Eircom will allow greater access to space and telecommunications equipment in its exchanges by competitors after an intervention by the telecommunications regulator, Ms Etain Doyle. The move is expected to hasten the process of unbundling the local loop - giving competitors access to the "last mile" of copper wire that links homes and businesses to local phone exchanges.

Ms Doyle said the former monopoly would meet reasonable requests for unbundled access on the "last mile" of the network. Certain restrictions on equipment for unbundling had been lifted and Eircom also agreed not to prohibit firms from sharing unbundled space.

Further information was required on Eircom's price justifications and on other elements of its reference offer, Ms Doyle said.