Tag: #eir

Vodafone: Best mobile Internet performance in Ireland 2025

Vodafone leads mobile Internet performance in Ireland for 2025, according to the annual nPerf barometer. This edition reveals strong competition on download speeds and consistent performance across all operators on the 5G network.

Vodafone leads with a score of 98,198 nPoints. With speeds of 94.48 Mbps in download bitrate and 28.02 Mbps in upload bitrate, the operator delivers optimal latency (32.77 ms), ideal for online gaming and real-time communications. Leader in browsing (80.33%) and video streaming (80.16%), it ensures a balanced user experience across all usage scenarios.

Three follows closely with 93,691 nPoints. Speeds reach 116.48 Mbps in download bitrate (first in the market) and 20.56 Mbps in upload bitrate. The operator achieves solid performance in video streaming (77.63%, 2nd place).

Eir completes the podium with 88,447 nPoints and delivers competitive download speeds of 84.06 Mbps. The operator achieves strong browsing performance (77.96%, 2nd place), ensuring smooth web navigation for users.

Measurements conducted via the nPerf application on Android and iOS.

“The Irish market displays healthy competition with solid streaming and browsing experiences across all operators, particularly on the 5G network”, says Sébastien de Rosbo, CEO of nPerf.

Full results

Irish businesses must do more to assure consumers on data and cyber security

Nearly one in four Irish people has had their personal data compromised, new research from eir business reveals, highlighting low levels of consumer confidence in how companies manage and protect customer information.

The survey on the security of Irish businesses also highlighted that almost half (44%) of Irish consumers do not feel informed about how their data is used by companies, while 40% are not confident their data is safe.

These results offer insights into the prevalence of cybercrime for everyday consumers, and the role Irish businesses can play in safeguarding data and alleviating customer concerns.

Alongside the survey, eir business (formerly eir evo) has revealed a new corporate identity, reflecting the evolution of the B2B telecoms and IT service provider.

The eir business/Amarách survey highlights concern about how businesses manage the security and transparency of vital personal information.

This vulnerability is reflected in the fact that only 16% of people are confident that Irish businesses are protecting their personal information. Older generations are even less likely to feel comfortable with the security of their online data, with 51% of 55–64-year-olds not trusting businesses to protect their information.

While artificial intelligence (AI) solutions are often suggested for data management, almost half (45%) of those surveyed are still unsure of what benefits AI might bring when dealing with business. However, the expectation of faster (30%) and cheaper (26%) service, alongside 24/7 availability (32%) as a result of AI business processes were highlighted.

Susan Brady, Managing Director of eir business: “Businesses across Ireland are operating in a time of rapid and complex digital change, and consumers are rightly asking for greater protection, greater transparency, and partners they can trust.

“This research highlights that expectation clearly. People want confidence that their data is safe, that companies are accountable, and that technology is being used responsibly. Meeting those expectations isn’t optional, it’s now a core requirement for every organisation.

“As we transform from eir evo to eir business, our focus is on bringing that clarity and confidence to the market. We’re here to give businesses secure, managed solutions they can rely on, supported by the scale, expertise and engineering depth that sits at the heart of this organisation. “Our mission is to make the complex feel effortless, to help organisations stay protected against emerging threats, and to empower them to grow and thrive in a digital-first Ireland.”

Oliver Loomes, CEO of eir, added: “The findings of this research send a clear message: customers want greater transparency, stronger protection of their data, and partners they can trust. As Ireland’s digital economy accelerates, businesses of every size are facing rising expectations and increasing complexity.

“Our rebrand to eir business reflects both the scale of this opportunity and our commitment to meeting these needs head‑on. By uniting the full strength of eir’s networks, technology and expertise, we are positioned to deliver the secure connectivity, cloud, and cybersecurity solutions that organisations rely on to operate with confidence. This is a pivotal moment in our evolution, one that strengthens Ireland’s digital resilience and supports our purpose to Connect for a Better Ireland.”

Virgin Media and Eir: The best fixed-line Internet performances in Ireland 2025

Virgin Media and Eir share the leadership of fixed-line Internet in Ireland for 2025, according to the annual nPerf barometer. This edition reveals sustained competition across all performance indicators with year-over-year improvements for four out of five operators.

Virgin Media ranks first ex-aequo with a score of 125 926 nPoints. With speeds of 308.2 Mbps in download bitrate and 69.2 Mbps in upload bitrate, the operator leads in both metrics. Top performer in video streaming (84.0%), it delivers smooth viewing experiences ideal for HD content and rapid file transfers.

