In 2017 ComReg – Commission for Communications Regulation – awarded five mobile and internet service providers space on the country’s 3.4 – 3.8 GHz spectrum (microwaves) which has been identified as a primary band suitable for the introduction of 5G in Europe.
They are: Vodafone
3 (Three) Ireland Hutchison
Eir (formerly Meteor)
Imagine
Airspan (Dense Air)
https://www.comreg.ie/industry/radio-spectrum/spectrum-awards/3-6ghz-band-spectrum-award/
Two further bands are designated for 5G in Ireland and the EU – 700 MHz (microwaves) and 26GHz (millimetre waves – not yet in use for 5G in Ireland but likely 2022 https://www.comreg.ie/media/2021/09/ComReg-2190.pdf.)
Since late 2019 5G antennae have being installed, and active, across the country by private telecom and internet companies – Eir, Vodafone, Three, Imagine, Dense Air (Airspan), with Ericsson. Many do not require planning permission and are being placed on existing masts, buildings and some new monopoles are being erected in housing estates without public consent.
Please note that 5G networks should not be the only concern in Ireland as previous, existing and other wireless smart technologies are also biologically harmful, and these are being increased with telecoms installing more, and increased use of smart phones, devices and wireless technology.
Not all new equipment being installed is necessarily for 5G as new 3G and 4G antennae are also being erected. 5G is in addition to existing technology, not a replacement. Free public wifi hot-spots are being installed in many towns and cities across the country. Smart Meters are being installed on homes and buildings.
At the start of the pandemic in 2020 “temporary” licences were granted to telecom companies to add frequency bands to facilitate greater use of their 3G and 4G networks, further increasing RF radiation and our exposure to it. In September 2021, these temporary licences were extended for a third time, to April 2022.
THE ROLL-OUT SO FAR
March 2022 – ComReg awards Test licence suitable for 5G to TCD telecoms researchers https://www.comreg.ie/comreg-awards-test-licence-suitable-for-5g-to-tcd-telecoms-researchers/
Update September 2021 – Eir “We currently offer 5G coverage in 322 towns and cities in all 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland” https://www.eir.ie/5G/#
Vodafone “Our 5G network is now live in selected areas. These are in Dublin. Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Galway. 5G is also live in the Aviva stadium. Our 5G network will be further expanded over the coming months.” https://n.vodafone.ie/network/5g.html
Three Ireland “Our 5G network will be further expanded over the coming months.” https://www.three.ie/coverage-checker/
Update August 2020. Most of Dublin, parts of Limerick, Cork, Waterford, Galway City, Killarney now have 5G coverage from Eir and Vodafone. Much of this upgrading was done during the Covid-19 lockdown while this was considered an “essential service”.
24th October 2019 – EIR launches 5G in 10 towns and cities –“The new service will initially be available from 100 sites serving 10 towns and cities around the country, with another 100 to follow in the coming weeks. The locations are Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Carlow, Castlebar, Dundalk, Drogheda and Kilkenny. 100 additional sites in Athlone, Bray, Ennis, Letterkenny, Sligo, Tralee and Trim will be added before the end of year. Eventually eir says it will roll out 5G coverage to every major town in Ireland.” https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2019/1024/1085356-eir-launches-its-5g-network-in-10-towns-and-cities/
13th August 2019 – Vodafone has switched on 5G in five cities in Ireland.
“The 5G coverage will be available in parts of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. Vodafone says that “additional locations” in city and urban areas will be covered later this year, with a more general rollout to follow over the next two years.” https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/vodafone-switches-on-5g-mobile-in-ireland-cities-first-rural-later-38399480.html
Imagine are installing “5G Ready” wireless broadband to homes and offices. They are not using 5G band frequencies yet because guidelines have not been approved by ComReg. This installation will mean the erection of masts and antennae and small antennae to be placed on user’s homes. By June 2020 they plan to erect over 300 new masts across the country. As at July 2019, they have erected 155 masts.
