Development of an Atlantic telecoms corridor will be delayed unless the Minister for Public Enterprise consults local authorities to ensure a common approach to laying infrastructure, the chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators has warned.

The group's incoming chairman, Mr Iarla Flynn, said costs and timetables would be affected unless a standardised approach to rolling out networks was achieved.

The Department of Public Enterprise is conducting a feasibility study into a proposed telecoms link between the southwest and north-west, which could cost more than £100 million.