Damien Mulley

290 Responses to “Broadband choices and options in Ireland (Updated Oct 2009)”

1. Neil Vaughan says:

   March 30, 2006 at 10:32 pm

   Hi Damien,

   Cinergi Telecom ( http://www.cinergi.ie ) offers fantastic Broadband packages starting at 9.99 per month. I get “Always on” for only 15.99 per month and find it brilliant value.
   Thanks,
   Neil.

2. Chris Heaphy says:

   April 2, 2006 at 5:44 pm

   Damien,

   I am looking for a satellite Broadband and TV provider. Is there such a beast to be had in Ireland and from whom???.

   Many Thanks in anticipation.

   Chris Heaphy(ucc)

3. Padraig says:

   April 3, 2006 at 2:46 pm

   Just got IBB on Friday, been surfing all weekend and must say I’m pretty disappointed with speeds etc, cancelling service today.

4. Anne Marie says:

   April 6, 2006 at 8:07 am

   Hi,

   Im looking for wireless broadband that doesn’t require an antenna, to be used on a laptop in both kildare and limerick. Is that possible? I dont need anything fancy just the basic internet package. I would appreciate any help with this as I’m a sad case when it comes to technology!
   Thanks in advance

5. Damien says:

   April 6, 2006 at 8:13 am

   Anne Marie I’d suggest a 3G card from Vodafone. It’ll cost a bit though.

6. HappyPuppy says:

   April 6, 2006 at 11:57 am

   Hi Damien,

   A note for those living in the Midlands Broadband blackspots, there’s a company called Last Mile Broadband http://www.lastmile.ie who provide wireless BB in the midlands. Extremely expensive compared to fixed line BB but then beggars can’t be choosers.

   They have pretty good coverage of the Westmeath, Offaly area and beyond.

   Regards!

7. Holstein says:

   April 7, 2006 at 11:10 am

   Had Vodafone Mobile card for use in Lucan, Dublin and Bishopstown, Cork. Worked a treat until near Christmas. Upgraded to 3G, which worked brilliant till Feb, then kept crashing in both locations. After talking to Vodafone (very helpful and efficient) they have switched me back to GRPS – too many people using 3G for current network, they said. Expensive way to connect, but ideal in my case because (1) work laptop and (2) u sing frommultiple locations (3) not downloading heavy content (mostly emails).

   Thanks for super list.

8. Rich says:

   April 7, 2006 at 12:56 pm

   Hi Damian,

   Got ripwave up in Sandyford, ticknock, so close to their transmitter. Straight forward setup and install.. Was superbly fast for 24-48 hours and then barely able to connect,, device itself remains showing the same signal strengt and quality as before the bandwidth vanished, but although the Lease is obtained for the IP address there is 0.02% network utilisation and can’t browse to any site, or ping any address from the command prompt.

   Judging by peoples reactions to the support lines offered I am not going to frustrate myself further by calling their support lines…

   I know you are busy with so many posting so I don’t expect a long answer just your reaction – I have been on the web during my lunch breaks in work trying to see if there is some configuration problem with my machine that I can rectify.

   I am unfortunately not very competent with networking and configuration to call it and say it is my computer or the provider, Have reinstalled SP2 on XP machine and tried ipconfig/release /renew – can’t pickup a new address –
   I suppose there is no easy way to diagnose a compromised system, have noticed that Macfee is not working so that worries me.

   I know its said that you get what you pay for and the ripwave is only 18.95 a month – but its essential that we have a good connection so I will go with a more expensive package if necessary – we have no phone line in the appartment so that’s why we tried Irish Broadband ripwave….

   Would appreciate any advice on this.

   Thanks a lot,
   like the site!

   Rich.