Eir are preparing for launch of 5G smartphones and 5G services in Dublin and other cities in September 2019. They are also upgrading their 4G network across the country to give 99% coverage. EIR 5G launch
Dense Air (Airspan) have already installed a small cell network in Dublin http://denseair.net/whitepaper-unlocking-5g-for-a-connected-city/
Other telecoms and wireless companies will follow suit very quickly.
The primary 5G frequency being used in Ireland is in the 3.4 – 3.8 GHZ band which is a mid range frequency. Other spectrums are to be auctioned off by ComReg in due course – 700MHz (low frequency) and 26GHz (high frequency).
May 2019 – National 5G Test Centre opens at Maynooth University https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/national-5g-test-centre-opens-at-maynooth-university-1.3907251
In November 2018, Vodafone deployed a new site in Dublin’s Docklands to test 5G hardware, software and services ahead of a wider roll-out of 5G mobile technology. In December, they announced plans to commence 5G wireless broadband trials at four rural locations around the country – Roscommon, Gorey, Clonmel and Dungarvan
21 Nov 2018 – 5G arrives in Ireland as Vodafone launches test site in Dublin https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/5g-arrives-in-ireland-as-vodafone-launches-test-site-in-dublin-1.3704608
May 2019 – Dense Air –
CASE STUDY: DENSE AIR – BUILDING 5G DENSE NEUTRAL HOST SMALL CELL NETWORKS – Dublin City http://denseair.net/case-study-dense-air-building-5g-hyper-dense-neutral-host-small-cell-networks/
March 2019 – Three Ireland confirms 5G network roll-out will begin in 2019 https://www.siliconrepublic.com/companies/three-ireland-5g-network-roll-out-2019
March 2019 – Enet to connect 100 Three Ireland mobile high sites to 1Tbps fibre – “Reading between the lines, the infrastructure upgrade will also ideally position Three to deploy 5G services in the year ahead.” https://www.siliconrepublic.com/comms/three-enet-1tbps-fibre-5g
In February 2019 Imagine announced the roll-out of their 5G Ready Fixed Broadband with a plan to build 325 sites (masts) to cover 1.1m premises in 18 months. https://www.siliconrepublic.com/comms/imagine-5g-broadband-rural-ireland
February 2019 – Eir – We are upgrading our mobile Network to become 5G ready! https://www.eir.ie/support/latest-updates/we-are-upgrading-our-mobile-network-to-become-5g-ready/
March 2019 – 5G operators won’t have to provide rural coverage https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/5g-operators-wont-have-to-provide-rural-coverage-37951423.html
Vodafone Ireland is worried that new EU rules will ‘stunt’ the growth of 5G technology. The carrier has been lobbying the government over the framework that will govern connected car systems. https://fora.ie/vodafone-5g-ireland-rules-4291577-Oct2018/
May 2017 – Irish Operators pay €78m for 5G mobile spectrum https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/irish-operators-pay-78m-for-5g-mobile-spectrum-35741159.html
Feb 2018 – The Need for Speed – Is Ireland ready for 5G https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/news/the-need-for-speed-is-ireland-ready-for-5g-the-next-big-thing-in-cellular-technology-36629260.html
Feb 2018 – Minister Denis Naughten wants 5G mobile network in place by 2020 https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/minister-wants-5g-mobile-network-in-place-by-2020s-829063.html
Feb 2018 – Vodafone Ireland promises 5G rollout within 24 months https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/vodafone-ireland-promises-5g-rollout-within-24-months-1.3383332
Dec 2017 – Minister Denis Naughten TD endorses 5G Roadmap for Europe https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/news-and-media/press-releases/Pages/Minister-Denis-Naughten-TD-endorses-5G-Roadmap-for-Europe.aspx
July 2017 – Press Release – Dept Communications, Climate Action & Environment -Minister Kyne signs 5G Declaration for Europe https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/news-and-media/press-releases/Pages/Minister-Kyne-signs-5G-Declaration-for-Europe.aspx
Not Just 5G
The main telecoms companies – Eir, Vodafone, Three, as well as ESB – are all increasing the installation of 3G and 4G masts and antennae across Ireland with the intention of covering as much of the country as possible. Check local planning permission applications regularly to see what is happening near you. Look out for Cignal Infrastructure Limited, Shared Access, Vantage Towers as they are now a major installers of mobile and wireless infrastructure in Ireland.
