Tag: #4g

Telephone lines in Finland will be silenced for good – Elisa

The landline telephone network, which has been in service since the 19th century, will enter a well-deserved retirement when Elisa will discontinue landline connections by 30.6.2026. The change affects both consumers and companies, and is part of the development towards newer and more functional technologies. Elisa will contact landline customers during the spring. The number of landline telephone network users has decreased drastically in recent decades, as Finns have switched to using modern and more functional mobile networks.

Elisa founder Daniel Waden played a significant role in the development of the Finnish landline network. Even in the 1990s, landlines were a familiar sight in Finnish households. As mobile networks and mobile phones developed rapidly in the early 2000s, the number of landlines began to decline significantly. Despite this, many people still remember the landline numbers of family and friends, even after decades.

Now the moment is coming when the telephone wires will finally stop singing on June 30, 2026.

“The change is part of the development towards newer and more functional technologies, and it affects both consumers and businesses. Currently, Elisa’s customers only have a few thousand landline connections, and the number is decreasing all the time. Landline connections have been used in landline telephones, faxes, switchboard solutions and elevator phones, among other things. New connections have not been sold for years,” says Ilkka Pohtola, Business Director responsible for consumer connections at Elisa .

Modern 4G and 5G mobile networks offer users not only a more affordable option, but also a more weather-resistant and technologically capable one. Elisa’s 4G network covers over 99.9 percent of Finns and the 5G network over 97 percent. Elisa has also launched an independent 5G network, which will help to fully utilize the potential of the comprehensive 5G network.

You can keep your landline number

The aim is to make the transition to newer technologies smooth for both businesses and consumers.

The landline network services will operate until the end of June, so you can replace your old one with a suitable alternative during the spring. For business customers, replacement solutions will be mapped out, and they will receive a customer newsletter during January. All consumer customers affected by the change will be contacted by letter at the end of April, and they will be offered a replacement option. In addition, more information is available on Elisa’s website.

It is possible to keep your landline number even if the landline connection itself ceases to exist. There are subscriptions that utilize the mobile network, to which the familiar number can be transferred as is. The subscription can then be used at home, at work or at the cottage with a regular mobile phone or a GSM desk phone similar to a landline.

This is how the shutdown of the landline network progresses:

  • Elisa says it will discontinue landline connections in January 2026.
  • Until spring 2026, landline connections will continue to function as before.
  • Corporate customers will be contacted starting in January.
  • Consumer customers will receive a more detailed customer letter for changing their subscription and phone at the end of April.
  • The landline network will cease operations on June 30, 2026.

More information for consumer customers:  http:// elisa.fi/lankapuhelin
More information for business customers:  https:// linkapuhelin.elisa.fi/ohje/ lankapuhelinverkko

Qualcomm announces flagship €125m investment in AI transformation for Cork

Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, has announced a €125m investment that will see the transformation of the Cork site into a strategic AI pillar in the global chipmaker’s organisation over the next three years.

Founded in 1985 and headquartered in San Diego, CA, Qualcomm is a global leader in wireless technology and advanced semiconductors. The company develops cellular standards such as 4G, 5G, and now 6G. It is also one of the world’s largest fabless semiconductor companies, which sees it provide critical advanced semiconductor technology across mobile, wearables, PC, XR, IoT, automotive and data centres.

Qualcomm Technologies has had a presence in Cork since 2013, and this year it celebrates 10 years since it hired its first engineer in the city. In that time, Qualcomm has embedded itself in the community and has built strong relationships with UCC, MTU, and Tyndall, helping support the next generation of Irish engineers through internships and graduate role opportunities.

This flagship project, which is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland, plans to undertake a new RD&I project in Cork, leveraging current capabilities to align with Qualcomm’s diversification strategy beyond mobile technology into areas such as PC, XR/VR, IoT, automotive, and data centres.

