Is internet down in my area today ?

Fixed-line broadband in Ireland: infrastructure, providers & common issues

Ireland’s fixed broadband network is served by multiple infrastructure operators, with Open Eir and Virgin Media being the two main ones.

• Open Eir (a subsidiary of Eir) owns the largest legacy and fibre access network. It provides DSL and FTTH access to retail providers like Eir, Vodafone, Sky, Pure Telecom, Digiweb, and others.
• Virgin Media operates its own cable broadband network (based on DOCSIS hybrid fibre-coaxial technology) primarily in urban and suburban areas.
• SIRO (a joint venture between Vodafone and ESB) provides gigabit FTTH connectivity in selected towns and cities, used by Vodafone, Sky, Digiweb, and others.
• National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is rolling out FTTH in rural areas under a state-funded plan, supporting wholesale access for most ISPs.

Overall, Ireland’s fixed network is diverse but fragmented. According to ComReg, the national telecom regulator, the market is resilient but still facing challenges with rural coverage, outdated copper lines, and installation delays in new-build homes. NBI’s rollout is improving coverage in underserved zones.

Outages in fixed networks are typically caused by:

• Faulty in-home wiring or modem issues
• Scheduled maintenance or unplanned faults in the local loop
• Regional fibre cuts or power outages
• Congestion or DNS/routing faults from the ISP side

Mobile networks and availability

Mobile internet in Ireland is provided by three main mobile network operators (MNOs):

• Vodafone: strong rural and urban coverage with 4G and growing 5G footprint
• Three: extensive 4G and fastest-growing 5G rollout, also supports many MVNOs
• Eir: owns national 4G/5G infrastructure and operates digital brand GoMo

MVNOs like Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Clear Mobile, and 48 offer more affordable SIM-only plans, while using one of the three main networks for coverage.

According to ComReg reports, mobile internet coverage reaches over 98% of the population for 4G, but outages can occur due to:

• Local mast issues or maintenance
• Weather-related disruptions
• Congested network zones (festivals, urban cores)
• Device or SIM faults

5G is still expanding and may be patchy in rural or coastal areas.

What to do if your internet is down: step-by-step guide

If you’re experiencing issues with broadband or mobile data, follow these steps:

📶 For home broadband:

1. Restart your modem/router: Unplug for 30 seconds and plug back in.
2. Check other devices: Is it just your laptop, or are all devices affected?
3. Use mobile data to visit your provider's status page:

• Eir
• Vodafone
• Virgin Media
• Sky

1. Check ComReg’s service updates or Twitter for major incidents.
2. Inspect internal cables and wall sockets, especially in older homes.
3. Contact customer support if the outage lasts more than 30 minutes.

📱 For mobile data issues:

1. Toggle airplane mode, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back off.
2. Restart your phone and check if the signal improves.
3. Manually select your mobile network in device settings.
4. Check your provider’s app or website for current outages.
5. Test your SIM in another device to rule out phone faults.
6. Contact support if signal is lost for an extended period or only affects your number.

Still no internet? You may also report faults via ComReg’s Consumer Care Hub.