The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has announced that it is moving to the next step in making 3.8 GHz to 4.2 GHz radio spectrum band available for dedicated private mobile networks and low-to-medium power wireless broadband networks across Ireland.

Comreg expects to launch the licensing process in Q4 2026.  Aligned with broader EU spectrum directives, this new framework enables Irish enterprises, industrial facilities and research institutions to deploy high-performance, tailored private 5G and wireless networks, independent of public mobile network operators.

Private 5G networks represent a leap forward for smart manufacturing and modern supply chains. Hundreds of manufacturing companies (including BMW, John Deere, Nestle, Cargill, Takeda, Johnson & Johnson and Amazon) have already deployed private 5G environments to power critical operational use cases. In manufacturing, these dedicated networks support high-density industrial IoT sensor grids, real-time quality control using augmented reality (AR) and computer vision, predictive maintenance  and increased use of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), and site-wide, real-time asset tracking. The cost of Private 5G has dropped to in some cases be on par or below Wifi 7 making it an interesting option for Irish manufacturers upgrading their facilities.

Private 5G supports multiple use cases and interest in acquiring a Private 5G license is also expected from Ports, Airports, Hospitals, Warehouses and a host of other businesses and organisations in Ireland.

Organisations interested in evaluating technology or deploying testbeds can access spectrum via Comreg’s Test and Trial initiative ahead of full commercial rollouts. Detailed application procedures are available on the official ComReg portal: www.comreg.ie