What is National Broadband Ireland?
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) is the company tasked with delivering Ireland's national high-speed broadband network. Backed by the Irish government and the EU, NBI's mission is simple: bring fast, reliable internet to every corner of Ireland — including homes and businesses in areas that commercial internet providers have deemed unprofitable.
While traditional broadband providers focus on cities and towns, NBI targets rural and regional areas where the infrastructure gap has persisted for years. The result is a fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network capable of delivering speeds that rival — or exceed — anything available in urban centres.
How NBI Differs from Traditional Broadband
Most broadband in Ireland runs on infrastructure built decades ago — copper phone lines, outdated exchange equipment, and cabinets far from your home. NBI is different. It's a purpose-built fibre network designed for the modern internet.
- Full fibre (FTTP) — fibre runs directly to your property, not just to the nearest cabinet
- No phone line required — dedicated internet connection, no line rental fees
- Symmetric-ish speeds — upload speeds up to 200Mbps, far exceeding consumer DSL
- Government backed — long-term infrastructure, not dependent on commercial viability
- Universal rollout — covers areas other providers won't touch
NBI Speed Tiers — What's Available
WebWorld offers three NBI packages, each designed for different household or business needs:
Who is NBI For?
NBI broadband is ideal for:
- Rural households — families frustrated by slow or unreliable connections
- Remote workers — anyone who needs reliable video calls and cloud access
- Small businesses — farms, shops, and offices in underserved areas
- Homebuyers — property buyers wanting to verify connectivity before purchase
How the NBI Rollout Works
NBI divides Ireland into deployment areas — 227 in total. Each area moves through a process: survey, design, build, and connection. As of 2026, significant portions of the country are already live, with more areas entering build phase regularly.
The best way to check your status is to enter your address on our coverage checker or on the official NBI website. Connection times vary depending on whether your area is in build, survey, or rollout phase.
Switching to NBI — What You Need to Know
Switching to NBI broadband through WebWorld is straightforward:
- Check coverage — enter your address to confirm NBI is available
- Choose your plan — Standard, Premium, or Ultrawave
- Place your order — we'll handle the NBI connection request
- Installation — NBI schedules a technician to bring fibre to your property
- Go live — superfast broadband, no phone line needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NBI the same as Eir or ESAT broadband?
No. Eir and other legacy operators run on their own existing networks. NBI is a separate, purpose-built network targeting areas those providers don't serve commercially.
How long does NBI installation take?
Once your order is placed, NBI typically schedules installation within 4–8 weeks, depending on your area's rollout stage. We keep you updated throughout.
What equipment do I need?
WebWorld provides a router free on all plans. The NBI technician handles the fibre connection into your property.
Can I get NBI if I already have a phone line?
Yes — NBI doesn't require or use your phone line. Many customers switch away from copper entirely.
Is there a setup fee?
No setup fee with WebWorld. Your first month is billed from your go-live date.