Eir shares the first position ex-aequo with 123 938 nPoints. Speeds reach 208.3 Mbps in download bitrate and 56.1 Mbps in upload bitrate (2nd place). Leading in browsing (86.9%) and video streaming (84.4%) ex-aequo, the operator ensures quality user experience with well-controlled latency of 26.0 ms.

Sky completes the podium with 118 407 nPoints. The operator delivers the best latency in the sector (22.0 ms), perfect for gaming and real-time applications. Sharing first place ex-aequo in browsing (86.1%) and video streaming (83.5%), it guarantees fluid navigation.

Vodafone ranks fourth with 117 947 nPoints. With speeds of 231.1 Mbps in download bitrate (2nd place) and 54.8 Mbps in upload bitrate (3rd place), the operator supports demanding uses. Leading in browsing ex-aequo (86.8%), it demonstrates strong performance across key metrics.

Three positions fifth with 82 946 nPoints. The operator achieves 69.3 Mbps in download bitrate and 24.7 Mbps in upload bitrate.

Measurements based on 15 332 tests conducted via the nPerf website and the nPerf app on Android and iOS.

Ookla: Ireland H1 2025 Connectivity Report

When Ookla was founded in 2006, high-speed home internet was just becoming available in many locations, and consumers needed a reliable way to test their network speed. Speedtest®, the company’s flagship product, is the most accurate tool for measuring a network’s capabilities. Today, modern connected experiences require reliable, consistently high performance across many additional metrics beyond download speed, including low latency for gaming, high-quality video streaming, good upload speeds for teleconferencing, and fast page load times while browsing on a mobile device.

In this evolving connectivity landscape, Ookla remains fiercely committed to measuring worldwide internet performance — as well as availability, quality of service (QoS), and quality of experience (QoE) of fixed broadband and mobile networks. For over 17 years, Ookla has been perfecting the way we test connectivity services and transparently reporting on their performance. By capturing real-world metrics and delivering insights back to network operators and policymakers, Ookla serves as the bridge between consumers and the telecommunications industry.

Every day, millions of people press the “Go” button on Speedtest to better understand the performance and quality of their internet connections. This consumer-initiated testing reflects how people actually experience the internet, when and where it actually matters to them. Because Ookla has the world’s largest network of testing servers located across every country and major population center, Speedtest does not introduce any extra travel time as the data passes between the device and server — which provides the most accurate measure of real-world network speed.

In addition to consumer-initiated testing, Ookla collects billions of mobile network samples daily, which measure radio signal levels, network coverage and availability, and QoE metrics for a number of connected experiences, such as streaming video, video conferencing, gaming, web browsing, and CDN and cloud provider performance.

Data Collection Period: January – June 2025

Three led the mobile market across key performance metrics

Three was the fastest mobile provider in Ireland for all technologies combined and for 5G during 1H 2025. Across all technologies combined, Three recorded a median download speed of 70.36 Mbps, while on 5G it recorded 129.84 Mbps.

Three and Eir Fibre offered the best gaming experiences

Three offered the best 5G gaming experience in Ireland during 1H 2025, while Eir Fibre recorded the best gaming experience among ISPs.

Virgin Media the fastest fixed ISP in Ireland

Virgin Media was the fastest ISP in Ireland during 1H 2025 with a median download speed of 269.47 Mbps, and a median upload speed of 48.84 Mbps.

Limerick and Lucan were the top performing urban locations in Ireland

Among the most populous urban locations in Ireland, Limerick recorded the fastest median mobile download speed of 113.71 Mbps, while Lucan outpaced the other locations to record the fastest median fixed download speed, with 281.14 Mbps.

  • Three was the fastest mobile provider in Ireland for all technologies combined and for 5G during 1H 2025. Across all technologies combined, Three recorded a median download speed of 70.36 Mbps, while on 5G it recorded 129.84 Mbps.
  • Virgin Media was the fastest ISP in Ireland during 1H 2025 with a median download speed of 269.47 Mbps, and a median upload speed of 48.84 Mbps.
  • Three offered the best 5G gaming experience in Ireland during 1H 2025, while Eir Fibre recorded the best gaming experience among ISPs.
  • Among the most populous urban locations in Ireland, Limerick recorded the fastest median mobile download speed of 113.71 Mbps, while Lucan outpaced the other locations to record the fastest median fixed download speed, with 281.14 Mbps.

 

 

See the full report HERE

eir Storm Éowyn National Update 31.01.25

eir is making significant progress in restoring services after Storm Éowyn which hit Ireland a week ago. This was the most severe weather event ever recorded for Ireland’s telecommunications network. The storm caused almost 6,000 reports of network damage, including fallen poles, damaged cables, and other hazards. So far, more than 3,500 hazards have been addressed, but new reports continue to emerge as recovery efforts progress.

