Opposition politicians have reacted with scepticism over reports this morning that Eircom may enter an arrangement with the Government that would determine control of broadband infrastructure across the country.
RTÉ reported today that Eircom was considering a proposal to offer the Government a degree of control over its telecom networks in return for control of the publicly owned broadband distribution system known as Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs).
Labour Party Spokesperson on Communications Tommy Broughan said that the proposal should be treated with "great caution"
"The Government should seek a settlement with Eircom to allow for the creation of a separate network division to address the absolutely critical problem of access to the local loop," he said.
"This would ensure greater access for other broadband operators to provide services and a greater variety and less expensive range of broadband products will be on offer for Irish consumers and businesses."
He said there was "a need" for review of the MAN system but insisted there was "no case for handing it over to a company whose record in this area has been characterised by broken promises and inefficiency."
Fine Gael Communications Spokesman Bernard Durkan said such a move "should be viewed with caution in light of the series of events over the past nine years which have seen four changes of ownership at Eircom, resulting in an appalling performance in the delivery of broadband services to the community at large."