The Multi-Band Spectrum Award Process concluded on the 5th of December 2012. The Multi-Band Spectrum Award Process offered spectrum rights of use across three spectrum bands, namely the 800 MHz, the 900 MHz and the 1800 MHz bands, for the period 2013 to 2030.
The results of the Multi-Band Spectrum Auction are available in the following documents;
Amendment to MBSA1 Regulations – Amendments to Technical Conditions for the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz Bands
On 29 July 2024, ComReg made, with the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, The Wireless Telegraphy (Liberalised Use and Preparatory Licences in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz Bands) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 380 of 2024).
These regulations amend The Wireless Telegraphy (Liberalised use and Preparatory Licences in the 800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz Bands) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No 251 of 2012).
The amendment aligns the licence conditions in the MBSA1 licences related to the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands with the EU Decision 2022/173, which repeals Decision 2009/766/EC. In addition, this amendment sets out the block power limits for the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands and the out of block powers limits to align with EU Decision 2022/173, including provision for the deployment of Active Antennas Systems in the 1800 MHz band.
24/52 – Response to Consultation and Decision – Amendments to Technical Conditions for the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz Bands
On 21 June 2024, ComReg published its response to consultation and decision, (Document 24/52) on its proposals to implement EU Decision 2022/173 amending the technical conditions for the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz Bands.
On 8 May 2024, ComReg published its consultation (Document 24/34) on amending the technical conditions for the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands, following the publication EU Decision 2022/173, which repeals Decision 2009/766/EC issued by the European Commission. This consultation relates to setting out in-block power limits for the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz Bands and amending the out of block power limits to align with EU Decision 2022/173, which includes the provision for the deployment of Active Antenna Systems in the 1800 MHz Band. The consultation will remain open until 7 June 2024.
On 18th December 2012, ComReg published the application form for a liberalised use licence in the 800MHz, 900MHz and 1800MHz bands (Document 12/135).
On 18th December 2012, ComReg published the application form for a Preparatory licence in the 800MHz, 900MHz and 1800MHz bands (Document 12/136).
Final Auction Results
On 5th December 2012, ComReg published an Information Notice on the frequency arrangements and results of the Multi-Band Spectrum Award Process. (Document 12/131)
Auction Results (Initial)
On 15th November 2012, ComReg published a press release announcing the initial results of the Multi-Band Spectrum Auction. (Document PR15112012)
On 15th November 2012, ComReg also published an Information Notice providing details of the initial results of the Multi-Band Spectrum Auction. (Document 12/123)
Interface Requirements
On 30th October 2012, ComReg published its draft interface requirements for liberalised use licenses in the 800MHz, 900MHz and 1800MHz bands. (Document 12/118)
Correspondence
On 24th August 2012, ComReg published recent non-confidential from/with interested parties in Document 12/94.
Preparatory Licences
ComReg published Regulations in respect of liberalised use and preparatory licenses in the 800MHz, 900MHz and 1800MHz bands (SI 251 of 2012) on 13th July2012.
Questions and Answers and Clarifications
On 6 July 2012, ComReg published its response to the Questions and Clarifications brought to its attention by this date in Document 12/73.
ComReg also published a revision of its Application Form on 6 July 2012 in Document 12/52aR. This Document supersedes Document 12/52a and Annex 5 of Document 12/52.
Correspondence
On 6 July 2012, ComReg published recent non-confidential correspondence from with interested parties in Document 12/74.
Auction workshop
On 29 May 2012, ComReg published an Information Notice providing details for the Workshop on the multi-band spectrum award process, which will take place on Friday 8 June 2012 (Document 12/54)
On 11 June 2012, ComReg published an Information Notice detailing the outcome of the Workshop in Document 12/61. All presentation materials from the Workshop were published in Document 12/61a.
12/52 – Multi-Band Spectrum Release Information Memorandum
In May 2012, ComReg published its Information Memorandum (Document 12/52) on the Multi-Band (800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands) spectrum release. ComReg also published Annex 5 (Application Form) from Document 12/52 separately in pdf format (Document 12/52a).
ComReg also published three other documents;
12/25 – Multi-Band Spectrum Release Response to Consultation and Decision [D04/12]
In March 2012, ComReg published its Response to Consultation and Decision (Document 12/25) [D04/12] on the Multi-Band (800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands) Spectrum Release. At the same time, ComReg published an Annex to this Response to Consultation and Decision (Document 12/25a)
ComReg also published three independent reports;
In May 2012, ComReg published the non-confidential submissions received in respect of Document 12/25 and recent correspondence with interested parties (Document 12/49)
11/75 – Multi-band Spectrum Release Draft Information Memorandum
In October 2011, ComReg published its Draft Information Memorandum (Document 11/75) on the Multi-band (800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands) spectrum release.
Following a request from one interested party, ComReg extended the closing date for receipt of written comments to its Draft Information Memorandum Document (see Information Notice 11/82)
In March 2012, ComReg published the non-confidential responses received to ComReg’s Draft Information Memorandum Document 11/75 and recent correspondence with interested parties (Document 12/21)
11/60 – Response to Consultation and Draft Decision on Multi-Band Spectrum Release
In August 2011, ComReg published its Response to Consultation and Draft Decision (Document 11/60) on the multi-band (800 MHz, 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands) spectrum release. At the same time, ComReg published an Annex to this Response to Consultation and Draft Decision (Document 11/60a)
ComReg also published three independent reports;
Following a request from three interested parties, ComReg extended the closing date for receipt of written comments to its Response to Consultation and Draft Decision Document (see Information Notice 11/63)
In October 2011, ComReg published recent correspondence (from July 2011 to September 2011) with interested parties (Document 11/69)
In December 2011, ComReg published the non-confidential responses received to ComReg’s Response to Consultation and Draft Decision Document 11/60 and recent correspondence with interested parties (Document 11/102)
11/29 – Response to Consultation and Decision [D03/11] on Interim Licences
In April 2011, ComReg published its Response to Consultation and Decision (Document 11/29) [D03/11] on Interim Licences for the 900 MHz spectrum band.
