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Lack of competition undermining telecom sector - Competition Authority

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  • 30-11-2001 10:17pm
    #1
    Victor
    Registered Users Posts: 78,392 ✭✭✭✭


    From http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2001/1130/breaking55.htm

    Lack of competition undermining telecom sector
    By Paul Anderson Last updated: 30-11-01, 17:09

    The lack of competition across many sectors of Irish commercial life is undermining the competitivesess of the economy the Chairman of the Competition Authority has warned.

    In a speech to the National Competitiveness Council today Dr John Fingleton singled out the slow pace of telecom deregulation among other sectors, pointing out that Ireland is bottom of the OECD league when it comes to broadband.

    He said monopoly interests were still highly influential in determining policy and said it was essential if firms that employ and produce in Ireland are to have access to efficiently produced and competitively priced inputs.

    "Markets in which competition is weak or absent are characterised by higher prices, lower output, less innovation and lower levels of buyer satisfaction. In many markets in Ireland, competition has been severely restricted or, in some cases, totally prevented by state regulation," he said.

    Dr Fingleton urged the National Competitiveness Council to continue arguing for greater competition in sectors that supply exporting business. He said greater competition in consumer markets in sectors such as retail, transport, banking, communications, energy, and many private and public services would lead to lower prices.

    Irish firms’ ability to serve consumer needs in the domestic market thereby making them better able to compete internationally would be a further consequence of greater competition he said.

    "Ireland competes with other countries to retain and attract skilled individuals not just on salary and tax, but also on lifestyle factors.

    "Greater competition in consumer markets is one factor that could improve the range and variety of competitively priced goods and services. This would make Ireland a more attractive location for such workers, and hence for investment," he said.


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