The Government is to direct the Commission for Commuications Regulation (CCR) to introduce flat-rate Internet access as an "absolute priority".
The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Dermot Ahern, told a conference this morning flat-rate access was vital in driving the Information Society. Flat rate Internet access allows unlimited Internet usage for a set fee.
"It is not alone my view that we need flat-rate access," Mr Ahern told the TIF Annual Telecommunications Conference in Dublin.
He pointed out that Ireland's Internet penetration was only 30 per cent in homes, compared to 98 per cent in businesses.
"We have to lead in this area. It is not enough to trail behind Europe, the US and the Far East in terms of policy and infrastructure. We need a stable, modern and competitive communications market. We need to be the best. The most competitive in the world," Mr Ahern said.
