WorldCom critical of infrastructure

Worldcom yesterday criticised the adoption of infrastructure regulations by Dublin Corporation and the piecemeal approach to infrastructural development generally.

Mr David Hughes, managing director of WorldCom Ireland, said that Ireland's ability to become an e-commerce hub of Europe was now under serious threat because of a failure to implement a national code of practice to co-ordinate the deployment of broadband communications infrastructure across Ireland.

This code of practice would, in part, govern utility companies needing to dig public roads in order to lay vital infrastructure necessary to meet the demands of Ireland's high-tech sector, he said.

"The recent decision by Dublin Corporation to introduce new regulations governing the control and management of roadworks, without engaging in a consultation process with operators, highlights the difficulties facing utility companies in Ireland," said Mr Hughes.

"Currently every local authority in Ireland has different regulations governing how and when utility companies can lay infrastructure. "This fragmented approach has resulted in a chaotic situation where companies have to negotiate with myriad individual local authorities throughout the country. It is intolerable and must be addressed."