Over 420,000 premises can now order fibre broadband on the NBI Network

National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company delivering the Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP), has today announced that over 150,000 premises across Ireland are now connected to its high-speed fibre broadband network. There are now over 420,000 homes, farms and businesses that have been passed and can order an NBI fibre connection out of the 564,000 currently included in the NBP Intervention Area.  

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., marked the milestone at The Manor Field Adare, a community owned recreation facility and remote working hub in Co. Limerick.  

The rollout of NBI’s network will enter its final phase in 2026. All preliminary survey and design activities across the Intervention Area are now complete, and NBI has already surpassed its 2025 end-of-year target of 420,000 premises passed. The company expects to exceed 440,000 premises passed by year-end, keeping it firmly on track to complete delivery of the main infrastructure rollout by the end of 2026. 

More than 150,000 homes and businesses are now connected to the NBI network, with demand continuing to accelerate. In many areas where the network has been live for longer, take-up already surpasses 60%, reflecting strong national appetite for world-class fibre connectivity. 

The rollout of the National Broadband Plan has increased access to online healthcare and mental health supports, and it has also made it easier for rural and isolated communities to access government services.  

Ireland now ranks 5th in the EU’s Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI), up ten places over the past decade. A recent study by Telecommunications Industry Ireland estimated that digitally transacted output totalled €386 billion in 2024, accounting for 41% of all goods and services produced in Ireland and highlighting the critical importance of digital connectivity to the national economy.1

The impact of Ireland’s growing digital infrastructure is also visible in national employment trends. According to the CSO, employment has expanded by around 440,000 jobs – or 19% – since before the pandemic, with particularly strong growth outside Dublin. The West and Mid-West regions, where the National Broadband Plan rollout is most advanced, have seen employment rise by 21% and 25% respectively since 2019.2

The rise of remote and hybrid working, now adopted by over one-third of Irish employees, has also bridged the divide between urban and rural opportunity. Broadband access has enabled more people to live and work locally, helping to reinvigorate regional economies and support balanced national development. 

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, said: “Connecting 150,000 homes, farms, and businesses and surpassing our 2025 target of 420,000 premises passed under the National Broadband Plan represents real progress for Ireland’s digital future. These milestones show that our investment is making a tangible difference, giving communities the connectivity they need to learn, work, and grow.  

“The progress we are making builds momentum and is a clear demonstration of the Government’s long-term commitment to providing world-class connectivity to every part of the country. This is more than infrastructure, it’s an investment in Ireland’s future, growth, and equality of opportunity and will have a real and lasting impact across society.” 

TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have connected 150,000 homes, farms and businesses to our network. Take-up has been exceptional and continues to grow as the benefits of fibre connectivity become better understood.  

“Our focus now is finishing the main infrastructure deployment by the end of next year, as well as connecting more and more people to this life changing network. The work done so far puts us in an excellent position to achieve those goals. By the end of 2026, rural Ireland will have access to world-class digital connectivity, which will serve their needs for decades to come.” 

David McCourt, Founder and Chairman of National Broadband Ireland, said: “National Broadband Ireland is not only on time and on budget, but we’re proving that Ireland can deliver on its ambitious policy goal to get residents and businesses signed up to realise the benefits of high-speed fibre broadband. As we mark 150,000 connected customers on NBI’s world-class fibre network, we’re incredibly proud of the successful delivery of the National Broadband Plan and excited to see rural communities embrace new opportunities as a result of this game-changing infrastructure.” 

The Manor Fields in Adare, Co Limerick, is a community-owned amenity, that exemplifies how high-speed connectivity is helping rural communities thrive. The award-winning complex includes a floodlit all-weather astro pitch, full-size GAA and soccer pitches, and an all abilities playground. With the recent addition of its Pavilion building, the facility now also hosts a Remote Working Hub as part of the national Connected Hubs Network, offering dedicated desks, meeting rooms and a coffee shop for local entrepreneurs, freelancers and remote workers. 

The Manor Fields makes use of a dual fibre broadband connection from NBI, ensuring reliable high-speed connectivity throughout the facility. 

Barry O’Halloran, Chairman of The Manor Fields Adare, said: “Having high-speed fibre broadband from NBI has transformed what’s possible here at The Manor Fields. It means our remote working hub can operate smoothly every day, no matter the weather, and it’s given local people and small businesses a space they can truly rely on. Our goal has always been to make The Manor Fields a resilient, inclusive facility that serves every part of the community, and reliable digital connectivity is now a key part of that.” 

People living and working in the rollout area can connect to high-speed fibre broadband on the NBI Network through a choice of 50 different broadband providers actively selling on the network. Everyone can enter their Eircode on the NBI website, www.nbi.ie, to see if their home or business is included in the rollout, as well as seeing the broadband providers offering high-speed fibre connectivity in their area. 

All stats are correct as of 28 October 2025. For the latest stats on the NBI rollout, please see www.nbi.ie. The NBP Intervention Area currently stands at 564,000 premises, up from 537,000 at time of contract signing. 

1 Telecommunications Industry Ireland – Telecommunications: Enabling Ireland’s society and economy 

2 Budget 2026 Economic & Fiscal Outlook 

Photo caption: National Broadband Ireland (NBI) marks 150,000 connections under the National Broadband Plan; Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, T.D., is photographed at the Manor Fields in Adare with TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer, NBI, and David McCourt, Chairman, NBI. Photograph: Liam Burke/Press 22