What broadband speed do you need?
A fast, reliable broadband connection is vital for a quality broadband service. Here’s all of the information you need on broadband speeds in Ireland.
Why the right broadband speed matters
With more and more households relying on video calls, online learning, 4K streaming, smart home devices and online gaming; a speedy, stable internet connection is more important than ever before.
The right speed is crucial for a smart home because devices like security cameras and voice assistants require continuous internet to function smoothly, while slow speeds lead to device disconnections and system disruptions.
The rollout of fibre broadband has made fast, secure widely available, while ultra-quick 5GB gigabit speeds are emerging in major cities.
What is the average broadband speed in Ireland?
As of July 2025, Ireland currently has an average download speed of approximately 165 Mbps, up from 103 Mbps in 2024, ranking 38th in the world according to Speedtest Global Index.
While most households are well-served by this speed, full-fibre networks - like those owned by eir and Virgin Media - offer speeds of up to 5,000Mbps, while the SIRO network, with speeds of up to 2,000Mbps, is expanding all the time.
Your broadband speed affects everyday activities from streaming video, gaming online, video calls, to downloading or uploading files.
There are two key types of speed to know:
- Download speed: How quickly you can receive content, like streaming video, loading websites, or downloading files.
- Upload speed: How quickly you can send content, such as sending emails, uploading documents, or backing up to the cloud.
What is a good download speed?
When it comes to broadband deals, providers almost always list the advertised download speed, which tells you how fast you can receive data (stream videos, load websites, download files).
Faster download speeds make everyday tasks smoother - streaming videos, joining video calls, gaming, or downloading large files - while slow speeds can cause buffering, lag, and long download times.
Download speeds by household size
Recommended download speeds by household size include:
Download speeds by activity type
The right download speed also depends on how many devices are connected and the types of activities you do online, such as:
If you’re not happy with the speed of your broadband, it may be worth choosing a broadband package that better fits your household needs.
What is a good upload speed?
Upload speed is just as important as download speed but often overlooked, as many activities we think about - like streaming video or browsing websites - mostly rely on downloads.
But simple tasks like sending emails with attachments require upload capacity, as do larger tasks like Zoom calls.
Upload speed for simple tasks
Like emails with attachments, uploading photos to social media, backing up files to the cloud require around 1 Mbps - but faster speeds make these tasks quicker and more reliable, especially if multiple devices are uploading at the same time.
Upload speed for larger tasks
such as video calls on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet, or live streaming, require 2–5 Mbps per participant or stream. If you regularly host multi-person calls, live stream in HD, or upload large files, higher speeds - 10 Mbps or more - can make a noticeable difference.
What broadband speed do you need at home?
The broadband speed you need depends on how many people live in you home and what they’re using the internet for. Some common online activities and the speeds they require include:
| Speed Tier | Typical download / upload* | Best for (typical use) | Ideal household size | Example download time (5GB file)** | Provider Examples*** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 100Mb | 100 / 10 Mbps | Browsing, social media, emails, SD/HD streaming | 1–2 people | 7 mins | Digiweb, eir, Vodafone, Pure Telecom, Sky |
| Up to 500Mb | 500 / 50 Mbps | HD/4K streaming, video calls, gaming, home office | 2–3 people | 80 secs | Digiweb, eir, Pure Telecom, Sky, Virgin Media, Vodafone |
| Up to 1Gb | 1,000 / 100 Mbps | 4K streaming, large downloads, multiple gamers, heavy remote work | 3–4+ people | 40 secs | Digiweb, eir, Sky, Virgin Media |
| Up to 2Gb | 2,000 / 200 Mbps | Smart homes, multiple gamers, simultaneous UHD streams, cloud backups | Large households (4+ people) | 20 secs | Digiweb, eir, Virgin Media, Vodafone |
| Up to 5Gb | 5,000 / 500 Mbps | Tech-heavy homes, small businesses, data-intensive tasks | Very large households / advanced users | 8 secs | eir, Virgin Media |
Most activities in isolation don’t require high broadband speeds, but if different people are all connecting to devices at home, then you’ll need a higher speed.
To estimate needed speed, add typical usage per person. For example, a gamer (5Mbps), a Zoom call (3Mbps), and someone streaming Netflix HD (10Mbps), together need around 18 Mbps.
If you require fast broadband, your best option is a fibre broadband connection.
If fast broadband is not available in your area you may still be able to get a good, reliable connection with part-fibre or satellite broadband.
What is a good fibre broadband speed?
For most Irish households, 200–250 Mbps fibre broadband is sufficient. For high-demand homes 500 Mbps might be better, while 1-2GB future-proofs your connection and ensures all devices run smoothly.
Fibre delivers data via optical cables, which makes it faster and more reliable than older copper connections. This means speeds are consistent, even when multiple devices are online, and are less affected by distance from the exchange.
Some providers offer up to 5 Gbps in select areas, which is ideal for smart homes with many connected devices, small businesses, or households regularly transferring very large files.
Is 500 Mb broadband good?
Yes, 500 Mbps is more than enough for most households. It can handle multiple devices streaming in 4K, video calls, online gaming, and large downloads without noticeable slowdowns.
Though moving to 1 Gbps generally provides faster downloads and uploads, for typical use, the difference may not be noticeable unless you regularly transfer very large files, have a home office or have a house full of heavy internet users.
1 Gbps can also offer smoother gaming experience, and future-proof your home for the next few years of digital growth.
What’s a good Wi-Fi speed?
Your broadband plan sets your line speed, but Wi-Fi speeds can be slower due to distance from the router, interference, and device limitations.
For example, a 500 Mbps fibre connection may only deliver 300–400 Mbps on Wi-Fi.
To get the best experience, place your router centrally, consider mesh networks for larger homes, and check that your devices support high-speed Wi-Fi standards like Wi-Fi 6.
How to improve slow broadband
If you are unable to make the switch to faster broadband, there are several things that can help to improve your slow connection.
Our guide to slow broadband walks you through the checks you can make and offers tips depending on whether you connect via WiFi or directly by wired connection.
Does your download allowance matter?
Most Irish broadband plans now come with unlimited data, so you usually don’t need to worry about running out.
Your download allowance is separate from speed and is the total data you can use each month, including streaming, video calls, downloads, and cloud backups.
Plans with limits - often mobile broadband or older packages - may charge extra or slow speeds if you exceed your allowance.
Large activities like 4K streaming, gaming, or backing up files can quickly use data, so check your plan if it’s capped.
What is unlimited broadband data?
Most broadband plans now offer unlimited broadband data. It’s advisable to opt for an unlimited plan if you:
You can use as much data as you like for the same price each month, or up to the maximum limit set out in the fair usage policy.
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