DUBLIN, Ireland—Ireland has announced details of its third-generation (3G) licensing process following a year-long delay. Four 20-year licenses will be awarded through a “beauty content” method.
An “A” license with high coverage requirements and possibly more spectrum will cost e50.7 million (US$45.5 million) and three “B” licenses will be e114.3 million (US$102.5 million). The A license requires 80-percent coverage and an opportunity for bidders to offer access for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). There is a 53-percent, or five-city, coverage requirement for the B licenses.
The highest ranked applications will be announced in June 2002, with service rollout set for January 2004.
