Fibre broadband explained
Fibre-optic broadband offers much faster connection speeds than ADSL, mobile, or satellite broadband. Here’s everything you need to know about fibre broadband in Ireland.
What is fibre broadband?
Fibre broadband is a type of high-speed internet that uses fibre-optic cables to transfer data as pulses of light. These cables are far more efficient than copper phone lines, so connections are faster, more stable, and more reliable.
In 2025, fibre broadband is now the standard broadband technology across much of Ireland, thanks to rollouts from SIRO, Open eir, and National Broadband Ireland (NBI).
That means more homes than ever can enjoy gigabit speeds, even in rural areas, making fibre the fastest broadband in Ireland, ideal for:
Check if fibre broadband is available in your area using our free broadband checker.
How fast is fibre broadband?
he fastest fibre broadband plans in Ireland - from eir and Virgin Media - can deliver speeds of up to 5,000Mbps (5Gbps) with a full-fibre (FTTH) connection.
Most other providers offer packages between 500Mbps and 2Gbps, depending on your area.
Virgin Media also runs a part-fibre (coaxial) network, or cable broadband, with speeds up to 1,000Mbps, and is upgrading to full-fibre as part of its ongoing rollout.
Full-fibre broadband also offers much faster upload speeds - often up to 500Mbps - perfect for remote working, streaming, and video calls.
How does fibre broadband work?
Fibre broadband uses fibre-optic cables - strands of glass about the width of a human hair - to send data as pulses of light. These light signals carry information far faster and more efficiently than electrical signals through copper wires.
The cables run underground, to deliver stable, high-speed internet to businesses and homes throughout Ireland. The result is a more reliable connection that’s less affected by distance, weather, or heavy network traffic.
What are the different types of fibre broadband?
Fibre broadband is delivered one of two ways:
Fibre-to the-Home (FTTH)
Also called full fibre, this connects fibre cables directly to your home for the fastest and most reliable speeds, up to 5,000Mbps (5Gbps) in some areas. FTTH offers consistent performance for streaming, gaming, and heavy data use.
Fibre-to-the-Cabinet (FTTC)
Known as part fibre, this delivers fibre cables to the nearest street cabinet, while the final connection to your home uses existing copper lines. Speeds can reach up to 100Mbps, depending on your distance from the cabinet and local network quality.
Fibre broadband providers in Ireland
You can get fibre broadband in Ireland from six providers:
- Digiweb
- eir
- Pure Telecom
- Sky
- Virgin Media
- Vodafone
These companies use fibre networks operated mainly by Open eir, SIRO, and National Broadband Ireland (NBI); each expanding coverage nationwide as part of Ireland’s fibre rollout.
Can you get fibre broadband in your area?
Fibre broadband isn’t available everywhere yet, but coverage is expanding fast through major network rollouts. By 2025, most Irish homes can now access full-fibre or part-fibre connections.
Use our Irish broadband checker to see if fibre broadband is available where you live, and our fibre broadband comparison to compare the best fibre deals in your area.
You can also check the NBI rollout map, the Open eir checker from eir and the Siro rollout map to see if fibre broadband is coming to you soon.
Our guide SIRO broadband explained explains more about the SIRO broadband rollout.
What’s so good about fibre broadband?
If you want the fastest and most reliable broadband in Ireland, fibre is the clear winner. It’s ideal if you:
What are the alternatives to fibre broadband?
If cable or fibre broadband aren’t available in your area, there are some good alternatives:
- Fixed wireless broadband: Uses radio signals from a local mast to your home. Great for rural areas, with speeds up to 200Mbps.
- Satellite broadband: Ideal for remote homes. Services like Starlink now offer 100–200Mbps and better reliability.
- Mobile broadband: Connects via 4G or 5G using a SIM, router, or dongle. Vodafone, eir, and Three offer 5G home broadband with flexible plans.
- ADSL broadband: A legacy option being phased out as fibre and 5G expand.
How to get fibre broadband
Once fibre broadband is available in your area, switching is easy:
- Review your contract: Ensure you’re out-of-contract to avoid cancellation fees.
- Check availability: Use our broadband checker to see what’s on offer where you live.
- Compare deals: Pick the best speed, price, and contract for your needs.
- Sign up: Apply online - your new provider will be in touch, and confirm an installation date.
- Installation: A technician fits a fibre modem or ONT at your home.
- Notice: Give your current broadband provider the relevant notice to cancel your contract.
- Cancel: Cancel your old plan and all direct debits with your old provider, once your new connection is live
The broadband plans and types of broadband connection you can get depend on where you live, so try our free broadband checker to compare broadband deals in your area.
Fibre broadband FAQs
Is fibre broadband worth it?
Yes, fibre broadband is worth it for most households in Ireland. It’s faster, more reliable, and future-proof compared to ADSL or mobile broadband.
With speeds of up to 5,000Mbps, it’s ideal for streaming in HD or 4K, online gaming, video calls, and working from home.
Because fibre uses advanced fibre-optic cables rather than copper phone lines, your connection is more stable and less affected by distance or bad weather.
It also offers much higher upload speeds, making it perfect for cloud backups, large file sharing, and smart home devices.
Can you get fibre broadband in rural Ireland?
Yes fibre broadband is now reaching many rural parts of Ireland through the National Broadband Ireland (NBI) rollout, as well as network expansion by SIRO and Open eir.
Full-fibre coverage continues to grow each year, and many small towns and villages are already connected. If fibre hasn’t arrived in your area yet, you can often get fixed wireless broadband or 5G home broadband instead.
These can offer solid speeds while you wait for full-fibre availability.
Use our free broadband checker to see what options are available where you live.
How much does fibre broadband cost in Ireland?
Fibre broadband plans in Ireland typically start from around €30 per month for entry-level speeds of around 500Mb, with costs increasing for super-fast speeds; 1Gb-5Gb.
Prices vary based on speed, bundle options, and whether you include TV or mobile services.
For the latest deals and offers, visit our fibre broadband comparison page to compare plans from Ireland’s top providers side by side.
Enjoy superfast fibre broadband
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