 

Minister for Enterprise Tourism & Employment Peter Burke TD said:
“Today’s announcement by Qualcomm is a powerful endorsement of Ireland’s ambition to lead globally in advanced research, next‑generation computing and AI. This €125 million investment further strengthens Ireland’s position as a hub of deep‑tech innovation, creating hundreds of high value jobs. This announcement is also a signal of support for Silicon Island: Ireland’s National Semiconductor Strategy, which aims to make Ireland a world leader in semiconductors through securing long‑term investments, developing a robust talent pipeline and seizing opportunities in technologies of the future such as AI.

Qualcomm’s continued expansion builds on Ireland’s strong semiconductor ecosystem and demonstrates the value of the collaborative environment we have fostered between industry, academia and Government.  The Government is proud to support this strategically significant project through IDA Ireland, and I wish the team at Qualcomm the very best for the future.”

EVP, Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer of Qualcomm Incorporated, Colin Ryan said: “Qualcomm’s success and ongoing growth in Ireland reflect the strength of our partnerships with the Government, IDA Ireland and Irish universities. This investment underscores Cork’s importance as a strategic Global R&D hub for Qualcomm and our commitment to supporting Ireland’s innovation ecosystem.”

Vice President of Engineering at QT Technologies Ireland Limited, Paul Kelleher said: “Qualcomm is proud of what we’ve achieved in Ireland—and we are even more excited about what’s ahead. We’re not just building technology; we’re shaping the future, right here in Cork.”

IDA Ireland CEO Michael Lohan said: “I wish to congratulate the entire team in Qualcomm on the announcement of this landmark investment – a substantial and complex project in both its scale and scope, reflecting its strategic and transformative nature.   This €125m R&D investment and the future jobs it will create, positions Qualcomm Ireland at the forefront of technological and product development in the AI-era. Today’s event also recognises a decade since Qualcomm hired its first engineer in Ireland, I wish you continued success and assure the team of IDA Ireland’s continued partnership and support.”

Qualcomm is currently hiring engineers across several business areas. To explore opportunities to join the team in Cork, visit Careers

emporia TOUCHsmart.3 Review

The emporia TOUCHsmart.3 is not a flagship smartphone, nor is it a basic “talk and text” feature phone. It carves out a unique and necessary niche: a clamshell (flip) phone that combines the simplicity and tactile feel of a physical keyboard with the modern connectivity required today, primarily instant messaging and flip phones are back with a bang and this one looks nice and is well built only the front display could have had some use but not this time.

It is clearly targeted at the senior market or those seeking a “dumbphone” experience who still need essential smart features like WhatsApp which is like other massaging apps more commonly used now and a growing trend with senior users of smartphones.

The TOUCHsmart.3 is built around a “best-of-both-worlds” design philosophy, blending hardware and software elements for maximum accessibility.

The most distinguishing factor is the flip design coupled with dual input:

  1. Physical Keypad: Features large, clearly labeled keys that are easy to press, making dialing and basic texting straightforward.
  2. Touchscreen: The internal 3.47-inch display is a full touchscreen, allowing users to navigate apps like WhatsApp and maps just like a small smartphone, you would be forgiven to forget it is actually a touch screen which I forgot several times but its cool and you should avail of it.

This combination addresses the common frustration of needing a full keyboard for dialing but a touchscreen for modern app interaction. Flipping open the phone also automatically answers a call like the good oul days with flip phones.

Unlike many basic feature phones, the TOUCHsmart.3 supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0. Crucially, it runs on a simplified Android OS, giving it the power to run essential modern communication apps.

Emporia highlights the dedicated shortcut key for messaging (WhatsApp, Signal, or Telegram), recognizing that staying in touch often means more than just SMS and voice calls.

Yays

  • Ease of Use: The large buttons and the charging cradle are highly praised by the target audience (seniors).
  • SOS Function: The dedicated emergency button offers peace of mind by contacting up to five designated contacts instantly which is a key USP with emporia devices all round
  • Build Quality: It has an IP44 rating and generally feels sturdy and well-built.
  • Accessibility: Hearing aid compatibility (M4/T4) is a thoughtful inclusion.

