In today's world, having a fast and reliable broadband internet connection is as essential as having electricity and running water. Whether you're streaming your favourite show, working from home, or connecting with loved ones, the type of broadband you choose can make a big difference in your online experience. The two main types of broadband technologies you'll come across are copper (cable is also a form of copper) and fibre. Have a quick look at each of their characteristics:
Speed: How Fast Is It?
Think of copper broadband as an older car. It gets you where you need to go, but it's not winning any races. Copper can handle everyday activities like browsing websites and checking emails just fine. However, if you have multiple people streaming videos or gaming online at the same time, you might start to notice some lagging and buffering. Typically, copper broadband offers speeds of up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds of up to
20Mbps.
On the other hand, fibre broadband is like a high-performance sports car. It's built for speed and efficiency. A fibre optic connection into your house can transmit >1 Gigabit of data per second. This means no more waiting buffering on games, and your video calls will be crisp and clear, even if several people in your household are online at the same time.
Reliability: Will It Keep Working?
Copper: Sensitive to Distance and Interference
Copper broadband can be less reliable because the signal quality diminishes over long distances. Additionally, copper wires can be affected by electrical interference from other devices and weather conditions, which can cause your internet to slow down or drop out.
Fibre: Consistent and Robust
Fibre broadband is much more reliable. Since it uses light signals, distance has a minimal impact on performance. Fibre-optic cables are also less susceptible to interference and weather conditions. This means you get a more consistent and stable connection, rain or shine.
Bandwidth: Can It Handle Multiple Devices?
Copper: Limited Capacity
Copper broadband has limited bandwidth, which can be a bottleneck if you have many devices connected simultaneously. For example, if someone is streaming a movie in the living room, another person is on a video call in the office, and someone else is gaming in their bedroom, you might notice slower speeds and buffering.
Fibre: Plenty of Room
Fibre broadband offers much higher bandwidth, making it perfect for households with multiple devices. You can stream HD or 4K videos, play online games, and have video calls going on all at the same time without any noticeable slowdown. It's like having a multi-lane highway versus a single-lane road; there's just more room for data to flow.
Copper Switch-off: Saying Goodbye to Outdated, Slow Broadband
Besides the superior performance of fibre against a copper connection, it is important to consider that the days of copper are numbered. Ireland’s telecoms regulator, Comreg, has approved the commencement of the copper switch off process. Separately, the European Commission wants all copper broadband to be switched off across the EU by no later than 2030.
Copper switch-off refers to the planned discontinuation of the traditional copper broadband network. Copper is being switched off because it simply can’t meet the demands, of more bandwidth, higher speeds and greater data needs, now placed upon it.
Not only will copper broadband be phased out but a wide range of devices currently dependent on copper may need to be upgraded to be compatible with modern broadband. These include many everyday home and business devices, such as landline phones, house and fire alarms, medical and security monitors, lifts, retail sales terminals or CCTV systems.
In summary, fibre broadband is faster, more reliable, and better suited for the demands of modern broadband usage. If you are currently on a copper connection, it’s time to find out if fibre broadband is available to you and make the switch. You can check if SIRO is available at your premises
here.
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Pictured at the announcement are SIRO Chief Executive Officer John Keaney; Vodafone Ireland CEO Amanda Nelson (RIGHT) and ESB Deputy Chief Executive Marguerite Sayers (LEFT).[/caption]
The significant expansion of SIRO’s network now means it has grown to become the second largest full fibre broadband network in the Irish market.
SIRO currently offers speeds of up to 2 Gigabits for residential customers and up to 10 Gigabits for enterprise, but its network has the capacity to scale to 25 Gigabits when required.
SIRO’s network going live in Carrick on Shannon also means that SIRO now has a live network in every county in Ireland (Republic).
The addition of Carrick-on-Shannon to SIRO’s network forms part of its €1 billion investment in a future-proofed broadband infrastructure. While the company has reached over 620,00 premises to date, the company is on track to meet its commitment of over 700,000 premises by 2026.
Commenting on the milestone, SIRO Chief Executive Officer John Keaney said:
SIRO already enjoys a strong and growing footprint across Laois and the wider Midlands. This includes over 11,000 premises on the SIRO network in Portlaoise, 5,500 premises passed in Tullamore and large network in other key midlands towns including Athlone, Mullingar and Carlow.
SIRO, now Ireland’s second largest fibre broadband operator, is on track to reach over 700,000 premises in towns and cities across Ireland by 2026. Currently, more than 600,000 premises in 135 towns and cities across the country have access to the SIRO network. Overall, SIRO is investing over €1 billion to deliver high-speed, future-proofed broadband throughout Ireland.
