Mobile operator Three Ireland is to cut 160 jobs following its recent acquisition of rival network O2 Ireland. Three says this is part of its business restructuring plans.

"The changes will address inevitable role duplication whilst growing and enhancing Three’s customer service team in Ireland to support its enlarged customer base," it says.

The firm says 90 customer care roles will also be created over the next 12 months at its customer care centre in Limerick.

The 160 roles will go across both Three and O2 Ireland. There will be approximately 85 roles made redundant at their head office and some 75 will cut in the retail arm.

While a number of fixed term contracts across the business will not be extended when they expire, Three says.

It adds that a consultation process is ongoing with employees - and that a redundancy package of six weeks ex gratia payment, plus two weeks statutory per year of service, will apply.

Three Ireland CEO Robert Finnegan said "We had signaled that integrating two businesses would inevitably result in some duplication of roles, and whereas we can't side-step that challenge, we can and will ensure that departing staff are treated fairly and generously."

The European Commission approved the acquisition of O2 Ireland back in May for €780m.

The acquisition took Three's market share to 37% and brings subscriber numbers to over 2m active users.