The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has released its latest report on Ireland’s electronic communications market for Q3 2024. The findings show exciting growth in both broadband and mobile services with a growth of 1.68 million fixed broadband connections with FTTP making up 48.5% with more people choosing faster internet and mobile data. Let’s take a look at the most important trends.
Growth in Broadband Connections
Ireland’s broadband market continues to grow. By the end of Q3 2024:
- 1.68 million homes and businesses in Ireland have fixed broadband connections, which is a 2.6% increase from the same time last year.
- The biggest trend is the rise of fibre-optic broadband (FTTP). This technology, which offers faster internet speeds, is now used by 817,000 people, making up 48.5% of all broadband connections. This is a big jump from 37.8% last year.
FTTP Coverage and Expansion
FTTP is becoming the most popular way to get broadband in Ireland. Here’s how it’s growing:
- 71% of homes and businesses in Ireland can now get FTTP broadband.
- 83% of Irish homes have access to either FTTP or cable broadband.
- Laois leads the way with 89% of its homes covered by FTTP.
- Dublin has the highest coverage of FTTP and cable broadband at 92%.
- Leitrim saw the biggest increase in FTTP availability, with a 29% jump in coverage over the last year.
More People Choosing Faster Broadband
As demand for faster internet grows, more people are upgrading their broadband speeds:
- 60% of fixed broadband customers now have speeds of 500 Mbps or more, up from 41% last year.
- 15% of broadband users now have speeds of 1 Gbps or faster.
- People using FTTP, has an impressive 84% speed of 500 Mbps or higher.
More speed means more data, and people are using more data than ever before. The average person now uses 448.9 GB of data each month, which is an 11% increase from last year.
Growth in the Mobile Market
Ireland’s mobile market is also growing. Here’s what’s happening:
- There are now 10.1 million mobile subscriptions in Ireland, including regular phones, mobile broadband, and machine-to-machine (M2M) connections.
- More people are switching to bill pay mobile plans, which now make up 75% of all mobile subscriptions.
- 5G adoption is growing fast, with 1.82 million people using 5G, a 30% increase from last year.
Increased Mobile Data Usage
People are using more mobile data as smartphones become an even bigger part of daily life:
- The average person uses 18 GB of mobile data each month, which is a 5.9% increase from the previous year.
- People are texting more too. The average person sends 34 texts each month, which is a 13% increase.
- However, voice call usage is dropping. The average person now spends about 160 minutes on calls each month, a 4.7% decrease from last year.
What’s Next for Ireland’s Communications Market?
Ireland’s communications market is growing fast, with more homes getting high-speed broadband and more people using mobile data. The rise of FTTP and 5G means that faster internet and better mobile services will continue to expand across the country. As Ireland’s broadband market continues to evolve, choosing the right provider for your internet needs is as important than ever. Blacknight offers reliable, high-speed broadband that keeps you connected to what matters most. Whether you’re looking for FTTP or other fast internet options, we’ve got packages designed to suit your home or business needs.
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About the Author: Alicia Stumke