9. Alan says:

   April 10, 2006 at 4:08 pm

   when are they going to have 3 in 1 ie tv phone and broadband for 1 flat rate?-eircom rip me off with their flat rate on phone bills (I barely use the phone)I want to spread it over broad band and tv- I believe you can get it in other countries

10. Tech man says says:

    April 10, 2006 at 8:45 pm

    Damien did list most of the providers, but don’t get to excited. Wait until you try to get signed up for broadband especially if you live out in the countryside. I have wireless Broadband myself and work in IT. I have also set-up quite a lot and the download & upload speeds that are stated by the companies never come close to what you really get. Truth is broadband is crap in Ireland, People from USA/ Canada/ Europe can’t believe the lack of roll out.
    The next list Damien should compose is that of satisfaction with broadband availability in this country. Satellite Broadband in many schools now is a joke with most schools enjoying dial up speeds. Wireless Broadband is unpredictable and is down just when you need it.
    Anyone who works with broadband in this country especially in rural areas need to make their voice heard.
    We really are way behind when it comes to broadband.
    Its easy to compose a list but hard to get broadband in ALL parts of the country.

11. Rich says:

    April 11, 2006 at 1:21 pm

    Yep, in Belgium Belecom offer TV, Phone and Broadband on 1 line, Have heard 4 in 1 is on the way too ( Digital TV I think.. ) – but that may be because their government didn’t sell off their telecoms infracture to another country … I wonder why? Perhaps cause they have some forward thinking people in government … Your man from ‘The Last word’ is still waiting to get Noel Dempsey T.D back on the show to explain what is going on … woouldn’t fancy his job right now …

12. Cormac Champion says:

    April 11, 2006 at 11:35 pm

    Just about to take the Broadband plunge – finally. It appears as though Eircom have been doing major work on their network in the past two months with dozens of Exchanges being enabled, probably due to the bad press over the last month or two, although this type of work doesn’t just happen (see news on http://www.eircom.ie) and has probably been planned for months.

    I am connected to the Dublin Ballyroan (Rathfarnham Area) exchange and I believe Eircom upgraded it in the last week or so to upgrade the distance threshold from 4.5km to about 5.5km. My line now passes as do many of my neighbours who had also failed previously. I have no idea as to whether other exchanges will follow suit or maybe they have been completed already.

    With this whole new traunch of possible customers, maybe prices might fall – we live in hope.

    Cormac

13. Killian says:

    April 13, 2006 at 5:05 pm

    I have been on Eircom Broadband (2MB) for over a year – excellent, loving the speed and convenience of wifi but getting a bit bitter about the whole line-rental! Seriously considering switching to NTL (hell I’m using them for TV!) – Anyone any problems with NTL??

14. mike k says:

    April 14, 2006 at 11:01 am

    A really useful resource Damien. Well done and Thanks. Just for other people’s info, I’m on the Rathmines exchange, and despite having a verification form from Smart dated March 2005 I’m still being told that they can’t give me a connection. Further investigation revealed that they don’t even have a POP in Rathmines, yet they’re still promising connection 2006. Yeah, right! Their offering looks great, but talk is cheap.

15. Artane Adam says:

    April 20, 2006 at 3:50 pm

    Does anyone have any good advice on which wireless router to buy and which routers are compatible with different suppliers? I’m getting Magnet broadband any day now (so they tell me!) and want the best wireless router I can to go with it. The Magnet sales team told me to speak with Technical services who would give me advice – they told me i got one in the package. I then rang sales again who told me I definately don’t get a wireless router delivered in the package. I’ve been in broadband limbo for the last 6 weeks now waiting for someone to connect me so when I do I can’t be arsed to find the new wireless router I’m about to buy doesn’t get along with Magnet!

    Please help – very stressed about this broadband business!

    Addam

16. Mary says:

    April 28, 2006 at 3:34 pm

    Hi,

    Magnet tell me that my exchange (Sutton) is enabled but that my line quality is poor and is only suitable for isdn (never had it). Smart on the contrary tell me that my exchange is not enabled but that my line quality is fine and suitable for broadband. I think I am missing something……help

17. Damien Mulley » Blog Archive » Broadband choices post updated says:

    May 5, 2006 at 12:11 am

    […] I’ve added a map and a few more bits of advice to the broadband choices in Ireland post. It’s one of the most visited pages on this site. I’ve written one or two pieces for print media which had their foundations on the broadband choices post and once they’re published I’ll edit the post to add more advice and more details. Technorati Tags: blogs broadband coverage ireland irelandoffline irish irishblogs […]

18. Paul says:

    May 6, 2006 at 11:05 am

    Super stuff. For a complete non techie like me this is really helpful.

    Do you have any info on Cinergi ?

