With options running out for the telecommunications regulator, Ms Etain Doyle, legal and industry observers believe she may now summon both Meteor and Orange, and ask them to make an agreed, joint bid for the Republic's third mobile telephone licence.

Such a move would obviate the need for any appeal to the Supreme Court and prevent further legal actions by either company should it lose the licence to its rival.

Neither Meteor nor Orange would comment on the possibility of a joint bid last night, nor on what would be the financial breakdown of such a consortium. Story of the Week, page 3