Towns, villages and cities are installing free Wifi in towns, villages, public parks and tourist and public areas, with grants from the EU.
Many private Wireless Broadband companies are already providing wifi coverage in rural areas across the country., working off mobile phone masts. These companies are also increasing their coverage.
Smart meters are being installed in homes and businesses across the country.
LED street lights are being installed across the country. As well as the white/blue light from these being harmful to health and wildlife, some will have smart technology installed in them. Whether they use 5G frequencies or not isn’t known, but again, if 2G, 3G, 4G, wifi or 5G, the increase in harmful wireless radiation is extremely concerning.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is separate to the private telecom companies above who are rolling out 5G. The NBP will be mostly fibre-optic broadband, which involves cabling to cabinets, poles, direct to homes, or to Broadband Connection Points. These are locations like community halls, GAA grounds, tourist spots where high speed broadband will be made available to the public – using wifi – a “wifi hotspot”.
So the NBP will not be 100% fibre and they will probably add wireless transmitters (including 5G) in some areas.
Fibre-optic cabling is needed for 5G – so where fibre-optic is installed, 5G antennae can easily be added. Fibre-Optic is the safer option, but only if it is full fibre, without wireless antennae added along the line Read HERE.
Regular protests and campaigns are being held in towns across Ireland against 5G, with many also objecting to the installation of new 3G and 4G masts and smart meters.
Sligo Champion 7th September 2019
Local Councils Opposing 5G
Councillors from the following County Councils have raised concerns and called for moratoriums, halts, and independent safety reports on 5G. Despite the dedication of many local campaigners and councillors, the installation of 5G antennae continues across the country.
DONEGAL
January 2020 – UNANIMOUSLY passed 2 motions to delay the roll out of 5G in Co Donegal until more independent research is done.
Councillor Gerry McMonagle’s motion reads as follows
“That Donegal County Council delay (1) the testing of 5G and the roll out of 5G in County Donegal (2) call on Comreg to delay the licensing of its roll out and (3) calls on the Minister for Communication, Climate Action and the Environment to establish the facts about the radiation impact of 5G and to delay the roll out across the country until a full assessment of the health and environmental implications are carried out with a report to be compiled of the findings and presented to the Oireachtas”
MAYO
January 2020 – Mayo County Council have voted unanimously to back independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne’s proposed motion.
“That we the Members of Mayo County Council in exercising our responsibility to protect the public and the environment from harm, oppose the roll out of the 5G Mobile Network and that this Council would not facilitate in any way the deployment of 5G in the County, until the health implications of 5G are known. We further hereby call on ComReg to delay licensing for it’s rollout and also call on the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment to establish the facts about the radiation impact of 5G on the environment and, in particular, on human health and that a Report on same be compiled and presented to the Oireachtas. A copy of this Motion, if adopted, be forwarded to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, ComReg and each of the Oireachtas Members in the County”.
