EIRCOM IS TO introduce a price hike from next month, which will result in many bills increasing by 3.1 per cent – as well as the length of off-peak calling hours being cut.

Businesses and home customers will see prices rise from 5.95 cent to 9.5 cent for calls made outside their monthly bundle. The charge will come into effect on 11 March, siliconerepublic reports.

Furthermore, on 11 May, calls will be rounded up to the nearest cent; on the same day peak calling times will be extended from 7am to 7pm.

Eircom customers who do not have a call plan will see an average call price increase by 3.1 per cent.

The company has announced that, because of these charges, existing residential customers have the choice of exiting their contracts early without penalty, reports the Irish Times. The same offer does not apply to business customers.

Residential customers wishing to exit their contacts must inform Eircom in writing by 10 March.