Independent report confirms major rural broadband gains
An authoritative analysis by Ookla reveals a remarkable rise in broadband speeds across Ireland’s countryside under the National Broadband Plan. This advancement narrows the digital divide, fostering enhanced opportunities for rural communities nationwide.
Source:
Gov.ie / MerrionStreet
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⏱️ 1 min read
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, has applauded a recent independent study by Ookla®, a global authority on connectivity intelligence, which highlights a substantial enhancement in broadband performance across rural Ireland attributable to the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The report demonstrates that median download speeds in areas served by the NBP surged from 11.60 Mbps in 2019 to 156.99 Mbps by mid-2026, marking a 13.5-fold improvement. Upload speeds also witnessed a significant rise, from 4.67 Mbps to 49.48 Mbps. Critically, the broadband performance disparity between rural and urban regions has tightened considerably, shifting from a ratio of approximately 5:1 to 1.6:1.
Minister O’Donovan emphasised that this progress is not merely about faster internet but represents a vital step towards balanced regional development, enabling remote work, education, healthcare, agriculture, and enterprise growth in rural communities. He acknowledged the contributions of National Broadband Ireland, local authorities, contractors, and communities in advancing the rollout. The NBP remains on schedule and within budget to complete major infrastructure deployment across all counties by the end of 2026, delivering fibre broadband to over 560,000 premises previously lacking commercial investment prospects. The network’s capability for multi-gigabit speeds ensures rural Ireland is well-prepared for future digital demands.
The report demonstrates that median download speeds in areas served by the NBP surged from 11.60 Mbps in 2019 to 156.99 Mbps by mid-2026, marking a 13.5-fold improvement. Upload speeds also witnessed a significant rise, from 4.67 Mbps to 49.48 Mbps. Critically, the broadband performance disparity between rural and urban regions has tightened considerably, shifting from a ratio of approximately 5:1 to 1.6:1.
Minister O’Donovan emphasised that this progress is not merely about faster internet but represents a vital step towards balanced regional development, enabling remote work, education, healthcare, agriculture, and enterprise growth in rural communities. He acknowledged the contributions of National Broadband Ireland, local authorities, contractors, and communities in advancing the rollout. The NBP remains on schedule and within budget to complete major infrastructure deployment across all counties by the end of 2026, delivering fibre broadband to over 560,000 premises previously lacking commercial investment prospects. The network’s capability for multi-gigabit speeds ensures rural Ireland is well-prepared for future digital demands.
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