Irish broadband speed test

How to run the speed test by Ookla

We’ve teamed up with Ookla to bring you a quick and easy speed test. Simply:

1. Click Go on the speed test below
2. Wait 10–20 seconds while the test measures your download speed, upload speed and ping
3. Compare the results with the advertised speeds of your broadband plan

It’ll work for any of these internet services:

• Fibre broadband
• ADSL broadband
• Cable
• Satellite
• 4G and 5G Mobile

How to get accurate speed test results

Broadband speed tests can vary depending on your device, Wi-Fi signal and what other devices are doing on your network.

For the most reliable results:

1. Pause downloads or streaming on other devices
2. Move closer to your Wi-Fi router if possible
3. Restart your router if your connection has been slow
4. Test using a wired connection if possible
5. Run the test at different times of the day
6. Run the test more than once and compare results

If your results vary significantly, it may indicate network congestion or a Wi-Fi issue rather than a problem with your broadband plan.

Our guide What broadband speed do you need? covers the full checklist and offers ways to improve your broadband speed.

What do my test results mean?

Your speed test results show three key measurements:

• Download speed: How quickly your device receives data from the internet. This affects activities like streaming, browsing and downloading files.
• Upload speed: How quickly your device sends data online. This is important for video calls, uploading files and cloud backups.
• Ping (latency): The time it takes for your device to respond to a request sent over the internet. Lower latency means a faster response and less lag.

Many factors can affect recorded speeds, including:

• your device
• the time of day
• your location
• whether you’re using Wi-Fi or a wired connection

What to do after your speed test

Once you’ve run the speed test, the most important question is whether your internet feels fast enough for your household’s needs.

Your internet experience	What it could mean	Switching consideration
Your internet generally feels fast and reliable	Your current broadband speed is likely suitable for your household	If you switch provider, look for a plan with similar speeds
Your internet sometimes feels slow or buffers during busy times	This could be caused by Wi-Fi issues, network congestion or multiple devices using the connection	Try restarting your router and running the test again before deciding on speed
Your internet often feels too slow	Your household may need faster broadband or a more reliable connection	Consider switching to a full fare plan with faster speeds than your current plan
Your internet is consistently very slow	Your current plan or connection type may not support your household’s usage	Compare faster broadband deals available in your area

If your broadband speed test result looks fine but your internet still feels slow, the issue may be related to Wi-Fi performance, your router or the number of devices connected.

What is a good broadband speed?

The broadband speed you need depends on how many people use your internet connection and what you use it for.

As a general guide:

Speed range	Typical broadband type	What it’s good for	Typical households
10–50 Mbps	Older copper or entry-level broadband	Web browsing, email, social media, SD/HD streaming	Light internet use, 1–2 people
50–150 Mbps	Part-fibre or basic fibre plans	HD streaming, video calls, multiple devices	Small households
150–500 Mbps	Full fibre broadband	4K streaming, gaming, remote working, smart devices	Families or shared homes
500 Mbps – 1 Gbps	Gigabit fibre	Heavy streaming, gaming, large downloads	Busy households
1-2 Gbps+	Premium fibre (limited areas)	Smart homes, heavy users, small businesses	Tech-heavy homes

Fibre broadband plans in Ireland commonly offer speeds from 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps, while older copper connections may deliver much lower speeds. If your results are significantly below the advertised speed of your plan, it may indicate a connection issue.

Comparing your speed test results with advertised speeds

If your broadband speed test result is lower than expected, compare it with the advertised speed of your broadband plan. Broadband providers in Ireland usually advertise three types of speeds:

• Average speed: the speed available to at least 50% of customers
• Absolute speed: the speed available to customers on a specific plan
• Maximum or ‘up to’ speed: the highest possible speed under ideal conditions

In practice, many customers will see speeds below the advertised “up to” speed, as this represents the maximum possible performance rather than a guaranteed speed.

If your results are consistently far below the advertised average speed of your plan, it may indicate a connection issue.

Slow broadband? Here’s what to do

If you’re still struggling with a slow connection after ruling out the possible causes in our guide How to speed up slow broadband, you could switch to a new provider.

Our guide to switching broadband providers walks you through the process step by step and can help answer many of your queries.