Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 30th September, 2022.

The Commission for Communications Regulation, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 6 (1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926 (No. 45 of 1926) as substituted by section 182 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 (No. 18 of 2009), and with the consent of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (as adapted by the Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2020 ( S.I. No. 373 of 2020 )) in accordance with section 37 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 (No. 20 of 2002), hereby makes the following Regulations:

Citation

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Wireless Telegraphy (Liberalised Use and Related Licences in the 700 MHz Duplex, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz Bands) (Amendment) Regulations 2022.

Interpretation

2. (1) In these Regulations:

“Principal Regulations” means the Wireless Telegraphy (Liberalised use and related Licences in the 700 MHz duplex, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands) Regulations 2021 ( S.I. No 264 of 2021 );

(2) A word or expression that is used in these Regulations and that is also used in the Principal Regulations has, unless the context otherwise requires, the same meaning in these Regulations that it has in those Regulations.

Licences to which these Regulations apply

3. These Regulations apply to MBSA2 Liberalised Use Licences.

Amendment of Regulation 2 of Principal Regulations

4. Regulation 2(1) of the Principal Regulations is amended by the substitution of the following definition for the definition of “Time Slice 1”:

“Time Slice 1” means, in relation to 2.1 GHz Band Blocks, 2.3 GHz Band Blocks and 2.6 GHz Band Blocks, such commencement date as may be specified by the Commission and ending on 11 March 2027;”.

Amendment of Regulation 5 of Principal Regulations

5. The Principal Regulations are amended by substituting the following for Regulation 5(1):

“5. (1) The commencement date of a MBSA2 Liberalised Use Licence shall be specified in the Licence and, in respect of spectrum rights of use for:

(a) 700 MHz Duplex Blocks shall be such date as may be specified by the Commission;

(b) 2.1 GHz Band Blocks, 2.3 GHz Band Blocks and 2.6 GHz Band Blocks in Time Slice 1 shall be such date as may be specified by the Commission; and

(c) 2.1 GHz Band Blocks, 2.3 GHz Band Blocks and 2.6 GHz Band Blocks in Time Slice 2 shall be 12 March 2027.”.

GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Commission for Communications Regulation,

27 September, 2022.

GARRETT BLANEY,

Commissioner, For and on behalf of the Commission for Communications Regulation.

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (as adapted by the Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2020 ( S.I. No. 373 of 2020 )), in accordance with section 37 of the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 , consents to the making of the foregoing Regulations.

GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications,

26 September, 2022.

EAMON RYAN

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal interpretation.)

These Regulations prescribe matters in relation to the amendment of the commencement date of MBSA2 Liberalised Use Licences granted in the 2.1 GHz Band under the Wireless Telegraphy (Liberalised Use and Related Licences in the 700 MHz Duplex, 2.1 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.6 GHz Bands) Regulation 2021.