TE's definition of Flat Rate Access appears to differ from reality. A more accurate description is False Flat Rate Access. The user pays a fee for a set quota of hours. In true Flat Rate Access the user pays a fee for full access throughout the month. With approximately 720 hours per month, the anticipated 100 hours per fee is not even close to Flat Rate Access.

The development is being hailed by some Irish internet users as being a step forward. It gives an indication of the way that Irish internet users feel that they are being reamed by the telcos in comparison with the US. The losses to TE from implementing such a tarriff structure are expected to be minimal. Most of the internet usage in Ireland occurs during 1800 and 0100 Hrs. One hundred hours of usage during that time of day spread over a month would be approximately three hours on-line per day. The cost however would be £38 plus VAT. With the discounts available, this would fall closer to the expected fee. Without accurate figures, this is purely speculation. However the fact remains that internet users in Ireland are not going to get real Flat Rate access. But False Flat Rate access could be just two weeks away.