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3G & GSM

Overview

Mobile communications is one of the fastest growing sectors of telecommunications with mobile phone penetration rates in Ireland now exceeding 1005. The three 2g cellular operators licensed in Ireland each have a total of 2 x 21.6 MHz of assigned spectrum, and the four 3G operators each have 2 x 15 MHz.

59% of the available 2g spectrum and 85% of the available 3G spectrum has been licensed.

Ireland is unusual in a european context in that it has large quantities of unused spectrum in the GSM and 3G bands. In the GSM 900 band the 2 x 10 MHz e-GSM spectrum is unassigned as is a further 2 x 3.8 MHz in the core GSM 900 band. Similarly in the GSM 1800 band there is 2 x 26.4 MHz of spectrum yet to be assigned. In total Ireland has 2 x 40.2 MHz of available GSM spectrum.

General Authorisation

Introduction

Under Section 4 (1) of the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Authorisation) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 306 of 2003), any person intending to provide an electronic communications network or service shall, before doing so, notify the Regulator of his intention to provide such a service.
Under Section 4 (5) any undertaking which fails to comply with section 4 (1) or section 4 (4) (notification of any changes to the information supplied) is guilty of an offence.
General Authorisations replaced the basic and general telecoms licences and some individual wireless telegraphy licences, issued prior to July 2003.

Who needs to apply for a General Authorisation

Any person may provide an electronic communications network and/or service in Ireland, provided they have notified the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), in advance.
Under the terms of the Authorisation Regulations, operators are free to commence operations once a completed notification has been received by ComReg, but operations are subject to the conditions set out in a General Authorisation. There may also be a requirement to hold a spectrum licence depending on the service you intend to provide.

The process is very straightforward. ComReg will accept notifications either on line or by hard copy. We will assess all notifications, but require receipt of signed hard copy of a declaration before sending out confirmation of authorisation by us.
We will also enter the company details and services being provided, on the Electronic Register on our website.

Definitions of Electronic Communications Networks and Services

Electronic communications network and electronic communications service are defined in the European Communities (Electronic Communications networks and Services) (Framework) Regulations 2003 (SI no. 307 of 2003) as follows:
"Electronic communications network" means transmission systems and, where applicable, switching or routing equipment and other resources which permit the conveyance of signals by wire, radio, by optical or by other electromagnetic means, including satellite networks, fixed (circuit-and packet-switched, including internet) and mobile terrestrial networks, electricity cable systems, to the extent that they are used for the purpose of transmitting signals, networks used in radio and television broadcasting and cable television networks irrespective of the type of information conveyed.
An "electronic communications service" is defined as a service normally provided for remuneration which consists wholly or mainly in the conveyance of signals on electronic communications networks, including telecommunications services and transmission services in networks used for broadcasting.

Apply on-line for a General Authorisation

There are some documents on our website that you should read before registering with us.
Document 03/102r is a sample for guidance on completing the notification, and Document 03/81R2 outlines the conditions for the provision of Electronic Communications Networks and Services.

Additionally registration can be performed on-line.

Please remember to print out and sign the Declaration at the end of the process, and post to ComReg:

Electronic Communications
ComReg
Abbey Court
Irish Life Centre
Lr Abbey St
Dublin 1
Ireland

Amendments

For existing General Authorisation holders who wish to amend their current registration (i.e change of contacts, services, etc) please email : notify@comreg.ie with the relevant information to update your listing.

3G & GSM Licensing Information

3G - Third Generation Mobile Telephony Service

A 3G licence allows the licensee to provide a Third Generation Mobile Telephony services based upon a standard within the IMT-2000 family of standards.

The IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunications – 2000) standard is the global standard for third generation (3G) wireless communications as defined by the International Telecommunication Union.

Details on 3G regulations:

The regulations governing the issue of a 3G licence are the:

Wireless Telegraphy (Third Generation and GSM Mobile Telephony Licence) Regulations, 2002 (S.I. 345 of 2002);
Wireless Telegraphy (Third Generation and GSM Mobile Telephony Licence) (Amendment) Regulations, 2003 (S.I. 340 of 2003)

Details on Existing 3G Licensees:

