Frequently Asked Questions
FIBRE FACTS
What is fibre and how does it differ to other types of broadband?
Fibre broadband is a type of high-speed broadband that uses fibre optic cables to connect your premises directly to one of NBI’s regional or local exchanges. These fibre cables are far superior to standard copper cables or wireless services. Fibre-optic lines use pulses of light to transmit information. The gigabit speeds offered by fibre are not limited by the line’s capacity. As devices continue to evolve and speeds inevitably get faster, fibre will ramp up and meet the new demand. This means the speed potential with fibre is almost limitless, meaning the potential of the end user is limitless too!
What broadband speeds will be available on the NBI network?
The NBI™ network is being delivered over the very latest fibre broadband technology, meaning every line is future proofed to deliver up to 10Gb speeds directly into your home or business. With initial speeds of 2Gb and with a minimum speed of 500Mb, our network will be ready to grow as your data needs do. Greater connection for everyone in the country will soon be just a click away.
ROLLOUT
Where can I find out if my premises is included in the National Broadband Plan?
We are bridging the digital divide between urban and rural areas by guaranteeing access to broadband with speeds that will make working, learning and communicating from home possible. To find out if your home or business is included in the rollout of the National Broadband Plan, click here to search your premises using your Eircode or address.
When will I be connected?
NBI’s commitment to delivering high-speed fibre broadband to over half a million homes, schools, farms and businesses is underway. We are bringing you all on this journey to a more connected, equitable world but it will take some time. To find out when your premises is estimated to be ready for connection, click here. All you need to do is pop in your Eircode or address. We regularly update our website to show the latest estimated connection dates. Of course due to the complexity and scale of this undertaking, dates are subject to change, so please bear with us. To get the latest updates for your premises, we recommend signing up for notifications here.
GETTING CONNECTED
How long will it take to connect every premises?
At NBI we are busy sowing the seeds that will grow our future by laying the framework for nationwide fibre broadband. This ambitious project to deliver high-speed broadband to over half a million homes, schools and businesses is underway and we are committed to its fruition. However the scale of it means it will take some time to deliver. We aim to have completed the network build within 7 years. But the journey doesn’t end there for us. We will continue to add to and upgrade the network, and connect new homes or premises built in the rollout area, over the next 25 – 35 years. We are in this with you for the long haul.
Placed an order or already connected?
NBI offers broadband service providers access to our high-speed fibre broadband network, so they can provide broadband to customers like you. So, if you have already placed an order, or if you have already connected to the NBI™ network and you have a connection or service query, your best route is to contact your retail service provider directly.
What are my options while I await the NBI rollout?
We are radically changing the broadband landscape across the country to ensure that every man, woman, and child has access to high-speed broadband, no matter where they live or work. It’s quite an incredible but if we haven’t got to your home yet, we will be there soon. In the meantime you can visit www.comreg.ie to explore interim solutions while you wait for the rollout of the NBI™ network, Ireland’s new high-speed fibre broadband network to your area.
Can I buy broadband service from NBI?
We are busy rollout out the network that will allow increased access and usage of broadband infrastructure in rural areas (and the amenities, digital skills, online education, and job search opportunities that come with it).
It is our responsibility to design, build and operate the NBI™ network, however, we do not sell broadband directly to homes or businesses. Click here to find a list of retail service providers that will connect you to the NBI™ network once your premises is ready for service.
I have placed a pre-order what happens next?
Pre-order is a way to place an order ahead of the final completion of the NBI™ network in your area. Once the area is ready for connection the pre-order will convert to an order automatically, so you don’t need to do anything except wait for us to contact you to confirm your install appointment. So, sit tight and get ready to grow, connect and be part of a happier, healthier and more sustainable Ireland.
I have placed an order what happens next?
Once you have chosen your broadband service provider and placed an order with them, the next step is to arrange a date and time for your installation. We will contact you to confirm an install appointment to connect you to the NBI network and the rest is up to you. Your future is limitless!
My question isn’t listed, where can I find out more?
If your query has not been answered, we’d love to hear from you. Please can get in touch with our contact centre team by emailing contactus@nbi.ie or calling the team at 0818 624 624. We are there to assist you from Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm.
BROADBAND CONNECTION POINTS
What can BCPs be used for?
Each BCP will have up to 150Mb high-speed broadband, with indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi access for anyone who needs it in the local community. BCPs can be used for any kind of personal or business use from work to study or social activities. They are currently used as remote work and study hubs, for the delivery of eHealth and in-person health services, for arts and culture activities, and for skills training and educational courses.
LANDOWNER PERMISSION PROCESS
I have received an NBI drop card in my letter box, what does this mean?
1. This means that an NBI representative has called to your home and is seeking to contact you. A call-out usually occurs where NBI is seeking to connect you or others in your area to the broadband network. In these instances, access may be needed over your land to facilitate the connection. Please contact the number and/or email address provided on the drop card and at point 6 below. If no contact is made by you, another NBI representative will call around to your house at the next available opportunity
I have sought a connection, what permissions will NBI need from me as a landowner?
2. Where you have contacted one of our broadband service providers regarding a connection, they may seek for you to sign a permission agreement if a pole needs to be erected on your lands to facilitate that connection. The permission agreement can be found on the policies page of our website and it should tell you all you need to know about why your permission is required and what you are agreeing to.
I have not sought a connection, but NBI want permission to carry out works on my land to enable the connection of others, what does this mean?
3. In certain instances, NBI may need your permission to access and/or carry works on your lands to facilitate the connection of others. In these instances, we ask that such landowners sign a permission agreement. The permission agreement can be found on the policies page of our website and it should tell you all you need to know about why your permission is required and what you are agreeing to. For the avoidance of any doubt, landowners are under no obligation to grant permission to NBI. In the absence of your permission, we will endeavour to redesign our works away from your property, but please note that this may affect our ability to connect you and/or other homeowners in your area to the broadband network
Will NBI attempt to access my property or lop trees or vegetation on my land without my consent?
4. No. As per point 3 above, we will only access your property with your express permission, and we will not attempt to lop or cut back any tree or vegetation on your property without your permission either.
Will NBI compensate landowners for placing a pole(s) on my property?
5. NBI does not pay compensation to landowners for siting new poles on the edges of property boundaries given the fact that the new poles do not interfere with the use or enjoyment of the land and therefore do not diminish the value of the land.
How do I withdraw my permission or report an issue with the permission process?
6. If you are no longer happy with the permission that you have granted to NBI, please contact us on 0818 624 624 or by email at contactus@nbi.ie. You can also report any issues or queries you may have regarding the permission process to the number or email address provided.
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