Ireland
Mobile networks and carriers in Ireland use 2 GSM bands, 2 UMTS bands, 5 LTE bands, and 2 5G NR bands. Find out if your unlocked phone or mobile device will work in Ireland. See the tables below for details.
Will your phone or mobile device work in Ireland?
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Check device compatibilityIreland's mobile network has undergone significant development over the years. The first mobile network was taken over by the Irish Department of Posts and Telegraphs (P&T) from the British Post Office in 1921. Initially, the network used a mixture of manual and step-by-step automatic exchanges, with development relatively stagnant until later years.
In 2013, Meteor and Eir Mobile were the first to launch 4G LTE services in Ireland, followed by Vodafone on October 14, 2013, and Three on January 27, 2014. O2's 4G plans were put on hold due to its acquisition by Three in 2015, and previous O2 customers gained 4G coverage through Three's network with initial service problems.
By 2016, 41.9% of Ireland's mobile subscriptions were using 4G technology, with 3G remaining the dominant technology with a 44.6% share. The deployment of 4G networks has invigorated competition on pricing and network quality, significantly reducing costs and improving services compared to the past.
Ireland has three major mobile network operators: Eir Mobile, Three, and Vodafone, with several MVNO operators using their infrastructure. The country's mobile market has evolved with the introduction of new technologies such as 5G, IoT, and eSIM, which are expected to further enhance connectivity and services.
Despite these advancements, Ireland lags behind other European countries in terms of spectrum allocation, particularly in high-band frequencies. This lack of spectrum has led to increased costs and poorer network performance, highlighting the need for more efficient spectrum management to meet growing demand and improve consumer experience.
Carriers
| Name | # of frequency bands in use |
|---|---|
| 3 (Three) | 11 |
| Meteor | 6 |
| Vodafone | 7 |
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Frequencies in use
GSM
| Name | Interface |
|---|---|
| 900 MHz (E-GSM) | GSM |
| 1800 MHz (DCS) | GSM |
UMTS
| Name | Interface |
|---|---|
| B1 (2100 MHz) | UMTS |
| B8 (900 MHz GSM) | UMTS |
LTE
| Name | Interface |
|---|---|
| B1 (2100 MHz) | LTE |
| B3 (1800 MHz +) | LTE |
| B7 (2600 MHz) | LTE |
| B20 (800 MHz DD) | LTE |
| B28 (700 MHz APT) | LTE |
5G NR
| Name | Interface |
|---|---|
| N3 (1800 MHz) | 5G NR |
| N78 (3500 MHz) | 5G NR |
