Latest county milestone achieved as national deployment nears completion
National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Kerry County Council have today announced the completion of the National Broadband Plan (NBP)’s main infrastructure build works in Co. Kerry.
The milestone marks a major step forward for communities across the county, with high-speed fibre broadband now available to homes, farms, businesses and schools in areas that previously had no access to reliable, high-speed connectivity.
With the completion of the main NBI infrastructure rollout, Kerry becomes the sixteenth county to reach this milestone as the nationwide deployment moves into its final phase ahead of completion later this year.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley TD said: “The completion of the main National Broadband Plan rollout in Kerry is a hugely important milestone for our county and, most importantly, for the people and communities who will benefit from it.
“This €107 million Government investment has given 28,000 premises across Kerry access to high-speed fibre broadband. It will make a real difference for families, farmers and businesses, providing better access to education and services, supporting local enterprise and creating new opportunities across our county.
“Kerry is a large rural county and it is vitally important that people have the connectivity they need to live, work and build their futures here. The infrastructure delivered through the National Broadband Plan will be a lasting asset for the people of Kerry, supporting our communities and our local economy well into the future.”
To mark this milestone, Kerry County Council hosted a reception at St John’s Theatre and Art’s Centre in Listowel, featuring addresses from Minister Norma Foley; Cllr Jimmy Moloney, Leas Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council; Nicole Berkery, Principal Officer at the Digital Connectivity Office; Fearghal Reidy, Chief Executive of Kerry County Council; and Joe Lavin, Chief Commercial Officer of National Broadband Ireland.
There are approximately 28,000 premises in Co. Kerry that are included in the State’s Intervention Area, where NBI is delivering minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second to homes, businesses, farms and schools. The rollout represents €107 million of Government investment in the county, with over 7,900 premises already connected to the network.
Leas Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Jimmy Moloney, said: “The completion of the main National Broadband Plan rollout is a major achievement for Kerry, bringing reliable, high-speed connectivity to communities across the county. The Black Valley shows just how significant this investment is. One of the last places in Ireland to receive electricity in 1977, it welcomed its first NBI fibre connections in 2024, giving residents access to the same standard of broadband as people in our country’s largest towns and cities.
“That means greater choice for people who want to build their future in rural Kerry. Young people can pursue careers closer to home, farmers can make greater use of technology, and local businesses can reach new customers. These opportunities will help sustain our communities throughout the year and give the next generation more reasons to stay.”
Fearghal Reidy, Chief Executive, Kerry County Council, said: “Kerry’s landscape is central to its identity and delivering infrastructure across that terrain takes considerable work and required close coordination to protect our county’s natural beauty and heritage. The completion of the main county rollout is a significant achievement for everyone involved.
“For businesses, this network changes what is possible from a rural Kerry base. Small enterprises in tourism and hospitality, agriculture, ICT, fintech, and other sectors can serve customers globally. Alongside Kerry’s Digital Hubs, high-speed fibre broadband gives us a stronger basis for attracting investment and supporting year-round employment across the county.”
TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland said: “The completion of the main rollout in Kerry is a major milestone, with 28,000 homes, farms, businesses and schools now able to access the NBI network. I want to thank the Government, Kerry County Council and our delivery partners for their commitment and hard work in helping us reach this important milestone.
“Over 7,900 premises in Kerry are already connected, and I would encourage more households, farmers and businesses to experience the benefits of reliable, high-speed fibre broadband for themselves. Whether you are working from home, studying or growing a business, there is now an opportunity to make the most of this investment. Check your Eircode on the NBI website and contact your chosen broadband provider to arrange a connection.”
Across the country, more than 542,000 premises have now been passed by the NBI network, exceeding the 537,000 homes, farms and businesses included in the National Broadband Plan when the contract was signed in 2019. Throughout the rollout, a further 29,000 premises have been added to the Intervention Area, meaning the NBI network will ultimately provide access to high-speed broadband for approximately 566,000 premises nationwide.
To date, more than 197,000 premises have already connected to the network. In many areas where the network has been live for longer, take-up rates have already exceeded 60%, demonstrating strong demand for reliable, future-proof fibre connectivity. Communities across Ireland are now benefiting from broadband capable of supporting remote and hybrid working, online learning, digital health services, agri-tech innovation, tourism, and local enterprise development.
NBI is a wholesale network operator, meaning homes and businesses order broadband services through retail broadband providers rather than directly from NBI. Residents and businesses in NBI’s rollout area can check their Eircode on the NBI website to confirm availability, view the range of broadband providers offering services on the network, and place an order with their preferred provider.
