40 years the first mobile phone call was made in Ireland, a pivotal moment that began one of the most significant technology transformations in the country’s history.
On December 11, 1985, the then Minister for Communications, Jim Mitchell TD, phoned broadcaster Pat Kenny. The pair had a brief chat about the broadcaster’s Best Dressed Man of The Year award.
Since that first analogue call, Ireland has become one of Europe’s most advanced digital nations, powered by significant industry investment, best-in-class networks and rapidly evolving digital progress.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD – who reenacted the call this week with now broadcasting legend Pat Kenny – said that the evolution of telephony and digital communications had been well embraced by Ireland, with its benefits reaching into almost every corner of the economy and society today:
“Given the recessionary environment here in 1985 it was a significant feat for Telecom Éireann to invest into a new telecommunications market, 40 years ago. Within a decade, market competition really grew and now, incredibly, there are five million smartphone users in Ireland.
“If we add that to the parallel revolution in broadband – including the State’s successful National Broadband Plan rollout – and major investment by the providers themselves, networks and connectivity are really high quality, which enables more innovation and job creation.”
Four Decades of Progress
Telecom Eireann entered the world of mobile telephony in 1984 after receiving a licence from the Department of Communications. Eircell was launched in 1985, and the first mobile call took place on its network. In the years that followed, Ireland moved through major mobile milestones:
1985: Eircell was launched in greater Dublin area only and network had capacity for only 1,000 customers
1987: Expansion of network to Cork and Limerick
1990: Eircell had 11,300 customers approx. with high cost (device, quarterly rental charge, high cost per minute calls, set up and connection fee)
1993: First digital GSM network launches, introducing SMS and SIM cards
1996–1997: Market competition accelerates mobile adoption
2000: Vodafone enters the market and buys Eircell, enabling new technologies and innovative concepts to grow
2001: 3G spectrum licences issued
2008: iPhone launches in Ireland, ushering in the smartphone era
2025: There are three primary Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) that own and operate the network infrastructure in Ireland including Three, Eir Mobile and Vodafone. In addition, there are virtual MNOs including Virgin Mobile, Tesco Mobile, An Post Mobile, Sky Mobile, GoMo, Lycamobile, Sky Mobile, Clear Mobile and 48.
Telecommunications Industry Ireland (TII) are the Ibec representative body for the sector, that also includes cable and fixed, tower companies, network providers and equipment manufacturers.
TII Director Nicola Cooke said a recent economic and social impact study completed by Ibec showed just how dynamic the sector is:
“There has been €5bn in network capital investment by the industry over the last eight years, in addition to €2.7bn in annual spend with suppliers in Ireland. The telecoms sector – which provides direct employment to 24,000 people in Ireland – is also a huge enabler of the economy and wider society, bring connectivity across the whole country.
“Telecoms is one of the few services where consumer prices are now lower that they were 10 years ago, and that is down to major competition in the market, with a huge range of choice and dozens of packages on offer. The fact that around 99% of the population can avail of 4G and 5G is also testament to the commitment and financing, provided by our members.
“Ireland has come a long, long way since that first call 40 years ago, and we are now among the most progressive countries in terms of our digital transformation, sitting in fifth place among 27 countries on the EU digital index.”
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