Broadband switch deals

It depends on the access network available to you, the price can change sometimes depending on which you're using. All of the retail providers have slightly different latency/peering/routing but it shouldn't be that noticeable. I have no experience of IFA Telecom myself.

You can check which access networks are available to you here - https://www.comreg.ie/broadbandchecker

You can get Virgin Media through NBI, SIRO and their own network.

I presume you are currently on FTTP with Sky? The most seamless switch would be to a provider who agrees for you to stay on the same access network - OpenEir, SIRO, NBI, Virgin FTTP.

If multiple are available to you then they may switch you to a different one, which would involve another new fibre install. You'd have to specify that you want to stay on the same network.

You can check here -

https://www.comreg.ie/broadbandchecker/

If only one FTTP access network is available to you then you'll be okay and it'll be a simple swap of router, or continue to use your own. Just give the new provider your current UAN/SIRO Acc No/NBI Line ID, this should be listed on your current bill.

Yes it will involve a new fibre install as no other provider uses Virgin coax, only their FTTP network is wholesale. SIRO is usually brought in near your ESB electricity meter and an ONT will be installed on the wall inside.

You can check which access network is available to be installed at the property here -

https://www.comreg.ie/broadbandchecker/

It will depend on the installer on the day afaik. You will need a socket next to where the ONT is installed.

If it's not installed exactly where you wanted it, you can always run an ethernet cable from the ONT to where you want the router yourself.

No SIRO would have nothing to do with the OpenEir connection, but in my experience the technicians are good at accommodating where you want it installed.

If OpenEir FTTP was showing as available to you on the ComReg website, then OpenEir wouldn't come in where the ESB meter is and would most likely follow the existing phone line path and install there, as long as there was an unblocked duct to there.

If SIRO and OpenEir are showing as avilable, you'd need to tell the provider you go with that you want OpenEir. Some are more accommodating than others with this, Digiweb and Pure Telecom would be, but there would be different prices per month depending on which you go with.

It completely depends on the installers mood on the day. Generally speaking, as NotShero said it'll go where the ESB meter is for SIRO and where the old eircom telephone connection is for Openeir provided there's a double socket available.

I've had customers tell me the engineer was happy to tack the cable along the wall and up the stairs for them, connected their devices to the new network, installed the TV box etc, and then others who said the engineer claimed to only be allowed put it where the eircom connection was and ran out the door!

Yes, you have to pay the activation fee regardless

Obviously bigger kickback with opener. I have both available so will keep an eye on that. Thanks for heads up

If they're anything like eir the system will only allow the new customer price when the customer actually leaves for another provider. Super annoying but they rely on the fact the majority of people aren't arsed switching.

I was tempted to go to virgin but their hub gets awful reviews if you want to use your own setup or connect to it.

Anyone try ivertec?

had VM cable ( docsis ) broadband using their HUB 5 ( the one with a fabric cover at the front, and only one light for activity ) - asked CC to enable IPv4 ( as it's IPv6 as standard ) and enabled modem mode ; my router plugged to Lan 4 ( 2.5G) of HUB 5 and all was ok.

The real pain with VM comes at the end of the contract - the cancelation email doesn't seem to work anymore and you have to hassle them to cancel the contract - very difficult, time consuming process.

If you manage to talk to a person on the CC ( customer care ) the experience will reinforce the 'media' wording and not the other one in the naming…

Anything I've read online says they use a mac type connection rather than pppoe so unless you can clone your mac onto your mesh master (which people have varying success) you must put the hub into bridge mode which also has mixed reviews. It's put me off them to be honest for the sake of a small few euros.

Maybe that's why I am reading such negativity online. I've a fritzbox so I assume mac cloning is doable.

I have been with VM for years. I renewed my 12-month contract at half off for 6 months, full price for next 6 months.
€891 for 1 year contract… i.e. €74.25/month.
- 500Mbps unlimited BB
- basic TV package (~32 channels, incl HD channels…. no premium channels)
- landline telephone… with unlimited calls within Ireland & 400 international minutes to landlines in 22 countries.

What do you think?

New customers can definitely get better, esp if they drop the landline.