Irish operators Telefonica O2 and eircom announced a “major new strategic partnership” to create what was said to be “the first comprehensive mobile network sharing agreement in Ireland.” In a statement, the companies said that “wherever possible, existing sites of both operators will be consolidated and new sites will be jointly built,” managed by a dedicated team of existing staff from both organisations. However, there will be no transfer of assets, and spectrum will not be shared under the new regime.