ComReg blocks Eircom from launching fixed-line SMS

dahamsta · 10-12-2002 2:35pm #1

This one nearly slipped by me. What about all the people who bought Eircom's widely advertised DETC phones? Are Eircom going to compensate people for the false advertising?

adam

ENN

According to the Irish Times, ComReg (the Commission for Communications Regulation) has prevented Eircom from launching its fixed-line SMS product. The telecoms company had heavily advertised its planned text messaging service for its new digital phones. A spokeswoman for ComReg confirmed that the service was blocked because Eircom did not supply other operators with a wholesale product.

MDR · 10-12-2002 2:37pm

A spokeswoman for ComReg confirmed that the service was blocked because Eircom did not supply other operators with a wholesale product.

beautiful, absolutely f1ucking beautiful ...

I feel a change in the earth, in the wind, in the tides ....

spongebob · 10-12-2002 2:52pm

means that they must provide a wholesale offering of the eircom voicemail system......intruiging.

think of all the Pat Shortt Ads we've seen for this product, and all for nothing.

then there's the refunds on all those fones

OY get into your Eircom Centre to get your money back before they are all closed down, as planned very shortly.

M

BoneCollector · 10-12-2002 3:07pm

yeah i seem to remember posting the following quote

"powers under the Interconnect directive (97/33/EC) do not change.
Comreg may only intervene on a refusal of a reasonable request from an
OLO to eircom, or if eircom introduce a retail product without a
wholesale equivalent."

So whatever eircom want to do they must provide the wholesale equivalent also.

PiE · 10-12-2002 3:34pm

Nice to see the ComReg doing something against Eircom, but I don't see how this is related to the DSL issue as they have a wholesale DSL offer. Even if its digustingly expensive, the ComReg can't do much can they?

meglome · 10-12-2002 3:38pm

I have recieved text messages from an Eircom fixed line number last month, so it was in operation over a month ago.

I wonder will a wholesale product be rolled out in record time

seamus · 10-12-2002 3:43pm

Originally posted by meglome
I have recieved text messages from an Eircom fixed line number last month, so it was in operation over a month ago.

It looks like maybe an OLO asked for a wholesale product and eircom typically stalled, and Comreg were called in. Which would be very ODTR.

If ComReg acted of their own initiative and stepped in, then it does bode well for our new regulator.........

stormkeeper · 10-12-2002 8:17pm

Originally posted by seamus
It looks like maybe an OLO asked for a wholesale product and eircom typically stalled, and Comreg were called in. Which would be very ODTR.

If ComReg acted of their own initiative and stepped in, then it does bode well for our new regulator.........

Things seem to be looking up... Which is a good thing

LoBo · 10-12-2002 10:02pm

I think meglome's in the right of it

I bet they don't take many years of testing to roll out the wholesale product they need to continue offering fixed line sms :P

dahamsta · 10-12-2002 11:37pm

I was flipping around on the telly earlier on and came across that ad with D'Unbelievables. And there it was at the end: Text Messaging. You'd better take 'em down fairly sharpish, Eircom, or we'll be adding to your already saucy track record in the ASAI...

adam

KdjaCL · 11-12-2002 8:40am

i have one of those phones.

and i umm bought it for the SMS.
Where do i stand now ,they did say quite clearly it could and would send sms.

kdjac

daveirl · 11-12-2002 8:48am

This post has been deleted.

spongebob · 11-12-2002 10:02am

and you can buy the same model cheaper next year when Eircom have sorted out their regulatory problems.

The Eircom stores are closing soon so make sure you get in there fast and shout loudly if they are less than forthcoming with the spondulicks.

M

stormkeeper · 12-12-2002 1:27am

Originally posted by Muck
and you can buy the same model cheaper next year when Eircom have sorted out their regulatory problems.

The Eircom stores are closing soon so make sure you get in there fast and shout loudly if they are less than forthcoming with the spondulicks.

M

Why are their stores closing, may I ask?

Or, is this a somewhat pointless question?

LoBo · 12-12-2002 9:08am

Looks like Esat BT have made a complaint about the fact the phone is still being advertised w/ SMS:

Esat BT lodges complaint about Eircom ads
http://www.electricnews.net/news.html?code=8844696

seamus · 12-12-2002 11:03am

Looks like Esat BT have made a complaint about the fact the phone is still being advertised w/ SMS:

How very IOFFL of them

Eircom are takin a real hammering lately....almost makes you feel sorry for them.....

(not)

dahamsta · 12-12-2002 11:27am

According to ComReg, this direction was made in August. If this is in fact the case, Eircom has been marketing this product fraudulently for four to five months, and removal of the ads simply isn't enough, they should be fined heavily. Your mission today, if you choose to accept it, is to figure out how a company like oooh, say Esat BT would go about that.

By the way, it's still on the Eircom webstore, with the following starred-disclaimer: "Caller display and text messaging may not be available to some customers. The eircom text messaging network will be fully operational in the coming months." We can't complain to the ASAI about that one, but we could complain to trading standards. Or how about the Gardaí for fraud?

