Broadband connection types
The broadband connection types available where you live will affect the speeds you can get. Find out about what’s available in your area and what it means for your online experience.
What is a broadband connection?
Broadband is a high-speed internet connection, but not all broadband connections in Ireland work the same way.
The type of connection you can get depends on how the internet reaches your home - through cables, phone lines, mobile networks or even satellites.
Some homes can choose from several types, while others may be limited to what’s available locally.
Most broadband in Ireland is delivered via fixed lines such as fibre-optic, cable or copper phone networks, but you can also connect wirelessly through mobile broadband, satellite internet or long-range Wi-Fi.
Types of broadband connection in Ireland
The main types of broadband connections available in Ireland are:
These type of connections fall into two main categories:
Wired broadband
- Fibre, part fibre, cable, ADSL
- Uses physical cables
- Faster, stable speeds
- Needs infrastructure
Wireless broadband
- Fixed wireless, mobile, satellite
- Uses radio or satellite signals
- Ideal for black spots/flexibility
Broadband types at a glance
| Connection type | How it works | Typical speeds | Best for | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Fibre (FTTH) | Fibre cables directly to your home | Up to 2 Gbps or 5Gbps in some areas | Fastest speeds, most reliable | Fibre broadband explained |
| Cable | Uses fibre & coaxial cables to deliver broadband to homes | Up to 1 Gbps | Urban households without full fibre | Compare broadband |
| Part Fibre (FTTC) | Fibre to local cabinet, copper line to your home | Up to 100 Mbps | Urban or suburban homes without full fibre | Part-fibre broadband |
| Wireless (fixed or mobile) | Uses radio signals from a nearby mast | 10–200 Mbps | Rural areas, renters, or no landline | Wireless broadband |
| Satellite | Connects via satellite dish and orbiting satellites | 50–150 Mbps | Remote or rural areas without other options | Satellite broadband |
| ADSL (Copper) | Broadband over old phone lines | Up to 24 Mbps | Areas with no fibre yet | Compare broadband |
Fibre and Part Fibre broadband
Fibre broadband uses fibre-optic cables to deliver internet, offering the fastest and most reliable speeds in Ireland. Full Fibre (FTTH) is best for households with multiple users, streaming, or gaming.
Part-Fibre (FTTC) uses copper from a local cabinet and can suit those looking for slightly cheaper plans, or where full fibre isn’t yet available.
Full Fibre broadband
- Fibre broadband, also known as Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) is delivered to your home using fibre-optic cables and delivers speeds of up to 2,000Mbps (2Gb) or 5Gb in some areas.
- Full Fibre broadband is the fastest broadband and rolling out rapidly across Ireland. As it becomes more accessible, prices are dropping too
- Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) is a good option if you need superfast speeds and a reliable, stable connection.
Part Fibre broadband
- Part Fibre also called Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC), delivers fibre to your nearest street cabinet and uses copper cables to bring the connection to your home
- The speed you’ll get from Part Fibre depends on your provider and your distance from the cabinet, but it’s fast enough for most households
- Part Fibre is faster than most other broadband connections and is a good option for affordable, speedy internet access
Is fibre broadband available in your area?
Fibre optic cables are being rapidly rolled out across Ireland, making it easier and cheaper to access high-speed internet.
However, in some areas, fibre broadband is still unavailable. If this is the case where you live, you’ll need to choose another type of broadband like mobile broadband, or satellite broadband.
Use our broadband checker to compare fibre deals where you live. You can get fibre broadband from:
Cable broadband
Cable broadband uses a combination of fibre-optic and coaxial cables to deliver internet to your home.
It’s faster than traditional copper-based connections and widely available in urban areas, making it a popular choice for households st, stable internet connection where full fibre isn’t yet available.
Cable broadband is primarily offered by Virgin Media, and their network reaches around one million households in Ireland.
Virgin media is currently rolling out full-fibre broadband to all their customers, which will eventually replace traditional cable connections.
Mobile broadband
Mobile broadband uses your mobile phone signal to provide internet, making it a good option for homes without fixed-line broadband, renters, or those who need internet on the move. Speeds depend on signal quality and network coverage.
Vodafone, Three, and eir all offer 5G mobile broadband deals - see our 5G mobile broadband guide for details and current deals.
Satellite broadband
Satellite broadband delivers internet via a dish installed at your home, making it a reliable option for rural areas where cables or phone lines aren’t available.
Speeds are generally lower than fibre or cable, but modern services like Starlink can provide fast, stable connections.
See our Satellite broadband guide for full details, providers, and plans.
Wireless broadband
Wireless broadband delivers internet to your home via radio signals from nearby masts, rather than cables. It’s a practical option in areas without fibre, part-fibre, or phone line connections, though speeds and coverage can vary.
See our wireless broadband guide for full details, providers, and plans.
ADSL broadband (standard)
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) ADSL broadband uses your home phone line to provide internet, but it is a legacy technology being gradually phased out.
Speeds are limited compared with fibre or part-fibre, so it’s mainly suitable for households with basic internet needs or where no other options are available.
Some providers still offer ADSL broadband, like Digiweb, eir, Pure Telecom, Sky, and Vodafone.
Which broadband connection suits you best?
Choosing the right broadband type depends largely on where you live, what you use the internet for, and how you connect. The best connection for you might change depending on whether you’re a:
-
Urban dweller Full Fibre provides the fastest speeds and most reliable connection, ideal for streaming, gaming, or bid households, while Part-Fibre (FTTC) is still fast enough for most day-to-day internet use.
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Rural household For homes outside the fibre footprint, satellite broadband can reach even the most remote locations, while wireless broadband connects via radio signals from nearby masts.
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Renter/no fixed line Mobile broadband is ideal for renters, those needing flexible connections, or homes without a landline. It uses 4G or 5G networks and can also used when other broadband options are limited.
How to check broadband availability
Your broadband options will depend on the providers operating in your area and if it has the infrastructure for full or part fibre.
If you’d like to learn about broadband availability where you live, our broadband comparison tool displays all of the broadband providers and plans in your area. Here’s how to check broadband availability near you.
Our complete guide to broadband covers everything you need to know about broadband in Ireland, including the broadband infrastructure, average broadband speeds and what you really need, plus lots more.
If you are ready to switch, our guide to switching broadband providers tells you more about choosing a new provider or switching broadband.
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