Telecoms

Mobile operators spend €448m in Irish spectrum auction

Award significantly increases available spectrum, which is essential for the widespread roll-out of 5G and other mobile services in Ireland

The country’s biggest mobile operators - Vodafone, Three and Eir - all won two lots in the 700 MHz band, which is considered a vital frequency band for 5G

Irish mobile operators have paid €448 million to the exchequer in the latest auction of spectrum bands for use for providing 5G and other services.

Vodafone has paid a total of nearly €146 million for a number of spectrum bands, with Three paying out €140.4 million and Eir, €140.2 million. In addition, Sean Bolger’s Imagine has spent €21.4 million on spectrum.

The country’s biggest mobile operators - Vodafone, Three and Eir - all won two ...