Over 250,000 homes and more than 830 mobile sites now have restored service. Approximately 20,000 homes remain without broadband, primarily in Galway, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Monaghan, and Donegal, and we are working to restore these as quickly as possible.

There will also be individual faults that will take additional time to address. Regarding storm resilience, eir has invested €1.7 billion to modernise and expand its network infrastructure, enabling fibre connections for over 1.2 million homes and premises. An additional €500 million has been committed to further this effort.

ESB now reports 76,000 Homes and Businesses without power, with an expected long tail to recover power nationwide. Power outages continue to be a cause of service disruption during storm events, and therefore eir has back-up power sources at 1,250 exchange sites across the country, static generators at over 250 critical sites, over 60 mobile generators, alongside battery back up on over 60% of our mobile sites.

Una Stafford, Managing Director of open eir Networks said: “Our dedicated teams across the country have been working around the clock in response to the storm, working closely with other first responders including local authority staff and the ESB. We have restored a majority of services now but there remains a significant amount of work to be done yet. We will be continuing our storm recovery into this weekend and February as we work to make our plant safe and get people connected again”

Virgin Media, Eir: The best fixed-line Internet performances in 2024

Barometer of fixed internet connections in Ireland, The analysis period is from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024.

The nPerf barometer is based on 15,886 tests performed by users in real conditions via the nPerf website or using the nPerf application available on Android and iOS.

Sky achieved a notable performance with a nPerf score of 112,942, offering a balanced Internet experience with a Download bitrate of 104 Mbps and an Upload bitrate of 33 Mbps. Despite a Latency of 21 ms, Sky excelled in Browsing at 83%.

Three, with a score of 90,522, focused on providing solid Internet basics, displaying a Download bitrate of 65 Mbps and an Upload bitrate of 30 Mbps, while maintaining a Latency of 32 ms.

Virgin Media led the market with a top nPerf score of 124,559, showcasing a superior Download bitrate of 216 Mbps and an Upload bitrate of 44 Mbps, coupled with a Streaming performance of 89%.

Vodafone showed a strong presence with a score of 114,795, highlighted by an exceptional Upload bitrate of 46 Mbps and outstanding Browsing performance at 85%.

Eir delivered robust results with a nPerf score of 121,760, accompanied by a Download bitrate of 187 Mbps and an Upload bitrate of 45 Mbps, excelling in Streaming at 89%.

“This year, we have seen remarkable improvements in overall performance, particularly in upload speeds and browsing experiences, indicating a positive trend towards enhancing user experience,” said Sébastien de Rosbo, Managing Director nPerf.

Focus WiFi:

Virgin Media is the operator that offers the best WiFi experience in Ireland.

WiFi is a wireless networking technology that allows devices to connect to the Internet without physical cables. It provides flexibility and mobility, enabling users to access the Internet from various locations within the coverage area. The main advantages of WiFi are its convenience and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously.

eir ‘2024 Year in Data’ Report Highlights Ireland’s Digital Connectivity and Evolving Habits

eir, Ireland’s largest telecommunications provider, today published its annual ‘2024 Year in Data’ report, showcasing key digital trends across the country. The report offers a detailed view of Ireland’s evolving digital habits, spotlighting notable shifts in home broadband, mobile, and TV usage over the year.

In 2024, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) traffic saw an increase of 38.4%, reflecting the growing demand for high-speed internet across the country. On average, each household used 5,494 Gigabytes (GB) of broadband data in 2024, whereas households with fibre broadband used on average 6,888 GB over the same period.

2024 was also a year of major concerts and events. While Taylor Swift may have dominated headlines, the NFL outperformed her in data usage at the Aviva Stadium. Meanwhile, fans of Pink made more phone calls than Taylor Swift’s audience during their respective summer performances. When it came to sport, football proved to be the nation’s preferred choice, with soccer fans driving higher data usage and phone call activity compared to rugby supporters.

In terms of TV, the Euros 2024 final surpassed The Late Late Toy Show as the most streamed event of the year. On the fixed broadband side, gaming events and chapter releases were the biggest traffic drivers, with the Fortnite update in November claiming the title for the busiest night of the year.

Commenting on the report, Fergal McCann, eir’s Chief Technology Officer said: “In 2024, Irish people have fully embraced technology, both in their home and at major events like Taylor Swift’s Era’s tour. Our ‘2024 Year in Data’ report highlights a clear shift towards more connected, data-driven lifestyles, with a remarkable 38% rise in Fibre to the Home traffic.  This growth reflects the increasing demand for faster, more reliable internet as households, businesses, and communities rely on high-speed connectivity for everything from smart devices in their home to gaming.

