Market Trends of Ireland Telecom Industry
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.
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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.
