Telecoms company Three Ireland said customer numbers continued to rise in the first six months of the year and revenue and earnings increased as the company continued to grow its business.
Total customer base at the network rise 6 per cent year on year, reaching 5.6 million and giving the company almost half of the mobile subscription market in Ireland. Within that figure, contract customer rose by 8 per cent year on year, bringing the total number to 4.7 million.
It puts Three in the lead in terms of mobile market share at 49.4 per cent, according to ComReg’s latest quarterly report, with rival Vodafone in second at 26.6 per cent and Eir in third with 14.6 per cent. Three has steadily grown its market share in recent quarters, ComReg data shows, with Eir remaining largely stable. Those figures also include mobile broadband subscribers and machine to machine mobile subscriptions that connect devices such as smart meters to the data network.
Customer churn edged higher, at 0.9 per cent in the first half of the year, compared to 0.4 per cent a year earlier.
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Three said the growth in customer numbers was down to continued expansion of its network, with 5G coverage now at 97 per cent of the population. Its 4G network reaches 99.4 per cent of the population.
In total, Three has invested €2 billion in its mobile network here since 2015, following the acquisition of O2 Ireland in 2014. The most recent expenditure includes a €1.2 million programme to upgrade 4G and 5G access at stadiums, entertainment venues, transport hubs and retail destinations around the country, such as Croke Park, Aviva Stadium, 3Arena, Dublin Airport and Dundrum Town Centre.
Profitability strengthened during the first half of 2026, with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) rising 5 per cent to €88 million. Underlying earnings before interest and tax rose 13 per cent to €18 million, as a tight grip on costs paid off for the company. Revenue was 2 per cent higher at €314 million.
Average revenue per active user was down 6 per cent compared to 2025 figures, with contract users spending an average of €7.19 and non-contract users at €14.70. Blend average revenue per active user was €8.35.
Chief executive Elaine Carey, who took over running the Irish business last year from long-time boss Robert Finnegan, said the company was pleased to see the growth in customer numbers, saying it reflected the trust that consumers placed in the company.
“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,” she said. “As we look ahead to the rest of 2026, our focus remains on delivering the connectivity, service and experiences our customers need and expect.”
The telecoms company employs more than 1,200 people across its corporate offices and retail network.
