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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In 2016, the SIRO-Vodafone Gigabit Hub Initiative was first launched at Skibbereen’s Ludgate Hub. The Initiative was established to provide a gold standard of connectivity - 100% fibre broadband – to remote and digital working hubs. Access to fast, reliable broadband is essential to digital hubs, without it, it is difficult to make a compelling case to businesses and entrepreneurs to operate from there.
Today, digital hubs are setting a benchmark for the future of digital connectivity in a world moving beyond outdated copper networks.
Since its inception, the Initiative has linked enterprise hubs across the country with SIRO’s 100% fibre broadband, leading to the creation of over 650 jobs in 24 locations. By offering gigabit-speed broadband, it has empowered hubs to unlock the potential of seamless connectivity, driving digital transformation, fostering innovation, and helping businesses compete on a global scale.
As Ireland prepares for copper switch-off, the businesses within these hubs are capitalising on the advantages of fibre broadband to drive their business growth and commercial success. Under the Initiative, digital working hubs are connected, at no cost, to the SIRO full fibre network; provided with two years of free Gigabit broadband; and receive technical support designed to promote best-in-class connectivity for remote working hubs and their users.
From startups developing cutting-edge software to creatives showcasing their work to global audiences, the Gigabit Hub Initiative has enabled countless success stories, highlighting the untapped potential for all Irish SMEs to enhance their productivity and profitability when powered by future-proofed fibre broadband connectivity. . Read below some of the success stories illustrating the Initiative’s impact on businesses and communities across Ireland.
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:
A key topic discussed was the importance of increasing awareness of the availability of fibre-to-the-premise broadband (full fibre) amongst Westmeath businesses. In Westmeath, as is also the case nationally, there remains a low awareness of amongst businesses of fibre access in their area.
Equally, greater information on what are the benefits fibre broadband can deliver for businesses relative to older forms of broadband is also required. Low adoption rates by businesses means that businesses risk missing the opportunity to enhance their operations through a faster and more reliable connection, according to SIRO.
The issue of copper switch off was also considered at the meeting. In December 2023, Ireland’s telecoms regulator, Comreg, approved the conditions for how the process of switching off the outdated copper broadband network can proceed.
The need for Westmeath businesses to avoid a cliff edge scenario by switching to faster, more reliable fibre broadband was emphasised. This includes upgrading business devices currently dependant on copper broadband such as security alarms, CCTV, lifts, payment terminals and landlines, amongst others.
SIRO’s Director of Corporate Affairs Amanda Glancy, commented:
Pictured at Killarney Innovation Centre from left: Sean Counihan, Chair of Killarney Innovation Centre, Ronan Whelan, Chief Commercial Officer, SIRO, Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Chris Stagg, Consumer Director, Vodafone Ireland. Photo: Pauline Dennigan[/caption]
Since its establishment in the late 1990s, the Killarney Innovation Centre has been a cornerstone of Munster’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Housing a diverse array of companies—ranging from financial treasury solutions and software development to sports statistical analysis and health & safety consultancy—the Centre has become a pivotal hub for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation in the area. Over the past two decades, more than 120 businesses have found a home within its walls, collectively creating thousands of jobs, stimulating local supply chains, and significantly contributing to the local economy.
The Killarney Innovation Centre joins over 20 leading digital hubs across Ireland, including Galway’s PorterShed, Skibbereen’s Ludgate Hub, and Dundalk’s Creative Spark, in benefiting from Vodafone-SIRO’s Gigabit Hub initiative.
By joining the Gigabit Hub initiative, the Centre will now provide its residents with access to Gigabit full fibre broadband, ensuring they have the state-of-the-art connectivity needed to excel in today’s digital economy.
As a not-for-profit organisation, the Killarney Innovation Centre has consistently offered a nurturing environment for start-ups, SMEs, and established businesses. With high-quality facilities, including flexible office spaces, co-working areas, and modern meeting rooms, the Centre has played a crucial role in driving economic development and job creation in the region.
Integrating SIRO’s Gigabit broadband will greatly enhance the Centre’s capabilities, offering unparalleled internet speeds that support advanced technological applications such as AI, Big Data, or Cloud computing, and seamless global communication. This upgrade will attract more start-ups and established businesses to Killarney, further stimulating economic growth and innovation.
As the business landscape evolves, the Killarney Innovation Centre remains dedicated to expanding and adapting its services. Future plans include a significant expansion of the hub’s size, advanced co-working spaces, and additional meeting and conference rooms equipped with the latest audiovisual technology.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD speaking at the launch event noted:
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:
MERITS also extends its impact to the broader community through initiatives like the Coder Dojo program and the CREAtech School project. The weekly Coder Dojo club engages children aged 7-17 in learning to code, build websites, and create games or apps in a safe, creative, and social environment. The CREAtech School pilot project, conducted in collaboration with the Kildare County Council Arts Department, introduces 6th class students to the latest creative technologies, including podcast recording, virtual reality, and augmented reality.
MERITS also partners with the Local Enterprise Office to offer a wide range of support services to founders and entrepreneurs. These include accelerator and development programs, mentor services, funding opportunities, and numerous networking events.
Joining the Gigabit Hub Initiative will enhance MERITS' capabilities, providing ultrafast broadband and cutting-edge digital infrastructure to its community of innovators. This integration will facilitate seamless collaboration, rapid prototyping, and the efficient scaling of digital solutions, propelling the Midlands-East’s digital economy forward.
Welcoming the partnership, Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council 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: