1.5 Million Irish Homes and Businesses Gain Access to Full Fibre

Why It Matters

The expanded full‑fibre footprint strengthens Ireland’s digital competitiveness, enabling remote work, AI adoption and regional economic growth while fostering a competitive retail broadband market.

Key Takeaways

• 1.5 million Irish premises now have full‑fibre access
• Over 54,000 km of fibre laid, linking urban and rural areas
• Open eir’s €2 bn (~$2.2 bn) investment drives the rollout
• 30 retail providers on the network boost competition and pricing
• 5 Gbps speeds and 99% 5G coverage enable AI, IoT growth

Pulse Analysis

Ireland’s broadband landscape is undergoing a transformation as open eir reaches a critical mass of 1.5 million premises with full‑fibre connectivity. The deployment, now exceeding 54,000 km of underground cable, represents the largest wholesale fibre build in the country’s history. Backed by roughly $2.2 billion in capital, the network not only delivers gigabit‑class speeds to homes and businesses but also dovetails with a near‑universal 5G footprint, creating a hybrid infrastructure that can support data‑intensive applications such as cloud‑based AI, telemedicine, and the Internet of Things.

The commercial impact is immediate. With 30 retail providers operating on open eir’s open‑access platform, consumers benefit from heightened competition, broader plan choices, and potentially lower prices. Enterprises gain a reliable, low‑latency backbone essential for digital transformation initiatives, from remote work enablement to real‑time analytics. Moreover, the fibre rollout aligns with the EU’s Digital Decade objectives, positioning Ireland as a leading digital hub in Europe and attracting foreign investment that seeks robust, future‑proof connectivity.

Beyond speed, the fibre network contributes to sustainability goals. Fibre optics consume less energy per bit transmitted compared with legacy copper, reducing operational carbon footprints for both service providers and end‑users. As data traffic continues its exponential rise—highlighted in the eir Digital Ireland Report 2025—the expanded capacity will mitigate congestion, improve service reliability, and support the country’s climate‑friendly digital agenda. In sum, open eir’s milestone not only marks a technical achievement but also underpins Ireland’s broader economic, environmental, and innovation strategies.