Switching from a 4G to a 5G mobile plan in Ireland is straightforward once you have confirmed three things: your device supports the relevant 5G bands, your area has usable coverage from your target operator, and you understand what the contract terms actually commit you to. This article goes through each step in order.
Step 1: Verify Your Device
Before anything else, confirm that your current phone supports 5G on Irish networks. The primary band in Ireland is n78 (3.5 GHz sub-6 GHz). If your phone does not list n78 in its specifications, switching to a 5G plan will not change your connection type — you will still be using 4G LTE.
To check:
- Find your phone's exact model number (Settings → About Phone on Android; Settings → General → About on iPhone).
- Look up the model on the manufacturer's specifications page or on GSMArena.
- Confirm "NR Band n78" appears in the 5G bands list.
If your device does not support 5G, switching plans will not deliver any speed or coverage benefit over your current 4G plan. In that case, a device upgrade would need to precede or coincide with the plan change.
More detail on device compatibility, including iPhone and Samsung model-by-model breakdowns, is in the device compatibility guide.
Step 2: Check Coverage at Your Key Locations
Coverage maps show predicted outdoor signal, not guaranteed indoor reception. Check coverage at the locations that matter most to you — typically your home postcode and your workplace or most-visited areas.
Each Irish operator has an online coverage checker:
- three.ie — enter a postcode or address and select "5G" as the network type.
- vodafone.ie/5g — shows 5G coverage zones with an address search.
- eir.ie/coverage — Eir and GoMo share the same infrastructure checker.
Cross-referencing with OpenSignal or nPerf can give you crowd-sourced speed data for specific streets, which is often more representative of everyday experience than operator maps.
Step 3: Understand Plan Differences — Prepay vs Bill Pay
Irish operators offer 5G on both prepay (pay-as-you-go) and bill pay (monthly contract) structures. The plan type affects how you access 5G, not whether you can access it — but there are practical differences worth knowing.
| Feature | Prepay 5G | Bill Pay 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Contract commitment | None (rolling 28-day top-up) | Typically 24 months |
| Exit flexibility | High | Early termination fees apply |
| Data allowance | Capped (5GB–Unlimited depending on top-up tier) | Unlimited on most plans |
| Device included | No | Option to bundle handset |
| EU roaming data | Lower allowance (typically 22–29 GB) | Higher allowance (typically 36–50 GB) |
Step 4: Request Your PAC or STAC Code
If you are switching to a different operator and want to keep your existing mobile number, you need a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC). If you do not need to keep your number, you can request a Service Termination Authorisation Code (STAC) instead.
Under Irish regulations enforced by ComReg, your current operator must provide your PAC within one working day of a text or online request — free of charge.
- Text method: Text "PAC" to 65075 from your current mobile number. You will receive a reply with your PAC within one hour during business hours.
- Online/phone: Log into your current operator's account portal or call their customer line and request the PAC.
PAC codes are valid for 30 days. Once you provide it to your new operator, the number transfer typically completes within one working day. Your old SIM remains active until the transfer completes.
Step 5: Get a 5G-Enabled SIM
When you join a new operator or upgrade within your current operator, you will receive a new SIM. All SIMs issued by Irish operators since 2020 are 5G-capable, but SIMs issued before that date may be limited to 4G.
If you are upgrading to a 5G plan with your existing operator rather than switching, ask specifically for a 5G SIM swap. This is typically free. The process takes a few minutes in-store or can be arranged by post.
Step 6: Read the Contract Terms
Before committing to a bill pay 5G plan, check the following in the terms and conditions:
- Annual price increases: Some Irish operators include clauses allowing price increases of up to 3–4% annually in line with inflation. Others advertise plans with no annual increase — check which applies.
- EU roaming data cap: All Irish plans include an EU roaming data allowance, but it is finite. Exceeding it during a trip to the EU will incur additional charges unless you purchase a roaming add-on.
- Early termination fee: On a 24-month contract, leaving early typically requires payment of the remaining monthly fees. Calculate whether the new plan's savings outweigh this cost if you are mid-contract elsewhere.
- Data throttling: "Unlimited" data plans frequently include a fair-use clause that reduces speeds after a monthly threshold (often 100–200 GB). This threshold is usually high enough not to affect typical users, but it is worth noting.
What to Expect During the Switch
The full process — from PAC request to active 5G connection — typically takes two to three working days when switching operators:
- Day 0: Request PAC from current operator (received within an hour by text).
- Day 0–1: Sign up with new operator, submit PAC, receive new SIM.
- Day 1–2: Number transfer completes. Your old SIM deactivates; new SIM becomes active with your existing number.
- Day 2–3: 5G connection available where covered (confirm by checking Settings → Mobile Network on your device).
Quick Checklist Before You Switch
- ✓Device supports 5G band n78 (EU models from 2020 onwards usually do)
- ✓Checked operator coverage map for home postcode and workplace
- ✓Confirmed whether Prepay or Bill Pay structure fits your usage pattern
- ✓Requested PAC code if switching operators and keeping your number
- ✓Confirmed new SIM will be 5G-capable
- ✓Read contract terms on annual increases, EU roaming cap, and early exit fees
