NTL customers face significant increases in the cost of cable television this month following the telecom regulator's approval of a price rise. Dublin consumers will face a 34 per cent price hike, or £3.09 per month, while Galway and Waterford face increases of 15 per cent and 24 per cent respectively.

NTL said last night the changes would be implemented immediately, raising the price of a basic TV package to £12.21 per month in its franchise areas, said NTL. Ms Etain Doyle linked the rise to a shortening of the period in which NTL will have a monopoly in Dublin, Galway and Waterford by two years to March 2002.