Vodafone is threatening to resist attempts by telecommunications regulator Comreg,to force it to open its networks to other service providers.
The European Commission today said it would, if necessary, force Vodafone - and the other dominant player in the market, O2, to give new entrants into the market access to its networks, creating Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).
Vodafone says the Irish regulator's plans for wholesaling time to other companies must be changed otherwise it will refer the matter to the Government's Electronic Communications Appeals Panel.
Vodafone say ComReg's contention that it, along with O2, have "joint dominance" are "unsupported by the evidence and wrong in law".
The company says the Irish market is already competitive. Mr Gerry Fahy, strategy director at Vodafone Ireland said; "ComReg has presented no justification for a finding of joint dominance.
"ComReg has manifestly failed to appropriately consider significant competitive market developments, which have taken place in the period since their analysis was carried out.
"These include, among others, the completion of two new national roaming agreements, the recent performance of Meteor as an established competitor in the Irish market and the imminent entry of 3," he said.
"We are disappointed that the European Commission has not taken the opportunity it has to examine more closely ComReg's inadequate analysis and flawed conclusions," the statement said.