The company has enabled 4G in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford and Kilkenny, with a rollout planned for additional areas across the country in the coming months.
Vodafone said the delivery of 4G services is a key element of its nationwide network-enhancement programme. As part of the plan, the company also plans to deliver 3G to all regions where there are voice services.
“This is great news for those customers who are really keen to experience 4G services as soon as possible,” said Anne Sheehan, Vodafone Ireland’s enterprise director. “We believe that faster speeds will be a catalyst for innovation and provide a platform for businesses to create new services and applications on mobile that will benefit everyone.”
Vodafone is the second mobile network operator in Ireland offering a 4G service. Eircom launched its 4G network in parts of Ireland in September, reaching 30% of the population.
Rival operators, including O2 and Three Ireland, have invested heavily in the country’s 4G spectrum auctions and are expected to launch 4G services by early 2014. Vodafone Ireland secured the largest spectrum allocation in the market.