How to check broadband availability in your area
The type of broadband you can get depends on where you live. Here’s all you need to know about broadband availability and how to check the best broadband deals in your area.
What types of broadband are available in Ireland?
There are several ways to get access to the internet in Ireland.
The choice of broadband connections depends on where you live, the infrastructure, and which providers operate in your area. Some locations will get more options than others. Here are the main types of connection:
- Full fibre Uses fibre-optic cables directly to your home for up to 2GB. A landline is not required.
- Part fibre Uses fibre-optic cables and copper cables from the cabinet outside your home for speeds up to 1GB. You’ll need a landline.
- Satellite Enables a broadband connection via a satellite dish at your home. A landline is not required.
- Mobile Connects you to the internet via a USB dongle or modem plugged into your device. A landline is not required.
- Fixed Wireless Uses radio signals to connect homes and businesses via a receiver to a local base station. A mounted antenna is required.
- Cable These networks usually use fibre lines to a local cabinet, then coaxial cable into your home, providing speeds up to 1GB.
What broadband is available in your area?
Is fibre broadband available where you live?
Fibre broadband is becoming much more widespread and affordable for many households thanks to the National Broadband Plan delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
Whilst NBI provides the infrastructure to connect homes and businesses, you’ll need to sign up for a broadband service provider that offers fibre broadband.
Although full fibre hasn’t reached all parts of Ireland just yet, our fibre broadband checker will show you the best available plans in your area.
Will you get fibre broadband soon?
If you don’t have access to superfast broadband right now, the government has created a High Speed Broadband Map. You can search with your eircode and check if a commercial broadband provider or the State (under the National Broadband Plan) plan to provide high-speed broadband to your home.
You can also check the NBI Network Map or the SIRO eircode checker.
What is SIRO?
SIRO is a joint venture between ESB Networks and Vodafone. It uses existing ESB infrastructure to provide 100% fibre broadband with the fastest speeds available - up to 2GB.
As part of its network expansion, SIRO plans to roll out to 770,000 premises across 154 towns. Visit our SIRO guide to learn more about SIRO broadband.
How to check broadband deals in your area
Our broadband eircode checker will help you find the best broadband and TV, broadband only, or mobile broadband deals in your area.
Here’s how to check availability:
- Visit our eircode broadband checker
- Input your eircode to find deals in your area
- Filter and sort the results to suit your needs
- Read the Plan Info for further details and T&Cs
What broadband speed do you need?
Although some providers offer speeds up to 2GB in certain areas, a connection that speedy isn’t typically required for general surfing and streaming.
Changing broadband providers may mean faster broadband speeds, but don’t pay for a plan with top speeds if you don’t need it.
Other things to bear in mind are:
- Average speeds: Some Irish providers can offer speeds of up to 2000Mbps (2GB) using fibre networks, but average broadband speeds in Ireland are around 100Mbps.
- Advertised speeds: Advertised maximum speeds are not guaranteed and slow speeds can depend on several factors, for example, your distance from the street cabinet and how many people are using the internet (if you have part-fibre).
Switching to a new broadband provider
Once you’ve discovered the best available deals where you live, you might be ready to switch to a new broadband plan.
Start by looking at features like:
Read more about how to compare deals and switch broadband providers here.
Enjoy superfast fibre broadband
Use our eircode checker to find your best deal and switch today
