Eircom has unveiled plans for a new TV service as it takes on rivals UPC and Sky in the living room,as it becomes the first to offer a "quad play" service to Irish customers.

The eVision service is being offered to customers over Eircom’s efibre network, a next generation broadband service that currently passes about 500,000 homes around the country. That figure is expected to rise to one million by June.

The basic service offers 34 channels, including RTE, TV3 and BBC, with a second tier package with 54 chanels, and additional packages available for sports and movies channels. Prices start from €10 for the TV add-on, although Eircom’s e-fibre will add at least €45 per month to that total for regular customers.

Eircom is offering the service free for the first six months to both new and existing customers, with a free set top box and free engineer installation. The box also includes the ability to record up to 240 hours of programmes.

"I think it establishes a new position for Eircom," said chief executive Herb Hribar. "We've really tried to listen to customers."

The service also offers HD and multiroom options, although using tablets to view programmes and on-demand services are coming further down the line.

The move means Eircom now offers both mobile and fixed line services to customers, along with broadband and TV, completing the so-called quad-play package.