Eircom Group’s Meteor mobile network has opened up 4G services in the People’s Republic of Cork as it gradually makes its way towards over 40pc population coverage by year-end.
Eircom became the first telecommunications operator in Ireland to launch its 4G network last month. The company plans to invest €330m in it 4G roll-out over the next five years, aiming to reach 90pc coverage within three years.
Cork’s Meteor customers (almost 200,000 people) can now avail of 4G mobile data speeds averaging 10Mbps to 15Mbps. Connecting to the network requires a 4G-ready handset – such as any of the latest models from Samsung, HTC, Sony and Nokia – and a 4G SIM, which can be picked up in-store or ordered online.
Over 50,000 customers already have the capable handsets, according to Meteor. These customers can now switch to a 4G plan, available on bill-pay contracts only. Meteor also announced that unlimited data will be offered on all plans until 1 March 2014.
4G services are not only limited to smartphones, as Meteor also offers MiFi devices, dongles and mobile home broadband solutions that make use of this network.
Meteor’s 4G services are also available in Dublin, Athlone and Carlow, with Limerick and Galway to follow soon. As well as plans to reach over 40pc of the population before the year is out, Meteor also plans to launch pre-pay 4G contracts in 2014.
The only other network in Ireland providing 4G services is Vodafone, which launched its network in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Kilkenny and 23 additional towns across Ireland on 14 October.