NBI to deliver fibre broadband to 7,500 Offaly homes and businesses ahead of schedule

NATIONAL Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company responsible for delivering the Government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP), has announced that almost 7,500 Offaly homes, farms and businesses in the rural surrounds of Banagher, Birr and Tullamore deployment areas are being moved to an earlier completion date in 2025 than had been originally scheduled.

The number includes over 5,000 premises in Co Offaly that have been brought from 2026 into NBI’s schedule of works for this year. The 7,500 homes and businesses included in this move will be able to avail of a connection to NBI’s network up to four months sooner than previously anticipated.

The move underpins NBI’s commitment to accelerating the rollout wherever possible, ensuring that homes, farms, and businesses across rural Ireland can avail of fast and reliable internet access sooner. As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification, Co. Offaly will receive €48m of Government investment under the National Broadband Plan with nearly 13,000 homes, farms and businesses across the county included in NBI’s rollout.

Independent TD Carol Nolan has welcomed the news.

Deputy Nolan had previously been informed in a parliamentary reply in October 2024 from Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Ossian Smyth, that the Birr Deployment Area covering 1,853 premises, was not anticipated to receive high speed Fibre Broadband until some point between January 2026-December 2026.

However, NBI now inform the Independent TD that the 7,500 homes and businesses included in its revised scheduling will mean they will be able to avail of a connection to NBI’s network up to four months sooner than previously anticipated.

“I very much welcome this positive development given the totally unacceptable delays that homes and businesses in Offaly have had to endure,” said Deputy Nolan.

“We need to see this escalated pace of delivery continue. I have made this issue a particular focus with NBI and with Government and I will continue to do so until all homes and premises in Offaly that want and need access to high-speed fibre broadband are connected,” concluded Deputy Nolan.

As of today, NBI has made high-speed fibre broadband available to 4,804 premises in Co Offaly, with 1,173 premises already connected to the NBI™ network through one of over 70 participating broadband providers.
The take-up of NBI’s services continues to outpace expectations. Areas where the network has been live for over 18 months are reporting take-up rates exceeding 50%, far above international benchmarks. Nationally, over 4,500 new premises are connecting to the network each month.

Peter Hendrick, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland, said: “We're delighted to announce that almost 7,500 Offaly premises in rural areas around Banagher, Birr and Tullamore are moving to an earlier anticipated completion date, with approximately 5,000 of these homes and businesses moving forward from 2026, with the remaining being delivered sooner than previously expected in 2025.

"The huge progress that was made on the rollout in 2024 means we can deliver high-speed broadband to more homes and businesses earlier this year and leaves us in a strong position to complete our rollout on time and on budget. With just two years remaining, we’re working tirelessly to ensure we meet our commitments and provide communities with the connectivity they deserve.

“With over 70 different internet providers offering broadband services on the NBI™ network and with January typically being switching season, there is certainly merit in shopping around to see what options are available. To see the retail broadband providers that are currently licensed to sell on the NBI™ network, visit NBI.ie/buy”.
As a wholesale network operator, NBI does not sell fibre broadband directly to end users, rather it enables services from a range of broadband providers or Retail Service Providers (RSPs). As a wholesale provider, NBI will make the new Fibre-to-the-Home network available to all RSPs operating in the Intervention Area.