to transfer most of its consumer and small business operations in Ireland, other than its remaining dial-up internet operations, to Vodafone Ireland. Large industrial and commercial customers will remain with BT. Under the partnership, Vodafone will provide voice and broadband internet services over BT's network. The deal was subject to the Competition Authority's approval, which was approved in August 2009. BT Ireland do not own any infrastructure in Northern Ireland, being owned by BT Group (UK) directly. Esat Digifone Esat Digifone, a GSM mobile phone network which was the first competitor to Eircell (then a Telecom Éireann subsidiary) was originally a joint venture between Esat Telecom and Telenor, however when Esat was sold to BT, the mobile division became part of BT Wireless, which was eventually spun off as O2 plc, which in turn was bought by Spanish-based Telefónica in 2005 (EU approved in 2006). The company is now officially registered as Telefónica O2 Ireland Limited, but trades as O2. In June 2013, Hutchison Whampoa announced it would acquire the Irish arm of O2 for €780m. O2 is now merged with Hutchison Whampoa's subsidiary Three Ireland following the completion of the sale. See also List of Irish companies Communications in Ireland BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition References Sources External links BT Ireland BT Northern Ireland Irish companies established in 1990 BT Group Telecommunications companies of the Republic of Ireland Internet service providers of the Republic of Ireland Telecommunications companies established in 1990