30 Mar 2012Vodafone Ireland

Vodafone Ireland Limited, part of the Vodafone Group, began operations in Ireland after purchasing mobile operator Eircell from Eircom Plc in 2001. Re-branding was completed in 2002 and 3G services launched in 2004.

Vodafone Ireland has moved into the Irish fixed line and broadband market through a series of acquisitions. In 2007 Vodafone acquired Perlico, a small fixed line phone and broadband services reseller. This was followed in 2009 by a deal that saw BT Ireland transfer its consumer voice, broadband data and small business operations to Vodafone, with Vodafone leasing capacity on BT’s fixed line network for the services. This move saw Vodafone step into the role of a leading fixed line broadband operator in Ireland. It is now the third largest supplier of fixed broadband services after Eircom and UPC, and employs around 1,300 people in Dublin and Dundalk, almost half of whom work in customer support.

Vodafone Ireland is currently the wireless market leader in both consumer and corporate sectors. It provides mobile voice, Internet, and data services, and Wi-Fi hotspot access over its 3G wireless network. It also offers landline connections and fixed broadband for both residential and business customers. It has over 20 per cent of the DSL broadband market.