Three Ireland grows customer base to 5.6 million and remains Ireland's largest mobile telecommunications provider
Dublin, 13 August 2026: Three Ireland grew its total customer base by 6% year-on-year to 5.6 million in the first half of 2026, maintaining its position as Ireland's largest mobile telecommunications provider. Contract customers increased by 8% year-on-year to 4.7 million, demonstrating continued demand for Three's services across consumer and business segments.
Customer growth was supported by the continued expansion of Three's network, with 5G coverage now reaching 97% of the population across Ireland and 4G coverage reaching 99.4% of the population. Three remained Ireland's largest mobile telecommunications provider during the first half of 2026, holding a 49.9% share of total mobile subscriptions according to ComReg.
Over the past year, Three Ireland has continued to strengthen its network through significant investment in connectivity across the country, including the completion of a €1.2 million programme of 4G and 5G upgrades at some of Ireland's busiest stadiums, entertainment venues, transport hubs and retail destinations, including Croke Park, Aviva Stadium, 3Arena, Dublin Airport and Dundrum Town Centre.
As part of its long-term commitment to delivering a high-capacity, resilient network, Three Ireland has now invested more than €2 billion in its Irish business since 2015, including €1.1 billion in network and IT infrastructure. These latest enhancements have improved mobile performance in some of Ireland's most demanding high-density environments, ensuring customers can enjoy faster, more reliable connectivity wherever they are.
Three Ireland delivered stronger profitability during the first half of 2026, with EBITDA increasing by 5% to €88 million, while underlying earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) increased by 13% to €18 million, supported by lower operating expenses and continued cost discipline. Total revenue increased by 2% to €314 million.
Commenting on the results, Elaine Carey, CEO of Three Ireland, said:
"We're delighted with our performance in the first half of the year and particularly pleased to see our customer base grow to 5.6 million. 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.
At Three, we know great customer experiences start with great people. This year we were proud to be recognised as one of Ireland's Best Employers, ranking third nationally, and that recognition reflects the culture we've worked hard to build for our over 1200 employees.
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."