Telecommunications companies in the Republic should have to release detailed accounting information each year to prevent cross-subsidisation of services for commercial advantage, the telecommunications regulator, Ms Etain Doyle, said yesterday.

Mentioning Telecom Eireann by name, Ms Doyle said a key aspect of ensuring a level playing field in the industry was "to prevent cross-subsidisation of activities of the major operator, who has the ability to price low in contested markets while pricing high in markets much less open to competition".

The purpose of accounting separation is to provide an analysis of information derived from the accounting records to reflect as closely as possible the performance of parts of the business as if they had operated as separate businesses.

In separate proposals, Ms Doyle said telephone subscribers would soon be able to pre-select their long-distance and international service providers, without having to install an auto-dialler.

On carrier pre-selection, Ms Doyle said a well-defined scheme to allow customers choose their service provider would prove a "key enabler for the growth of competition" in the newly liberalised market.

"It simplifies the process for the consumer and should bring about reduced prices, increased choice and quality of service, and enhance the international competitiveness of Ireland," Ms Doyle added.

She also proposed a new licensing scheme for satellite services, which she said could provide a valuable addition to the telecommunications infrastructure in the Republic.