Vodafone Ireland and Three Ireland have confirmed plans for a strategic partnership to share network infrastructure. The companies will pool their 2,000 sites and related infrastructure, which will be managed and maintained by a 50:50-owned joint venture company. The two operators will continue to independently run their own core network capabilities, service platforms, radio equipment and spectrum. The partnership will mean the two companies can purchase network equipment together, reducing costs and improving the ability to expand mobile coverage. The Financial Times recently reported that the partnership was imminent.