Finding the best broadband deal in Ireland isn't just about the lowest monthly price—it's about what you'll actually pay over two years. Many providers offer cheap year-one pricing that doubles in year two. Here's our honest comparison.
Best Broadband Deals at a Glance
| Provider | Speed | Year 1 | Year 2 | 2-Year Total | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Telecom | 500Mb | €35 | €50 | €1,020 | Best value |
| Vodafone | 1Gb | €25 then €40 | €40 | €870* | Best speed deal |
| Eir | 500Mb | €29.99 | €75.99 | €1,272 | Widest coverage |
| Virgin Media | 500Mb | €35 | €70 | €1,260 | Fastest speeds |
| Sky | 500Mb | €35 | €64 | €1,188 | Best bundles |
| Digiweb | 150Mb | €40 | €45 | €1,020 | Best service |
*Vodafone: €25 for 6 months, €40 thereafter
The Price Jump Problem
Warning: Most broadband "deals" hide significant year-two price increases.
| Provider | Year 1 Price | Year 2 Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eir | €29.99 | €75.99 | +153% |
| Virgin Media | €35 | €70 | +100% |
| Sky | €35 | €64 | +83% |
| Pure Telecom | €35 | €50 | +43% |
Always calculate the 2-year total cost, not just the headline monthly price.
Additionally, Eir, Vodafone, and Virgin Media apply annual CPI + 3% increases to existing customers, meaning your bill rises every year even during your contract.
#1: Pure Telecom — Best Overall Value
500Mb for €35/month (year 1), €50/month (year 2) 2-year total: €1,020
Pure Telecom is Ireland's best-value broadband provider. They're 100% Irish-owned, have won multiple awards, and offer straightforward pricing without the extreme year-two jumps.
What you get:
- 500Mb fibre (or 1Gb for €45/€60)
- Unlimited downloads
- Free installation
- 12-month contract
- Irish customer support
The good:
- Lowest 2-year cost for fibre
- No CPI price increase clauses
- Award-winning customer service
- Available on multiple networks (Open Eir, SIRO, NBI)
The catch:
- Year 2 still increases (€35 to €50)
- Less brand recognition than Eir/Virgin
- No TV bundles
Read our full Pure Telecom review
#2: Vodafone — Best Speed for Price
1Gb for €25/month (6 months), €40/month thereafter 2-year total: €870
Vodafone's current offer is excellent value—1Gb speeds for an effective €36/month average over 2 years.
What you get:
- 1Gb fibre (1000Mbps)
- Unlimited downloads
- GigaBox+ router
- 12-month contract
The good:
- Fastest speeds at this price point
- Strong network (SIRO in many areas)
- Bundle discounts if you have Vodafone mobile
The catch:
- Price jumps after 6 months (€25 to €40)
- CPI + 3% annual increases apply
- Availability depends on SIRO/Open Eir coverage
Read our full Vodafone broadband review
#3: Eir — Widest Availability
500Mb for €29.99/month (year 1), €75.99/month (year 2) 2-year total: €1,272
Eir owns most of Ireland's broadband infrastructure, meaning they're available almost everywhere. But their year-two pricing is brutal.
What you get:
- 500Mb fibre
- Unlimited downloads
- Off-peak landline calls
- 12-month contract
The good:
- Available at almost every address
- Low year-one price
- Own network means reliable installation
The catch:
- Year 2 price jump is massive (+153%)
- CPI + 3% annual increases
- Customer service reputation is mixed
Strategy: Take Eir's year-one deal, then switch to Pure Telecom or another provider before year two kicks in.
Read our full Eir broadband review
#4: Virgin Media — Fastest Speeds
500Mb for €35/month (year 1), €70/month (year 2) 2-year total: €1,260
Virgin Media offers Ireland's fastest broadband—up to 2Gb on their cable network. But they're not available everywhere, and prices double in year two.
What you get:
- 500Mb cable broadband (upgrades to 1Gb/2Gb available)
- Unlimited downloads
- WiFi guarantee
- TV bundle options
The good:
- Fastest speeds in Ireland (up to 2Gb)
- No landline required
- Good TV bundles
The catch:
- Limited coverage (cable network only)
- Price doubles in year two
- Customer service complaints are common
Read our full Virgin Media review
#5: Sky — Best for TV Bundles
500Mb for €35/month (year 1), €64/month (year 2) 2-year total: €1,188
Sky uses Eir and SIRO networks but adds their own TV packages. If you want broadband + TV, Sky often works out well.
