3.6 GHz Band Spectrum Lease Licences
In support of the provision of services to end users during the Temporary Situation and in light of the implementation of COVID-19 temporary spectrum licensing frameworks in 2020 and 2021, ComReg has encouraged the MNOs to consider taking other supporting actions including the leasing of spectrum rights to other affected operators. For more information on the COVID-19 temporary spectrum licensing frameworks, please see /industry/radio-spectrum/spectrum-awards/covid-19-temporary-spectrum-management-measures/
Following consultation on several notifications received from MNOs and/or Dense Air with respect to the leasing of 3.6 GHz spectrum rights to Imagine, ComReg made Spectrum Lease Determinations on same and subsequently issued several 3.6 GHz band spectrum lease licences to Imagine in 2020 and 2021. This enabled the lease of 3.6 GHz band spectrum rights from Eir, Dense Air, Three, and Vodafone at various locations and each for a three-month period as detailed in Table 1 below.
Dense Air | Eir | Three | Vodafone |
22 Sep 2020 – 21 Mar 2020 | 22 June – 21 September 2020 | 22 June – 21 September 2020 | 22 June – 21 September 2020 |
11 May 2021 – 10 Nov 2021 | 13 Oct 2020 – 12 Apr 2021 | 13 Oct 2020 – 12 Jan 2021 | 13 Oct 2020 – 12 Apr2021 |
11 May 2021 – 10 Nov 202 | Not extended[1] | 11 May 2021 – 10 Nov 2021 | |
16 Dec 2021 – 15 Jun 2022 | 16 Dec 2021 – 15 Jun 2022 | ||
25 Jul 2022 – 24 Jan 2023 | 25 Jul 2022 – 24 Jan 2023 | ||
10 Mar 2023 – 9 June 2023 |
Table 1: Time periods of Imagine’s 3.6 GHz band spectrum leases from the lessors (three MNOs and Dense Air)
[1] As noted on the 3.6 GHz Band Transition webpage of ComReg, on 11 January 2021, Imagine and Three decided not to extend their Spectrum Lease Licence agreement.
The 3.6 GHz Band Spectrum Lease Licences issued to Imagine Communications Ireland Limited to date are as follows:
Licence number | Licence Commencement | Licence Expiry | Licence Commitments |
SLL1001 | 22 June 2020 | 21 September 2020 | SLL1001 |
SLL1002 | 22 September 2020 | 21 December 2020 | SLL1002 |
SLL1003 | 13 October 2020 | 12 January 2020 | SLL1003 |
SLL1004 | 22 December 2020 | 21 March 2021 | SLL1004 |
SLL1005 | 13 January 2021 | 12 April 2021 | SLL1005 |
SLL1006 | 11 May 2021 | 10 August 2021 | SLL1006 |
SLL1007 | 11 August 2021 | 10 November 2021 | SLL1007 |
SLL1008 | 16 December 2021 | 15 March 2022 | SLL1008 |
SLL1009 | 16 March 2022 | 15 June 2022 | SLL1009 |
SLL1010 | 25 July 2022 | 24 October 2022 | SLL1010 |
SLL1012 | 25 October 2022 | 24 January 2023 | SLL1012 |
SLL1013 | 10 March 2023 | 9 June 2023 | SLL1013 |
Lease Licences have also been issued to to Eircom Limited which allowed it to lease 3.6 GHz Band spectrum from each of Dense Air and Vodafone at a single location known as the Black Valley in the Macgillycuddy reeks, County Kerry. The Lease License assisted Eircom Limited with the continuation of services following the expiry of its 3.6 GHz Band Transition Unprotected Licence on the 31 July 2022.
The 3.6 GHz Band Spectrum Lease Licences issued to Eircom Limited to date are as follows:
Licence number | Licence Commencement | Licence Expiry | Licence Commitments |
SLL1011 | 1 August 2022 | 31 January 2023 | SLL1011 |
SLL1014 | 10 March 2023 | 9 June 2023 | SLL1014 |