Jupiter, a new telecommunications phone services company based in Athlone, Co Westmeath, said yesterday it planned to hire 100 people over the next 18 months. At its official opening, Jupiter said its technology was designed to ensure customers pay the minimum for telephone service.

The company said its system revolved around a small device, placed along the telephone line in each home or office, which routes calls through whichever carrier is cheapest at that given time.