At eir, we’re proud to be leading this transformation, continuously investing in next-generation infrastructure to support the changing needs of Ireland’s digital future. As technologies like AI, fibre broadband, and 5G continue to shape our connected world, we remain committed to ensuring our network helps Ireland stay connected and thrive in the digital age.”

2024 key highlights

 Fixed Broadband 

  • Total broadband data usage in 2024 increased by 7.3% versus 2023, with 5,202 Petabytes (PB)  in 2024 v 4,847 PB  in2023
  • Fibre-to-the-Home broadband data increased by 38.4% in 2024 at 2,971 PB, up from 2,146 PB in 2023
  • The most traffic over a single day was 21.8 PB on Saturday 02 November 2024
  • On average, each household used 5,494 Gigabytes (GB) of broadband data in 2024, whereas households with fibre broadband used on average 6,888 GB over the period.
  • The lowest data usage for fixed broadband in 2024 was on Friday 10 May 2024 at 11.6 PB
  • On average, Sunday was the highest data usage day of the week across 2024
  • The total broadband usage across eir’s network (5,202 PB) is the equivalent of 260 billion hours gaming, 15.3 billion hours video chat, 2.6 billion hours film streaming or 800 billion songs streamed

Mobile Network Data

  • The busiest mobile data day in 2024 was July 14th during the Euro Final Spain v England, while June 29th for the Dublin Pride event and July 13th with both Down & Armagh supporters flocking to Croke Park were the busiest days for Roaming customers in Ireland,
  • July and August recorded the highest overall data usage, while May and January saw peaks in voice call activity.
  • The busiest day for outbound roaming was the August Bank Holiday, with many people out of the country.

eir TV 

  • The Euro Final Spain v England on 14th July was the most watched event on eir TV in 2024
  • RTÉ’s Late Late Toy Show on 6th December came in as second most watched. At its peak, the Toy Show accounted for 64% of eir TV viewers down from last year when it accounted for 82% of eir TV viewers
  • Sport accounted for 8 out of the top 10 most viewed listings on eir TV in 2024
  • The Paris Olympics took two of the top 10 most viewed listings in 2024

Key Trends from 2024

  • The Rise of In-Home Devices
    Irish households are rapidly adopting smart technology, with smart security solutions nearly doubling to 30% since 2022 and smart appliances growing to 14% (CSO figures). Over 75% now use internet-connected TVs, while smart wearables and health monitoring tools continue to rise, driving demand for robust broadband to power connected homes.
  • Changing Lifestyles: How AI is Transforming Telco Services
    AI-driven technologies are enabling telcos like eir to deliver smarter, faster, and more responsive services. From optimizing network performance to enhancing customer support, AI is helping providers meet evolving digital habits and user expectations.
  • Future-Proof Technologies Shaping the Way We Live
    The adoption of fibre broadband and 5G is transforming digital lifestyles, with fibre usage up 38% in 2024. These technologies support data-intensive activities like UHD streaming, gaming, and smart home ecosystems, laying the foundation for next-generation connectivity.

eir’s gender pay gap narrows to 1.59%

eir, Ireland’s leading telecommunications provider, has today published its 2024 Gender Pay Gap Report, which shows that the gender pay gap has narrowed to 1.59%, significantly closing the gap and nearing complete closure since eir’s first report in 2021. eir remains dedicated to closing the gender pay gap by 2030, aligning with broader Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives.

Since the publication of eir’s first Gender Pay Gap Report in 2021, the company’s Mean Pay Gap has decreased from 11.2% to 1.59%, reflecting a significant reduction of 9.6% over the past three years. This improvement is favourable when compared to the Irish Mean Gender Pay gap of 12.6%.

The decline in our Mean Pay Gap can be attributed to several factors, including enhanced gender balance, particularly in senior roles and those that attract higher overall reward. Additionally, it is significantly influenced by bonus payments that predominantly benefit the female workforce.

Meanwhile, the wider Senior leadership population in eir team shows a gender split of 42% female to 58% male, reflecting a gradual year-on-year improvement.

Since the initial gender pay gap report, eir has seen an increase in female representation in senior roles, alongside recruitment efforts in STEM and traditionally male-dominated areas such as engineering and technology. eir’s Senior Management Team comprises 46% female leaders, marking a significant achievement in advancing gender balance within the organisation.

Alongside the Gender Pay Gap report, eir is also launching its Diversity Equality & Inclusion (DE&I) Policy, and key initiatives include mentorship programmes and partnerships with educational institutions, strengthening its diverse talent pipeline.

