Financial muscle flexed as telecoms vie for top spot

The speed at which Three Ireland has tied up a deal for O2 Ireland — competition approval permitting — amply illustrates the company’s determination to grow here, its ability to flex some financial muscle when necessary, and its ambition to become clear market leader inside the next decade.

But with free online services increasingly tempting consumers away from mobile network services in a declining market, it remains to be seen what that market will look like by that time.

The desire of Three Ireland’s owner — the Hong Kong-based conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa — to expand its Irish interests has been no secret and agreeing a deal more than a week before the Jul 5 date for rival interested parties to formally pitch bids for O2 is also significant. The likes of Eircom and UPC owner Liberty Global were also thought to be circling.