Irish consumers that are connected to the two big cable systems, NTL Ireland and Chorus, are still unable to connect to broadband internet services or enjoy interactive television services.

But for almost 10,000 homeowners in the north Dublin suburb of Grange, a new era of "super-fast" broadband and multimedia services is just about to be delivered via the firm Magnet Networks.

The firm is owned by Canadian firm Columbia Ventures Corporation. It has installed fibre optic cable in the new town through ducting provided by the developer.

Magic Networks is offering interactive television, broadband and phone services to people living in the new estates.

Unlike the old copper coaxial networks that NTL and Chorus run into homes, Magnet Networks' fibre is capable of offering download speeds of up to eight megabytes per second.

Mr Ingvar Gardarsson, chief executive of Magnet Networks, said it was currently offering a two megabyte per second (2mbps) broadband service for €29.99 per month. The firm has signed up 34 television channels for its interactive TV service and plans to offer video on demand by signing deals with Hollywood studios.

It is also considering offering video games over its broadband network, says Mr Gardarsson, who claims to be able to spend at least €15 million on rolling out its network and services in the Republic.

Magnet Networks is seeking new deals with developers and hopes to get its fibre installed in the new housing estates planned over the next few years. In some areas it will be the only provider, as Eircom and NTL have not arranged deals with developers to gain access to the ducting.

But NTL and Chorus had better sit up and pay attention shortly, as new operators such as Magnet Networks and Smart Telecom represent just the start of a wave of convergence.

It is likely that Eircom will eventually have to enter the content business and begin offering "triple play" itself.