2027 Agenda
Ireland's Approach to Resilient Public Safety Broadband
Ireland is developing a mission-critical, resilient 5G ecosystem to strengthen secure and interoperable broadband communications for government and public-safety users. In 2023, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), through Government Networks (GN), initiated a program to evaluate dedicated wireless spectrum and emerging 5G capabilities. The objective is to generate operational evidence to inform Ireland's future spectrum policy and public-service communications strategy, while supporting Ireland's participation in the European Public Safety Broadband initiative, EUCCS Preparation.
The solution extends Ireland's existing Government Networks infrastructure into a resilient cellular environment, combining secure 5G connectivity, multi-tenant networking, SIM-based authentication, secure roaming, and Mission Critical Services (MCX). It incorporates rapidly deployable and vehicular cellular networks to maintain communications during infrastructure outages, disasters, or other degraded operating conditions, alongside solutions for indoor coverage and neutral-host spectrum sharing.
A key element of the approach is the continued integration of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). Rather than replacing commercial networks, the model establishes appropriate technical and commercial arrangements that enable MNOs to retain their essential role while providing the government with greater resilience, control, and operational flexibility. The result is an ecosystem designed to deliver secure, resilient, interoperable, and assured communications when they matter most—while providing a practical foundation for future spectrum and technology decisions.
In this case study, learn how resilience is a mission requirement. Public-safety communications must remain available when commercial infrastructure is congested, degraded, or unavailable.
Takeaway
-Discover how interoperability requires both technology and policy. Secure roaming, multi-tenancy, shared infrastructure, and common standards enable government, public-safety, and commercial networks to work together.
-Explore how 5G can provide more than connectivity. Dedicated spectrum, network capabilities, SIM-based security, MCX applications, and rapidly deployable networks enable new models for mission-critical communications.
-Understand how commercial MNOs remain an essential part of the ecosystem. The approach complements—not replaces—commercial mobile networks by establishing appropriate technical and commercial arrangements that preserve the MNOs' role while strengthening government resilience and operational control.
-Hear how operational experience should inform future spectrum policy. A real-world 5G ecosystem allows government to test technologies, spectrum options, resilience models, and public-safety use cases before making long-term strategic decisions.