Mobile Licences

3G Licences

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.

Historical Schedules

The below table contains the historical schedules of site and equipment information provided by the licensees to ComReg since 2013.

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)

Liberalised Use Licences

The Liberalised Use Licences in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz Frequency bands enable licence holders to deploy advanced technologies, such as UMTS or Long Term Evolution (LTE) alongside GSM, thereby facilitating the introduction of advanced mobile services in these two spectrum bands.

The regulations governing the issues of Liberalised Use Licences are the:

• Wireless Telegraphy (Liberalised Use and Preparatory Licences in the 800 MHz, 900MHz and 1800 MHz bands) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 251 of 2012).

Historical Schedules

The below table contains the historical schedules of site and equipment information provided by the licensees to ComReg since 2013.

2.1 GHz Band Liberalised Use Licences

On 31 May 2021, ComReg published the application form for a 2.1 GHz Band Liberalised Use Licence (Document 21/57).

In June 2021, Three and Vodafone applied for and were each granted a 2.1 GHz Band Liberalised Use Licence.

Regulations

On 28 May 2021 – ComReg, with the consent of the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Mr Eamon Ryan, made the following regulations

• Wireless Telegraphy (Third Generation and GSM Licence (Amendment) and Interim Licensing) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No 265 of 2021).

Further Temporary Electronic Communications Services Licences

The Further Temporary Electronic Communications Services Licences in the 700 MHz and 2100 MHz Frequency bands enable licence holders to temporarily deploy advanced technologies given the extraordinary situation presented by COVID-19 and the significant increased traffic demands placed on wireless networks arising from the Government measures to address same.

The regulations governing the issues of Further Temporary Electronic Communications Services Licences are the:

• Wireless Telegraphy (Further Temporary Electronic Communications Services Licences) (No.2) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 137 of 2021).

Assessment of Mobile Network Operators’ Compliance With Licence Obligations (Coverage)

• Drive Test Report, Winter 2018

Wireless Access Platform for Electronic Communications Services (WAPECS)

A Wireless Access Platform for Electronic Communications Services (WAPECS) Licence allows the licensee to provide wireless access for the provision of electronic communications services by means of a digital service. This is a technology and service neutral licence.

The regulations governing the issue of a WAPECS Licence are the:

• Wireless Telegraphy (1785 – 1805 MHz Wireless Access Platform for Electronic Communications Services) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 172 of 2007)