Mobile phones and broadband access are absolute necessities, especially when you have just arrived in a new and unfamiliar country. Thankfully, there is a great communications network in place in Ireland, whether you are logging onto the internet or using landlines or mobile devices to stay connected. Naturally, you will want to get a mobile phone, and set up broadband in your home shortly after arriving in Ireland. It is a good idea to take your time and shop around to see which package and provider is best for your specific needs.Ìý
Different phone providers in Ireland
There are a number of major phone service providers to choose from. For landlines, some of the popular ones are ,Ìý²¹²Ô»åÌý. For mobile devices, some of the popular ones are ,Ìý, , , and , Ireland's newest and pocket-friendly mobile network.
How to get a landline
If you have a permanent base in Ireland, you may want to set up a landline for yourself. This is more reliable a lot of times than mobile phones, as you know it will not lose its signal. You simply choose a provider and arrange a day for them to come and install the landline in your house.Ìý
You can often bundle together your television and/or internet services under the same package to make matters more cost- and time-efficient. Rates will depend on the provider, where you are calling, and what time of day you are making the calls.Ìý
You will usually need to provide some form of proof of address and a government-issued ID to sign up for a subscription.Ìý
How to get a mobile phone
If you already have an unlocked phone, you simply need to get an Irish SIM card for it, and you will be ready to go. As Ireland uses a , not all mobile devices will be compatible. If your current phone is not unlocked, then you may need to buy a new one and get a new phone plan.Ìý
If you are very new to the country, you may have to pay a bit more upfront because of the lack of credit history. Most major phone networks will have shops you can walk into and browse the different phones and plans on offer.Ìý
Communication prices
If you are an EU citizen and going to another EU country, there are no roaming charges in place. Prices for your plans will vary depending on your needs. Usually, you will be part of a package where you get a certain amount of free texts, calls, and data per month. The average price of a monthly phone bill in Ireland is €35.
Making phone calls
If you want to ring an international phone number when you are in Ireland, you will first need to add 00 as a prefix and then add the relevant country code.ÌýIf you are ringing a UK number, for example, it would be 00 44 followed by the number. The country code for Ireland is 353.Ìý
If you are making a call to a landline number from a mobile device in Ireland, you will need to add the county code before the number; for example, 091 for Galway or 01 for Dublin. All mobile numbers in Ireland begin with 08.Ìý
The Internet in Ireland
For the most part, across Ireland, you will have good access to internet services. There may be some coverage issues in more rural areas of the country. However, major infrastructure projects are underway to connect rural homes to high-speed fibre broadband, under the National Broadband Plan.
The internet connection you can get will depend on where you live, the infrastructure in place, and the service providers that operate in your area. With some research and shopping around, you should be able to find a package that suits your specific needs.
The different Internet service providers
You can choose from many different internet service providers in Ireland. It is important that you research to see which of these providers will be best suited for your situation. A lot of people like to use the same provider for their internet that they use for their phone landline. There are often  that you can avail of in this regard.
The leading internet service providers currently in Ireland are the largest players  ²¹²Ô»åÌý.
There are often more cost-effective packages that you can avail of when using the same provider for both your internet and landline.
When you have done your research and decided upon a provider, you can go to one of their branches or ring them to make an installation appointment. You will usually need to show some proof of address and some form of ID if this is the first time signing an internet contract with that provider.Ìý
Mobile data
These days, even the most basic phone plans will have mobile data as part of their offer. You can either choose a pay-as-you-go package or a contract. Pay as you go offers more flexibility, with no fixed monthly costs. By adding a certain amount of credit to your account in a given month, you gain access to unlimited internet data.Ìý
5G is widespread across the country, and you can usually get good access for about €20 a month. Free Wi-Fi is widely available in public places, especially if you need to get online but don't have enough mobile data.Ìý
Internet prices
Generally, you will be able to get  on your mobile device for €20 a month. Most fixed-line broadband plans will cost you between €30 and €70 each month for access.
Things to consider before subscribing to a telecommunications plan in Ireland
When choosing a service provider for your phone or internet, consider their coverage in your area, pricing, and speeds. Signal coverage maps, such as the or the , are a great way to check what the coverage in your area will be like.
Most public places like restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops will have free Wi-Fi available. Be cautious when using public hotspots, as they pose security risks if nefarious cybercriminals attempt to infiltrate the network to access personal data from other devices.Ìý
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