Oliver Loomes, CEO of eir, “At eir, our purpose is to connect for a better Ireland and as part of our ESG strategy, we set a goal to eliminate the Gender Pay Gap entirely by 2030, supported by a clear and actionable plan. Our 2024 Gender Pay Gap Report highlights the significant progress we’ve made, reducing the gap to 1.59%—an almost 4% improvement from last year’s 5.51% and a 9.6% reduction since our first report in 2021.”

“This progress reflects our commitment to progress. By creating a workplace where opportunities are accessible to all, we are investing in the long-term sustainability of our workforce and ensuring that our business remains competitive and resilient.”

Sandra Donohue, Director of HR at eir, “As we publish our Gender Pay Gap Report this year, we are pleased to see a further reduction in the Mean Gender Pay Gap, which reflects the progress made on female representation, particularly in senior positions. We are making progress, and this makes us even more determined to continue our commitment to sustained action until we eliminate the Gender Pay Gap completely. 

“Attracting female talent into non-traditional and STEM roles remains our long-term priority.  We will continue to engage with the educational sector to inspire young people to consider the variety and breadth of career opportunities in STEM, whether that be in eir or other industries.

“We can only sustain this progress by ensuring we focus on gender diversity at all levels and that we are building a strong pipeline of female talent to fill future leadership roles.  This year, we have introduced our Diversity, Equality & Inclusion policy and established formal action plans, providing a clear roadmap of initiatives to continue to ensure we are eir for all.”

A full link to the eir DE&I Policy 2024 can be found here: eir.ie/sustainability/policies/

eir Launches First Economic and Social Impact Report 2024

eir, Ireland’s leading telecommunications provider, has today released its first ever comprehensive Economic and Social Impact Report, which highlights that the company has invested almost €1.7 billion in telecommunications infrastructure in the last six years, supporting Ireland to become one of the most digitally connected countries in Europe.

eir has also announced a further €500 million investment to expand its fibre network across Ireland, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing nationwide connectivity.

The report has found that eir plays a pivotal role in advancing digital inclusion across Ireland, supporting €172 billion in digital economic activity with its expansive network. eir’s continued investments, in tandem with the Government’s National Broadband Plan, aim to ensure that by the end of 2028, every home and business in Ireland – covering over 2.4 million premises – will have access to high-speed gigabit broadband. This effort promises to bring transformative connectivity to communities nationwide, empowering Ireland’s digital future.

Key findings from the Report:

  • eir has invested €1.664 billion in Ireland since 2018, supporting substantial infrastructure development.
  • In 2023, eir’s capital expenditure was €288 million, consistent with previous years.
  • eir employs 3,170 people directly across Ireland, creating approximately 4,755 indirect and induced jobs nationwide.
  • eir’s broadband infrastructure underpins €172 billion in Ireland’s economic activity, essential to the country’s digital economy.
  • eir’s investments help Ireland rank among the top five EU countries in the Digital Economy and Society Index.

eir aims to provide gigabit fibre connectivity to 1.9 million homes and businesses throughout Ireland. To date, this network is already available to more than 1.3 million premises, with almost 500,000 homes and businesses now connected.

Speaking at today’s launch, Oliver Loomes, CEO of eir, said “A digitally inclusive economy and society are crucial for Ireland’s future. With an additional €500 million committed investment in our communications infrastructure, eir is committed to strengthening this foundation. This report not only highlights our direct contributions to the Irish economy through employment and investment but also our broader impact in enabling the digital economy. Our extensive network infrastructure is essential to Ireland’s digital transformation, supporting both EU and national strategies that prioritise digitalisation for societal, economic, and environmental advancement. eir’s infrastructure underpins €172 billion in economic activity across Ireland.”

Also speaking at the launch of the report, Associate Professor Emeritus of Economics, Anthony Foley, of Dublin City University Business School, and author of the Report, “What we have found in conducting this research is that a cutting-edge digital network infrastructure is the foundation of a flourishing digital economy and society. The globalisation and FDI aspects of the Irish economy mean that broadband infrastructure and services, and international digital connectivity are significant competitiveness issues. Ireland is a very open economy. There is a continuing need to match, and ideally exceed, international broadband capability.”

The Report also underscores eir’s commitment to sustainability, with the rollout of a full-fibre network to 84% of Irish homes and businesses playing a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions and improving network resilience against climate-related storms.

Through ongoing infrastructure investments, a focus on sustainability, and promoting digital inclusion, eir is shaping Ireland’s digital future and eir’s further €500 million network investment will fuel innovation, enhance connectivity, and create new opportunities for businesses and communities across the country.

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