THE number is up for Eircell's 088 users as the mobile phone company yesterday announced a summertime closedown of its analogue network. The July wind-up coincides with the launch by Eircell of the country's first controlled pilot project on the recycling of disused mobile phones, batteries and chargers.

Its 12,000 subscribers to the 088 service, first introduced 16 years ago, will be urged to participate in the environmentally-friendly recycling initiative, a feasibility study financed by the company in advance of likely new legislation on recycling waste batteries and phones.

Eircell's chief executive, Stephen Brewer, said the company was keen to promote good environmental practices. The closure of the analogue network, he said, provided an opportunity for Eircell and a Kildare-based company, Returnbatt, to test recycling methods before the anticipated introduction of legislative requirements within a few years.

Existing 088 users will be offered upgrades to the more flexible 087 service which has currently 1.5 million subscribers. Eircell said it was increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain an analogue network.