Broadband operators say they will challenge the National Broadband Plan if the Government signs off on a multi-million euro rural internet scheme.
Some operators say they will bring a challenge on state aid grounds if the homes and businesses they serve aren't removed from the plan.
They believe that they can cover around 137,000 premises currently included in the National Broadband Plan.
Peter O' Dwyer, Business Correspondent with the Sunday Business Post, says operators don't want to be forced out of business:
"A number of operators that I've spoken to this week feel frustrated at what they perceive as the Government's inability and failure to take their existing broadband services and commercial plans for the future into account, and as a result a number of them have stated that they are willing to take a challenge on state aid grounds if their plans aren't included in the final plan and if a contract is signed in the coming days."
Last week, the Environment Minister declined to comment on whether his department would award the €3 billion euro contract to David McCourt's National Broadband Ireland.
