High-speed broadband now available for Limerick town and surrounds
This marks ‘the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification’
NATIONAL Broadband Ireland (NBI) has announced that Newcastle West and the surrounding areas have now been connected to high-speed fibre broadband.
The connection of the Newcastle West area means that 1,815 homes and businesses can now access high-speed fibre broadband.
This includes the rural surrounds and townlands of Newcastle West, Monagea and Broadford.
A further 803 premises in the surrounding areas of Loghill and Glensharrold will soon be able to avail of a fibre connection through the NBI network.
A spokesperson for the company confirmed that works have already been completed in much of the rural areas across the county including Abbeyfeale and Charleville.
6,960 connections have been made to date in County Limerick.
As “the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification”, County Limerick will receive €84m of Government investment under the National Broadband Plan.
All Limerick residents are encouraged to visit nbi.ie and check their Eircode to see if they’re ready to connect and find out more about placing an order.
The spokesperson explained: “NBI is delivering the new future-proofed, high-speed Fibre-to-the-Home network under the National Broadband Plan (NBP), on behalf of the Government.
“NBI’s fibre rollout under the NBP is delivering broadband infrastructure to what is known as the State’s Intervention Area, which includes the most remote and rural parts of Ireland where commercial operators have no plans to deliver high-speed broadband.”
The Intervention Area currently includes 22,000 premises in Limerick which will see NBI deliver “minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second” to homes, businesses, farms, and schools across the county.
TJ Malone, CEO at NBI, said: “We are delighted to announce that over 1,800 Limerick homes, businesses and farms near Newcastle West can now connect to NBI’s high-speed fibre broadband infrastructure, with a connection on the way for a further 800 premises. Those connected are experiencing the life-changing benefits of high-speed fibre broadband with minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second.
“With the national switch-off of the copper network approaching, NBI’s fibre network will ensure communities across Ireland are prepared for the future by supporting remote working, education, healthcare access, and local enterprise while providing the reliability needed for everyday living.
“As we enter the final phase of the National Broadband Plan rollout, we’re encouraging everyone in County Limerick to check their Eircode on nbi.ie and order now to secure high-speed fibre broadband for their home or business.”
The NBI spokesperson said: “NBI has now passed over 523,000 homes, farms and businesses in rural Ireland with high-speed broadband infrastructure, of which over 189,000 are now connected.
“The average take-up rate of 36% is well ahead of projections and international comparisons and surpasses 60% in areas of the country where the network has been live the longest.”
The NBI website is regularly updated to show estimated completion dates.
With the main rollout due to be concluded by the end of this year, the remaining homes and businesses yet to be passed will be able to place an order for high-speed broadband in the coming months.
To get updates on when a premises will be ready to order, sign up for NBI email alerts at nbi.ie.
As fibre networks expand across Ireland, offering superior speed, capacity, and reliability; older copper telephone and broadband infrastructure will start to be decommissioned.
The European Commission has proposed 2035 as the latest date for EU Member States to mandate the decommissioning of the legacy copper networks.
NBI is encouraging people to check their eligibility and register for updates at nbi.ie to receive regular notifications related to their own premises as works progress in their area.