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Internet in the Republic of Ireland

April 11, 2024

Internet usage in Ireland was reported at a 95% rate among individuals by 2022, higher than the European Union (EU) average of 89%. According to the European Commission's Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2023 report, 70% of Irish adults had at least basic digital skills in 2021, above the EU average of 54%. Additionally, 77% demonstrated basic digital content creation skills, exceeding the EU average of 66%. Ireland's National Digital Strategy, along with the 10-year Adult Literacy for Life strategy, aims to enhance digital competencies across the workforce and society.[1][2]

Ireland's progress in digital infrastructure spans both the fixed and mobile broadband sectors. By 2022, 50% of Irish households had broadband speeds of at least 100 Mbps. Fixed Very High Capacity Network (VHCN) coverage was at 84%, and Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) at 72%, both exceeding EU averages. In mobile broadband, Ireland achieved a notable 98% uptake rate by 2021, the highest in the EU. Furthermore, its 5G coverage reached 84% of populated areas by 2022, slightly surpassing the EU's 81%.[2]

User statistics edit

  • Internet users: 4.0 million, 82.2% of the population, 87th in the world (2016);[3] 3.0 million, 67th in the world (2009)[4]
  • Internet hosts: 1.4 million, 40th in the world (2012)[4]
  • Internet censorship: Little or none (2011)[5]
  • Top-level domain name: .ie[4]

Internet providers edit

There are many internet providers in Ireland, offering internet connectivity across a range of connection types.

Services Offered By Providers
Provider DSL Cable Fibre Mobile 5G Fixed Wireless
Eir Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
Rural WiFi No No Yes Yes Yes No
Virgin Media No Yes No Yes No No
Vodafone Yes No Yes Yes Yes No
Three No No No Yes Yes Yes
Imagine No No No No No Yes
Sky Ireland Yes No Yes No No No

Market statistics edit

As of Q4 2020, there are 1.8 million broadband subscriptions in Ireland (including mobile broadband but not including mobile phone broadband). Eir had 30% of market share, followed by Virgin Media at 25%, Vodafone at 19%, and Sky at 14% and Rural WiFi at 12%. There are 248,528 subscriptions to fiber to the premises, of which Vodafone has 39% and Eir has 36%.[6]

As of Q4 2020, there are 5.23 million mobile subscriptions in Ireland (not including mobile broadband).[7] 2.42 million of these are prepay subscriptions, while 2.81 million are post paid. 4.53 million of these internet connections are 4G.[7] Mobile providers such as Vodafone, Eir and Three has launched 5G, subscriber figures for 5G is not yet available.

As of Q4 2020, Vodafone has 35.3% market share, followed by Three at 30.5%, Eir at 21.7%, Tesco at 8.3%, Virgin Mobile at 2.3%. Other operators make up 1.9%.[6]

Access cost and quality edit

In 2017, a study carried out by BDRC Continental and Cable.co.uk rated Ireland as the third most expensive country in the EU for broadband.[8]

According to Deutsche Bank Research "Mapping the World's Prices 2019" report, Internet access in Dublin is the second most expensive in the world, after Dubai in UAE.[9]

Speed tests run by SpeedTest.net in June 2020 rank mobile Internet access in Ireland at the 78th place in the world, below Angola, and at the 39th place for broadband, below Malaysia and above Kuwait.[10]

Broadband edit

Fixed broadband edit

Ireland has shown a commitment to enhancing its fixed broadband infrastructure, with significant improvements aimed at exceeding EU digital infrastructure targets. The uptake of broadband at speeds of at least 100 Mbps in Ireland reached 50% of households by 2022, compared to the EU average of 55%. Ireland's Fixed Very High Capacity Network (VHCN) coverage exceeded the EU average, reaching 84% in 2022, compared to the EU's 73%. Additionally, Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) coverage in Ireland grew from 48% in 2020 to 72% by 2022, higher than the EU average of 56%.[2]

Mobile broadband edit

Ireland's mobile broadband sector has demonstrated strides towards achieving comprehensive digital connectivity, as detailed in the European Commission's Digital Decade Country Report 2023. The nation has achieved a mobile broadband take-up rate of 98% among individuals by 2021, positioning it as a leading performer within the EU. Furthermore, Ireland has shown steady progress in the rollout of 5G technology, with overall coverage reaching 84% of populated areas by 2022, slightly above the EU average of 81%. Despite a substantial increase in 5G spectrum assignment, from 29% in 2021 to 63% by 2023, Ireland remains below the EU average of 68%, primarily due to the unawarded spectrum in the 26 GHz frequency band. The completion of a multi-band spectrum award by ComReg in January 2023 marks a significant step in enhancing network capacity and advancing towards the 2030 goal of 100% 5G coverage. Ireland performs well on the 3.4-3.8 GHz spectrum band, although rural 5G coverage is slightly below the EU average.[2]