Nays

  • Performance: The hardware (2GB RAM, MediaTek P35) can lead to some lagging especially when using complex apps or trying to multitask but this device is not targetted at such a user but tested anyway.
  • Battery Life: The 1,400 mAh battery capacity is relatively small for an Android-based device, possibly needing to charge it daily, particularly if using messaging apps frequently.
  • Limited Customization: Being an adapted Android device, it can be restrictive in accessing deeper settings or using alternative launchers.
  • Internal Storage: The 16GB internal memory is limited, although it is expandable up to 64GB via MicroSD.
  • Camera Quality: The 8 MP main camera is functional but delivers only basic photo quality, which is typical for a device in this segment but perfoms well in daytime scenarios.

The emporia TOUCHsmart.3 is an excellent choice for a very specific user: someone who values the tangible simplicity of a flip phone and physical buttons but cannot live without a key messaging app like WhatsApp to stay connected with family.

It’s the ultimate compromise phone—less complex than a full smartphone, but far more connected than a standard feature phone.

If your priority is simplicity, ease of calling/texting, safety, and a dedicated WhatsApp button, the TOUCHsmart.3 is a highly recommendable device.

However, if you require a phone for heavy internet browsing, demanding apps, long-lasting battery life without daily charging, or taking high-quality photos, you might find the performance and battery limitations frustrating but previous flip phone users of old will feel comfortable as they where the same before and again aimed at a targt demographic.

 

Image and Video samples day and night front and rear cameras

 

Features

  • Simple and Convenient: With pre-installed WhatsApp, you can easily chat with family and friends, share photos or send voice messages – without any complicated settings. Stay in touch with your loved ones with ease.
  • Your Everyday Smart Companion: Large physical keys, a bright color touchscreen, and intuitive navigation make it extremely easy to use – perfect for those looking for a hassle-free mobile experience.
  • One-Touch Security: The built-in emergency button allows up to five contacts to be alerted with a single press – for quick and efficient assistance when needed.
  • Exceptional Sound Quality: Extra-loud ringtone, loud speakers, and hearing aid compatibility ensure you won’t miss a call and hear every conversation clearly.
  • Convenient Charging – No More Bulky Cables: The included charging dock makes charging a breeze – just put the phone on its stand, and it charges automatically. No more fiddling with cables.

BUY

Unboxing and walkthrough

Other emporia reviews 

 

Ookla: Ireland H1 2025 Connectivity Report

When Ookla was founded in 2006, high-speed home internet was just becoming available in many locations, and consumers needed a reliable way to test their network speed. Speedtest®, the company’s flagship product, is the most accurate tool for measuring a network’s capabilities. Today, modern connected experiences require reliable, consistently high performance across many additional metrics beyond download speed, including low latency for gaming, high-quality video streaming, good upload speeds for teleconferencing, and fast page load times while browsing on a mobile device.

In this evolving connectivity landscape, Ookla remains fiercely committed to measuring worldwide internet performance — as well as availability, quality of service (QoS), and quality of experience (QoE) of fixed broadband and mobile networks. For over 17 years, Ookla has been perfecting the way we test connectivity services and transparently reporting on their performance. By capturing real-world metrics and delivering insights back to network operators and policymakers, Ookla serves as the bridge between consumers and the telecommunications industry.

Every day, millions of people press the “Go” button on Speedtest to better understand the performance and quality of their internet connections. This consumer-initiated testing reflects how people actually experience the internet, when and where it actually matters to them. Because Ookla has the world’s largest network of testing servers located across every country and major population center, Speedtest does not introduce any extra travel time as the data passes between the device and server — which provides the most accurate measure of real-world network speed.

In addition to consumer-initiated testing, Ookla collects billions of mobile network samples daily, which measure radio signal levels, network coverage and availability, and QoE metrics for a number of connected experiences, such as streaming video, video conferencing, gaming, web browsing, and CDN and cloud provider performance.

Data Collection Period: January – June 2025

Three led the mobile market across key performance metrics

Three was the fastest mobile provider in Ireland for all technologies combined and for 5G during 1H 2025. Across all technologies combined, Three recorded a median download speed of 70.36 Mbps, while on 5G it recorded 129.84 Mbps.

