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INPHO/Dan Sheridan

O2 to begin rollout of 4G mobile network in first half of 2013

Telefonica Ireland says the new data networks it can offer, following today’s ComReg auction, will increase broadband speeds fivefold.

THE COMPANY which operates the O2 phone network in Ireland has said it will begin rolling out its next generation, high-speed mobile broadband connections in the first half of next year.

Telefonica Ireland’s statement of intent comes after ComReg announced the results of an auction to sell off free space in the telecommunications spectrum, raising €855 million by renting off space to Ireland’s four existing operators until 2030.

Telefonica Ireland will contribute almost €125 million to the upfront payments, and almost €100 million in annual payments over the coming two decades.

The operator’s said its next-generation Long Term Evolution (LTE) network would “ensure Ireland remains at the leading edge of communications, providing customers with significantly faster data speeds and much faster connections to the internet”.

It said the new connections it could offer, having secured the use of the spectrum, would be up to five times faster than the speeds currently available on its data networks.

The network said it would be investing €200 million to upgrade its network to 4G capability in the next three years.

“4G will significantly change the way consumers use their mobile devices and will transform our ability to meet customer demand for new products and services as they move to adopt smartphones, mobile modems and tablets in ever greater numbers,” said Telefonica Ireland CEO Tony Hanway.

“Our plans for 4G will ensure Ireland remains at the leading edge of communications, providing customers with significantly faster data transfer speeds and much faster connections to the internet.”

Three also welcomed the results of the auction, saying it would be able to roll out high speeds of up to 180 Mbps – enough to download a full-length MP3 in a fraction of a second – but did not indicate when it would begin rolling out those connections.

Its chief executive Robert Finnegan said Three’s network had been built to carry data, and did not have to cater to older-generation GSM handsets, so it was cheaper for the network to operate as it required a smaller share of the spectrum.

Read: Mobile operators pay €855 million in auction for new spectrum space

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40 Comments
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    Mute The SinisterFringe
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    Jan 8th 2015, 7:08 AM

    The registration of new companies is due to the number of people being hired as contractors, a move designed to ensure large companies can avoid laws such as having to pay redundancy and pensions. Essentially and erosion of workers rights.

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    Mute Oisín O'Connor
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    Jan 8th 2015, 9:21 AM

    Also, “Real Estate” companies are not necessarily a reflection of economic activity. Just the beginning of another property boom. Big investors taking no debt risk by setting up companies in tandem with the banks as they all know that risk is relative to the next bailout they get.

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    Mute David
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    Jan 8th 2015, 6:19 PM

    If anyone that setup one of those companies reads this – I wish you the best of luck

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    Mute little jim
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    Jan 8th 2015, 11:12 PM

    And can I have a job?

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    Mute james comiskey
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    Jan 8th 2015, 11:36 AM

    This is clearly good news and can’t be chalked down to job bridge but the doom merchants still find a way to be negative . There are plenty of things to complain about without jumping on positive news stories . I know of plenty of start ups that have come into existence in the last 12 months and I’m also aware of the contractors working for multinational companies . Many of these contracts are quite lucrative as they compensate for the lack of security in tenure .

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 8th 2015, 6:09 PM

    It is worrying that there isn’t more manufacturing industry created given that this is where the potential export market is.

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    Mute Bernie Linnane McBride
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    Jan 8th 2015, 6:47 PM

    Also worth bearing in mind that all new businesses are companies. Plenty of other business models out there.
    Sole traders, partnerships etc. also create jobs and contribute to the economy.

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    Mute Bernie Linnane McBride
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    Jan 8th 2015, 7:02 PM

    I meant to say NOT all new businesses are companies.

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    Mute SKYtext
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    Jan 8th 2015, 7:24 PM

    OMG property is tops again “The new house advertised is 5 minutes from shopping (if you have an airplane)!!”

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    Mute Paudi Onail
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    Jan 8th 2015, 1:04 PM

    yea, Mission Possible, could do with a rebrand alright. good heavens save us. scary.

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    Mute Ibhar Mac Suibhne
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    Jan 9th 2015, 4:41 AM

    I wish new start ups all the best but alas this seems like another property bubble…. This Govt just like the last Govt needs to really perk up and listen to this big scary word : S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y !

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