19. Con says:

    May 11, 2006 at 12:13 am

    Thanks,very helpful,unfortunately although I’m very close to a bb enabled exchange my line is unsuitable and we’ve no line of sight for the wireless thingy.I worked for AOL (*cringe-I know,I know) a few years back.I remember in the UK people were able to petition BT to enable their local exchanges,basically they had to get a “magic” number of names and BT would get on the case,ever heard of Eircom doing this?

20. Damien says:

    May 11, 2006 at 12:22 am

    Why is it unsuitable? What reason was given? If it is because you are on a carrier then it seems eircom may remove it for you. The trigger programme you mention was carried out by eircom previously and was total bullshit. They’ve since scrapped it. They do not appear to be upgrading any more exchanges anymore.

    Where are you located?

21. Paul says:

    May 11, 2006 at 10:23 pm

    No broadband in rural MAYO. I am on the sligo, roscommon border.. and there is little chance of ADSL.. As im too far from a main town.. 3.5 miles.. i do not have line of sight for WIRELESS.. so my only option is SATELLITE.. but the set up costs are near on 1500 Euros.
    I think its a disgrace that Ireland is a very prosperous country nowadays.. but the digital services are a DISGRACE.. even in the main cities they are hardly the speed of UK or European service providers…
    Can we have some company, ie US, UK, European.. coming into Rural Ireland and give us the service we crave!!

22. oisin mcguigan says:

    May 12, 2006 at 11:23 am

    Hi guys,

    Stay well clear of Irish Broadband, they are useless in every category that the word applies to here. Cowboys of the WLAN world! words cannot express how much I hate them and Cork City is united on how bad they are! Regtel are doing nothing about it! At this stage they should lose their licence in my opinion!

23. Mike Heelan says:

    May 16, 2006 at 7:57 pm

    Hi all,

    if anyone wants to find out about Smart Telecom Broadband in Limerick please e-mail limerick@smarttelecom.ie and we will get you sorted,

    Rgds,
    Mike

24. Eric says:

    May 18, 2006 at 10:32 am

    Excellent information Damian !!!!
    Is there any coverage in Enfield, Co. Meath
    Thanks in advance !

25. Ryan C says:

    May 18, 2006 at 5:55 pm

    Anyone know when NTL Will enable south circular road(dublin8) for broadband?

26. Ellen says:

    May 20, 2006 at 4:34 pm

    i only use the internet at weekends when i come home but i have no idea what is the best package. the house has an eircom phone line and i just need a recomendation. week end usage only but i want fast!! can you help?

27. Rob says:

    May 22, 2006 at 2:12 pm

    I subscribed to Irishbroadband, living out in Citywest- They installed an Antenna on the roof, straight thru cable from the roof into the house- into a wee black box and then ethernet cable. I get 1MB for 35 a month- nothing like 1MB, the service was okay at the start, now it’s shit to say the least, New housing estates are popping up all over the kip so there’s probably a lot more subscribers and the whole ratio thing starts happening, I’d go for a wired solution as far as the house and then go wireless, so unbundeling the phone line sounds like a plan- they got me with the ole 12 month contract though. Also avoid NTL’s service like your life depends on it

28. Louise says:

    May 22, 2006 at 3:35 pm

    Rob why avoid NTL? I was about to subscribe…..

29. Aaron says:

    May 23, 2006 at 6:33 pm

    I have the Irish Broadband 1MB option and I have to say it’s fairly rubbish for the money. Can anyone suggest a better service – I went with this because you didn’t need a phoneline. Also, can you get out of the Irish Broadband 12 month contract easy? Thanks in adavance

30. Brian says:

    May 30, 2006 at 2:10 pm

    Excellent compilation !

    The reference to BT “Notorious for having a shitty billing service.” is an important warning message to anyone selecting a service provider.

    Most companies have a billing or accounting department. BT has a big dark cloud for billing, account receivables, customer support and complaints service.

    The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) did a great job mediating 18 months of billing disputes.

    I signed up the 3 months free trial, plus 1 free for subscribing the service. Flat rate for dial-up was billed during the “free trial”. Worse, broadband was charged as well.

    I moved to another provider after the dispute. The notes found here were very helpful.