Digital public services edit

Ireland's progress in the digitalization of public services is highlighted by an 88% e-government user rate, surpassing the EU average of 74%. In digital services for citizens, Ireland scored 81 out of 100, above the EU average of 77, and achieved a score of 100 for digital services for businesses, thereby already meeting the EU 2030 target. Despite these achievements, Ireland faces challenges in e-health, with a score of 0 for access to e-health records, in contrast to an EU average of 72. The National Digital Strategy aims for 90% of services to be utilized online by 2030 and for 80% of eligible citizens to use MyGovID by the same year.[2]

History edit

Founded in 1996, the Internet Neutral Exchange (INEX) is an industry-owned association that provides IP peering and traffic exchange for its members in Ireland. The INEX switching centres are located in four secure data centres in Dublin: TeleCity Group in Kilcarbery Park, Dublin 22 & TeleCity Group in Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24 and Interxion DUB1, and Interxion DUB2 in Park West. The switches are connected by dedicated resilient fibre links.[11] In March 2013 it listed 57 full and 18 associate members.[12]

Established in 1998,[13] the Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland (ISPAI) listed 24 Internet access and hosting providers as members in 2012.[14]

Eir, the largest telephone company in Ireland, began rolling out broadband Internet access in 2002. Broadband Internet access is available via DSL, cable, wireless, and satellite. By the end of 2011 Eircom announced that 75% of its working lines would be connected to Next Generation Broadband (NGB) enabled exchanges.[15]

In August 2012, Pat Rabbitte, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, outlined a national broadband plan with goals of:[16]

  • 70-100 Mbit/s broadband service available to at least 50 per cent of the population,
  • at least 40 Mbit/s available to at least a further 20 per cent, and
  • a minimum of 30 Mbit/s available to everyone, no matter how rural or remote.

Censorship edit

Main article: Internet censorship in the Republic of Ireland

Internet censorship in Ireland is a controversial issue with the introduction of a graduated response policy in 2008 followed by an effort to block certain file sharing sites starting in February 2009.[17] Grassroots campaigns including "Blackout Ireland" and "Boycott Eircom" have been established to protest the censorship.[18]

Beyond these issues there are no government restrictions on access to the Internet or credible reports that the government monitors e-mail or Internet chat rooms. Individuals and groups could engage in the expression of views via the Internet, including by e-mail. Irish law provides for freedom of speech including for members of the press, and the government generally respects these rights in practice. An independent press, an effective judiciary, and a functioning democratic political system act jointly to ensure freedom of speech and of the press.[5]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Country reports - Digital Decade report 2023 | Shaping Europe's digital future". digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Digital Decade Country Report 2023 - Ireland". European Commission. 2023.
  3. ^ Percentage of Individuals using the Internet 2000-2011, International Telecommunication Union, accessed on 19 August 2012.
  4. ^ a b c "Communications :: Ireland", World Factbook, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, retrieved 28 February 2013
  5. ^ a b "Ireland: Freedom of Speech and Press and Internet Freedom", Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State
  6. ^ a b "ComReg Quarterly Key Data Report, Q4 2020". Commission for Communications Regulation. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Quarterly Key Data Questionnaire, ComReg". Quarterly Key Data Questionnaire, ComReg. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Irish Examiner", Irish Examiner article
  9. ^ [1] "Mapping the World's Prices 2019", Deutsche Bank Research
  10. ^ "Global Index", SpeedTest.net
  11. ^ "History of INEX", Internet Neutral Exchange, retrieved 3 March 2013
  12. ^ "INEX Public Member List" 2016-04-23 at the Wayback Machine, Internet Neutral Exchange, retrieved 3 March 2013
  13. ^ "About ISPAI" 2013-01-16 at the Wayback Machine, Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland, retrieved 3 March 2013
  14. ^ "Register of Members (Current)" 2012-08-24 at the Wayback Machine, Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland, 1 August 2012, retrieved 3 March 2013
  15. ^ "Annual Report 2010 / 2011", Commission for Communications Regulation, 20 April 2012
  16. ^ "Rabbitte unveils broadband plan", Mary Minihan and Deaglán de Bréadún, Irish Times, 30 August 2012
  17. ^ Jacqui Cheng (23 February 2009). "Record industry talks Irish ISP into blocking P2P sites". Ars Technica. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
  18. ^ "Net campaign urges action over move to block websites". The Irish Times. 4 March 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2009.