What you get:
- 500Mb fibre
- Unlimited downloads
- Optional TV bundles (Sky Sports, Cinema, etc.)
- 18-month contract typically
The good:
- Best TV bundle options
- Uses reliable Eir/SIRO networks
- Good customer service reputation
The catch:
- 18-month contracts (longer than most)
- Year-two price increase significant
- Broadband-only is less competitive
Read our full Sky broadband review
#6: Digiweb — Best Customer Service
150Mb for ~€40/month (year 1), ~€45/month (year 2) 2-year total: ~€1,020
Digiweb is smaller but consistently wins customer service awards. If you value support over rock-bottom prices, they're worth considering.
What you get:
- Up to 1Gb fibre (speed depends on location)
- Fritz!Box router (highly rated)
- 12-month contract
- Irish-based support
The good:
- Award-winning customer service
- No hidden price jump clauses
- High-quality router included
- Available on SIRO and NBI networks
The catch:
- Speeds vary by location
- Less aggressive pricing than Pure Telecom
- Smaller provider, less brand recognition
Quick Comparison: 2-Year Total Cost
| Provider | Plan | Year 1 Total | Year 2 Total | 2-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vodafone | 1Gb | €390* | €480 | €870 |
| Pure Telecom | 500Mb | €420 | €600 | €1,020 |
| Digiweb | 150Mb | €480 | €540 | €1,020 |
| Sky | 500Mb | €420 | €768 | €1,188 |
| Virgin Media | 500Mb | €420 | €840 | €1,260 |
| Eir | 500Mb | €360 | €912 | €1,272 |
*Vodafone: €25×6 + €40×6 = €390 in year 1
Best Broadband by Situation
Best for Value: Pure Telecom
Lowest 2-year cost with good speeds and Irish support.
Best for Speed: Virgin Media
Up to 2Gb—fastest in Ireland—if you're in their coverage area.
Best for Rural: Digiweb or Imagine
Both serve areas where Eir/Virgin don't reach.
Best for TV Bundles: Sky
Best integration of broadband with premium TV packages.
Best for Mobile Bundles: Vodafone
Discounts if you're already a Vodafone mobile customer.
Best for Short-Term: Eir
Take the €29.99 year-one deal, switch before year two.
What Speed Do I Need?
| Household | Recommended Speed | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 people, light use | 100Mb | Browsing, streaming, video calls |
| Small family | 150-300Mb | Multiple streams, gaming, WFH |
| Large family | 500Mb | Heavy use, 4K streaming, multiple gamers |
| Power users | 1Gb+ | Large downloads, home servers, future-proofing |
Reality check: Most households don't need more than 300Mb. Gigabit speeds are nice but often overkill unless you're downloading huge files regularly.
How to Switch Broadband
- Check your contract end date — avoid early termination fees
- Compare 2-year costs — not just year-one prices
- Check availability — enter your eircode on provider websites
- Order from new provider — they handle the switch
- Wait for installation — typically 1-2 weeks
Full guide: How to switch broadband provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Which broadband provider is best in Ireland?
There's no single "best"—it depends on your location and priorities. For value, Pure Telecom. For speed, Virgin Media. For coverage, Eir.
Why does broadband get more expensive in year 2?
Providers use low introductory prices to attract customers, then increase to their "standard" rate. This is standard practice but poorly communicated.
Can I avoid price increases?
Switch provider before your year-two rate kicks in. Many people do this annually to always pay year-one prices.
Do I need a landline for broadband?
Not always. Virgin Media's cable network doesn't need one. SIRO fibre doesn't either. But Open Eir connections typically do (though you don't need to pay for phone service).
Is fibre available at my address?
Check by entering your eircode on any provider's website. Availability varies significantly by location.
Summary
Best overall value: Pure Telecom (€35/month, lowest 2-year cost)
Best for speed: Virgin Media (up to 2Gb) or Vodafone (1Gb deal)
Best for coverage: Eir (available almost everywhere)
Always remember: Compare 2-year total costs, not just headline prices. The "cheapest" deal often isn't cheapest over time.
Last updated: January 2026. Prices verified on provider websites.