    Thanks Damien and everyone who noted the pros and cons of respective ISP!

31. Maeve says:

    June 9, 2006 at 8:13 am

    Hi Damien
    Fantastic blog and great info.

    Back in Ireland after sometime in OZ where local dial-up is about 56Kbps! Here in sunny Youghal, Co.Cork dial -up is as low as 7.2 Kbps and never greater than 16.8Kbps!!! unreal……. Good job we have a beach….

    Any info on Chorus? They may be like NTL whit the TV thingy??
    Keep up the blog and THANK YOU for the plain English.

32. Susan says:

    June 10, 2006 at 7:23 pm

    Hi Damien

    Came across your site while going through a google search list. Very imformative.

    I’ve was looking at going to BT but was concerned about the no bill policy, glad i didnt now.

    Smart isnt available where I am, but I was looking at Perlico. Do you have any information on them?

    I had a quick look at their site, but couldnt work out if you have to take their home phone package as well, and whether you have to change your number?

    Hope you can help

33. Carlo Brondi says:

    June 14, 2006 at 6:33 pm

    Hi Damien,
    I’m a student and i’ll stay in Ireland for few months, can you tell me the best short time company?

    Many thanks

34. J-Sport says:

    June 21, 2006 at 11:34 am

    Very informative article, I was using it as a source while talking to my brother on the phone advising him on the different broadband services. I still hear a lot of complaints about IBB around forums, I’m surprised that they’re still allowed to advertise. Like someone mentioned they should get their license taken away for such pitifull service. Friend of mine had trouble cancelling his monthly payments to IBB because he could never get through to customer service. They eventually did take if off him though a day after they realised that his credit card was cancelled and he hadn’t paid for the last month. Typical.
    Hate to sound like a walking advertisement ( well I had my share of viral marketing ) but I’m satisfied with Smart, I think you get a pretty good deal from them.

35. Damien Mulley » Blog Archive » Updated Broadband Choices Post again says:

    July 4, 2006 at 8:38 pm

    […] The Broadband Choices/Prices in Ireland post has been updated and new prices and products added. When a little more information is available about the new Vodafone 3G package comes out, I’ll update the pricing/products/choices post. Technorati Tags: blogs broadband ireland irelandoffline irish irishblogs […]

36. liam noonan says:

    July 5, 2006 at 11:32 am

    Hi Damien,

    Premier broadband http://www.premierbroadband.net is a Tipperary Company that offers wireless broadband across Tipperary. At the moment customers are being offerred 1 mb up and down for 35 incl VAT or 30 if they applied under the community broadband scheme. Installation is 200 euro. Since they went live with their network a few months ago the service is reliable. The CPE’s are owned by Premier and they replace them if they cause problems. They do not allow peer to peer file sharing apps to be used.

    Coverage areas are listed on this page http://www.premierbroadband.net/coverage.html

    Regards

    Liam

37. David Walsh says:

    July 10, 2006 at 4:26 pm

    Hi, Damien,

    Great list. I am torn between NTL and Eircom for 1st braodband connection at home. Low usage. Most other companies wont do it because I have an eircom phonewatch alarm.

    Any suggestions.

38. Alex says:

    July 13, 2006 at 9:03 am

    Perfect. I’m only here for 6 months and they wont give me contract broadband without a bank account over here. THe bank wont open an account without a utility bill. Looks like Ripwave is the answer. Fantastic information, thank you.

39. Clodagh says:

    July 13, 2006 at 4:09 pm

    Thanks for the list. A question. I want to sign for broadband with imagine, but have a monitored alarm from eircom. Imagine say I need a separate phoneline for the broadband, Eircom say they can install a gadget that splits the line that will allow the braodband and alarm to operate off the same line. If this is the case, will the rate at which the broadband operates be compromised?

40. Clodagh says:

    July 18, 2006 at 11:18 am

    Hi All has anyone any experience with Digiweb Metro Wireless BB? I’m thinking of signing up. Torn between that and BT Ireland DSL. Any views?

41. Anne says:

    July 20, 2006 at 11:10 pm

    Perlico is not on your list, is there a reason for this? Only option in my area is Eircom but Perlico says they can provide. Any advice would be most helpful.

