Schroder Salomon Smith Barney's (SSSB) advice to a minority shareholder group in Eircom, the Irish telecoms provider, will determine whether one of the bidders is forced to increase its offer or withdraw.

SSSB was not expected to play a leading role in Eircom's future because it is not advising either of the two consortia - Valentia and e Island - that are courting the company, or even the target itself.