A new Irish telecommunications company has been established to cash in on the European pre-paid calling market.

Torc Telecom set up by Mr Mark Roden, one of the founder members of Esat Telecom, provides telecoms services in the UK and Ireland. The pre-paid calling cards can be used from any touch tone phone including mobile phones in more than 60 countries.

Torc Telecom says the offers savings of up to 80 per cent on hotel charges and 60 per cent on international and national payphone charges.

"It also allows business travellers to avoid excessive roaming charges by using their Torc card with their mobile phone, according to Mr Roden.

Torc is accessed through a freephone number followed by a PIN marked on the card. The cards are available in £5, £10 and £20 units.