UPC deal with Three will provide mobile offering in about a year

It will take about a year for UPC to get its mobile phone network up and running and become Ireland’s second operator to offer TV, broadband, telephone and mobile in a single package.

UPC, which is part of part of the Liberty Global group, has signed an agreement with Three Ireland to become a Mobile Virtual Network Operator.

CEO of UPC Ireland, Magnus Ternsjo said that the company will now be in a position to offer customers a full range of technology solutions.

“This is a strategic and exciting agreement which gives UPC the opportunity to provide another extraordinary product to consumers with the launch of mobile and to become a fully-fledged quad-play services provider.

“Three, together with their acquired O2 business, will be a great mobile network partner of ours going forward,” he said.

As part of the conditions of Three’s takeover of O2 Ireland the company was required to sign a deal to set up a mobile virtual network operator to ensure that there is adequate competition in the market.

Mr Ternsjo said that UPC had been planning on entering into the mobile market irrespective of any orders from the EU Competition Authority.

“Our parent company Liberty Global is in the process of launching mobile services in a number of countries across Europe, and we are delighted to strike a deal that allows us to make this step in Ireland as well,” he said.

UPC said that based on the experience of sister companies in the Liberty family, it will take up to a year before the company is in a position to bring its mobile network to customers.

CEO of Three Ireland, Robert Finnegan, said that the establishment of a new player in the Irish market shows the company’s commitment to competition.

“This announcement further reinforces how Three’s acquisition of 02 Ireland will help drive competition by facilitating new entrants into the market, such as UPC.

“Three’s planned investment to develop a state-of-the art 4G network will benefit customers of Three and O2, as well as these new entrants,” he said.