Imagine Broadband Review Ireland 2026: Wireless Internet Without Landline

Imagine offers fixed wireless broadband for areas without fibre. Our review covers speeds, coverage, reliability, and alternatives.

By SmartSaver Team | Published 1 January 2026 | 5 min read

Topics: imagine broadband review, imagine ireland, fixed wireless broadband, rural broadband

Imagine specialises in fixed wireless broadband—internet delivered via radio signal rather than cables. If fibre hasn't reached your area, Imagine may be your best wired-alternative option.

Imagine at a Glance

| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Technology | Fixed wireless (4G/5G) | | Max Speed | Up to 150Mb | | Price | From €39.99/month | | Landline Required | No | | Contract | 12-18 months | | Best For | Areas without fibre |

How Imagine Works

Unlike traditional broadband, Imagine doesn't use cables to your home:

Engineer installs antenna on your roof/wall

Antenna connects wirelessly to nearby Imagine mast

Router inside your home provides WiFi

No landline or cables needed

This makes Imagine viable in rural areas where digging cables isn't economical.

Imagine's Plans

| Plan | Speed | Price | Data | |------|-------|-------|------| | Home 50 | 50Mb | €39.99/month | Unlimited | | Home 100 | 100Mb | €49.99/month | Unlimited | | Home 150 | 150Mb | €59.99/month | Unlimited |

Speeds depend on signal quality at your location. Installation ~€100.

The Good

1. Available Where Fibre Isn't

Imagine's main advantage is availability. If Open Eir, SIRO, and NBI don't reach you, Imagine often can.

2. No Landline Required

Unlike most Eir-based connections, Imagine doesn't need a phone line. Pure broadband only.

3. Unlimited Data

All plans include genuinely unlimited data with no fair usage caps.

4. Reasonable Speeds

50-150Mb is plenty for most households—streaming, video calls, and multiple devices work fine.

5. Irish Company

Imagine is an Irish-owned provider focused on connecting underserved areas.

The Bad

1. Speed Depends on Signal

Your actual speed depends on:

Distance to nearest Imagine mast
Line of sight (obstructions reduce signal)
Weather conditions
Network congestion

You may not get the advertised maximum.

2. Higher Prices Than Fibre

Imagine costs more than fibre alternatives:

Imagine 100Mb: €49.99/month
Pure Telecom 500Mb: €35/month

You're paying for the wireless infrastructure.

3. Slower Than Fibre

Maximum 150Mb vs gigabit fibre. If fibre becomes available, you'll want to switch.

4. Installation Required

Engineer visit needed to install antenna. May not work if your property can't achieve line of sight to a mast.

5. Weather Sensitivity

Heavy rain or storms can affect connection quality more than fibre would.

Coverage Check

Check if Imagine covers your address:

Visit imagine.ie

Enter your eircode

They'll confirm if service is available

Coverage depends on mast locations—Imagine continues expanding but doesn't cover everywhere.

Imagine vs Other Non-Fibre Options

| Option | Speed | Price | Pros | Cons | |--------|-------|-------|------|------| | Imagine | 50-150Mb | €40-60 | Dedicated home service | Requires installation | | Three 5G | Varies | €35 | Plug and play | Needs 5G signal | | Vodafone 4G | Varies | €35-40 | Portable | Speed inconsistent | | Starlink | ~200Mb | €99 | Available everywhere | Very expensive |

Imagine is best when: You can't get fibre and have Imagine coverage but weak mobile signal. Mobile broadband is better when: You have strong 4G/5G signal and want flexibility. Starlink is last resort: When nothing else works and budget allows.

Who Should Choose Imagine?

Imagine makes sense if:

Fibre (NBI, SIRO, Open Eir) isn't available
Imagine has coverage at your address
You need reliable home broadband
Mobile signal is weak for 4G/5G alternatives

Imagine doesn't make sense if:

Fibre is available (fibre is faster and often cheaper)
You have strong 4G/5G (mobile broadband is easier)
You move frequently (installation isn't portable)

What Happens When Fibre Arrives?

Many Imagine customers are waiting for NBI (National Broadband Plan) to reach their area. When fibre arrives:

You can switch to NBI via Digiweb, Pure Telecom, etc.
Fibre will be faster and likely cheaper
Check nbi.ie for rollout timeline

Imagine understands this and focuses on serving areas until fibre reaches them.

Real-World Performance

User reports vary significantly:

Best case: Near a mast with clear line of sight — reliable 100Mb+
Average case: Some obstructions — 30-70Mb, occasional drops
Worst case: Poor signal — unreliable, frequent disconnections

Critical: Have Imagine survey your property before committing. Signal quality is everything.

Verdict

Rating: 3/5

Imagine fills an important gap for rural Ireland without fibre. If you can't get fibre and Imagine covers you, it's a solid option. But it's more expensive and slower than fibre—switch when NBI arrives.

Choose Imagine if: It's your best available option (no fibre, weak mobile signal). Wait for NBI if: National Broadband Plan is coming to your area soon. Try mobile broadband if: You have strong 4G/5G signal.

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Last updated: January 2026

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