How to check broadband availability in your area
The broadband you can get depends on your address, local network coverage and which providers operate in your area. This guide explains how to check availability by Eircode, what broadband types are available in Ireland, and what to do if fibre is not available yet.
Find broadband deals available at your address
Not every broadband provider or connection type is available at every address. Enter your Eircode to see the broadband, fibre, TV and mobile broadband deals available in your area.
You can compare providers, speeds, contract lengths and monthly prices before choosing the plan that suits your home.
How do you check broadband availability in your area?
The quickest way to check broadband availability is to search by Eircode. This shows the providers and connection types available at your exact address, rather than general coverage in your county or town.
Here’s how to check availability on Switcher.ie:
- Enter your Eircode into our Eircode broadband checker
- Choose whether you want broadband only, fibre broadband, broadband and TV, or mobile broadband
- Compare available deals by speed, price, contract length and provider
- Read the plan details, terms and conditions before switching
Switcher tip: Broadband availability can vary by address, even on the same road, due to network coverage, cabinet connections or provider data. Checking by Eircode gives a more accurate result than searching by town, county or provider alone.
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 internet speeds up to 2Gbps; even 5Gbps in some areas. A landline is not required.
- Part fibre Uses fibre-optic cables and copper cables from the cabinet outside your home for speeds up to 100Mbps. 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 2Gbps. A landline is not required.
Is fibre broadband available where you live?
Fibre broadband coverage is expanding rapidly across Ireland thanks to the National Broadband Plan delivered by National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
With thousands of premises being added each month, fibre is now within reach for more homes and businesses than ever before.
To see if fibre is available at your address, simply enter your Eircode into our fibre broadband checker, and we’ll instantly show you the best available fibre deals in your area.
When will fibre broadband be available at your address?
If fibre broadband isn’t yet available at your address, you can still check when it’s coming:
- Use our Fibre Broadband Checker to see the latest availability.
- Search the Government’s High Speed Broadband Map with your Eircode to view planned upgrades.
- Check the NBI Network Map to see when your area is due to be connected.
- Use the SIRO eircode checker for SIRO’s rollout schedule.
By checking regularly, you’ll know exactly when faster fibre broadband is planned for your home or business.
What broadband is available in your area?
What broadband networks are available in Ireland?
Broadband availability depends on which networks serve your address. The network is the infrastructure that delivers your connection, while the provider is the company that sells you the broadband plan.
Some providers use their own network, while others sell plans over shared networks such as OpenEir, SIRO or National Broadband Ireland.
| Network or rollout programme | What it offers | Availability | How to check | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenEir | Fibre and part-fibre broadband used by several Irish providers | Available in many areas across Ireland | Check by Eircode with a broadband provider or comparison tool | |
| SIRO | Full fibre broadband using ESB infrastructure | Available in selected towns and areas | Use a fibre broadband checker or SIRO’s Eircode checker | |
| National Broadband Ireland | Full fibre rollout under the National Broadband Plan | Mainly rural intervention areas | Check the NBI network map or Government high-speed broadband map | |
| Virgin Media | Cable and fibre broadband on Virgin Media’s own network | Mainly urban and suburban areas | Check by Eircode with Virgin Media or a comparison tool |
What is SIRO?
SIRO is a joint venture between ESB Networks and Vodafone. It delivers 100% fibre-to-the-home broadband over existing ESB infrastructure, with speeds of up to 2Gbps.
As part of its expansion, SIRO aims to reach over 770,000 premises across 154 towns in Ireland. You can check SIRO availability using our Fibre broadband checker or the SIRO eircode checker.
Visit our SIRO guide to learn more about SIRO broadband.
Comparing broadband checkers in Ireland
Several tools can help you check broadband availability in Ireland. Here’s how Switcher.ie compares to other popular broadband checkers such as ComReg, OpenEir, and NBI.
| Checker | Eircode / address search | Shows live providers & deals | Includes multiple networks | Compares speeds & prices | Interactive map | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switcher.ie broadband checker | Yes, enter your eircode to see providers and packages available | Yes – instantly shows available plans and prices | Yes (SIRO, Open eir, NBI, Virgin) | Yes, compare deals side-by-side | No (results shown as list) | Checking broadband deals in your area and comparing prices in one step | |
| ComReg broadband checker | Yes, shows infrastructure availability only | No, only network data | National data but limited provider context | No | Map-based | Checking overall coverage stats | |
| OpenEir fibre broadband checker | Yes, shows OpenEir network availability | No, only OpenEir network data | OpenEir only | No | Table/list only | Checking OpenEir fibre availability specifically | |
| NBI network map | Yes, shows rollout plans and NBP areas | No, rollout info only | NBI rollout only | No | Interactive rollout map | Checking when NBP fibre will arrive in your area |
Why use Switcher.ie to check broadband availability?
Switcher.ie’s broadband checker aims to make it easy for you to check broadband availability, explore your options, and switch to a better broadband deal.
Here’s the main features and benefits:
- Comprehensive market view: We compare a wide range of providers and deals across Ireland.
- Up-to-date data: Our checker is powered by real network availability data, so you can rely on accurate results.
- Time-saving: Instantly see what’s available and compare deals in one place.
- Independent and impartial: Switcher.ie is a free, independent comparison and switching service based in Ireland, accredited by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
Finding the fastest broadband in your area
While some providers advertise speeds up to 5Gbps in certain locations, most households won’t need that much for everyday surfing, streaming, and working from home.
When comparing broadband deals, consider:
- Average speeds: Most Irish homes experience speeds around 100Mbps, although fibre providers in some areas can offer up to 5Gbps.
- Advertised speeds vs real speeds: Advertised maximum speeds are not guaranteed. Your actual speed and slow speeds can depend on your distance from the street cabinet, network congestion, and whether your connection is part-fibre.
- Choosing the right plan: Don’t overpay for ultra-fast broadband if you don’t need it. Use our broadband checker to find the fastest broadband available where you live and pick a plan that suits your usage.
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 comparing deals and switching broadband providers here.
Enjoy superfast fibre broadband
Use our eircode checker to find your best deal and switch today
