Over 3,000 Offaly homes and businesses now connected to the NBI network

National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the company delivering the new high-speed fibre network under the National Broadband Plan (NBP) on behalf of the Government, has announced that over 3,000 homes, businesses and farms in Offaly have now connected to the NBI network.

They have also confirmed that 11,060 premises are eligible to pre-order or order high-speed broadband across Offaly with 3,323 connections made to date.

Works have been completed to accommodate broadband connections in most rural areas across the county, including those near Moate and Roscrea.

National Broadband Ireland is encouraging all Offaly residents to visit their website and check their Eircode to see if they’re ready to connect to the service and find out more about placing an order.  

NBI’s fibre broadband rollout under the National Broadband Plan is delivering broadband services 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 13,000 premises in Offaly, which will see NBI deliver minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second to homes, businesses, farms, and schools across the county.

As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification, Offaly will receive €48 million of Government investment under the National Broadband Plan.

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As Ireland transitions away from legacy copper networks, NBI say their fibre network will ensure communities across Offaly are prepared for the future by supporting remote working, education, healthcare access and local enterprise while providing the reliability needed for everyday living. 

TJ Malone, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland, said: "We are delighted to announce that over 3,000 Offaly homes, businesses and farms are now connected to the NBI network. Those connected are experiencing the life-changing benefits of high-speed fibre broadband with minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second."

He added: "We are at the height of switcher season, with many broadband providers offering competitive pricing and switching incentives at this time of year.

This makes it an ideal time for households and businesses across Offaly to move to fibre, particularly as fibre broadband could cost the same as slower copper services and customers can still keep their existing phone number when they switch."

The Chief Executive Officer of NBI concluded: "As we enter the final year of the National Broadband Plan rollout, we’re encouraging everyone in Offaly to check their Eircode on our website and order now to secure high-speed fibre broadband for their home or business."

At a national level, NBI has now passed over 448,000 homes, farms and businesses in rural Ireland to high-speed broadband with over 163,000 now connected. The average take-up rate of 36% is well ahead of projections and international comparisons and surpasses 60% in some areas of the country where the network has been live for 18 months.