1.5m premises can access full fibre broadband
This week 183,605 homes and businesses in Cork and 1.5 million premises nationally are now connected to full fibre broadband.
open eir’s fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband network hit this significant milestone on Monday as part of its €66 million programme investment in the county.
More than 4 million people across Ireland can access ultrafast full fibre connectivity, cementing Ireland’s status as one of Europe’s most digitally connected nations, according to open eir.
More than 54,000 kilometres of fibre has now been laid by open eir, linking urban centres, villages and remote communities, underscoring the company’s long-term commitment a digitally empowered Ireland. Backed by eir’s €2 billion multiyear investment in fibre and 5G, this rollout ensures the country’s networks keep pace with the evolving needs of citizens, businesses and public services.
When open eir completes its fibre rollout, the largest broadband build ever undertaken in Ireland, alongside National Broadband Ireland’s delivery to remaining rural areas, Ireland will achieve truly ubiquitous fibre connectivity. This nationwide infrastructure is a cornerstone of economic competitiveness, regional development and public service delivery, ensuring every community can participate fully in the digital economy.
Patrick O'Donovan, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport said: “This is a major milestone for Ireland and a clear sign of the progress we are making in building a truly connected country. Passing 1.5 million homes and businesses with full fibre means more people, in every part of Ireland, can access fast, reliable connectivity that is now essential for work, education and daily life. Crucially this is about more than speed, it’s about opportunity. It supports regional development, enables remote working, and ensures our communities can compete and thrive.”
Oliver Loomes, CEO of eir, added: “Passing 1.5 million homes and businesses with full fibre is a hugely significant moment for eir and reflects years of sustained investment in Ireland’s digital future. This network is already transforming how people work, learn and do business in county Cork, providing the reliability, speed and resilience that modern life demands.
“Crucially, this milestone is a testament to the dedication and skill of our teams across the country, who have delivered one of the most ambitious fibre builds in Europe. Their commitment has created lasting infrastructure that will serve Ireland’s communities and economy for decades to come.”
Maeve O’Malley, Managing Director of open eir Wholesale, said: “Fibre is faster, more resilient and more energy efficient, and it is central to Ireland’s climate and digital ambitions. By combining our nationwide fibre rollout with 99% 5G population coverage, we are building a platform for innovation, productivity and regional development that will benefit communities for decades to come.”
Delivering up to 5 Gigabit (5Gbps) speeds to all wholesale partners, open eir’s FTTH network aims to set the standard for performance and dependability across homes and workplaces. Outperforming ageing technologies with superior speeds, minimal latency and top-tier uptime, fibre also cuts energy use and servicing costs. 30 retail providers on the open eir network give Irish consumers abundant choices in plans and suppliers.
Delivering a fibre‑first Ireland, aligned with national and EU Digital Decade goals, will provide the resilient, future‑proofed connectivity required to support enterprise growth, remote working and emerging technologies such as AI and the Internet of Things.