Business Radio

Business Radio is a generic term that refers to a variety of licence types issued by ComReg. These include PMR (Business Radio), Community Repeaters, Paging (Local Area), Mobile Radio Systems (Local Area), Telemetry and Third Party Business Radio licences.

Despite the rapid growth of cellular telephony, Business Radio is still a popular communication system for applications where most traffic is between a control point and one or more mobile terminals, or where groups of mobile terminals need to communicate on a “one to all” basis. The main uses of Business radio are for public safety and security, public utilities (power, water, transport etc.), industrial and commercial users as well as various voluntary organisations, who need a reliable means of communicating with personnel and more especially groups of personnel on the move.

Recent years have seen a number of developments that have enhanced the reliability and security of Business Radio systems.   Features such as encryption, data transfer and interworking are available with digital systems, thereby allowing BR systems to meet the needs of the most demanding users (e.g. security and emergency services.  Trunked systems, whereby users have access to a pool of channels rather than the users each having their own specific channel can increase the effective use of spectrum.  Both on-site and local area Trunked systems have been licensed under the mobile radio systems licensing regime.

PMR (Business Radio)

Private Mobile Radio (PMR) remains a popular communication system for applications where most traffic is between a control point and one or more mobile terminals, or where groups of mobile terminals need to communicate on a “one to all” basis. The main uses of business radio are for public safety and security, industrial and commercial users such as taxis and couriers, as well as voluntary organisations, all of whom need reliable means of communicating with personnel and, in particular, those on the move.

Guidelines

More information can be found in our guidelines document – Guidelines for Business Radio Licences – 00/07aR1.

Application

To apply for a licence, applicants must login to ComReg’s online facility which is available at www.elicensing.comreg.ie

Applicants must be a ComReg account holder; if not, you can register for a ComReg account at www.elicensing.comreg.ie

Applicants for a Business Radio Licence must in all cases be the end-user of the equipment to be licensed – rather than an agent for the applicant/proposed licensee (e.g. Equipment Supplier). If you are applying on behalf of the end-user, that end-user must give you access to their account details i.e. Account Code and PIN so that you can load the application on their behalf.

Please download this document for guidance on how to use the online facility.

Fees

Licence fees are based on the quantity of equipment to be licensed.

The cost is €22 per piece of equipment plus a fixed charge of €22 for the duration of the licence. (e.g. 4 walkie talkies + 2 radio mics = 6 units +1 Fixed Charge = 7 x €22 = €154).

Regulations

The Regulations governing the issue of Business Radio licences is the Wireless Telegraphy (Business Radio Licence) regulations, 1949 and subsequent amendments.

Community Repeaters

The use of community repeaters has been driven by the demand from equipment suppliers to supply turnkey systems to their customers. Instead of each small user establishing a base station with the planning permission and costs involved, equipment suppliers can offer the use of a communal repeater station that is shared out amongst the user population. In terms of spectrum management this increases efficiency of spectrum usage by putting more users onto a channel(s), releasing spectrum for other uses.

A community repeater system is comprised of a base station, trigger stations and mobiles. The base station is normally located at a remote position on a high mountain or another high site to provide wide area two-way radio communications to many customers on a channel sharing basis. The licence offered covers all elements of the community repeater system including the mobiles, thereby eliminating the requirement for customers to hold individual radio licences. All radio stations on the system are covered by the operator’s licence, i.e. the user does not have to hold a licence for controlling the base station (by means of a trigger station) or for the operation of his mobiles.

Guidelines

More information can be found  in our guidelines document – Community Repeater Licence Guidance Notes.

Application Form

To apply for a licence please download the Community Repeater Licence Application Form.

Applications should be submitted via email to licensing@comreg.ie

Fees

  • First year: €625 + €12.00 processing fee.
  • Subsequent Years: €1000 for the annual renewal of the licence.

Regulations

The regulations governing the issue of community repeater licences are the Wireless Telegraphy (Community Repeater Radio Licence) Regulations 1988 (S.I. 83 of 1988)

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1988/si/83/made/en/print

Mobile Radio Systems (Trunked Radio)

Traditional business radio systems work because all parties involved in the communication agree on what frequencies they will utilize. Trunking radios, on the other hand, constantly renegotiate the frequencies utilized for the conversation. This allows for more efficient utilization of limited frequencies because each conversation does not require a dedicated channel. Trunked systems create a pool of channels that can be accessed by any user rather than assigning specific channels to specific users. For a given number of users and radio channels, the likelihood of all the channels in the pool being in use at any one time is much lower than that of two users simultaneously accessing a single, common channel. Trunking also results in a significant improvement in radio spectrum utilisation, since available channels can be shared between a large number of users.

Private trunked radio networks are likely to be operated by large national or regional organisations such as the emergency services, utilities and transport operators that need to communicate between large numbers of mobile users. They may also be deployed on specific sites or premises where the traffic level is particularly high. National and regional trunked networks provide BR functionality over a wide geographic area to users who do not wish to operate their own systems.

