Almost 15.5k rural Cork properties to receive fibre broadband earlier than expected 

Almost 15,500 Cork homes, farms and businesses in rural areas around Kinsale, Clonakilty, Killavullen and Meelin are set to receive fibre broadband earlier this year than had been originally scheduled, National Broadband Ireland (NBI) has said.

The company, which is responsible for delivering the Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP), said homes and businesses included in this development will be able to avail of a connection to its network up to eight months sooner than previously anticipated.

The figure includes over 9,500 Co Cork premises that have been brought from 2026 into the company’s works schedule for this year.

As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification, Co Cork will receive €314m of Government investment under the NBP, with 82,000 homes, farms and businesses across the county included in NBI’s rollout.

So far, NBI has made high-speed fibre broadband available to 36,731 premises in Co Cork, with 12,650 premises already connected to the NBI network through one of over 70 participating broadband providers.

The company said areas where the network has been live for more than 18 months have reported take-up rates exceeding 50%, far above international benchmarks.

Nationally, over 4,500 new premises are connecting to the network each month.

Peter Hendrick, CEO of NBI, said the progress made on the company’s rollout in 2024 meant it could deliver high-speed broadband to more homes and businesses earlier this year, leaving it in a strong position to complete its rollout on time and on budget.

“With just two years remaining, we’re working tirelessly to ensure we meet our commitments and provide communities with the connectivity they deserve,” he said.

He added that, with over 70 different internet providers offering broadband services on the NBI network, and January typically the time when customers switch service providers, he encouraged people to examine their options.

As a wholesale network operator, NBI does not sell fibre broadband directly to customers, instead enabling services from a range of broadband providers or retail service providers.

“As a wholesale provider, NBI will make the new fibre-to-the-home network available to all retail service providers operating in the intervention area,” Mr Hendrick said.