The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has released its latest findings in the Quarterly Key Data Report for the second quarter of 2024, revealing pivotal growth and shifts in Ireland’s telecommunications sector. Key highlights include a notable increase in fixed broadband subscriptions, with a significant shift towards higher-speed fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) connections now accounting for nearly half of all fixed broadband lines. The report also details a robust uptake in 5G mobile services and an ever-increasing demand for high-speed internet, reflecting Ireland’s accelerating pace towards a fully digital economy.
Growth in Fixed Broadband Subscriptions
The data shows a modest yet significant increase in fixed broadband subscriptions, rising by 0.6% over the quarter and 3.1% year-on-year to reach 1.67 million. This growth reflects the ongoing demand for reliable internet connectivity, especially in an era where digital activities continue to dominate both personal and professional spheres.
A standout detail in the report is the surge in fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) connections. Over 763,000 subscriber lines are now FTTP, accounting for 45.7% of all fixed broadband lines, a sharp rise from 35.5% the previous year. This indicates a robust move towards more advanced and reliable internet technologies, likely driven by the increased bandwidth requirements of modern homes and businesses.
FTTP’s availability has also grown, now reaching 68% of premises across Ireland, with active subscriptions at nearly half of these locations. This widespread adoption underscores the critical role of high-speed internet in supporting the country’s digital economy.
Broadband Usage and Speed Preferences
The average data consumption on residential fixed broadband lines was 433.1 GB per month, up 13% from last year, highlighting the growing data needs of Irish households. Furthermore, the appetite for high-speed internet is evident, as 50% of fixed broadband lines now subscribe to speeds of at least 500Mbps, and 13% have speeds of 1Gbps or more. Among FTTP subscribers, a notable 83% enjoy speeds exceeding 500 Mbps.
Declining Voice Traffic, Rising Mobile Data Use
Voice traffic has seen a decrease, dropping by 3.9% from the previous year, with mobile minutes making up 92% of all voice traffic. This decline reflects the broader trend of reduced voice call usage in favor of data-driven communication methods such as messaging apps and emails.
On the mobile front, the average subscriber now uses 164 minutes per month, a 5.2% decrease from last year, sends 32 texts, and consumes 13.7GB of data, slightly up from the previous year. These figures reflect the shifting communication habits among consumers, increasingly favoring data over traditional voice calls.
Mobile Subscriptions and 5G Uptake
The total number of mobile subscriptions, including mobile broadband and machine-to-machine (M2M) connections, has reached nearly 10 million, driven largely by an increase in postpay subscriptions. Notably, 5G subscriptions have climbed to 1.71 million, marking a significant 32% increase since last year, signaling strong consumer and business interest in the latest mobile technology.
M2M connections also saw substantial growth, rising 16% annually to 3.7 million. This growth is indicative of the expanding role of IoT technologies across various sectors, further emphasizing the importance of mobile connectivity in modern technological applications.
Final Thoughts
This report paints a picture of a dynamic and rapidly evolving electronic communications sector in Ireland. With the continuous rise in broadband and mobile subscriptions and the increasing shift towards higher speeds and more data consumption, the telecommunications landscape in Ireland is set to remain a critical component of the nation’s economic and social infrastructure. For more detailed information and to view the full set of data and associated charts, check out the report here.