Logicalis launches enterprise private 5G service in Ireland

Logicalis has launched a private 5G service in Ireland after investing €8 million, saying it is the first non-telecoms provider in the market ready to deploy private 5G networks at scale.

The move follows a regulatory change by ComReg that, for the first time, allows organisations outside the traditional telecoms sector to access dedicated private 5G spectrum. The change opens the market to technology service providers seeking to design and operate networks directly for business customers.

The investment covers the technology, infrastructure, research and development, and specialist expertise needed to roll out the service across Ireland. Logicalis plans to offer enterprise customers private 5G network design, deployment and management.

The Irish service is being developed with vendors including Cisco, Nokia and Neutral Wireless. It includes network design, radio planning, deployment, security, systems integration and managed services.

Regulatory shift

ComReg's decision marks a significant change in how wireless infrastructure can be supplied in Ireland. Until now, companies seeking private 5G deployments had to work through mobile operators because industry could not access spectrum directly.

Private 5G networks are typically used by organisations that need dedicated wireless coverage across large sites such as factories, logistics hubs, ports, utility facilities and university campuses. They are also being considered for applications involving robotics, industrial artificial intelligence, connected devices, autonomous vehicles, edge computing and real-time analytics.

Logicalis says it has been delivering private 5G projects in the UK, Europe and North America for several years and has set up specialist private 5G innovation labs to help customers test sector-specific applications before deployment.

The Irish launch adds to a broader business spanning more than 30 territories. Logicalis reports annualised revenue of USD $1.7 billion and operates as a division of Datatec, which has revenue of more than USD $3.7 billion.

Enterprise focus

Logicalis is targeting sectors where conventional Wi-Fi or public mobile networks may not meet operational needs across large or complex sites. These include manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, logistics, ports, utilities and higher education, where organisations are investing in automation and connected systems.

One deployment cited is its work with Peel Ports Group in the UK. Logicalis designed and delivered a private 5G network across the Port of Liverpool's 100-acre operational site, using Cisco's cloud-managed 5G core and Nokia radio equipment alongside its own integration and managed services.

Frank Rubotham, Head of Specialists and Propositions, Logicalis UK&I, outlined the significance of the regulatory change for enterprise buyers.

"Historically, enterprises wishing to deploy private 5G have had to rely on mobile operators, as the spectrum was unavailable directly to industry. This framework created complexity and cost barriers to accessing the technology. Now, with industry access to private 5G spectrum, the technology has moved from the pilot phase to production deployment at scale.

"At Logicalis, we have invested heavily in and researched this technology for more than 10 years, while deploying large-scale private 5G networks in markets such as the UK, Germany and the US. That experience gives us the expertise to deliver truly transformative technology. In practical terms, this means we can build and provide private 5G networks for enterprises in Ireland, supporting greater automation, edge computing, industrial AI, robotics and real-time data analytics. This, in turn, helps position Ireland as one of the world's leading markets for advanced interconnected business technologies," said Rubotham.

The launch gives Logicalis an early position in a newly accessible part of the Irish connectivity market, following the opening of licensed private 5G spectrum to non-telecoms operators for the first time.