    Anne

42. kieran says:

    July 22, 2006 at 2:44 pm

    clodagh , i just had a visit from smart telecom 45.99 per month including line rental, all calls day and night, 3mb broadband and router (140 euro for a wireless one) eircom will install a splitter in the phonewatch system for 80 euro

43. Paul Power says:

    July 25, 2006 at 10:44 pm

    Hi,

    my 2cs worth. I’m with UTV and when the service works it’s great but have just finished my years contract and when I asked what I need to do to switch to the lower prices that they’re charging new customers I was told tough ! Those prices are for new custom only and the operators on the billing helplines do not have the authority to change that. I asked if there was anything they could do for me before I cancelled my account and was promised that my case would be escalated and someone would respond by email – surprise, no email after 5 days.

    Considering the prices they advertise are half what I’m paying this is ridiculous customer service.

    cheers,

    Paul

44. david cassidy says:

    July 25, 2006 at 11:40 pm

    JESUS, tHERE’S NOTHING IN THIS GREAT LIST FOR THE POOR OLD CULCHIES LEAVING IN THE OUTBACK! A FRIEND FROM AUSTRALIA ADVISES THAT EVEN IN THE MOST REMOTE AREAS BROADBAND CAN BE GOT!! hAVE YOU ANY OPTIONS FOR THE 30% YOU SAY CANNOT GET BROADBAND. LOOKING AT THE MAP I WOULD RECKON ITS MORE LIKE 60%+. wHAT ABOUT SATALITE CAN THIS NOT BE INCL IN YOUR LIST?

45. emon says:

    July 26, 2006 at 4:18 pm

    Hi

    I just moved to Athlone from Sweden and I’m still not sure how the whole Broadband thing works in Ireland. In Sweden most houses have an outlet for internet which is open to all providers. All you need to do is to pick a provider and they will put you online in a couple of days. So I want to ask a couple questions (they might sound stupid!) about the broadband services here. My house doesn’t have any fixed telephone line. So if I want to go for say Smarttelecom’s offer, do I need to get an eircom connection or can I signup for Smarttelecom’s bundle offer which includes their fixed telephone line? And how about Irish Broadband’s service in Athlone? Can someone shed some light on that?

46. Fact Checker says:

    July 31, 2006 at 8:51 am

    i see that BT Ireland have started advertising heavily a 45 euro service for 1mb broadband, line rental and free local/national/UK landline calls. i wonder will eircom bite back? and is the BT service good? i’m tempted….

47. Damien says:

    July 31, 2006 at 10:27 am

    Fact Checker: BT have terrible billing problems but once you are signed up the product itself is very good technically. Just make sure to check your online bills all the time and that they have started billing you. Lots of peopel aren’t billed for a year and then get a massive bill.

    Emon: Yes, you have to get eircom to install the line and sign up with them, then you have to switch to Smart. See comments above about Irish Broadband.

    David Cassidy: Satellite is not broadband. It is inferior and costs over a grand to install and from €99 to €300 a month for a two-way service.

    Anne: Perlico and others are not on the list. No guarantees that every company is covered. I’ll add them during the next update.

48. Fact Checker says:

    July 31, 2006 at 6:41 pm

    thanks for your help damien, much appreciated. seeing all the services lined up like this is excellent and makes comparisons easier. while the procrastinator in me says stay with eircom, it may be time for a change!

49. Drew Reid says:

    August 2, 2006 at 12:47 pm

    Cheers Damien, great list you’ve made up and it gets to the point quick and fast. Just one query though, i’m looking into getting that 6mb down/512kb up deal from Chorus. You stated that the contention ratio is 17:1, am i seeing things? That’s great news if it is as the idea that only a max no of 17 peeps may be using it at any one time (which is unlikely) sounds like a real winner. I’m only really going for it for online gaming and that sounds like the most affordable at 40 euro a month. So do you think it’s a wise choice??, anyone care to comment on it please do as any feedback would be greatly appreciated – Cheers again!

50. Colin Lyons says:

    August 8, 2006 at 1:01 pm

    Can anyone comment on the Last Mile service in midlands? I’m tired of waiting for Eircom to enable the exchange so am thinking of signing with Last Mile in Laois.