Also in April 2011, ComReg published an Information Notice (Document 11/30) on the application procedure for an Interim 900 MHz GSM licence, alongside the Application Form for an Interim 900 MHz GSM licence (Document 11/31).
ComReg also published Regulations in respect of Interim 900 MHz GSM licences (SI 189 of 2011) in April 2011.
In May 2011, ComReg published recent correspondence (in the period following publication of submissions to ComReg Document 11/11) with interested parties (Document 11/37)
In July 2011, ComReg published;
900 MHz Interim Licences (O2’s in Document 11/50a and Vodafone’s in Document 11/50b)
900 MHz and 1800 MHz Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) between ComReg and Ofcom (Document 11/50c, Document 11/50d, Document 11/50e and Document 11/50f)
Recent correspondence (since May 2011) with interested parties (Document 11/50) (note, Document 11/50 also contains the contents of Documents 11/50a – 11/50f”)
11/11 – Consultation and Draft Decision on Interim Licences
In February 2011, ComReg published its sixth consultation (Document 11/11), which consults on Interim Licences for the 900 MHz spectrum band
In April 2011, ComReg published the non-confidential responses received to Consultation 11/11 and recent correspondence with interested parties (Document 11/27)
10/105 – Fifth Consultation
In December 2010, ComReg published its fifth consultation (Document 10/105), which consults on including 1800 MHz spectrum in the proposed joint award of the 800 MHz and 900 MHz spectrum bands.
ComReg also published two independent reports;
Following a request received from an interested party, ComReg extended the closing date for receipt of written comments to its fifth consultation (See Information Notice 10/111)
In February 2011, ComReg published the non-confidential responses received to Consultation 10/105 and recent correspondence with interested parties (Document 11/10)
10/71 – Fourth Consultation
In September 2010, ComReg published its fourth consultation (Document 10/71), which consults on the joint award of spectrum in the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands.
ComReg also published three independent reports;
Following a request from two interested parties, ComReg extended the closing date for receipt of written comments to its fourth consultation (see Information Notice 10/78).
In January 2011, ComReg published the non-confidential responses received to Consultation 10/71 (Document 10/103R)
In September 2010, ComReg published recent correspondence with interested parties (Document 10/79)
10/59 – Information Notice on 800 MHz and 900 MHz
In July 2010, ComReg published an Information Notice (Document 10/59) on the GSM liberalisation process in light of recent development regarding the availability of the 790 – 862 MHz spectrum band.
ComReg stated in this Information Notice that it would give consideration to the most appropriate process by which to release and assign rights of use of spectrum in both the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands.
09/99 – Third Consultation
In December 2009, ComReg published its third consultation (Document 09/99) along with non-confidential documents and recent correspondence with interested parties (Document 09/99s).
Following a request from an interested party, ComReg extended the closing date for receipt of written comments to its third consultation (see Information Notice 10/02).
In January 2010, ComReg received a query from an interested party concerning the structure of Spectrum Usage Fees in the proposal set out in Document 09/99. On foot of this query, ComReg published Information Notice 10/03 to clarify the matters raised.
In March 2010 the non-confidential responses received following the third consultation were published by ComReg (Document 10/21R).
Recent Questions and Answers Concerning Consultation 09/99.
09/14 – Second Consultation
In March 2009 ComReg published its second consultation (Document 09/14).
Following requests from interested parties, ComReg extended the closing date for receipt of written comments (see Information Notice 09/18).
In June 2009 the non-confidential responses received following the second consultation were published by ComReg (Document 09/51s).
ComReg also published a redacted copy of an independent report on potential cost savings prepared for ComReg by Vilicom Engineering Ltd (Document 09/14a).
08/57 – First Consultation
In July 2008 ComReg published its first consultation (Document 08/57).
Following requests from interested parties, ComReg extended the closing date for receipt of written comments (see media release PR290708).
Non-confidential copies of the responses provided by interested parties on the contents of the first consultation were published as Document 09/14s.
December 2009 – Independent Expert Economic Report
In March 2009, ComReg published an Invitation to Tender (Document 09/22) for the supply of economic consultancy services. Subsequent to this invitation, ComReg did not receive any tenders that were fully compliant with the minimum requirements set out in Document 09/22, leading to the disqualification of all applicants.
September 2009 – EC Decision on 900 MHz band
On the 16 September 2009, the EC adopted the following Decision on making the 900 MHz band available for GSM and UMTS systems, as well as for other terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communications services that can coexist with GSM systems. Directive 2009/114/EC
July 2009 – Bilateral Meetings with Consultation Respondents.
In June 2009, ComReg published Information Notice 09/51 announcing its intention to invite previous consultation respondents to attend a round of bilateral meetings in which they could speak to their previous written responses.
These bilateral meetings took place during July 2009 and in September 2009 the non-confidential minutes of these meetings were published by ComReg as Document 09/73.