ESAT Digifone will launch its mobile phone service on Friday, March 21st. The company says it will have more than 80 per cent coverage from day one.

Digifone got Government approval to locate its antennae on Garda masts earlier this week, following months of uncertainty and behind-the-scenes meetings over whether planning permission was needed for the antennae.

The issue was resolved when the Minister for the Environment Mr Howlin cleared the way by amending planning legislation so that permission was not required to affix antennae to existing radio masts.

Digifone, which will provide the first mobile phone competition to Eircell, the Telecom Eireann subsidiary, says it will announce pricing and product details just prior to the launch date.

It says it has signed up more than 110 dealers to sell the service in more than 200 outlets around the country.

All Digifone numbers will begin with the 086 prefix, followed by a seven digit number. Existing mobile phone users will be able to retain their current number, changing only the prefix.

Callers to users' existing mobile phone numbers will hear an announcement that the user has changed network.

Digifone's joint chief executive Mr Barry Maloney says the company will be offering a full range of GSM services, not just a voice service, and that details of additional services will be announced on the day.

Digifone is 40 per cent owned by Esat Holdings Ltd, 40 per cent owned by Telenor, the Norwegian state telecommunications company and 20 per cent by IIU Nominees on behalf of financier Mr Dermot Desmond

The company's first commercial call will be made the previous day, but the service will be available throughout the country from March 21st.