Eircom extended trials for its high-speed internet service to a further 200 businesses and homes this week, despite its continuing dispute with the telecoms regulator. The company is seeking to target small and medium-sized enterprises for its new trials, which follow extensive testing over the past year.

Eircom has twice had to delay the launch of i-stream, which uses digital subscriber line technology, following disagreements with the telecoms regulator. There are no signs of a rapprochement between the pair over the price Eircom can charge other operators to resell i-stream.