Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2026
148. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the strategy and development of Ireland’s 6G network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15507/26]
View answer6G, or the sixth-generation of mobile communications technology, will be the next evolution of radio and mobile networking systems, building upon the foundation laid by 5G. The introduction into service of 6G services is not anticipated until 2030 at the earliest.
In the interim, mobile network operators are continuing to roll out 5G-based networks which are offering consumers faster speeds and new services. The introduction of 5G Stand Alone networks, which are a stepping stone towards 6G networks, is also progressing. Government has supported this through the OGCIO’s development of a National Low Latency Platform built around the latest 5G capabilities.
The provision of mobile telephony services, whether 3G, 4G, 5G, or, in time, 6G is undertaken by telecommunications service providers operating in a fully liberalised market under licences provided by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg).
My Department participates in the work of the European Union’s Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG), a high-level advisory group that assists the European Commission in the development of radio spectrum policy. The RSPG provides advice to the European Commission in the form of opinions and reports.
In its February 2025 Opinion on a Strategic Vision for 6G, the RSPG noted that 6G is more than just a new generation for higher data speeds - it is expected to bring possibilities for new innovations and services compared to 4G and 5G. The RSPG identified the limited new spectrum resources that could be made available to support the launch of 6G, including reuse of current harmonised Mobile phone and Broadband spectrum. Among the potential new spectrum resources is the Upper 6GHz band, which had been identified as potentially suitable for 6G.
In its November 2025 Opinion on the Upper 6GHz band, the RSPG considered the current and future uses of the upper 6GHz band, noting that shared use of the band by various systems and technologies may provide the maximum long-term societal benefits. In that Opinion, it recommended that some spectrum in the Upper 6GHz Band be used for 6G where there is demand and such use would be possible on a shared basis with existing uses.
Subsequent to the work on the February 2025 Opinion on a Strategic Vision for 6G, the RSPG commenced work on preparing a 6G Spectrum Roadmap. At its February 2026 meeting the RSPG issued a draft Opinion on a 6G Spectrum Roadmap for public consultation. In the current draft, the RSPG reiterates its opinion that 6G can be implemented in all the frequency bands currently used for mobile phone systems. It proposes that the upper 6GHz band would be the primary band suitable for the introduction of 6G in Europe by 2030, subject to market demand. The RSPG called on equipment manufacturers to develop equipment supporting 6G technology within these bands. The RSPG also encourages mobile network operators to plan the migration of their networks to 6G in line with their market strategies, consumer demands and the availability of relevant equipment.