Three and Eir Fibre offered the best gaming experiences

Three offered the best 5G gaming experience in Ireland during 1H 2025, while Eir Fibre recorded the best gaming experience among ISPs.

Virgin Media the fastest fixed ISP in Ireland

Virgin Media was the fastest ISP in Ireland during 1H 2025 with a median download speed of 269.47 Mbps, and a median upload speed of 48.84 Mbps.

Limerick and Lucan were the top performing urban locations in Ireland

Among the most populous urban locations in Ireland, Limerick recorded the fastest median mobile download speed of 113.71 Mbps, while Lucan outpaced the other locations to record the fastest median fixed download speed, with 281.14 Mbps.

  • Three was the fastest mobile provider in Ireland for all technologies combined and for 5G during 1H 2025. Across all technologies combined, Three recorded a median download speed of 70.36 Mbps, while on 5G it recorded 129.84 Mbps.
  • Virgin Media was the fastest ISP in Ireland during 1H 2025 with a median download speed of 269.47 Mbps, and a median upload speed of 48.84 Mbps.
  • Three offered the best 5G gaming experience in Ireland during 1H 2025, while Eir Fibre recorded the best gaming experience among ISPs.
  • Among the most populous urban locations in Ireland, Limerick recorded the fastest median mobile download speed of 113.71 Mbps, while Lucan outpaced the other locations to record the fastest median fixed download speed, with 281.14 Mbps.

 

 

See the full report HERE

Vodafone Ireland partners with the OGCIO to trial next-generation communications technology for emergency services

Vodafone Ireland has partnered with The Office of the Government CIO (OGCIO), within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, to trial next-generation communications technology to transform emergency services in Ireland.

The new technology is being showcased this week at an international event in Co. Mayo, attended by both Irish and International Public Protection Disaster Relief (PPDR) agencies, including An Garda Siochana, the Irish Coast Guard, Irish fire services, civil defence, Revenue (Customs Service) and the HSE/National Ambulance Service.

The event is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and Mayo County Council.

Next-generation Mission Critical Communications Technology 

Vodafone Ireland’s Mission Critical Communications (MCx) network is the first of its kind for PPDR agencies in Ireland. Built specifically for emergency responders, MCx provides priority access on mobile networks, enabling teams to talk, share data, and coordinate instantly – even when networks are congested.

This marks a major step in moving from legacy voice and text services to secure, high-performance digital tools, in line with international standards for PPDR communications.

Vodafone Ireland’s solution will combine roaming on its national 4G and 5G networks with direct-to-device satellite connectivity in the future. This will allow anyone, on any network, to reach 112 or 999 during emergencies, even in remote or weather-affected areas. Similarly, in the future, PPDR agencies will be able to access direct to device satellite when mobile networks are unavailable.

Westport Event

The Westport event features a proof-of-concept trial of the new technology. Over two days, staged simulations will replicate complex, evolving incidents, training first responders on new communication capabilities while testing interoperability and operation procedures across multiple agencies.

Participants include local agencies such as Mayo Fire, Mayo County Council Emergency Plan, Public Health Nurse, and local GP, alongside international experts and PPDR representatives from Scotland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

The trial builds on Vodafone’s critical national infrastructure network, with government agencies now able to access Vodafone’s 4G/5G network via roaming services. This opens the door to cross-border cooperation, enabling European PPDR agencies to coordinate more effectively during international emergencies.

Strategic Importance

The trial is being observed by European PPDR agencies and European Commission department DG HOME’s EuCCs initiative as part of broader efforts to establish a pan-European mission-critical communications platform, enhancing cross-border emergency communications.

A key highlight of the event includes a situational reenactment of the MV Matthew interdiction in Cork (2023), demonstrating how enhanced communications can improve situational awareness, operational efficiencies, and response times. Several of those involved in the original operation are contributing their experience and insights to the exercise.

