Telecoms spend falling - Comreg

Irish customers are spending less on telecoms services, a new survey from the Communications Regulator showed today.

However, the survey also revealed that they are spending more time online.

Mobile phone penetration, which is currently at 95 per cent, is continuing to rise in Ireland, while fixed line penetration fell marginally to 65 per cent according to Comreg.

According to the research, the average bi-monthly spend on fixed line services is just under €80 on compared to more than €96 in December 2008.

Spending on mobile phones is also falling, dipping to just over €36 in January 2010 from just over €41 in December 2008.

However, the survey also found that 34 per cent of Irish adults have only have a mobile phone. A quarter of those who said they had no fixed line cancelled their fixed line phone, and nearly said they have never had one.

Incumbent operator Eircom saw its market share dip in the fourth quarter of 2009 to 71 per cent from 77 per cent in the second quarter of the year and 79 per cent a year earlier. The survey also found that customers in the 25-34 age group, those who fell into the ABC1 bracket and those living in Dublin were more likely to use an alternative supplier.

Among fixed line users, 13 per cent have changed provider in the past 12 months, with 71 per cent of adults citing the cost of calls as the main concern when choosing a fixed line provider.

Internet access at home is steady at 66 per cent, while people are spending more time online at home, with the average hours of use rising from 10 hours per week in December 2008 to 13.2 in January 2010.

The average consumer is spending €34 per month on broadband access.