ComReg Finds Fourth 3G Suitor

June 19, 2005 - source: BWCS

The Irish Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) says it has received a formal expression of interest for the last remaining 3G licence in Ireland. Whilst the Commission remained tight-lipped about which company had approached it, the body appeared relieved that it had at last found an applicant for it.

In 2002 ComReg held a "beauty competition" for the award of four 3G licences in Ireland. The competition invited applications for four different licences, one so-called 'A' licence and three 'B' licences.

The outcome of the competition was that Hutchison 3G Ireland won the 'A' licence whilst mmO2 and Vodafone each gained a 'B' licence. However, at the time there was no taker for the third 'B' licence.

Last July Vodafone became the first operator in Ireland to launch a 3G service when it made its Mobile Connect 3G/GPRS Datacard available for the first time there. Initially, only about 45% of the population were covered by 3G, according to Vodafone Ireland chief Paul Donovan. Outside the coverage area, the service switches seamlessly over to the operator's GPRS network.