Comments

Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Jack Chambers said: “This trial is a vital pillar of Ireland’s digital transformation, and a crucial step forward for our emergency services and emergency management. It demonstrates how intergovernmental collaboration between the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Office of the Government CIO, and partners like Vodafone is driving innovation in public safety. By modernising our emergency communications infrastructure, we’re ensuring that first responders have access to secure, high-performance tools that will save lives and strengthen community resilience.”

 

Sabrina Casalta, CEO Vodafone Ireland said: “Ireland is showing real leadership in how we modernise emergency communications. This trial is not just a milestone for Vodafone Ireland and the Irish Government; it marks the first time a mission critical communications system of this kind has been deployed in Ireland. It is proof that we are leading the way in Europe by building resilient, future-proof systems for public protection and disaster relief. We’re proud to partner with the OGCIO to deliver trusted connectivity in innovation that will save lives.”

 

Sheila Kavanagh, Network Director, Vodafone Ireland said: “Vodafone has been supporting the build out of the Irish Government’s National Low Latency Platform for the past three years using our fibre network. We are delighted to build upon this work by enabling national roaming for PPDR agencies on our mobile network through Vodafone Roaming Services. Crucially, Vodafone Ireland can integrate our direct to device satellite technology as part of our NLLP strategy in the future, delivering the reliability our first responders need from a communications platform.”

SumUp unveils new all-in-one POS device, SumUp Terminal

Global fintech SumUp has launched SumUp Terminal, an all-in-one point of sale (POS) device that directly addresses the challenges faced by growing businesses. The device includes a card reader, POS, ordering system, and receipt printer, helping merchants manage orders, staff, inventory, and reporting in one place. This design allows staff to leave the sales counter behind, taking orders and payments directly on the shop floor or right at the table.

In May this year, SumUp surveyed Irish SMEs and found that 25.5% of Irish businesses had made no key changes to their operations beyond raising prices, despite 38% stating that the current economic climate had negatively impacted their business. This highlights a concerning trend: many Irish businesses are falling behind in adopting innovative strategies to navigate growing economic uncertainty. The SumUp Terminal is a direct response to this challenge, underscoring the company’s commitment to equipping merchants with tools tailored to today’s evolving consumer landscape.

Niall Mac an tSionnaigh, CEO of SumUp Ireland, said “At a time when many Irish businesses are feeling the pressure of rising rent, stock, and staffing costs – but are struggling to adapt – it’s clear that practical, lean and accessible tech is more important than ever. The SumUp Terminal was built to meet that need, equipping merchants of all sizes with the tools to streamline operations and stay competitive in a rapidly changing environment.”

Key features and benefits for merchants using the SumUp Terminal include its all-in-one efficiency, allowing businesses to take card payments, manage orders, speed up checkouts, and print receipts or order tickets from a single device. Designed for durability and ease of use, it features an intuitive HD touchscreen and a long-lasting battery that supports staff throughout the entire workday. The Terminal also enables smarter operations by allowing the creation of custom staff profiles with role-based permissions and providing real-time sales reports to support informed business decisions.

Irish merchants can simplify their bookkeeping by integrating popular accounting solutions such as Sage Accounting, Xero, and QuickBooks. Dual connectivity with built-in WiFi and free 4G mobile data ensures the device always connects to the strongest available network, keeping payments uninterrupted. To accelerate setup, Terminal uses its built-in camera to instantly digitise an entire product list from a single photo. This AI-driven feature means merchants can capture their handwritten or printed menu, and the device automatically creates an editable digital catalogue. This significantly reduces manual setup time, allowing merchants to then easily add descriptions, images, or new products.

“We see countless merchants hit a growth ceiling where a simple card reader is no longer enough, but a traditional POS system feels too expensive and complex,” said Tomer Sabag, Chief Hardware Officer at SumUp. “Terminal was built to be that perfect next step. It delivers the core operational power a growing business needs with the speed, ease-of-use, and affordability that are hallmarks of the SumUp ecosystem. It’s designed to help our merchants scale in an easy and seamless fashion.”

