Cheapest Broadband Ireland: True Costs Revealed (Live Prices)

From SmartSaver.ie, Ireland's independent comparison site. Prices and rates in this guide are checked daily.

Find Ireland's genuinely cheapest broadband from €30/month. We reveal hidden year-2 prices and calculate real 2-year costs.

By SmartSaver Team | Published 1 January 2026 | Updated 8 July 2026 | 6 min read

Topics: cheapest broadband ireland, cheap internet ireland, budget broadband, broadband prices

Looking for the cheapest broadband in Ireland? The headline prices don't tell the full story. Here's what you'll actually pay, including the year-two price jumps most providers hide. The cheapest plan right now is €25/month (three, 500Mb).

Prices and rates on this page update automatically from provider websites, checked daily. Correct as of 4 August 2026.

The Cheapest Broadband Deals Right Now (Live)

Provider	Plan	Speed	Standard Price	Promo Price	Contract
Three Ireland	3 Broadband Unlimited 5G Gold	500Mb	€25/mo	-	24 months
Three Ireland	3 Broadband Unlimited 5G Silver	500Mb	€25/mo	-	24 months
Vodafone	500 Mbps Full Fibre Broadband (24mo)	500Mb	€40/mo	€25/mo	24 months
Vodafone	1 Gbps Full Fibre Broadband (24mo)	1Gb	€40/mo	€25/mo	24 months
Sky Ireland	500Mb/s Ultrafast Plus	500Mb	€27.99/mo	-	12 months
Virgin Media	500Mb Broadband (12 month)	500Mb	€30/mo	-	12 months
Virgin Media	1Gb Broadband (12 month)	1Gb	€30/mo	-	12 months
Pure Telecom	Pure Full Fibre	100Mb	€30/mo	-	12 months

Live data from SmartSaver.ie, checked daily. Prices correct as of 2026-08-04. Full comparison: https://www.smartsaver.ie/broadband

Promo prices usually apply for the first 6-12 months of the contract; the standard price is what you pay after. Always compare the full-contract cost, not the headline.

*Vodafone: €25 for first 6 months, €40 thereafter

Truly Cheapest: Pure Telecom

Pure Telecom consistently tops the value ranking when you account for year-two pricing (check the live table above for their current prices and promos).

Pure Telecom offers Ireland's genuinely cheapest broadband when you account for year-two pricing. They're a 100% Irish-owned company with award-winning customer service.

Why Pure Telecom is cheapest:

Smallest year-two price increase (+33% vs Eir's +153%)
No CPI + 3% mid-contract increases
Transparent pricing
Available on multiple networks

The catch:

Less brand recognition
No TV bundles
Speed depends on your location's network

Read our Pure Telecom review

The Year-Two Trap

This is the most important thing to understand about Irish broadband pricing.

Most providers advertise their year-one promotional price. But after 12 months, prices jump dramatically:

| Provider | Year 1 | Year 2 | Price Increase | |----------|--------|--------|----------------| | Eir | €29.99 | €75.99 | +153% | | Virgin Media | €35 | €70 | +100% | | Sky | €35 | €64 | +83% | | Pure Telecom | €35 | €50 | +43% | | Vodafone | €40 | €40 | +0% (after initial 6mo promo) |

Eir looks cheapest at €29.99/month, but costs €1,272 over 2 years. Pure Telecom at €35/month costs only €1,020 over 2 years.

Always calculate the 2-year total.

Cheapest by Speed Tier

The live table above is sorted by effective price. Filter by your speed needs:

100Mb-class broadband

Enough for most households with 1-3 people doing normal browsing, streaming, and video calls. Usually the cheapest tier on the market.

500Mb-class broadband

Handles larger households, multiple 4K streams, gaming, and working from home simultaneously. Often only a few euro more than 100Mb on promo.

1Gb and faster

Gigabit deals are frequently priced very close to 500Mb plans during promotions, so check the live table, as the fastest plan is sometimes also the best value.

For a personalised ranking by speed tier, use the broadband comparison.

Budget Strategies

Strategy 1: Switch Every Year

Take the cheapest year-one deal (currently Eir at €29.99), then switch to another provider before year two.

Year 1: Eir €29.99/month = €360 Year 2: Switch to Pure Telecom €35/month = €420 2-year total: €780

This requires effort but saves money.

Strategy 2: Stick with Lowest 2-Year Cost

Choose Pure Telecom and stay put. Less hassle, still the best overall value.

2-year total: €1,020 for 500Mb

Strategy 3: Haggle at Year End

Call your provider before year two and threaten to leave. Many will offer retention discounts.

Success rate: Variable, but worth trying.

Hidden Costs to Watch

Installation Fees

Most providers offer free installation, but check:

Self-install vs engineer visit
New connection fees if no existing line
Router costs (usually included)

Contract Length

12 months is standard
Sky often requires 18 months
Early exit fees typically €100-200

Annual Price Increases

Eir, Vodafone, and Virgin include CPI + 3% clauses. Your bill increases every year even during your contract.

Equipment Rental

Some providers charge for router rental. Pure Telecom and Digiweb include routers free.

Cheapest Broadband by Situation

Cheapest for Light Users

Pure Telecom 100Mb: €30/month If you just browse and stream occasionally, 100Mb is plenty.

Cheapest for Families

Pure Telecom 500Mb: €35/month Best balance of speed and price for households.

Cheapest for Speed Seekers

Vodafone 1Gb: €36/month average Fastest speeds at a competitive 2-year cost.

Cheapest for Rural Areas

Imagine: ~€40/month If fibre isn't available, Imagine's fixed wireless is often the cheapest option.

What About Mobile Broadband?

If you can't get fixed broadband, mobile alternatives include:

| Provider | Price | Data | Notes | |----------|-------|------|-------| | Three 5G Broadband | €35/month | Unlimited | Where 5G available | | Vodafone 5G | €40/month | Unlimited | Where 5G available | | 48 Mobile | €12.99/month | 200GB | Use as hotspot |

Mobile broadband works for light use but isn't ideal for households with multiple heavy users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the absolute cheapest broadband in Ireland?

Pure Telecom's 100Mb plan at €30/month (year 1) is the cheapest fibre option. Over 2 years, it costs €840 total.

Is Eir's €29.99 deal worth it?

Only if you switch before year two. The €75.99 year-two price makes it expensive long-term.

Why is broadband so expensive in Ireland?

Limited competition (especially in rural areas), infrastructure costs, and providers knowing customers rarely switch after year one.

Can I get broadband for under €30/month?

Not for fibre. Mobile broadband alternatives might work cheaper for light users (48 at €12.99), but fixed fibre starts around €30.

Should I choose the cheapest or the fastest?

For most households, speed above 300Mb makes little practical difference. Choose the cheapest option that meets your actual needs.

Summary

Cheapest plan right now: €25/month (three, 500Mb). See the live table at the top for the full ranking. Key insight: Always compare full-contract costs. The cheapest promo price often isn't the cheapest over time, so check the standard (post-promo) price column before signing.

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