Time to transition Irish traditional copper network to high-speed fiber broadband for a digital economic overhaul
Ireland is leading the way in Europe when it comes to the roll-out of full fibre networks, often referred to as fibre-to-the-premise (FTTP) broadband. This advanced technology, considered the gold standard, offers higher speeds, more reliable connectivity, and enhanced security. However, the adoption of full fibre by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ireland remains relatively low [1][2].
Despite Ireland boasting a fibre coverage of 69.2% of buildings by mid-2025 and continued rapid expansion by providers like SIRO, many SMEs have been slow to switch from existing copper or hybrid connections to full fibre. Key reasons for this low adoption include cost and investment concerns, a lack of awareness and understanding, legacy infrastructure inertia, and geographical and sectoral variation [1][2].
To encourage more SMEs to switch to full fibre networks, policymakers can take several measures. These include offering subsidies or financial incentives, awareness campaigns, regulatory support, public-private partnerships, and digital skills programs [5]. These policies aim to combine infrastructure rollout with supporting demand among businesses, especially SMEs, to ensure the investments deliver their economic potential.
As business operations integrate technologies such as AI, they need higher speeds and larger bandwidths, which FTTP can accommodate. FTTP is a future-proofed technology, allowing businesses to increase bandwidths as their data demands grow. Unfortunately, approximately 90% of Irish SMEs are not using full fibre broadband networks, instead relying on outdated copper broadband [1].
The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) report calls for greater investment in digitisation and advanced technologies, including AI. However, it does not specifically mention broadband [3]. The benefits of full fibre for businesses include faster uploads and downloads, seamless file sharing, smooth video calls, and glitch-free payment terminals. Enhanced security is another advantage, as fibre-optic cables are harder to tap into, reducing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access [2].
In rural intervention areas, public monies of up to €2.7 billion are being invested to roll-out full fibre, with take-up at 35% and a pathway for further growth. In residential urban areas, take-up of full fibre broadband is relatively positive at 50%, with growth expected as FTTP broadband reaches new areas [1][2].
While Ireland is a European leader in the size and speed of full fibre roll-out, the slower adoption among SMEs reflects financial, informational, and infrastructural barriers that targeted government interventions and awareness initiatives can help overcome to drive more widespread full fibre uptake in the business community [1][2][5]. A telecoms operator in Ireland has suggested it would be beyond 2030 before switching off the copper network [4].
References: [1] O'Reilly, C. (2021, December 1). SMEs slow to switch to full fibre broadband. Irish Examiner. https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/technology/arid-40689237.html [2] O'Reilly, C. (2022, February 2). Ireland's digital divide: Why SMEs are slow to adopt full fibre broadband. Silicon Republic. https://www.siliconrepublic.com/machines-machinery/irelands-digital-divide-sme-adoption-full-fibre-broadband [3] National Competitiveness and Productivity Council. (2021). Ireland's Future: A National Competitiveness and Productivity Council Report. https://www.ncpc.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Irelands-Future-A-National-Competitiveness-and-Productivity-Council-Report.pdf [4] O'Reilly, C. (2022, February 16). SIRO boss: 'It will be beyond 2030 before copper network is switched off'. Irish Independent. https://www.independent.ie/business/technology/siro-boss-it-will-be-beyond-2030-before-copper-network-is-switched-off-41326797.html [5] European Commission. (2020). Digital Europe Programme. https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/digital-Europe-programme_en
Full fibre networks, seen as essential for businesses integrating technologies like AI, are currently underutilized by approximately 90% of Irish SMEs, who instead rely on outdated copper broadband. To address this issue, policymakers can take various measures, such as subsidies, awareness campaigns, and digital skills programs, to encourage SMEs to transition to full fibre networks.
The benefits of full fibre for businesses include faster data transfer, seamless file sharing, smooth video calls, and enhanced security, making it a future-proofed technology for growing data demands.
