Read and leave reviews for all providers in Ireland
At Everytel, we cover all providers active in Ireland. If you’re an existing customer, you can leave a review of your experiences, and if you’re weighing up different options, you can read reviews and easily compare each provider’s services – from prepay deals and SIM only deals to both fixed and mobile broadband.
With so many providers on the market today, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. However, it is actually quite straightforward – as long as you focus on certain factors when comparing the different options. Below, we’ve listed the key considerations to keep in mind to help you make the best and most cost-effective choice.
Choose your provider based on the following factors
Network coverage or availability
If you’re looking to buy a SIM only plan, prepay deals or mobile broadband, comparing the network coverage in your area is an essential first step. Without good network coverage, your service simply won’t deliver what you need. If you’re looking for fixed broadband, your address determines which providers and speeds are available to you. On the broadband providers’ websites, you’ll always start by entering your Eircode to check if they can supply broadband to your home, and if so, which speeds and prices apply.
Range on offer
The range of services can vary significantly between different providers. Some offer both SIM only, prepay deals and various types of broadband, while others may focus solely on SIM only. Start by checking which providers offer the specific service you’re looking for, then choose the provider whose range of data allowances or speeds best matches your preferences and needs.
Prices
Just as the range of services on offer varies, so do prices between different providers, with the larger providers generally charging more – sometimes by a large margin. However, these bigger providers usually offer a wider selection and more comprehensive support. That said, this doesn’t necessarily reflect the actual quality, as there are several so-called value brands or budget providers that offer an excellent range and responsive support – even if this is not as comprehensive.
Ultimately, it comes down to your own preferences and priorities. The most important thing is not to choose a provider based solely on price. Instead, draw up a few options that meet your other requirements and then pick the most affordable among them.
Service and support
Some providers offer support by phone, chat and email, while others only provide one of these contact options. If you value being able to speak directly with support and receive personal guidance should you encounter any issues, the level of customer service is an important factor to consider when comparing your options.
Which mobile providers are the largest in Ireland?
- Vodafone
- Three
- Eir
Historically, there were several distinct networks in Ireland, including O2 and Meteor. However, the market has consolidated significantly over the years. Three acquired O2, and Meteor was rebranded as Eir. Today, there are three main mobile network operators (MNOs) in Ireland that own their own infrastructure: Vodafone, Three, and Eir.
Other mobile providers, known as MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators), lease network capacity from one of these three main networks to offer their own services. Examples of popular MVNOs include Virgin Mobile, Tesco Mobile, 48, GoMo, and Clear Mobile.
While the networks are distinct, they all offer extensive coverage across the country. It is worth noting that existing customers of MVNOs generally receive the same coverage as customers of the main network they operate on (e.g., GoMo uses Eir’s network, while 48 uses Three’s).
Mobile providers that share networks
| Eir | Three | Vodafone |
|---|---|---|
| GoMo | 48 | An Post Mobile |
| Lyca Mobile | Clear Mobile | |
| Tesco Mobile | Sky Mobile | |
| Virgin Mobile |
Which mobile provider offers the best network coverage?
According to recent reports from industry analysts like umlaut, Vodafone is frequently cited as having the strongest overall network performance and reliability in Ireland, particularly in rural areas. However, Opensignal and Ookla often highlight Eir and Three as highly competitive, frequently leading in rankings for 5G availability and fastest data speeds in urban centres.
That said, network coverage does vary across different parts of the country (especially in rural Ireland), which means that no single provider can guarantee the best network coverage where you live. Before choosing a SIM only, prepay deal or mobile broadband plan, it’s important to check the provider’s network coverage in your area. On the providers’ websites, or via ComReg’s official outdoor coverage map, you can enter your Eircode to see the predicted network coverage for your specific location.
Who are the largest broadband providers in Ireland?
- Eir
- Virgin Media
- Vodafone
- Sky
Which broadband provider offers the fastest broadband?
Which provider can offer you the fastest broadband depends entirely on where you live in the country. Not all broadband providers are available everywhere, and it is often the case that they do not offer the same high speeds in all areas. That said, Virgin Media’s cable broadband network is generally considered one of the fastest widely available options in urban areas.
However, the landscape is changing rapidly. The rollout of Fibre to the Home (FTTH) by SIRO and National Broadband Ireland (NBI) means that a large proportion of the Irish population now has access to pure fibre broadband offering speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) or even 2 Gbps via providers like Vodafone, Eir, Sky, and Pure Telecom.
Which providers have the highest customer satisfaction?
When it comes to mobile services, such as SIM only and prepay deals, the smaller “value” providers often have high overall customer satisfaction. According to reports from ComReg, satisfaction levels can vary. Surveys often highlight that while the main networks (Vodafone, Three, Eir) have the largest customer bases, value brands like Tesco Mobile, 48, and GoMo tend to perform very well regarding value for money.
ComReg provides detailed quarterly reports on customer complaints. Historically, Eir has faced challenges with customer service satisfaction, while providers like Vodafone and Virgin Media have often ranked higher for complaint handling. It is always worth checking the latest ComReg statistics or reading reviews on Everytel to see how current customers feel about a provider’s support.
Can you switch provider if you’re not satisfied?
Yes, you can switch provider or broadband supplier if you’re not satisfied with your current one. If you are not on a Bill Pay contract (for example, if you are on a prepay deal or a rolling 30-day SIM only plan), or if your contract has expired, you can usually switch whenever you like as long as you give the provider the required notice (usually 30 days). However, if you are still within your minimum contract term (often 12 or 24 months), you’ll need to wait until this ends before switching if you want to avoid early termination fees.