ComReg has identified different spectrum allocations for analogue and digital trunked systems:

  • Analogue trunked system: 415.775-418.9875 MHz / 425.775 -428.9875 MHz
  • Digital trunked system: 385-390 MHz / 395-399.9 MHz

Guidelines

More information can be found  in our guidelines document – Mobile Radio System Licence Guidelines.

Application Form

To apply for a licence please download the Mobile Radio System Licence Application Form.

Applications should be submitted via email to licensing@comreg.ie.

Fees

  • First year: €625 per channel (12.5kHz) per base.
  • Subsequent Years:€1000 per channel (12.5kHz) per base for the annual renewal of the licence.
  • 25kHz Channels are charged €1,250 (€625 x2) for the First year and €2000 (€1000 x2) for each subsequent renewal.

Regulations

The regulations governing the issue of Mobile Radio licences are the Wireless Telegraphy (Mobile Radio Systems) Regulations, 2002 (S.I. 435 of 2002)

Paging

Paging is a means of sending a one way digital coded signal to a paging receiver which is owned by a subscriber. The signal can be simple causing the pager to just bleep or, more complex, in transmitting numeric characters or show alphanumeric/text messages on the pager. Compared with other mobile communication systems, paging offers extremely good coverage with excellent signal strength for building penetration.

Application Form

To apply for a permit please download the Paging Permit Application Form.

Applications should be submitted via email to licensing@comreg.ie.

Fees

There are no fees charged for this service.

Third Party Business Radio

Unlike traditional Business Radio licences, the Third Party Business Radio (TPBR) licence allows licensees to provide business radio services to third parties nationally for a 5 year period without the need for individual licensing of business radio operations for each specific geographic site or by each third party user. Another benefit of this scheme is that it permits TPBR licences to be transferred to or traded with other entities, subject to prior agreement from ComReg.

The TPBR scheme was initiated on the 9th of November 2005. ComReg re-opened the scheme in 2010 and 2015.

In light of the demand for spectrum under this licensing scheme, ComReg has reopened the scheme and will accept applications for 5-year TPBR licences until all available channels have been assigned or until 30th November 2022 after which applications will not be accepted.

In its Radio Spectrum Management Strategy Statement 2019-2021, ComReg committed to consulting on the reopening of the TPBR licensing scheme in 2020, while also committing to reviewing the wider private mobile radio (“PMR”) licensing schemes in their entirety. Any future PMR consultation will take into consideration the future of the TPBR licensing scheme beyond 2022 and make proposals regarding any transition activities that may be required.

Guidelines

More information can be found in our guidelines document – Guidelines for Third Party Business Radio Applicants – 05/82R5.

Application Form

To apply for a licence please download the Third Party Business Radio Application Form – 05/82aR5.

Applications should be submitted via email to licensing@comreg.ie.

Fees

The fee payable for a TPBR licence is €5000 per channel for a five year licence.

Regulations

The regulations governing the issue of Third Party Business Radio licences are the Wireless Telegraphy (Third Party Business Radio Licence) Regulations, 2005 (S.I. 646 of 2005).

Publications

ComReg 20/76

Third Party Business Radio Licence Holders 

 

Ch ID BTX (MHz) BRX (MHz) Current Licensee Licence expiry date
 TBV-01 165.5875 170.3875 BP Multipage 05/01/2026
TBV-02 165.3625 170.1625 BP Multipage 05/01/2026
TBV-03 166.1 170.9 RSP 05/01/2026
TBV-04 166.3625 171.1625 DAL Electronics 07/03/2026
TBV-05 166.3875 171.1875 EMR 19/12/2025
TBV-06 166.4125 171.2125 BP Multipage 16/10/2026
TBV-07 166.4625 171.2625 Radiotrader Ltd 29/09/2025
TBV-08 166.475 171.275 Radiotrader Ltd 02/02/2027
TBV-09 166.5375 171.3375 Irish Radio Communications Ltd 26/11/2025
TBV-10 166.55 171.35 Radiotrader Ltd 29/09/2025

