How to get broadband in rural Ireland

What is rural broadband?

Rural broadband is broadband that’s available in rural parts of the country.

It can be difficult to get a reliable, fast internet service if you live in a remote area of Ireland compared with a large urban area.

What broadband can you get in rural Ireland?

If fibre or part fibre broadband are not yet available where you live, your options are likely to be:

• ADSL broadband: which uses an existing home phone line to provide an internet connection.
• Satellite broadband: which is set up in a household through the installation of a satellite dish.
• Mobile broadband: which is provided to customers through a mobile phone signal.

Who provides broadband in rural Ireland?

The most widely-available broadband in rural Ireland is ADSL broadband which is provided by:

• eir
• Pure Telecom
• Regional Broadband
• Sky
• Vodafone

Broadband deals available where you live

Your broadband options will depend on your location, for example fibre broadband is readily available in most major cities across Ireland, but not all rural areas.

Our broadband comparison is a good place to start searching for deals in your area.

Find broadband deals where you live

When is faster broadband being rolled out to rural areas?

If you want to see when faster broadband is on its way to you, check out the High Speed Broadband Map on the Gov.ie website.

It’s part of The National Broadband Plan that aims to deliver ‘quality, affordable high-speed broadband to all parts of Ireland where such services are not available commercially.’

What is SIRO?

SIRO is a type of broadband that uses 100% fibre technology, known as Fibre-to-the-Home. It can deliver speeds of up to 1,000Mbps, and it’s suitable for use in rural areas.

Find out more about how SIRO works and when it might be rolled out at your location.

Best broadband and internet for rural areas

The best broadband package for you will depend on what features you’re looking for. If you want a reliable connection, with unlimited usage, an ADSL plan is a good place to start.

Satellite broadband is ideal for people in remote areas because it can provide a connection to any home. However, there can be download limits, so if you’re a heavy user, or you have a busy household, this may not be the best solution.

Likewise, mobile broadband could be a good option, but you’ll need to make sure you have a strong mobile phone signal where you live, to ensure you’ll have a reliable internet connection.

Compare rural broadband packages and plans

What broadband speed can you get in rural Ireland?

Getting fast broadband in rural areas of Ireland can be difficult. The broadband speeds you can get will depend on what type of broadband connections are available in your area and the plan you choose.

How to improve slow broadband

If you live in a rural area and are having issues with slow internet, consider switching your broadband provider. As well as the potential to improve the speed of your broadband, you may also benefit from an introductory discount and save money too.

If you’ve recently switched, or you can’t get a faster plan where you live, try our tips on improving slow broadband, which could make a big difference.