Vodafone fails to make Irish 3G payment

Seeks one month delay

Vodafone has failed to make the deadline for a €44m downpayment to the Irish government for its 3G licence, The Irish Times reports.

The network operator has asked for a one month extension while it consider if it actually wants to build a 3G network in the country.

According to Vodafone, it will face no financial penalties if it withdraws its hat from the 3G ring.

The 3G landscape in Europe is looking somewhat tatty, with Orange seeking longer roll-out and reduced coverage in Sweden, and Telefonica and Sonera throwing away their 3G licence in Germany, acquired for billions of euros. ®