Anyone wanna call 1901 and ask about these phones, see if it's propogated through the company yet?

adam

Fergus · 12-12-2002 1:45pm

This really does seem to suggest Eircom have a policy of operating with no regard for regulation whatsoever, until they are forced to do something.

I imagine the idea is to get some sort of a lead on the competitors by establishing the product/brand as an Eircom-only thing, leaving the competitors with an uphill battle by the time they actually get to join in.

They did it with 1891 Internet access, they did it with ADSL, and now this.

dahamsta · 12-12-2002 2:29pm

Fair point Fergus, I hadn't extended it that far. Their behaviour could certainly be regarded as anti-competitive and an abuse of SMP.

I wonder was it advertised in the bills at all? (I think it's no longer permitted, but this has been going on quite some time now.)

adam

Fergus · 12-12-2002 3:29pm

afaik When they launched 1891 originally, they sent out a leaflet about it with the bills, which claimed 1891 was available only from Eircom. After much complaint from other ISPs, this was withdrawn, but as usual the damage was already done.

If anyone has a leaflet about this SMS thing from a bill, it would be useful to keep on file and compare.

Really, at this stage, Eircom shouldn't be allowed issue any publicity or adverts without prior approval from the regulator.

Mixie · 13-12-2002 6:23pm

That same Eircom Ad. was on Sky ONE @ 17:16 today (13/Dec/02), just caught the tail of it, but 'text messaging' was still listed as a feature of the phones.

David C · 13-12-2002 7:10pm

Take a look at page 27 of today's Herald..
Bridie O Shea lying on a couch with her Eircom phone.. clearly says "Text Messaging" bellow her

ando · 14-12-2002 5:25pm

their still selling them yokes in the eircom store in blanchardstown... its there, right in front of you when you walk in the door, that transvestite is plastered all over the place :eek:

Bios · 14-12-2002 6:21pm

Same story in donegal, Text Messaging written all over it

strat · 14-12-2002 9:53pm

this is an interesting situation indeed, was going to one if these cordless phones for the parents for christmas an all - as much as it pains me ti give more money to eircom

- anyone with these phones around that can comment on the functionality of the sms ?

trap4 · 14-12-2002 10:25pm

Yes, it doesn't work!

Delighted and all that I am to see ComReg stepping in here, it kind of pisses me off considering that I just bought my new DECT phone last week! :mad:

eoinm1 · 14-12-2002 10:35pm

As this phone is made by Siemens can you just buy it straight from them (Cut out EIRCOM)?

If so try 1890 260 760

Eoin

Mr. Fancypants · 15-12-2002 1:59pm

Article in the Sunday Tribune today saying that Eircom have been brought up about the SMS ads by the ASAI. Aparantly someone has made a complaint to them and they are following it up......

Anyone here happen to complain recently?

seamus · 15-12-2002 2:53pm

Originally posted by mbroaders
Article in the Sunday Tribune today saying that Eircom have been brought up about the SMS ads by the ASAI. Aparantly someone has made a complaint to them and they are following it up......

Anyone here happen to complain recently?

Originally posted by LoBo
Looks like Esat BT have made a complaint about the fact the phone is still being advertised w/ SMS:

Esat BT lodges complaint about Eircom ads
http://www.electricnews.net/news.html?code=8844696

Dangger · 18-12-2002 7:01pm

Great! Going through my mail for the last two weeks I received a mail shot telling me to "break free"

Send and receive text messages

eircom's new SMS text messaging service is being rolled out later this year, which iwll enable you to send and receive text messages from your eircom 4012 home phone.

maxheadroom · 18-12-2002 7:56pm

Originally posted by ando
their still selling them yokes in the eircom store in blanchardstown... its there, right in front of you when you walk in the door, that transvestite is plastered all over the place :eek:

They have these leaflets in my local xtra-vision:

Outside of Leaflet (112k)

Inside of Leaflet (131k)

Bard · 01-01-2003 10:38pm

Sorry to drag up an old thread, I'm just curious about this particular topic.

We have one of these phones and we're well able to send text messages from it and receive them on mobile phones.

We've only sent to O2 mobiles as that's what myself and my brother have.

Seems to be working fine.

... so... are they allowed implement this feature or not? ... 'cos it works for us!

dahamsta · 22-01-2003 9:34am

Update, originally posted by kamobe in Nets/Comms.

Go-ahead for Eircom fixed line texting (Unison/Independent - reg req'd)

EIRCOM has been allowed to proceed with its new fixed line text messaging service after agreeing with the telecoms regulator and other licensed operators (OLOs) to provide a wholesale price whereby the latter can offer a similar service.

Eircom has also agreed to pay compensation to competitors based on their market share in the form of a percentage of sales of the product, although the incumbent still has about 95pc of the fixed line market. None of the parties involved would comment on the wholesale price agreed.

It will apply until the end of April, when a formal agreement on the cost to other OLOs, or its competitors, is expected to be decided with Eircom.

Last year, Esat BT lodged an official complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority against the incumbent, relating to the company's ongoing promotional campaign of a new fixed line text messaging product.

[...]

ComReg blocks Eircom from launching fixed-line SMS

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