Brewer said such contracts were the industry norm.

Mr Brewer was unrepentant about an incident where Eircell was to pay its merchandisers a "bounty for every Esat Digifone window sticker removed from the shop displays of mobile phone agents. The commission plan was later withdrawn.

He said he had to motivate people to get his stickers up, but then added that he "couldn't condone it" and had "taken some action on it". Asked what this was, he said he had told merchandisers not to do it again. Mr Brewer denied that Eircell had problems coping with customers on its GSM (digital) system and that was why it was also pushing the 088 (analog) system. Around half of its 320,000 customers are on GSM, while all Digifone's are GSM customers.

This means Digifone has captured more than 20 per cent of the GSM market since its launch four months ago.