Third Party Business Radio UHF Licence holders 

Ch ID BTX (MHz) BRX (MHz) Current Licensee Licence expiry date
TBU-02 453.85 460.35 RSP 25/11/2025
TBU-03 453.8625 460.3625 RSP 25/11/2025
TBU-04 453.875 460.375 RSP 25/11/2025
TBU-05 453.8875 460.3875 RSP 09/05/2027
TBU-06 453.9 460.4 RSP 09/05/2027
TBU-07 453.9125 460.4125 Mobile Radio Links 30/11/2025
TBU-09 461.2875 467.7875 Mongey Communications 03/06/2026
TBU-10 453.9875 460.4875 Mongey Communications 16/12/2025
TBU-11 454.2 468.2 BP Multipage 05/01/2026
TBU-12 454.2125 468.2125 BP Multipage 05/01/2026
TBU-13 454.325 468.325 RSP 05/01/2026
TBU-14 454.3375 468.3375 RSP 05/01/2026
TBU-15 454.3875 468.3875 Kestrel Communications 05/01/2026
TBU-16 454.4 468.4 Kestrel Communications 05/01/2026
TBU-17 454.45 468.45 EMR 05/01/2026
TBU-18 454.675 468.675 EMR 05/01/2026
TBU-19 454.6875 468.6875 Mongey Communications 09/01/2026
TBU-20 454.9375 468.9375 Mongey Communications 09/01/2026
TBU-21 461.3 467.8 Mongey Communications 03/06/2026
TBU-22 454.9625 468.9625 Mobile Radio Links 05/01/2026
TBU-23 454.9875 468.9875 DAL Electronics 07/03/2026
TBU-24 457.775 463.275 Mongey Communications 03/06/2026
TBU-25 457.8 463.3 Universal 25/04/2026
TBU-26 457.8125 463.3125 EMR 19/07/2026
TBU-27 457.8875 463.3875 EMR 19/07/2026
TBU-28 461.3125 467.8125 Radiotrader Ltd 29/09/2025
TBU-29 461.325 467.825 Mongey Communications 03/06/2026
TBU-30 457.925 463.425 Mercury Wireless Ltd 29/11/2025
TBU-31 457.9375 463.4375 Cully Automation 19/12/2025
TBU-32 461.3375 467.8375 Mongey Communications 03/06/2026
TBU-33 458.025 463.525 RSP 19/12/2025
TBU-34 458.0375 463.5375 EMR 19/12/2025
TBU-35 458.05 463.55 BP Multipage 20/12/2025
TBU-36 458.075 463.575 BP Multipage 20/12/2025
TBU-37 458.0875 463.5875 Cully Automation 04/01/2026
TBU-38 458.1875 463.6875 Mobile Radio Links 21/12/2025
TBU-39 458.2 463.7 BP Multipage 26/11/2025
TBU-40 458.2125 463.7125 BP Multipage 26/11/2025
TBU-42 458.4125 463.9125 Mobile Radio Links 05/01/2026
TBU-43 458.425 463.925 Apex Radio Systems Ltd 27/06/2026
TBU-47 461.4 467.9 Irish Radio Communications Ltd 26/11/2025
TBU-48 461.4125 467.9125 Irish Radio Communications Ltd 26/11/2025
TBU-51 461.45 467.95 Lynn Comunications Ltd 05/10/2025
TBU-53 461.475 467.975 Radiotrader Ltd 29/09/2025
TBU-58 461.2 467.7 ECN Technologies Ltd 05/05/2027
TBU-59 461.2125 467.7125 DAL Electronics 28/11/2026
TBU-60 461.225 467.725 Lynn Comunications Ltd 19/01/2027
TBU-61 461.2375 467.7375 Radiotrader Ltd 02/02/2027
TBU-62 461.25 467.75 Radiotrader Ltd 02/02/2027
TBU-63 461.2625 467.7625 Irish Rail 03/04/2027
TBU-64 461.275 467.775 Irish Rail 03/04/2027

Telemetry

A telemetry system is a wireless telegraphy system by which automated measurements are made and other data collected at remote or inaccessible locations, and transmitted to receiving stations for monitoring, recording or remote control purposes. These systems are primarily used by organisations such as utility and industrial companies, where continuous monitoring of operations and control of equipment at multiple locations is necessary to ensure the proper function of processes and equipment. However, this licensing scheme does not cover smart metering applications.

Licences are issued for a maximum period of 10 years and are subject to annual renewal through payment of the relevant annual fee.

Telemetry licences are available under four licensing types:

Regional

  • On-site licence
  • Local Area licence
  • Wide Area licence; and

National

  • National Telemetry licence

Guidelines

More information can be found in our guidelines document – Licensing of Telemetry Systems Guidelines.

Application Form

Applicants wishing to apply for a Regional Telemetry licence should contact the Licensing Operations Team at licensing@comreg.ie.

To apply for a licence please download the application form National Telemetry Licence Application Form.

Applications should be submitted via email to licensing@comreg.ie.

Fees

The fee structure for the four categories of telemetry licences for the first 12 months of the licence are listed in the table below. ComReg will update the licence fees on the same date annually for Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) and this will apply to all licensees..

Telemetry Licence Type Number of 2 × 12.5 kHz Channels* Assigned in a Licence Annual Licence Fee (to be adjusted for CPI)
On-site 1 €133
Local-area 1 €531
Wide-area 1 €1,062
National 12 €47,764 (per 12 channel block)

The CPI adjustment, is set out in the following formula as follows: = (CPIt/CPIt2024)∗ 100, CPIt Where represents the 12-month Consumer Price Index figures published by the Central Statistics Office, for year t, the year immediately preceding the indexation. CPI2024 represents the 12-month Consumer Price Index figures  published by the Central Statistics Office for 2024. The first indexation shall take place on the 8 July 2026 and shall occur annually thereafter on that same date.

The fees are based on a duplex 12.5 kHz channel (2 × 12.5 kHz). If a 2 × 25 kHz channel is required then two adjacent 12.5 kHz channels may be aggregated. In such cases the fee charged will be as if two separate 12.5 kHz channels were assigned.

Regulations

The regulations governing the issue of Telemetry licences are the Wireless Telegraphy (Telemetry Licence) Regulations 2024 – S.I. No. 266/2024