Knowledge Base
Broadband speeds are measured in Mbps (megabits per second)
Download Speed: this is the speed with which you can receive content from the Internet. How quickly you can download a song, view a movie on Netflix, etc.
Upload Speeds: this is the speed with which you can send content. This could be sending an email, uploading photos to a website.
Most people download much more than they upload, therefore Broadband download speeds are always set to be faster than upload speeds.
What are “up to” speeds and why do we use this term?
Broadband Providers use the term ‘up to’ when selling broadband products. This is because the broadband speeds achievable will depend on a number of factors including the broadband connection type installed, the modem/router technical capabilities, whether your devices are directly connected to the modem via network cable or connected via WiFi. Additionally, your internal network and customer devices will affect speeds achievable.
How do I know what speeds I will receive?
When you contact our sales team directly on Freephone 1800 285828 they will estimate the maximum speeds achievable based on the broadband connection type available at your address. You simply need to provide us with your Eircode or existing landline or UAN number.
The fastest broadband speeds can be achieved by ordering Digiweb SIRO Broadband (FTTH) or Lightning Broadband (FTTH) broadband which are capable of delivering download speeds up to 1,000Mbps. These plans provide a 100% fibre-optic internet connection all the way to the building (fibre to the home / fibre to the building), making it a vast improvement on any other broadband infrastructure currently available in Ireland, with no copper connection at any point in the network. With fibre to the home (FTTH) you’ll have incredible speed and reliability instantly. These services are subject to network availability at your address.
Currently the most used technology in Ireland is Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) which delivers download speeds are up to 100Mbps. Alternatively, previous technologies such as uncongested NextGen or DSL broadband provide download speeds up to 24Mbps. These broadband services use the existing copper infrastructure such as telephone wires and coaxial cable. The speed coming down the cable is what we refer to as ‘line speed’. How far your house is from your local telephone exchange and local cabinet are speed factors when looking to understand the maximum speeds achievable to your home.
When ordering one of our Metro wireless or Satellite broadband services we can only advise of the up to speeds as we cannot determine what your actual speeds will be until installation. Metro products offer speeds up to 30Mbps. Satellite products offer speeds up to 20Mbps.