Commenting on SIRO’s network rollout in Portarlington, SIRO Chief Executive Officer John Keaney said:
To date, over 560,000 premises in 135 towns across the country can access the SIRO network. The company is investing more than €1 billion in delivering high speed, future-proofed broadband across Ireland.
SIRO is a broadband wholesaler, which means that it designs, builds and maintains its full fibre broadband network. Homes and businesses can then order its services from over 20 retailers such as Virgin Media, Vodafone, Sky, Digiweb, Pure Telecom, Blacknight and many more.
SIRO John Keaney Chief Executive Officer, said:
The roll-out of a full fibre broadband network in Newcastle West is part of SIRO’s ongoing network expansion, targeting more than 700,000 premises in towns and cities across Ireland by 2026.
To date, over 560,000 premises in 135 towns across the country can access the SIRO network. The company is investing more than €1 billion in delivering high speed, future-proofed broadband across Ireland.
SIRO is a broadband wholesaler, which means that it designs, builds and maintains its full fibre broadband network. Homes and businesses can then order its services from over 20 retailers such as Virgin Media, Vodafone, Sky, Digiweb, Pure Telecom, Ivertec, Blacknight and many more. All details can be found on 
Pictured at the announcement of the SIRO network expansion into Claremorris where over 1,500 homes and businesses will have access to full fibre broadband are Joanne Grehan, Director of Services at Mayo County Council and Amanda Glancy, SIRO with elected members of Mayo County Council Claremorris and Swinford Municipal District. Over 8,700 premises across county Mayo will enjoy fibre connectivity upon completion of this expansion. Photo: Alison Laredo[/caption]
Areas in Claremorris which will benefit from the roll out include (but are not limited to): Claremont, Lisnaboley, Clare, Carrowbeg East, and Mayfields.
SIRO first rolled out to Castlebar in 2017, reaching over 3,000 premises in the town. Since then, SIRO has been steadily rolling out its network across the county. In Westport and Ballina over 2,100 premises respectively can access SIRO’s network. This means 7,200 premises can already access SIRO’s network in Mayo.
Once Claremorris is complete , SIRO’s network will be available to over 8,700 premises across the county, providing speeds of up to two gigabits for homes and up to ten gigabits for enterprise.
The roll-out of a full fibre broadband network in Claremorris is part of SIRO’s ongoing network expansion, targeting more than 700,000 premises in towns and cities across Ireland by 2026. To date, over 550,000 premises in 135 towns across the country can access the SIRO network. SIRO is investing more than €1 billion in delivering high speed, future proofed broadband across Ireland.
Mayo County Council Director of Services Joanne Grehan noted:
11/01/2024 The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr.Joe Conway pictured on Tramore Beach, Co.Waterford with from left, Liam Rafter, SIRO Site Agent, Denis Cambridge, SIRO Build Director, Amanda Glancy, SIRO Director, Corporate Affairs, Jack Doyle, Broadband Officer, Waterford City & County Council and Damien Murray, SIRO Head of Strategic Projects.Picture:Noel Browne[/caption]
Similarly, its build in Dungarvan will complete early this year, with almost 3,200 premises fibre enabled, with the majority of Dungarvan premises already live on the SIRO network.
The network expansion to Tramore, will see over 19,000 premises and over 52,000 County Waterford residents passed by the SIRO network.
Areas in Tramore which will benefit from the rollout include: Moonvoy Valley, Glenroad, Mountfield, Strandhill, Somerville, Meadowbrook, Ard Haven, Main & St. Patrick St, Priest’s Rd, Westbrook, Newtown, Carrigealea.
The first homes in Tramore will be able to order the new broadband services from April 2024, with the remainder coming on stream over the following months.
The rollout of a full fibre broadband network in Tramore is part of SIRO’s ongoing network growth. SIRO is targeting more than 700,000 premises in towns and cities across Ireland by 2026. To date, almost 550,000 premises in 135 towns across the country can access the SIRO network. Overall, SIRO is investing more than €1 billion in delivering high speed, future proofed broadband across Ireland.
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11/01/2024 The Mayor of Waterford City & County, Cllr.Joe Conway pictured on Tramore Beach, Co.Waterford with from left, Amanda Glancy, SIRO Director, Corporate Affairs, Denis Cambridge, SIRO Build Director and Jack Doyle, Broadband Officer, Waterford City & County Council. .Picture:Noel Browne[/caption]
SIRO Chief Executive Officer, John Keaney, commented,