3G Licensees
Licensee Name	Competition Format	Licence Commitments	Licence Issue Date	Licence Duration	Frequency
Vodafone Ireland Limited	Beauty Contest	ComReg Document 04/18	16/10/2002	20 years	1950–1965 MHz / 2140–2155 MHz (2 x 15 MHz) 1905–1910 MHz (1 x 5 MHz)
Telefónica O2 Communications (Ireland) Ltd	Beauty Contest	ComReg Document 04/17	02/10/2002	20 years	1965–1980 MHz / 2155–2170 MHz (2 x 15 MHz) 1910–1915 MHz (1 x 5 MHz)
Hutchison 3G Ireland Ltd	Beauty Contest	ComReg Document 04/16	25/06/2002	20 years	1920–1935 MHz / 2110–2125 MHz (2 x 15 MHz)
Meteor Mobile Communications Ltd	Beauty Contest	ComReg Document 10/13	12/03/2007	20 years	1935–1950 MHz / 2125–2140 MHz (2 x 15 MHz) 1900–1905 MHz (1 x 5 MHz)

GSM - Global System for Mobile Communications

A GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) licence allows the licensee to provide a GSM mobile telephony service in the 900 MHz and/or 1800 MHz frequency band.

Details on GSM regulations

The regulations governing the issue of a GSM licence are the:

Wireless Telegraphy (GSM and TACS Mobile Telephony Licence) Regulations, 1997 (S.I. 468 of 1997);
Wireless Telegraphy (GSM and TACS Mobile Telephony Licence) Regulations, 1999 (S.I. 442 of 1999); and
Wireless Telegraphy (GSM Mobile Telephony Licence) (Amendment) Regulations, 2003 (S.I. 339 of 2003).

Details on Existing GSM Licensees

GSM Licensees
Licensee Name	Competition Format	Licence Commitments	Licence Issue Date		Licence Duration	Frequency
Vodafone Ireland Limited	Incumbent Mobile Operator (Previously Eircell)	ComReg Document 00/01s	GSM 900	16/05/1996	15 years	900.1 – 907.3 MHz / 945.1 – 952.3 MHz (2 x 7.2 MHz)
			GSM 1800	01/01/2000	15 years	1736.3 - 1750.7 / 1831.3 - 1845.7 MHz (2 x 14.4 MHz)
Telefónica O2 Communications (Ireland) Ltd	Beauty Contest	ComReg Document 00/03s	GSM 900	16/05/1996	15 years	907.5 - 914.7 MHz / 952.5 - 959.7 MHz (2 x 7.2 MHz)
			GSM 1800	01/01/2000	15 years	1750.9 - 1765.3 MHz / 1845.9 - 1860.3 MHz (2x14.4 MHz)
Meteor Mobile Communications Ltd	Beauty Contest	ComReg Document 01/46s	GSM 900	18/06/2000	15 years	892.7 - 899.9 MHz / 937.7 - 944.9 MHz (2 x 7.2 MHz)
			GSM 1800	18/06/2000	15 years	1765.5 - 1779.9 MHz / 1860.5 - 1874.9 MHz (2 x 14.4 MHz)

3G & GSM Spectrum Management

Strategy

ComReg is participating in european work on the designation of the 900 and 1800 Mhz GSM bands for 3g mobile and will consult with all interested parties on the implications of any proposals.

ComReg plans to consult with industry to develop a coherent strategy to facilitate the development of 3g services in the 2.6 Ghz band subject to market demand whilst accommodating any ongoing requirement by MMDS operators and their customers

ComReg is considering the future of the band 2010 – 2025 Mhz for other services. Subject to developments in cept, ComReg will support the removal of the reference in the relevant ecc decision, to self provided applications and efforts to achieve a flexible solution for the future use of this band on a harmonised basis subject to market demand.

Future use of existing unassigned GSM and 3g mobile spectrum

Comreg will consider the future of the GSM and 3g bands alongside international and wider policy considerations in relation to spectrum liberalisation.

In particular, ComReg is considering the potential demand for innovative wireless services in these and other frequency bands.

Radio Interference Investigation

ComReg's Spectrum Compliance Section collates and prioritises interference complaints received according to the potential seriousness of the reported interference, awarding the emergency services (Air Traffic Control, Fire and Ambulance Services and Gardai) the highest priority.

If you are experiencing interference to a wireless service, whether directly licenced by ComReg or not the following procedures apply:

Check your own equipment and installation. It may be that our own equipment is not operating at optimum and/or cables may have become frayed/weathered.
If you do not feel sufficiently knowledgeable to assess your own systems performance, contact your installer/supplier.
If you or your installer have determined that the degradation of your wireless operation is attributable to external interference, please complete the Radio Interference Form and submit to the Spectrum Compliance Section at compliance@comreg.ie

The Spectrum Compliance Team in ComReg investigate cases of interference external to the licensees own installation. This is a service that is provided as part of your license fee and as such there is no charge, therefore please ensure that your license is up to date before you contact ComReg.