According to the story, the deal - which is apparently worth €76 million – will see investment trust Digital 9 Infrastructure acquiring a 56 per cent stake in the company. Digital 9 is apparently also planning to eventually take full control of TETRA Ireland Communications Limited, a move which would be contingent on agreement from other shareholders Sigma Networks and Motorola.
Public safety users of the TETRA Ireland narrowband network include the Garda, Dublin Fire Brigade, the National Ambulance Service, and more.
Discussing the reported move, CritComm Insights principal analyst, Ken Rehbehn, said: “An ownership shift away from Ireland’s largest telecom operator to a newly-formed UK investment trust should raise concern for the country's emergency services. The sale may significantly slow progress towards future public safety broadband capabilities.
“That said, Digital 9's mission may be better aligned to the needs of public safety than Eir's consumer-focused operations."
