TV and broadband provider UPC has announced plans to enter the Irish mobile market in 2015. It has signed a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) agreement with Three .
It comes after the European Commission gave the green light Three's takeover of O2 Ireland.
As part of the approval, Three submitted commitments to the Commission, ensuring them that new competitors will enter the Irish mobile market.
The Commission said this removed thier concerns.
This included the short-term entry of two mobile virtual network operators - with an option for one of them to become a full mobile network operator at a later stage.
Magnus Ternsjo, CEO of UPC Ireland said "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".
Robert Finnegan, CEO of Three Ireland added "Today's announcement further reinforces how Three's acquisition of 02 Ireland will help drive competition by facilitating new entrants into the market, such as UPC".
Ireland has around 4.6 million inhabitants and 5.5 million mobile telecoms subscriptions.
O2 was bought by Three in a deal worth up to €850 million in June of last year. Three paid €780 million up-front, and will pay a further €70 million depending on the financial performance of O2.
