Ireland Telecom Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 3.24 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 3.86 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 3.52 % |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Ireland Telecom Market Analysis
The Ireland Telecom Market size is estimated at USD 3.24 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 3.86 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.52% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
- Ireland’s telecommunications sector has witnessed a significant transformation in recent years, with numerous telecom companies vying for attention in this competitive market. From traditional landline services to cutting-edge fiber-optic networks, businesses have a plethora of options.
- Dublin City Council established a 'Telecoms Unit' in April 2022 to centralize and consolidate telecommunications and digital infrastructure functions into a dedicated unit within the City Council. The unit is a one-stop-shop for all telecoms-related activities, providing a single point of contact for citizens, industry, and other public bodies to engage with.
- In the fiber telecoms industry, organic growth is generally achieved through evolutions in the hardware and software that light the fiber. Better speeds can be achieved through improvements in the technology. For example, Enet is able to deploy 100 Gbps technology on existing national fiber networks in the country, and it is in the process of deploying 400 Gbps over these same networks.
- The challenge the industry in Ireland needs to meet is the availability of suitable underlying fiber. This fiber needs to reach a certain quality threshold if the full power of 800 Gbps can be achieved. Simultaneously, government policies and the regulatory framework are vital to facilitate a conducive environment for such technological investment. ComReg, in September 2022 (following consent of the Minister for Environment, Climate, and Communications), also adopted the Wireless Telegraphy (Liberalised Use and Related Licences in the 700 MHz Duplex, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz, and 2.6 GHz Bands) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (SI 483/2022).
- After the COVID-19 pandemic, the B2B network powered the modern ways of working and helped support SMEs' transition to a remote and hybrid working environment. Players focused more on investment in telephony services. The cloud-based VoIP provider IP Telecom aimed to reach EUR 11 million (USD 11.98 million) in revenue in 2024 and expand its telephony services. The company secured EUR 6 million (USD 6.53 million) to fuel its growth and acquisition plans to increase its revenue. The company adopted its own hybrid working model after the pandemic.
Ireland Telecom Market Trends
Wireless Services are Expected to Grow
- Wireless communications transmit voice and data without cables or wires. According to Elio Networks, wireless broadband provision is vital to Ireland’s growth and retention of foreign direct investment (FDI). Elio Networks is investing and building infrastructure across Cork, which will be followed by further investment and a launch in Limerick and Galway before the end of the year.
- Rural areas in Ireland have long faced difficulties with patchy internet access. Fixed wireless broadband provides a one-way solution to this problem. One notable major advantage of fixed wireless is its affordability. Without the requirement for extensive cabling, the costs are considerably reduced.
- Ireland was one of the first countries to assign the spectrum in the 3.4 GHz – 4.2 GHz band, C-band spectrum, which is considered a vital spot for 5G as it strikes a proper balance between capacity and coverage. The number of 5G subscriptions has been on the rise in Ireland. As per ComReg, there were 988,164 5G mobile subscriptions in Q4 2022, which was a 152% year-on-year increase, accounting for around 11.1% of all subscriptions in the country.
- Three Ireland’s 5G network covers approximately 85% of the Irish population. To expand the pool of major 5G users, in January 2023, Three Ireland, as one of the first Irish mobile operators, offered its 5G to all customers as standard with no additional fee, initially to new customers. Three Ireland also partnered with Technological University Shannon (TUS) to trial 5G Standalone technology and begin showcasing its capabilities in real-life scenarios.
- The rollout of 5G in Ireland has begun using frequencies in the lower RF bands (first 3.6 GHz and later 700 MHz). It is realized that the 26 GHz band and higher frequencies may be used in the future, thereby increasing the demand for wireless connectivity.
OTT Services Hold a Significant Share
- The onset of over-the-top (OTT) distribution, which gave rise to direct-to-consumer (DTC) services, is one of the most significant recent changes in the media value chain. There are 33 OTT Video startups in Ireland, including The Rugby Network, WiiStream, Live Football, MyCast App, and Digisoft.tv.
- TV operators have also entered the OTT industry by providing 'TV everywhere' access, allowing users to consume live and on-demand content both inside and outside their homes (e.g., Sky Go, Virgin TV Anywhere, etc.), and by building their video-on-demand (VOD) solutions. The sports OTT market in Ireland has shown particular growth and is highly competitive.
- According to an industry expert, YouTube's usage share is projected to account for approximately 22% of the video streaming (SVoD) market in Ireland in 2024. Ireland's OTT video market is experiencing a surge in local content production, catering to the growing demand for authentic Irish storytelling.
- Better broadband connectivity provides new ways to distribute and monetize content. More people are purchasing 'skinny bundles,' which are basically reduced-priced subscriptions to TV channels or content packages offered by cable, satellite, and OTT providers such as BT Sport, Netflix, and eir Sport. All of these new distribution mechanisms cater to long-standing business needs, which are boosting the market studied.
Ireland Telecom Industry Overview
The Irish telecom market is fragmented due to ongoing partnerships and recent advancements. Some major market players studied were Three Ireland, Eir Mobile, and Vodafone Ireland, among others.
