Cheapest Broadband Ireland 2026: True Costs Revealed
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 | 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 Broadband Deals Right Now
| Provider | Speed | Year 1 | Year 2 | 2-Year Total | |----------|-------|--------------|--------------|--------------| | Pure Telecom | 100Mb | €30 | €40 | €840 | | Pure Telecom | 500Mb | €35 | €50 | €1,020 | | Eir | 500Mb | €29.99 | €75.99 | €1,272 | | Vodafone | 1Gb | €25 then €40* | €40 | €870 | | Sky | 500Mb | €35 | €64 | €1,188 | | Virgin Media | 500Mb | €35 | €70 | €1,260 |
*Vodafone: €25 for first 6 months, €40 thereafter
Truly Cheapest: Pure Telecom
100Mb: €30/month (Year 1), €40/month (Year 2) = €840 over 2 years 500Mb: €35/month (Year 1), €50/month (Year 2) = €1,020 over 2 yearsPure 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
- Less brand recognition
- No TV bundles
- Speed depends on your location's network
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
Cheapest 100Mb Broadband
Pure Telecom: €30/month (Year 1), €40/month (Year 2) 2-year cost: €840100Mb is enough for most households with 1-3 people doing normal browsing, streaming, and video calls.
Cheapest 500Mb Broadband
Pure Telecom: €35/month (Year 1), €50/month (Year 2) 2-year cost: €1,020500Mb handles larger households, multiple 4K streams, gaming, and working from home simultaneously.
Cheapest 1Gb Broadband
Vodafone: €25/month (6mo), €40/month thereafter 2-year cost: €870Vodafone's gigabit deal is exceptional value—faster than competitors at a lower 2-year cost.
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: €780This 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 500MbStrategy 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 broadband overall: Pure Telecom (€30-35/month, lowest 2-year cost) Cheapest headline price: Eir (€29.99/month year 1—but expensive long-term) Cheapest high-speed: Vodafone 1Gb (€870 over 2 years) Key insight: Always compare 2-year total costs. The cheapest monthly price often isn't the cheapest over time.---
Last updated: January 2026---