Imagine Communications Group a broadband and phone company located in Ireland announced that it has acquired Clearwire’s (News - Alert) Irish operations.
According to Imagine sources it is launching 4G WiMAX across the country as an alternative access to the existing Eircom (News - Alert) network. On completion of the Clearwire acquisition Imagine has about 400 high sites across the country for facilitating fast deployment of the WiMAX network.
In a statement issued by the company, Brian O’Donohoe, of Imagine Communications Group, stated “This is a very significant and strategic deal for us as Clearwire is one of the world's leading 4G operators.”
“Key network and operational assets, as well as a talented technical team, will serve as a solid launch pad for expanding service and making 4G mobile broadband a reality across Ireland,” O’Donohoe added.
While buying Irish Broadband in 2008, Imagine acquired 50 mHz of spectrum followed by more spectrum in a Comreg process in 2009. Now the spectrum has been augmented to 120 mHz of crucial 3.4/3.6 mHz spectrum with the addition of Clearwire Ireland Limited’s spectrum.
Clearwire will become a minority shareholder of Imagine and will have powers to nominate a representative to Imagine’s board of directors, said official sources which did not reveal other financial terms of the transaction.
Imagine sources added that the WiMAX (News - Alert) network will cover 90 per cent of Ireland within two years, with prices undercutting Eircom by 50 per cent. Imagine Communications Group is a pan-European communications provider.
The Group owns business operations in Europe with overall network reach extending to Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, Austria, Norway and the USA.
In Ireland, Imagine provides fixed voice, broadband, IP and ISP services, in its capacity as a business telecoms company serving about 17,000 businesses.