First county completion milestones expected this summer 

National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company delivering the Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP), today marks World Telecommunication and Information Society Day by highlighting significant progress on Ireland’s largest telecommunications infrastructure project, and confirming the first part of its roadmap for the completion of main build works. 

With construction now at an advanced stage nationwide, NBI has confirmed that the main build of the fibre network remains on track for completion by the end of 2026, enabling high-speed broadband access for 566,000 homes, farms and businesses in rural Ireland, noting that this figure has increased by 29,000 – up from 537,000 at the time of contract signing. 

NBI expects that its network will continue to grow in the years ahead, as new premises are built and additional areas in rural Ireland are added to the State Intervention Area in which the company operates. Over time, NBI estimates that its network will reach approximately 600,000 homes, farms and businesses. 

The NBP is one of the most ambitious telecoms rollouts in Europe, involving the deployment of a high-speed fibre network across over 96% of Ireland’s landmass. The scale and complexity of the build – extending fibre to some of the most rural and remote locations – has required unprecedented levels of planning, engineering and stakeholder engagement. 

Since mobilisation in 2020, NBI has transformed connectivity across the country. High-speed fibre broadband is now available to hundreds of thousands of premises, enabling remote working, digital business growth, online education, and enhanced access to public services in communities that previously had limited or no high-speed connectivity. 

NBI’s crews continue to work in local communities nationwide, overcoming geographic and logistical challenges to ensure no premises is left behind. As the project enters its final phase, the focus is increasingly shifting from large-scale construction to network completion, activation, and customer connections. 

Speaking to mark World Telecoms Day, TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer of National Broadband Ireland, said: “World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is an opportunity to recognise the power of connectivity to transform lives and communities. At NBI, we are proud of the progress we have made in delivering the National Broadband Plan, one of the most significant infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the State, and we’re equally proud of the fact that this project is being delivered on time and on budget.” 

“We are now firmly in the final phase of the main build, with substantial completion in sight by the end of 2026. Each connection we make is a step toward closing the digital divide and ensuring every community in Ireland can fully participate in the digital economy.” 

The programme will see significant milestones marking the completion of the main build works in each county over the coming months – meaning that all premises in NBI’s rollout area (the State’s Intervention Area) will be able to place an order for a high-speed broadband connection on the NBI Network. Over the summer, the first county completion milestones will be achieved in seven counties: 

  • Kilkenny – June 2026 
  • Westmeath – June 2026 
  • Longford – June 2026 
  • Tipperary – July 2026 
  • Waterford – July 2026 
  • Meath – July 2026 
  • Dublin – July 2026 

As part of the final delivery approach, NBI will maintain a clear cadence of rollout milestones on a county-by-county basis throughout the remainder of 2026, providing greater visibility for communities awaiting connection. 

The impact of the NBP is already being felt across rural Ireland. TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland, continued: “With the national switch-off of the copper network approaching, NBI’s fibre network is ensuring communities across Ireland are prepared for the future by supporting remote working, education, healthcare access, and local enterprise, while providing the reliability needed for everyday living.” 

“As we enter the final stages of the National Broadband Plan rollout, we’re encouraging everyone to check their Eircode on nbi.ie and order now to secure high-speed fibre broadband for their home or business.”