WEALTH August 13, 2026 0 Comments

Three Ireland’s Steady Growth Hides a Bold Strategy That Could Shake the Telecom Giants to Their Core—Here’s What You Need to Know

Have you ever wondered what it takes for a telecom giant to not just survive but thrive in a fiercely competitive market? Well, Three Ireland is practically rewriting the playbook as they sprint ahead, showing a remarkable surge in both profitability and customer loyalty during the first half of the year. It’s not just a numbers game here—though with a 5% boost in EBITDA and a 6% jump in their customer base to a staggering 5.6 million, those figures are nothing to sneeze at. What truly catches my eye is how this powerhouse has managed to expand its 5G footprint to cover 97% of the population while simultaneously slashing operating expenses—talk about hitting two birds with one stone! For anyone in business, the lesson here is crystal clear: relentless investment and innovation pave the way for sustainable growth, even in a market crowded with digital noise. Wondering how Three Ireland did it? Let’s dive deeper. LEARN MORE

Three Ireland increased profitability and customer numbers during the first half of the year.

The telecommunications group recorded a 5% increase in EBITDA (€88m), while underlying earnings before interest and tax rose 13% to €18m as operating expenses declined.

For the six-month period, revenues grew 2% to €314m as Three Ireland’s total customer base grew 6% year-on-year to 5.6m.

The number of customers under contract with Three rose 8% to 4.7m. According to ComReg, Three holds a 49.9% share of total mobile subscriptions.

During the half, Three continued to expand its network and its 5G coverage now reaches 97% of the population. Its 4G coverage reaches 99.4% of the population.

The company has invested €1.2m to upgrade its 4G and 5G services at high-footfall locations such as Croke Park, Aviva Stadium, 3Arena, Dublin Airport and Dundrum Town Centre.

Three has now invested more than €2bn in its Irish business since 2015, including €1.1bn in network and IT infrastructure, to improve mobile performance in high-density environments.

“We’re delighted with our performance in the first half of the year and particularly pleased to see our customer base grow to 5.6m. That growth reflects the trust that customers across Ireland place in us every day and the hard work of our teams right across the business,” said Elaine Carey, CEO of Three Ireland.

“We’ve continued to invest in the network and services that keep people connected, expanding 5G coverage, upgrading infrastructure across the country and helping to protect customers from scam and fraud calls.

“These investments, alongside the commitment of our people, are helping us deliver better outcomes for our customers every day. As we look ahead to the rest of 2026, our focus remains on delivering the connectivity, service and experiences our customers need and expect.”

Photo: Elaine Carey. (Pic: File)