GoMo free 5G in Ireland: who qualifies and what changes by 15 October

Some of Ireland's long-standing GoMo mobile customers are set to receive 5G access without paying more. According to reporting on 9 October 2026, customers on older €9.99 and €12.99 contracts were informed that 5G would be included, with availability promised no later than 15 October. The development comes as Lidl enters Ireland's mobile market with a promotional €8.99 offer. For existing subscribers, the immediate question is not which brand has the loudest advertisement but whether the new network access improves their own coverage without sacrificing the price they already have.

What exactly has GoMo announced?

GoMo, a budget brand owned by Eir, has been notifying customers on older tariffs about the addition of 5G at no extra cost. TheJournal.ie reported that these users should receive 5G access by 15 October 2026. This does not mean that every phone will instantly display a 5G icon, or that every customer across Ireland will achieve the same speed. Coverage, device capability and network congestion still affect the service experienced. It is also important to distinguish adding 5G access to an existing contract from changing the customer's underlying monthly price.

Why did older customers previously face a choice?

GoMo's early plans included a €9.99 price for initial subscribers and later a €12.99 price. When 5G became available through more recent GoMo offers, some people on the original contracts had been required to upgrade to a higher-priced plan to receive it. The October announcement changes the immediate calculation for subscribers who kept their older contracts. A person already paying €9.99 may now have a reason to stay on that tariff rather than move to a newer, more expensive one solely for 5G. Check the message from GoMo and the terms attached to your own contract.

Does a free 5G upgrade mean a lower bill?

No. An additional network feature without an extra charge is not the same thing as a reduction in the subscription fee. If a customer stays on a €9.99 plan and receives 5G, the monthly charge may remain €9.99. Someone who previously moved to a more expensive plan cannot assume that GoMo will reverse the upgrade or reinstate a historical tariff. At the time of the report, questions about customers who upgraded earlier had been put to Eir. Until the company gives a specific answer, eligibility for moving back should be treated as unresolved.

What phone do you need to use 5G?

Your handset must support 5G and the relevant bands used by the network. Many current mid-range Android phones and recent iPhones do, but not every older or entry-level model. Check the device specification, install supported software updates and confirm that mobile network settings permit 5G when available. A 4G-only phone can still use the plan but will not become a 5G phone simply because the provider updates an account. Signal strength inside buildings can also differ from the outdoor coverage map.

How do GoMo and Lidl Connect compare?

Lidl entered the Irish mobile market with a promotional €8.99-per-month SIM offer for an initial allocation of 100,000 customers, according to contemporaneous reporting. The promotion was due to end by 31 December 2026 even if the quota was not reached. Lidl and GoMo both use the Eir network, but a shared underlying network does not guarantee that the full tariff conditions, roaming allowances, customer support or activation experience are identical. Compare the complete terms, including the price of additional SIMs and any fair-use restrictions, before switching.

Can I assume the same 5G speed on either plan?

No. Actual performance depends on the serving cell, your location, traffic levels, equipment and any service-specific limits. A useful comparison is to test the connection in places where you regularly use your phone: at home, on a commute and at work. A strong headline speed measured beside a mast is less useful than consistent service in a house with thick walls. A newer network technology can improve capacity and latency but will not solve every weak-signal location.

What should customers do before 15 October?

Keep the notification from GoMo and verify it applies to your exact number and tariff.
Check that your phone supports 5G and whether network settings require an update.
Do not voluntarily change a legacy plan solely to obtain 5G without checking the new offer.
Compare billing terms, EU roaming conditions and network coverage before moving provider.
If 5G does not appear after the promised date, contact GoMo with the account and device details.

What about number porting to Lidl?

Some consumers experienced delays when attempting to move numbers to the new Lidl service, and Lidl acknowledged a limited number of switching issues. A number transfer involves more than buying a SIM: the existing account information must match and the change must be completed between providers. Anyone relying on the number for work or verification codes should avoid cancelling an old account manually before the port is confirmed. Keep a record of messages and test calls and mobile data after activation.

Could waiting be more economical than switching?

Possibly. A long-standing €9.99 GoMo contract with newly included 5G may offer a very different comparison from a newer €12.99 plan. Small headline differences add up over a year, but price is only one consideration. A temporary promotion is less attractive if it does not cover the places you need or if important roaming features are missing. The appropriate decision is personal: inspect your present contract, how much data you use and the provider's written terms. Do not assume a deal is permanent solely because an advertisement uses the phrase "for life".

Frequently asked questions

Will my old GoMo bill increase because of 5G? The October notification was reported as adding 5G at no extra cost. Confirm your individual account. When should the change happen? No later than 15 October 2026 according to the customer messages reported. Do I need a new phone? Only if your present handset lacks 5G support and you actually want 5G service. Can former legacy customers reclaim €9.99? This was not confirmed in the source reporting. Does a shared Eir network make all plans identical? No; tariffs and support arrangements can differ.