Esat Telecom and Formus Communications Ireland were awarded wireless broadband licences by the telecoms regulator yesterday following a protracted legal battle which has delayed the roll out of infrastructure and cost successful licence applicants millions of pounds.

A third company, Princes Holdings, is expected to be issued with a licence shortly and a decision on whether Broadnet Ireland or Eircom secure the fourth licence will be decided at the end of July by the Office of the Director of Telecommunications Regulation.

The issuing of the broadband licences clears the way for Esat Telecom and Formus Communications to offer customers Internet and data services through a wireless local-loop network rather than Eircom's existing land network.