Eircom will increase its national directory inquiry charges by about 33 per cent today to 46p per call from 34.5p, including VAT. International inquiry charges will rise to 91p per minute from 34.5p, including VAT. The change will apply from June 9th.
The move follows a High Court action initiated by its competitor, Conduit Europe, which had alleged that the Eircom service was breaching the Competition Act through below-cost selling.
An Eircom spokeswoman declined to comment on the court action. The price rise was unconnected to the action, she claimed.
The change was being introduced following a ruling by the Director of Telecoms' Regulation, Ms Etain Doyle, last Christmas, which said the inquiry rate should reflect the cost of the service.
Conduit said it had intended to apply for an interlocutory injunction to the High Court yesterday but decided not to do this when it received a letter from Eircom informing it of the proposed price rise.
Nevertheless, the company, which operates the 11850 directory inquiry service, said it would continue its action against Eircom.
While Eircom charges a flat rate for national inquiry calls, Conduit charges on a per-minute basis. Its rate per minute for national inquiry calls is 32.7p, including VAT.
Conduit's comparable charge for international inquiries is 98p. Founded by businessmen Mr Liam Young and Mr Eddie Kerr, Conduit launched its inquiries service in Ireland a year ago.
The company supplies inquiries services to a number of European telephone firms, including Esat and Orange, from its base at the East Point business centre in Dublin. It plans to float on the stock market later this year.
