New procedures to facilitate the resolution of disputes between telecommunications operators have been announced by the telecoms regulator.

Ms Etain Doyle said: "As markets develop, there are issues which do cause difficulty, in particular for new market entrants, and it is essential that these are dealt with quickly and effectively, with the weight of the regulator's office behind them as appropriate." Case officers will be assigned to disputes and will be the sole contact point for the duration of the process. Where a dispute may affect other parties or the market generally, the regulator may publish a summary on the Internet and invite comments from interested parties.