SumUp will continue to enhance Terminal with free, automatic software updates. Upcoming features include barcode scanning, table management, and the ability for multiple Terminal devices to sync and operate together in the same venue. As an integral part of the SumUp ecosystem, the Terminal will also connect and sync seamlessly with SumUp POS systems – enabling streamlined, connected operations across devices and services.

What is Wi-Fi Calling and why should you have it switched on

Vodafone Ireland is encouraging Irish users to unlock the full potential of their mobile phones by enabling the hidden Wi-Fi Calling feature to improve their phone network experience. Available on most Apple and Android devices, Wi-Fi Calling, also known as VoWi-Fi, allows users to make and receive calls in any location where you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, even if there is no regular phone signal or poor indoor coverage.

This easy-to-use feature allows calls to be made using Wi-Fi, ensuring seamless communication, even in areas with challenging signal conditions. While mobile networks technology is continually advancing and improving for the better, network coverage may occasionally be influenced by structural, natural, and geographical factors. Consequently, mobile users may experience varying levels of cellular network as they go about their daily activities, especially in areas with unique signal conditions. By enabling VoWi-Fi, users can experience consistent call quality and connectivity, regardless of their location.
Fiona Sheridan, Head of Network Deployment for Vodafone Ireland said:

“Vodafone has been consistently recognised as the best mobile network in Ireland by independent awards such as nPerf and Umlaut. Even so, we want to enhance our customers network experience even more. By activating the Wi-Fi Calling feature, users can fully utilise their mobile phones, ensuring uninterrupted communication even in areas with weak signal coverage. This feature leverages Wi-Fi to make calls, offering consistent call quality and connectivity, without any additional costs.   

We encourage all our customers to enable VoWi-Fi and enjoy the benefits of seamless communication, no matter where they are.”  

 

Wi-Fi Calling    

Providing seamless call quality, VoWi-Fi offers connection without fuss, and all from places that regular phone signal cannot reach – no separate app needed.

At no extra cost or hidden charges, Vodafone VoWi-Fi calling is charged at the same rate as making a call over the cellular network.

Users can enable VoWi-Fi Calling on their iOS and Android mobile device by enabling the feature in ‘Settings’ and switching the toggle ‘Wi-Fi Calling’ to the ‘On’ position, then click ‘OK’ to confirm.

Three steps to set up Wi-Fi Calling on iOS/Apple: 

  1. From your start screen – select Settings then Mobile Service
  2. Select Wi-Fi Calling
  3. Toggle Wi-Fi Calling to the on position, then click Enable to confirm

 Three steps to set up Wi-Fi Calling on Android: 

  1. From your Home screen select Phone
  2. Tap the menu on the top-right then select Settings
  1. Toggle Wi-Fi Calling to the on position then click OK to confirm

4G Calling 

Want even more connectivity? Experience seamless, high-quality calls with 4G Calling, also known as VoLTE. This feature is also available to Vodafone customers with compatible devices, allowing seamless, high-quality calls to take place via mobile wherever the user has access the 4G network.

Like with Wi-Fi Calling, 4G Calling has no effect on the user’s data streaming, enabling users to carry on multi-tasking – watch videos, use apps, or do anything that uses data – all while enjoying consistent call quality.

To learn more or to check if your phone supports 4G and Wi-Fi Calling, please visit your local Vodafone store or visit Vodafone WiFi Calling.

New mobile app shows that nearly 40% of 5G connections are actually 4G

Research by the new app SignalTracker shows that although your mobile may say 5G, it frequently has a 4G connection. In UK tests, when the 5G icon was displaying, 38% of tests were in fact a 4G connection.

This is because most phones show 5G when the base station they are connected to has 5G equipment potentially available. The actual connection may be 4G or 5G.

On some phones the icon becomes more distinct when an actual 5G connection is made, but on other phones the same icon is shown whether 5G is merely available or whether it is actually connected.

Our signal survey of Central London shows actual 5G connections in red and 4G connections where the 5G icon is displayed in blue (See map). These results come from all the UK mobile networks.