External links edit

  • Commission for Communications Regulation
  • Hotline.ie, service for reporting illegal Internet content
  • ISP Association of Ireland (ISPAI)
  • Lightnet Broadband

April 11, 2024
internet, republic, ireland, this, article, needs, updated, please, help, update, this, article, reflect, recent, events, newly, available, information, january, 2024, internet, usage, ireland, reported, rate, among, individuals, 2022, higher, than, european, . This article needs to be updated Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information January 2024 Internet usage in Ireland was reported at a 95 rate among individuals by 2022 higher than the European Union EU average of 89 According to the European Commission s Digital Economy and Society Index DESI 2023 report 70 of Irish adults had at least basic digital skills in 2021 above the EU average of 54 Additionally 77 demonstrated basic digital content creation skills exceeding the EU average of 66 Ireland s National Digital Strategy along with the 10 year Adult Literacy for Life strategy aims to enhance digital competencies across the workforce and society 1 2 Ireland s progress in digital infrastructure spans both the fixed and mobile broadband sectors By 2022 50 of Irish households had broadband speeds of at least 100 Mbps Fixed Very High Capacity Network VHCN coverage was at 84 and Fibre to the Premises FTTP at 72 both exceeding EU averages In mobile broadband Ireland achieved a notable 98 uptake rate by 2021 the highest in the EU Furthermore its 5G coverage reached 84 of populated areas by 2022 slightly surpassing the EU s 81 2 Contents 1 User statistics 1 1 Internet providers 1 2 Market statistics 1 3 Access cost and quality 2 Broadband 2 1 Fixed broadband 2 2 Mobile broadband 3 Digital public services 4 History 5 Censorship 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksUser statistics editInternet users 4 0 million 82 2 of the population 87th in the world 2016 3 3 0 million 67th in the world 2009 4 Internet hosts 1 4 million 40th in the world 2012 4 Internet censorship Little or none 2011 5 Top level domain name ie 4 Internet providers edit There are many internet providers in Ireland offering internet connectivity across a range of connection types Services Offered By Providers Provider DSL Cable Fibre Mobile 5G Fixed WirelessEir Yes No Yes Yes Yes YesRural WiFi No No Yes Yes Yes NoVirgin Media No Yes No Yes No NoVodafone Yes No Yes Yes Yes NoThree No No No Yes Yes YesImagine No No No No No YesSky Ireland Yes No Yes No No NoMarket statistics edit As of Q4 2020 there are 1 8 million broadband subscriptions in Ireland including mobile broadband but not including mobile phone broadband Eir had 30 of market share followed by Virgin Media at 25 Vodafone at 19 and Sky at 14 and Rural WiFi at 12 There are 248 528 subscriptions to fiber to the premises of which Vodafone has 39 and Eir has 36 6 As of Q4 2020 there are 5 23 million mobile subscriptions in Ireland not including mobile broadband 7 2 42 million of these are prepay subscriptions while 2 81 million are post paid 4 53 million of these internet connections are 4G 7 Mobile providers such as Vodafone Eir and Three has launched 5G subscriber figures for 5G is not yet available As of Q4 2020 Vodafone has 35 3 market share followed by Three at 30 5 Eir at 21 7 Tesco at 8 3 Virgin Mobile at 2 3 Other operators make up 1 9 6 Access cost and quality edit In 2017 a study carried out by BDRC Continental and Cable co uk rated Ireland as the third most expensive country in the EU for broadband 8 According to Deutsche Bank Research Mapping the World s Prices 2019 report Internet access in Dublin is the second most expensive in the world after Dubai in UAE 9 Speed tests run by SpeedTest net in June 2020 rank mobile Internet access in Ireland at the 78th place in the world below Angola and at the 39th place for broadband below Malaysia and above Kuwait 10 Broadband editFixed broadband edit Ireland has shown a commitment to enhancing its fixed broadband infrastructure with significant improvements aimed at exceeding EU digital infrastructure targets The uptake of broadband at speeds of at least 100 Mbps in Ireland reached 50 of households by 2022 compared to the EU average of 55 Ireland s Fixed Very High Capacity Network VHCN coverage exceeded the EU average reaching 84 in 2022 compared to the EU s 73 Additionally Fibre to the Premises FTTP coverage in Ireland grew from 48 in 2020 to 72 by 2022 higher than the EU average of 56 2 Mobile broadband edit Ireland s mobile broadband sector has demonstrated strides towards achieving comprehensive digital connectivity as detailed in the European Commission s Digital Decade Country Report 2023 The nation has achieved a mobile broadband take up rate of 98 among individuals by 2021 positioning it as a leading performer within the EU Furthermore Ireland has shown steady progress in the rollout of 5G technology with overall coverage reaching 84 of populated areas by 2022 slightly above the EU average of 81 Despite a substantial increase in 5G spectrum assignment from 29 in 2021 to 63 by 2023 Ireland remains below the EU average of 68 primarily due to the unawarded spectrum in the 26 GHz frequency band The completion of a multi band spectrum award by ComReg in January 2023 marks a significant step in enhancing network capacity and advancing towards the 2030 goal of 100 5G coverage Ireland performs well on the 3 4 3 8 GHz spectrum band although rural 5G coverage is slightly below the EU average 2 Digital public