TELECOMS: ESAT connected its domestic telecoms network into British Telecommunication's international network yesterday and said it would adopt the BT brand name for its business division from July.

The announcement marks the final stages of the integration of Esat into BT and, ironically, it coincided with the firm's move from its headquarters on Grand Canal Quay yesterday - an office block that is owned by Esat founder Mr Denis O'Brien.

The network integration by Esat and other BT Ignite firms in Europe will mean cheaper prices for customers. It will also save BT up to €75 million in annual costs, according to Mr Andy Green, chief executive of BT Ignite.

At a meeting in Dublin yesterday, Mr Green said integrating Esat into BT Ignite from a network point of view, as well as organisationally, would bring significant advantages to corporate customers in the Republic.

He also announced the introduction of a range of telecoms services, such as international private leased circuits, in what is Esat's first all-Ireland product portfolio.

Meanwhile, Mr Green said Esat Business would be rebranded as BT from July, not BT Ignite as previously disclosed by the firm.

He said the BT brand was a particular plus at a time when customers were concerned about the financial viability of telecoms firms. BT was also highly recognisable by multinationals located in the Republic such as Intel and Microsoft.

The BT Ignite name would be retained by BT as it was very important for investors and from an internal point of view, he said.

A final decision on whether to rebrand Esat's consumer/small and medium-sized business divisions will be taken within the next two weeks.