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Frequently Asked Questions

Fibre Facts

What is the National Broadband Plan and what does Intervention Area mean?

The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government’s initiative to deliver high-speed, quality, affordable broadband services to all premises in Ireland. It is the largest ever telecommunications project undertaken by the Irish State and its objective is to radically transform the country’s broadband landscape. After the rollout of the NBP all parts of Ireland will have access to a modern and reliable broadband network, capable of supporting the communications, information, education and entertainment requirements of current and future generations.

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) to date has identified more than 564,000 premises (collectively known as the Intervention Area) across Ireland that require access to high-speed broadband.
NBI is designing, building and operating the network which will be paid for using a combination of State subsidy and commercial investment . The rollout area accounts for 23% of the population and will ensure that every citizen and business, regardless of how remote or rural – has access to high-speed broadband, so we can all progress together as a nation.

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.

Why am I not included in the National Broadband Plan?

If your home or business isn’t included in the rollout of the National Broadband Plan and you are getting connection speeds of 30Mb or less, there are steps you can take.

The first thing to do is to contact your current broadband service provider to find out why you are receiving slow broadband speeds or why a high-speed service can’t be provided. It might be the case that a different broadband service provider can offer broadband in your area, so it’s a good idea to contact a few. Contacting other providers will also help you find out whether they can provide you with the high-speed broadband service that you need.If you’ve carried out all of the above steps and you still can’t get over 30Mb from any broadband service provider, you can put in a query with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC). They will find out the answers for you. For more information on this step, please contact the National Broadband Plan division of DECC using this special Web Form.

I don’t have an Eircode, what should I do?

If you are still using your street name for your post and don’t actually know your Eircode yet, you can use this handy online Eircode Finder tool www.eircode.ie and search by address to get it. If there is no red dot over the location, it means no Eircode has been assigned. This is because either no address information or insufficient address information has been received.

If your address isn’t there, don’t panic. To be added to Geo Directory to receive an Eircode, contact An Post head office on eircode@anpost.ie with the following information:

  • Local reference Eircode (optional but will assist in the process)
  • Geo coordinates for your home or business. The coordinates can be found using the following link ◊ google.com/maps. When the location is found on the map, right click on the location and select ‘What’s here’ and the coordinates will appear at the bottom of the page.

When you’ve sent the above information to An Post, they will set about adding the address to Geo Directory and giving you the Eircode. We will then receive this update in the subsequent Geo Directory <> NBI Geo Directory update, bringing you a little bit closer to the super-fast broadband you’ve been dreaming of to get that business off the ground or see your grandchild for the first time over Zoom. 

What are the stages involved in the NBI rollout?

Surveying

You may have seen us out and about in your townland carrying out physical surveys. It involves going out on site to survey all the underground ducts serving homes and businesses in the planned coverage area.  

Design 

Our detailed design process confirms infrastructure that’s already there and what is needed, the power and footprint required to build the network, construction drawings, openeir works, Local Authority requirements, as well as cost analysis. 

Build

After the designs have been approved, pre-works begin, followed by the main works on the ground: readying existing infrastructure, upgrading and adding poles and ducts, laying fibre, preparing backhaul facilities, fulfilling Local Authority requirements and tree trimming. We then “pass” the premises with fibre, meaning the home or business can get connected to fibre broadband. 

Order your connection

You’re now just one step away from a connected future. When the build is complete, you can place an order, but make sure it’s with a broadband provider who is registered to sell on the NBI™ network. To help you find a provider in your area, check out our list of registered providers here [insert link]. If you’re signed up for notifications, we’ll let you know via email when your home or business will be ready for order.

Getting Connected – the Future is Limitless

Once you’ve shopped around and chosen your preferred broadband service provider, we will connect your premises on their behalf. And that’s it – the final step to accessing minimum speeds of 500Mb. But this final step is just the beginning of a lifetime of connection to one another and to the rest of the world.

To find out more about how the rollout works check out our rollout page here or our rollout video below.

Getting Connected

How will you connect to my property?

There are two methods we use to bring the NBI™ network to your premises once you have placed an order with your preferred retail service provider. Your retail service provider will let you know which method will be used for your premises. Both are explained below.

Overhead connection

Connection via an overhead cable from a telegraph pole near your home is the most common form of connection. If there isn’t one nearby, we may install a pole as part of the installation. 

Our dedicated engineers will then chat with you about where you would like the cable to go into your home and connect to your modem, which has already been supplied by your broadband service provider. They will then discretely run the cable to wherever you want it to be located, drill a small hole (approximately 10mm in size) install the cable and connect it to your modem, leaving you just a click away from a closer connection to your neighbourhood, the country and the wider world.

Underground connection

If an overhead connection isn’t possible for your home, or you already have some suitable underground ducting in place at your property, then the engineer may install the cable underground (including unblocking ducting if necessary). Once this is agreed, the engineer will discuss with you where you would like the cable to go into your premises. We will place a small NBI™ network unit on the wall inside your home or business. This then connects to the modem supplied by your preferred       broadband service provider.

Installation can take between 1 hour and up to two days. When you place your order with your broadband service provider, they will be able to advise you on a rough timeline and will give you an AM, PM or all day appointment slot so you can go about your business secure in the knowledge that your work and family life are about to get a whole lot easier. 

If you are building a new premises, or carrying out work on an existing one, we have published a guide for homeowners, builders, and architects with relevant information about the design and specifications for installing underground ducting. It’s available here

Installation times range from one hour to two days. When you place your order with your retail service provider, you will be advised on an estimated timeline. For anyone building a new premises, or carrying out work on an existing premises, NBI has published a guide to installing underground ducting which is available here

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!

Additional works needed for your connection

Every home is different and some require bespoke solutions when it comes to delivering your fibre cable. If you are experiencing a delay in your delivery, please know that we are doing our best to get to you as soon as possible. Please find additional information in the link below.

Find out more
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 are Broadband Connection Points?

Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are publicly accessible sites in areas that do not have adequate broadband services that have been selected to receive free WiFi.

At NBI, we aim to connect around 300 centres and locations across rural Ireland to give them access to high-speed broadband services. 

These BCPs will pave the way for rural communities to reap the benefits of broadband – from remote working to e-learning and digital tourism. The aim is to unlock the potential of communities across the country through increased connectivity, transforming how people all over Ireland live, work, learn and play. 
Each BCP will enable members of the public to access high-speed 150Mb broadband for use in the selected area. The locations of our BCPs have been chosen by the local authorities, and include public areas where people generally gather, such as community halls, libraries, sports facilities, enterprise hubs, tourist locations and other public spaces. You can find your nearest BCP here.

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.

What are the Schools Broadband Connection Points?

The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic meant schools became much more reliant on digital and online educational tools. To fully maximise new tools and technologies, there is a requirement for reliable, high-speed broadband connectivity. 
All primary schools in the Intervention Area (almost 700) will be connected to high-speed broadband under the National Broadband Plan (NBP). You can view the full list of schools and find out more here.

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.

Contact

If you have any other queries please get in touch.

Call: 0818 624 624

Email: contactus@nbi.ie

Media queries only: media@nbi.ie

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