KERRY
December 2019 – County Kerry: 22 out of 33 Kerry County Councillors VOTE YES to call for an independent investigation into adverse impacts of 5G on the environment and human health. The issue was raised by Fianna Fáil Councillor Norma Foley, Independent councillor Brendan Cronin and Fine Gael’s Mike Kennelly
The Motion: “Cognizant of the expert opinion of many scientists worldwide regarding the adverse impact of 5G on the environment and human health and seeking an independent review of all facts relating to 5G PRIOR TO ANY ROLL OUT OF 5G BEING PERMITTED IN THE COUNTY.” https://www.radiokerry.ie
CLARE
July 2019 – Councillor Clare Colloran Molloy, : “In light of a recent appeal to the EU from 180 scientists and doctors from 36 countries warning about the danger of 5G, which will lead to a massive increase in involuntary exposure to electromagnetic radiation, that Clare County Council in exercising its responsibility to protect the environment and the public from harm” Motion To Oppose 5G Rollout In Clare Receives Council Backing and Why I’m opposing the Roll-out of 5G in Clare
LEITRIM
July 2019 – Councillor Justin Warnock :
“That Leitrim County Council, in exercising its responsibility to protect the environment and the public from harm, and in invoking the precautionary principle in relation to 5G, opposes the testing of 5G, the roll out of 5G, and any action that would facilitate the deployment of 5G in the County, calls on ComReg to deny licencing for its roll out.” https://www.leitrimobserver.ie/news/kinlough/428896/call-for-leitrim-county-council-to-oppose-5g-rollout.html
ROSCOMMON
July 2019 – Cllr Orla Leyden proposed the following motion which was passed:
“That Roscommon County Council opposes the (1) testing of 5G and the roll out of 5G in County Roscommon, (2) calls on ComReg to deny licencing for its rollout and (3) calls on the Minister for Communications, Climate Change and the Environment to establish the facts about the radiation impact of 5G on the environment and human health with reference to global scientific knowledge.”
SLIGO
Sept 2019 – Sligo Councillors seek “delay” 5G roll-out.
“That Sligo County Council delays (1) the testing of 5G and the roll-out of 5G in County Sligo (2) calls on ComReg to delay the licensing of its roll-out and (3) calls on the Minister for Communication, Climate Action and the Environment to establish the facts about the radiation impact of 5G, and to delay the roll-out across the country until a full assessment of the health and environmental implications are carried out with a report compiled and presented to the Oireachtas.” https://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligochampion/news/councillors-seek-to-delay-roll-out-of-5g-38458729.html
WICKLOW
October 2019 – Councillor Tom Fortune & Councillor Mary Kavanagh: “Wicklow County Council has a social responsibility to serve, inform and protect the public and the environment from exposure to harm and therefore it opposes the roll out of unregulated 5G in the county of Wicklow based on the precautionary principle, pending the enactment by Dail Eireann of protective legislation. In the meantime it’s advised a 5G working group be established who would be mandated to report back to the Council of the potential harmful effects of wireless EMF on our environment and our carbon footprint.”
LAOIS
November 2019 – Cllr Aisling Moran forwarded the motion which was seconded and supported by Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley “We as a Council and public representatives have a moral and ethical responsibility to protect the health and well being or all our citizens.” https://www.laoistoday.ie/2019/11/27/concerns-lead-to-calls-to-put-5g-roll-out-on-hold/
CORK
November 2019 – Councillor Karen Coakley forwarded the following motion ” I am calling on Cork County Council to conduct a detailed report in to the safety of 5G. People are extremely worried and voicing their concerns about the harmful effects of radiation. Concerns must be addressed as there could be implications for the public. I call on this Council to support a report and to alleviate the concerns of the pubic of this County”. https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/cork-county-council-to-seek-expert-advice-after-concerns-raised-about-5g-network-safety-966480.html
WEXFORD
Councillors to put forward motion at Council Meeting on 11th November 2019 .
WEST CORK
July 2019 – Cllr Kevin Murphy (FG) raised the motion at a meeting of West Cork local authority last week and said the issue of 5G might not be something that will affect people now, but will do so in the future. Fears over claims that 5G mobile technology may be linked to cancer. https://www.southernstar.ie/news and Cllr calls for more debate on use of 5G technologies
International Actions to Halt and Delay 5G (including Ireland) – EH Trust
Electromagnetic Sense Ireland 