Wireless broadband choices in Ireland
If you live in a rural location internet access can be patchy. Here’s some broadband solutions to consider if you don’t have a phone line or fibre where you live.
How does wireless broadband work?
Standard and fibre broadband most commonly uses fibre-optic cables and existing phone lines, but there are also other ways of getting internet access without a physical line.
Wireless broadband works by using mobile, satellite or radio signals and transmitters to give you access to the internet.
Here’s some of the ways you can get a broadband connection without wires:
- Mobile broadband
- Satellite broadband
- Fixed wireless broadband
How to get broadband without a landline
If you’re in a rural area and far from an exchange or cabinet, and fibre or SIRO broadband hasn’t rolled out near you, your internet access is probably patchy or limited.
While most broadband services are delivered to our homes and businesses via cables or existing phone lines, there are some broadband connection types in Ireland that do not need a wire.
Wireless broadband offers broadband without a landline, or fibre-optic cables.
Here are the broadband connections you can get in Ireland:
Wired broadband
Wireless broadband
Mobile broadband
Mobile broadband connects you to the internet using a mobile phone network, either 4G or 5G. You can connect via:
- Mobile dongle: This plugs into the USB port on your computer.
- Data only SIM card: Insert into a portable tablet for use on the go.
- WiFi hub: This is portable and acts as a WiFi hotspot for your devices.
What are mobile broadband speeds like?
The speed you get depends on your provider’s coverage of the 4G or 5G network and the strength of your signal.
| Network | Median download speed | Average Upload speed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4G broadband | 20Mbps | 9Mbps | |
| 5G broadband | 111Mbps | 14Mbps |
Based on Ookla Speedtest reports. Speeds are subject to change and depend on locality.
4G broadband isn’t as fast as fibre broadband, but in urban areas with good coverage, 5G mobile broadband may be as fast and reliable as fibre broadband.
It runs on the same kind of connection as your mobile phone, so if coverage is poor in your location, you’ll find it hard to get decent speeds with mobile broadband from the same provider.
Is mobile broadband any good?
Before you decide, it’s worth weighing up the pros and cons to decide whether it’s suitable for you.
Here are some of the main pros and cons of using mobile broadband:
Pros
Cons
Are there any extra costs?
The only extra set-up costs for mobile broadband could be the price of the WiFi dongle, data SIM or wifi hub, but they’re often provided free as part of your monthly plan. Contracts are typically 12 months or 30 day rolling.
Satellite broadband
Satellite broadband uses a dish on or near your home to send and receive data from a satellite, in much the same way as Sky utilises satellite technology.
This is particularly helpful if you can’t connect to a broadband infrastructure or mobile network because you live in a remote or rural location.
How fast is satellite broadband?
Satellite broadband used to be viewed as slower than other types of broadband, but this isn’t the case anymore.
With some satellite plans, you can expect to get speeds between 22Mpbs and 75Mpbs, which isn’t as fast as pure fibre or cable but is better than most standard connections.
Starlink is the newest satellite provider in Ireland, owned by SpaceX. They use multiple, small satellites that are closer to the earth than usual and promise speeds of up to 220 Mbps, with a majority of users experiencing speeds over 100 Mbps.
Do you have to pay for installation?
Some providers offer free installation, whereas others may charge up to €50. There is normally an activation or set up cost and a 12-month minimum contract.
Starlink equipment is designed for self-install, however, if you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, some Irish installers charge between €200-€400 for a standard installation.
Is satellite broadband any good?
Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of using satellite broadband:
Pros
Cons
Although some satellite plans can’t compete with the speed or unlimited data that fixed-line plans offer, they can offer a reliable connection to the internet and could be faster than other broadband services available to you in your area.
If you’d like to find out more about which providers offer satellite broadband and how to find the best plan, read our guide, How does satellite broadband work in Ireland?.
Fixed wireless broadband
Fixed wireless broadband is a type of broadband connection that uses radio signals to transmit and receive data.
Some internet providers in Ireland offer this as an option to those who live in rural or remote areas.
How does fixed wireless broadband work?
Sometimes called ‘Line of Sight’ internet, it provides an over-the-air broadband connection to properties that have a clear line of sight to a dedicated mast.
This means that no underground cables or phone lines are needed. It is also quicker to install and has lower latency issues than satellite. Radio waves are point to point so are easy to maintain and have low interference issues.
What speeds can you get from wireless broadband?
You can get broadband speeds between 10Mbps and 1Gb and there is no worry about distance or interference altering your speeds.
Speeds offered will depend on the service providers and the coverage in your area.
How much does installation cost?
Installation can cost anything up to €150, although some providers will offer to get you set up for free. The minimum contract term is normally 12 months.
Is fixed wireless broadband any good?
Here we take a look at some of these pros and cons of fixed wireless broadband:
Pros
Cons
How to choose the best wireless broadband
It’s worth looking at the pros and cons of each connection type to help you decide which type of wireless broadband is best for your home or business.
Think about what you use the internet for and the needs of your family or business and ask yourself:
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Wireless broadband FAQs
What is Starlink in Ireland?
Starlink provides high speed, low latency satellite internet in Ireland. It’s particularly useful for those who live in rural locations and need fast and reliable broadband; for instance remote workers or heavy gamers.
Most satellites for broadband services use high orbit, stationary satellites, which means communication from device to satellite takes a long time. Starlink on the other hand uses low orbit, moving satellites, which means you can get high speed broadband with low latency in most locations.
You’ll need a Starlink kit to receive an internet service which consists of:
- Starlink Mesh Wifi Router
- Starling Phased Array Antenna
- Starlink power supply and ethernet cable
- Starlink base
Once you’ve bought the kit, you’ll need to find the right location for the dish (an open area with a clear view of the sky), assemble the dish and mounting base, and attach the Starlink cable to the mast, then connect all your devices to Starlink WiFi Router.
Can I get Netflix with wireless broadband?
Yes, as long as you install the Netflix app and pay your subscription, you’ll be able to access Netflix on your internet devices.
You may experience buffering or poor quality HD viewing if you have slow speeds or latency issues due to your wireless connection.
Is wireless broadband the same as WiFi?
Although they both refer to wireless connections, they aren’t the same thing.
WiFi is a wireless technology that uses radio waves to connect multiple devices, usually to a router and the internet, in your home.
Wireless broadband refers to any internet connection without wires, and it can work without Wifi.
