The Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CCI) welcomes the steps announced today by the Commission for Communications Regulation to have flat rate internet access available to consumers by the end of June 2003 in response to demands from consumers which was highlighted in a recent CCI survey.

The lack of flat rate always on internet access was emphasised in a survey in late 2002 by CCI’s Business Digital Council as the key deterrent to Irish SMEs making full use of e-business solutions.

"A total of 61 per cent of companies surveyed said that they would use the internet more if an always on flat rate service was available," said Annrai O’Toole, chairman of CCI’s Digital Business Council.

CCI’s Digital Business Council has been a long-time campaigner for the introduction of flat rate internet access which it regards as key element in ensuring the competitiveness of Irish business.

"The telecommunications market is not meeting the growing demands of business – businesses in Ireland have to settle for ISDN as the best available service and therefore are not realising the potential of the internet, unlike their European and American counterparts," said Annrai O’Toole.

Despite an increased usage of internet technologies by SMEs in Ireland, the telecommunications market in Ireland is still failing to meet the growing demands of Irish business, the survey said.