The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) issued four separate directions yesterday aimed at forcing Eircom to open its telecoms network to greater competition from rivals.

ComReg also threatened to take further regulatory action against Eircom on the crucial issue of "partial private circuits", following the company's failure to comply with previous directions by the body.

Partial private circuits are components that can be added to Eircom's networks to enable its competitors to provide services at lower prices to businesses. Competitors, such as Esat BT, are seeking prices from Eircom to enable them to use the product.

In December, ComReg directed Eircom to submit detailed prices for partial private circuits by a deadline of February 17th. But the body said yesterday that Eircom had not complied and had so far failed to provide correct pricing.

In a statement the body said it viewed this as a "serious breach" by Eircom. Given the potential impact on the sector of delays in introducing the product, it is now exercising is own powers to intervene, said ComReg.

ComReg has directed Eircom to remedy the breach of its previous direction by resubmitting a pricing submission for the partial private circuit products. It has also directed Eircom to make sufficient resources available to support the Commission during its investigation into its proposed prices for the new circuits.

In an attempt to limit any financial impact on Eircom's competitors from the delay, ComReg has proposed that any new pricing will be backdated to February 17th.

Under new legislation, ComReg could fine Eircom a maximum of up to 10 per cent of its revenues if it succeeded in a legal action taken against the firm.

Esat BT welcomed the decision notice yesterday and said it felt partial private circuits could spur greater competition in the telecoms sector. And the telecoms lobby group ALTO said the delay by Eircom was disappointing.

An Eircom spokesman would not comment.

Meanwhile, ComReg published a policy document yesterday outlining a new approach to consumer issues. It said it would focus its attention on three specific aims: maximising consumer welfare, protecting consumers and raising consumer awareness.

ComReg said it would raise consumer issues with operators in the communications sector, although the primary responsibility for complaints procedures would remain with individual operators.