Fibre Broadband

What is fibre broadband?

Fibre optic broadband delivers superfast broadband to your home using a network of fibre-optic cables. It’s the fastest broadband connection available in Ireland, delivering speeds of up to 1,000Mbps.

Who is the best fibre broadband provider?

There are 6 broadband providers in Ireland offering fibre broadband:

• Digiweb
• eir
• Pure Telecom
• Sky
• Virgin Media
• Vodafone

The best provider for you will depend on your needs, your budget, and where you live.

How does fibre optic broadband work?

Fibre broadband uses fibre optic cables, which are run underground, to deliver superfast broadband to homes and businesses.

These fibre optic cables transmit data faster, hence the boost in broadband speed. There are two main types of Fibre broadband connections:

1. Fibre-to the-Home (FTTH)/ Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) is the fastest type of fibre connection. It delivers fibre directly into your home via fibre-optic cables giving speeds of up to 1,000Mbps.

2. Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC), or part-fibre is more common throughout Ireland. It delivers the fibre connection via fibre optic cables to your nearest cabinet or exchange, and from there to your home it’s delivered via older copper cables. This slows the connection down, meaning that FTTC connections are slower than FTTH.

What speed will you get?

Providers advertise ‘up to’ speeds, but the actual speed you get will depend on whether or not you have a FTTH or FTTC connection. Your distance from the exchange will also affect the upper speed you can get.

If you’re having problems with a slow connection, here are some ways to speed up slow broadband.

Is fibre better than broadband?

Yes, fibre optic broadband is faster and more reliable than standard broadband connections like ADSL internet as it uses fibre optic cables rather than a phone line.

There are other broadband connection types that may suit you better though. For example, if fibre isn’t available where you live due to a rural location, here are some rural broadband options in Ireland.

How fast is fibre broadband?

Currently, the fastest fibre plans in Ireland are 1,000Mbps or 1GB.

All of the fibre providers including Sky, Vodafone, Digiweb, Pure Telecom and eir offer superfast speeds of up to 1000Mbps but availability depends on where you live and whether SIRO has been rolled out in your area.

Speeds of up to 100Mbps are fast enough for the average user.

What is SIRO?

SIRO broadband is a joint venture from the ESB and Vodafone that’s bringing 100% fibre broadband to more homes in Ireland, using the existing electricity network.

SIRO is being rolled out to regional Ireland first, check where it’s already available and which counties are in the planned roll out.

Our guide: Should you choose SIRO broadband? explains more.

Compare SIRO broadband plans

Is fibre broadband available everywhere in Ireland?

Getting fibre broadband depends on a number of factors, including:

• where you live
• your distance from the nearest exchange
• providers that operate in your area

Select your county and town using our broadband checker to find out what’s available near you. You could also read our guide on how to check broadband availability in your area.

Is fibre broadband more expensive?

Yes, fibre broadband can be more expensive than other broadband technology, but fibre connections will be much faster and more reliable.

Work out your budget and pick a plan that’s within it, both during the offer period and beyond.

Can you get fibre broadband without a phone line?

Fibre broadband is not reliant on phone lines, so you won’t need one installed in order to get fibre installed in your home.

You can opt for a package that includes a home phone talk plan though if you want to make and receive calls on your landline.