Ireland has raised EUR 78 million in the auction of licences for 350 MHz of spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band.
Vodafone Ireland acquired the most spectrum, at 190 MHz for a total of almost EUR 23 million. This includes 85 MHz in rural regions and 105 MHz in the cities. It was followed by 3 Ireland with 100 MHz nationwide for just over EUR 20 million and Meteor Mobile with 165 MHz (80 MHz rural, 85 MHz cities) for EUR 15.5 million.
The wireless ISP Imagine Communications bought 60 MHz in rural regions for EUR 9.7 million, and Airspan Spectrum Holdings, a new entrant and the UK arm of the US-based provider of 4G broadband wireless systems, obtained 25 MHz in rural areas and 60 MHz in cities for a total EUR 9.5 million.
The 15-year licences were awarded in 594 lots spread over nine regions - four rural and five urban. The price includes EUR 60.5 million in upfront fees, and the remainder is usage fees to be paid over the life of the licences.
ComReg said the release of the 3.6 GHz band increases the amount of harmonised spectrum for mobile, nomadic and fixed wireless broadband services by 86 percent. It also puts Ireland in line with the EU's recommendations on spectrum harmonisation to support the deployment of 4G and 5G mobile services.
