Ireland possesses some unique advantages compared to its European neighbours when spectrum is considered as a national resource. On the one hand, we have a well-developed high-tech sector with many leading global IT and telecoms companies having facilities here. On the other, Ireland’s position on the western edge of Europe, and its relatively low population density, mean that the radio frequency spectrum is relatively uncongested. For the most part, frequencies can be made available as and where required. These natural advantages mean that Ireland is ideally located as a manufacturing base and/or test-bed for companies wishing to test, develop and manufacture new products and services for global markets.

A report by Forfás to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment identified wireless communications as an area of high potential growth, and recommended actions to promote the development of wireless as a sustainable internationally traded sector from Ireland. These actions included a set of recommendations on accelerated liberalisation of spectrum management. Both in response to this, and as part of its overall responsibility to ensure efficient spectrum management and promote innovation, ComReg has taken a number of initiatives in this area:

• After public consultation, ComReg has decided to extend and liberalise its test licensing regime to include commercial trial licences, and to extend the possible duration of both test and trial licences. The expanded test licensing regime will be suitable for use for tests and trials of innovative technologies and services including Ultra Wide Band (UWB) trials
• This paper contains proposals for how the issues of spectrum liberalisation and trading in spectrum rights of use might be addressed
• Through its Forward Looking Panel , ComReg has established links with third-level colleges and universities, which it intends to use to spread awareness of the availability of spectrum for test purposes.

Creating a regulatory environment supportive of innovation in new electronic communications services is critical in positioning Ireland to realise the benefits of a vibrant telecommunications industry. This philosophy underpins much of ComReg’s approach to spectrum management. Two recent examples where this has been put into practice include:

• The introduction of licence exempt wireless broadband access in the 5.8 GHz band (5725 – 5875 MHz);
• The test and trial Licence scheme , introduced after public consultation in May 2005, is a new licensing regime for radio service and technology trials which will bring Ireland to the forefront as an ideal location for research and development. One of the key features of the scheme is that it allows innovative new wireless services to be offered to the public on a trial basis. This will allow new service concepts to be tested in a realistic environment at an early stage of development, ensuring that subsequent commercial offerings are properly tailored to meet the needs of users.