services editIreland s progress in the digitalization of public services is highlighted by an 88 e government user rate surpassing the EU average of 74 In digital services for citizens Ireland scored 81 out of 100 above the EU average of 77 and achieved a score of 100 for digital services for businesses thereby already meeting the EU 2030 target Despite these achievements Ireland faces challenges in e health with a score of 0 for access to e health records in contrast to an EU average of 72 The National Digital Strategy aims for 90 of services to be utilized online by 2030 and for 80 of eligible citizens to use MyGovID by the same year 2 History editFounded in 1996 the Internet Neutral Exchange INEX is an industry owned association that provides IP peering and traffic exchange for its members in Ireland The INEX switching centres are located in four secure data centres in Dublin TeleCity Group in Kilcarbery Park Dublin 22 amp TeleCity Group in Citywest Business Campus Dublin 24 and Interxion DUB1 and Interxion DUB2 in Park West The switches are connected by dedicated resilient fibre links 11 In March 2013 it listed 57 full and 18 associate members 12 Established in 1998 13 the Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland ISPAI listed 24 Internet access and hosting providers as members in 2012 14 Eir the largest telephone company in Ireland began rolling out broadband Internet access in 2002 Broadband Internet access is available via DSL cable wireless and satellite By the end of 2011 Eircom announced that 75 of its working lines would be connected to Next Generation Broadband NGB enabled exchanges 15 In August 2012 Pat Rabbitte the Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources outlined a national broadband plan with goals of 16 70 100 Mbit s broadband service available to at least 50 per cent of the population at least 40 Mbit s available to at least a further 20 per cent and a minimum of 30 Mbit s available to everyone no matter how rural or remote Censorship editMain article Internet censorship in the Republic of Ireland Internet censorship in Ireland is a controversial issue with the introduction of a graduated response policy in 2008 followed by an effort to block certain file sharing sites starting in February 2009 17 Grassroots campaigns including Blackout Ireland and Boycott Eircom have been established to protest the censorship 18 Beyond these issues there are no government restrictions on access to the Internet or credible reports that the government monitors e mail or Internet chat rooms Individuals and groups could engage in the expression of views via the Internet including by e mail Irish law provides for freedom of speech including for members of the press and the government generally respects these rights in practice An independent press an effective judiciary and a functioning democratic political system act jointly to ensure freedom of speech and of the press 5 See also editBroadband in Northern Ireland IE Domain Registry Internet Neutral Exchange an Internet traffic exchange point located in Ireland Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland Irish Internet Hotline illegal Internet content reporting service Media of the Republic of Ireland Telecommunications in IrelandReferences edit Country reports Digital Decade report 2023 Shaping Europe s digital future digital strategy ec europa eu 27 September 2023 Retrieved 2 March 2024 a b c d e Digital Decade Country Report 2023 Ireland European Commission 2023 Percentage of Individuals using the Internet 2000 2011 International Telecommunication Union accessed on 19 August 2012 a b c Communications Ireland World Factbook U S Central Intelligence Agency retrieved 28 February 2013 a b Ireland Freedom of Speech and Press and Internet Freedom Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011 Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor U S Department of State a b ComReg Quarterly Key Data Report Q4 2020 Commission for Communications Regulation 11 March 2021 Retrieved 19 March 2021 a b Quarterly Key Data Questionnaire ComReg Quarterly Key Data Questionnaire ComReg 3 June 2016 Retrieved 19 March 2021 Irish Examiner Irish Examiner article 1 Mapping the World s Prices 2019 Deutsche Bank Research 2 Global Index SpeedTest net History of INEX Internet Neutral Exchange retrieved 3 March 2013 INEX Public Member List Archived 2016 04 23 at the Wayback Machine Internet Neutral Exchange retrieved 3 March 2013 About ISPAI Archived 2013 01 16 at the Wayback Machine Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland retrieved 3 March 2013 Register of Members Current Archived 2012 08 24 at the Wayback Machine Internet Service Providers Association of Ireland 1 August 2012 retrieved 3 March 2013 Annual Report 2010 2011 Commission for Communications Regulation 20 April 2012 Rabbitte unveils broadband plan Mary Minihan and Deaglan de Breadun Irish Times 30 August 2012 Jacqui Cheng 23 February 2009 Record industry talks Irish ISP into blocking P2P sites Ars Technica Retrieved 16 March 2009 Net campaign urges action over move to block websites The Irish Times 4 March 2009 Retrieved 16 March 2009 External links editCommission for Communications Regulation Hotline ie service for reporting illegal Internet content ISP Association of Ireland ISPAI Lightnet Broadband Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Internet in the Republic of Ireland amp oldid 1213904297, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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