Actual 5G is about twice as fast as icon-only connections, averaging 49 Mbps as against 27 Mbps in our tests.

Results for individual operators

Displaying the 5G icon when there is only a 4G connection is more common with some operators than others. For Three, the 5G icon means real 5G 94% of the time and for Vodafone the figure is 93%. For O2 66% of 5G tests had a genuine 5G connection but for EE it was only 32%.

SignalTracker tells you whether you have an actual 5G connection, as shown in the screenshot. It also gives the signal strength, bands used and download speed. You can save the results to compare networks and assess performance in a variety of locations. The app is available from Google Play.

SignalTracker is produced by PolicyTracker , a company specialising in the wireless sector.

“This issue is not being clearly explained to consumers,” said Managing Director, Martin Sims. “Achieving a 5G connection everywhere may not be possible and most people will accept this. But the public deserve clear information about what they are getting.”

“Mobile networks are an amazing engineering achievement”, he said. “The best way to get public support for optimising this incredible technology is to keep them fully informed.”•

Vodafone crowned Best Mobile Internet and 5G Provider in Ireland

<a href=”https://n.vodafone.ie/en.html”>Vodafone Ireland</a> has been awarded Best Mobile Internet Performance 2024, for a third year in a row, and Best 5G Provider in Ireland for 2024 at this year’s nPerf Awards. This recognition follows Vodafone becoming the first mobile network provider in Ireland to switch off its 3G network transitioning customers to a faster, more efficient 4G and 5G network in 2024.

Short for network performance, nPerf is a trusted partner for both fixed and mobile operators, providing comprehensive network testing solutions and analysis. The results for 2024 were based on thousand of actual tests performed by users in real conditions using the nPerf application available on Android and iOS. nPerf points are calculated across five factors – Download (DL) Speed, Upload (UP) Speed, Latency (delay), Web Browsing, and YouTube Streaming.

Vodafone Ireland maintained its leading position in Ireland’s mobile market, achieving the highest score of 108,153 nPoints, demonstrating its promise of a premium network making every connection count for its customers. The operator excelled in multiple categories and was the best-performing provider across four – Upload Speed, Latency, Web Browsing, and YouTube Streaming – showcasing reliable performance in the 5G sector.

2024 saw Vodafone becoming the first mobile network provider in Ireland to switch off its 3G network. This upgrade to a more sustainable, efficient and reliable 4G and 5G network offers all Vodafone Ireland customers an enhanced experience with improved connection across the country. Vodafone’s 5G is now available across Ireland with 78% population coverage.

Over the past three years, Vodafone has invested over €300 million into its network nationwide, with plans to invest an additional half a billion euros over the next four years. This investment will further enhance call and text reliability, provide superfast 4G and 5G services, and expand high-definition voice coverage for Vodafone customers.

Accepting the award, <b>Sheila Kavanagh, Network Director at Vodafone Ireland</b>, commented:

<i>“Every day, we strive to offer our customers the best, most reliable mobile network experience and this award is a testament to our teams across Ireland who work to deliver on this promise day in and day out.</i>

<i>“This award recognises our ability to respond to the ever-evolving needs of our customers, who increased their data usage by 20% last year alone and still experienced the same premium service they have come to expect from Vodafone.”</i>

<i>“We remain focused on supporting businesses across Ireland, with 60% of Irish businesses entrusting their mobile business accounts to Vodafone. We understand the critical role that robust and reliable connectivity plays in today’s fast-paced business environment, and we are dedicated to maintaining our position as the leading provider of mobile internet services. We look forward to bringing even more cutting-edge solutions to our customers, enhancing their digital experiences and supporting their connectivity, growth and success.” </i>

Recognising <a href=”https://techbuzzireland.com/?s=vodafone”>Vodafone’s</a&gt; continued success in 2024,<b> Sébastien de Rosbo, Managing Director nPerf</b>, stated, “The year 2024 has seen Vodafone continue its strong performance in the Irish mobile market, particularly in the 5G space, despite a slight decrease in overall testing volume.”