- March 2024: IP Telecom acquired Centrecom Systems Limited for an undisclosed sum as the company targets a leadership position in the telecom market. Centrecom expertise will help expand IP Telecom’s services, which already include cloud-based voice over internet protocol (VoIP) and unified communications telephony services for business customers in Ireland.
- December 2023: Three, Ireland’s largest mobile network, is the first Irish operator to launch the next evolution of 5G, 5G Standalone, which has the potential to accelerate innovation across industries and unlock exciting possibilities for businesses and consumers.
Ireland Telecom Market Leaders
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Three Ireland
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Eir Mobile
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Vodafone Ireland
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Virgin Media Ireland
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Sky Ireland Limited
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Ireland Telecom Market News
- May 2024: Comarch secured a major contract with Open Eir to transform field services, aiming to improve customer experience with the implementation of a unified technician platform. Open Eir is embarking on a journey to transform customer experiences and establish itself as the preferred network for users.
- March 2024: Phoenix Tower International (PTI) announced that they are adding around 1,900 mobile telecommunication sites in Ireland to its portfolio through the acquisition of Cellnex Telecom’s EUR 971 million (USD 1057.3 million) Irish business. Blackstone-backed PTI agreed to acquire Cellnex Ireland and Cignal Infrastructure, a deal that will boost PTI’s Irish business with an additional 1,700 mobile telecom sites and roughly 200 land locations suitable for hosting third-party wireless sites.
Ireland Telecom Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definitions
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET INSIGHTS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Industry Ecosystem Analysis
4.3 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Force Analysis
4.3.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
4.3.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.3.3 Threat of New Entrants
4.3.4 Threat of Substitute Products
4.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
4.4 Assessment of the Macro Economic Factors on the Market
4.5 Regulatory Landscape in Ireland
5. MARKET DYNAMICS
5.1 Market Drivers
5.1.1 Rising Demand for 5G
5.1.2 Growth of IoT Usage in Telecom
5.2 Market Restraints
5.2.1 The Emergence of Stiff Competition is a Concern for the Industry
5.3 Analysis of the Market Based on Connectivity (Coverage to Include In-depth Trend Analysis)
5.3.1 Fixed Network
5.3.1.1 Broadband (Cable Modem, Wireline-fiber, Wireline DSL, Fixed Wi-Fi and Trends Regarding ADSL/VDSL, FTTP/B, cable modem, FWA, and 5G FWA)
5.3.1.2 Narrowband
5.3.2 Mobile Network
5.3.2.1 Smartphone and Mobile Penetration
5.3.2.2 Mobile Broadband
5.3.2.3 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G connections
5.3.2.4 Smart Home IoT and M2M Connections
5.4 Analysis of Telecom Towers (Coverage to Include In-depth Trend Analysis of Various Types of Towers, like Lattice, Guyed, Monopole, and Stealth Towers)
6. MARKET SEGMENTATION
6.1 By Services
6.1.1 Voice Services
6.1.1.1 Wired
6.1.1.2 Wireless
6.1.2 Data and Messaging Services
6.1.3 OTT and PayTV Services
7. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
7.1 Company Profiles*
7.1.1 Three Ireland
7.1.2 Eir Mobile
7.1.3 Vodafone Ireland
7.1.4 Virgin Media Ireland
7.1.5 Sky Ireland Limited
7.1.6 Digiweb Ltd
7.1.7 Pure Telecom
7.1.8 Telcom Group Est 1999 DAC
7.1.9 Tesco Mobile
7.1.10 Imagine Networks Services Ltd
8. INVESTMENTS ANALYSIS
9. FUTURE OUTLOOK OF THE MARKET
Ireland Telecom Industry Segmentation
Telecom or telecommunication is the long-range transmission of information by electromagnetic means. The telecom market includes in-depth trend analysis based on connectivity like fixed networks, mobile networks, and telecom towers. Several factors, including an increasing demand for 5G, are likely to drive the adoption of telecom services in Ireland.
The Irish telecom market is segmented by services (voice services (wired and wireless), data and messaging services, OTT, and payTV services). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value in USD for all the above segments.
| By Services | ||||
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| Data and Messaging Services | ||||
| OTT and PayTV Services |
Ireland Telecom Market Research FAQs
How big is the Ireland Telecom Market?
The Ireland Telecom Market size is expected to reach USD 3.24 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 3.52% to reach USD 3.86 billion by 2029.
What is the current Ireland Telecom Market size?
In 2024, the Ireland Telecom Market size is expected to reach USD 3.24 billion.
Who are the key players in Ireland Telecom Market?
Three Ireland, Eir Mobile, Vodafone Ireland, Virgin Media Ireland and Sky Ireland Limited are the major companies operating in the Ireland Telecom Market.
What years does this Ireland Telecom Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Ireland Telecom Market size was estimated at USD 3.13 billion. The report covers the Ireland Telecom Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Ireland Telecom Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Ireland Telecom Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Ireland Telecom market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Ireland Telecom analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2024 to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
