Irish consumers will soon be able to access a British national telecoms network, according to British operator NTL CableTel. The company's acquisition this week of ComTel and Diamond Cable, two players in the British cable industry strengthens its position as an alternative telecoms company in Britain, according to managing director, Mr Owen Lamont. He added that the fibre optic network linking Scotland, Belfast, Dublin and England will soon be complete, allowing consumers to benefit from the alternative network.