Ireland - Digital Economy and Digital Media - Statistics and Analyses

Synopsis

In recent years the market for converged media and applications in Ireland has evolved rapidly in line with the improved reach and capacity of broadband infrastructure and as the country migrates to all-IP networks. Both the government through its National Broadband Plan and operators such as eir, enet and Vodafone Ireland through their investment programs, are extending the reach of improved broadband services for customers. By early 2017 eir had signed up about 53,000 customers on its FttP infrastructure, and the company expected to cover some 1.9 million premises with the network by the end of 2018. Vodafone, in conjunction with the utility ESB, also has an extensive 1Gb/s offer as part of its program to deliver fibre-based services to more than 300 towns. Virgin Media Ireland is also looking to adopt the DOCSIS3.1 standard which will boost download speeds to above 1Gb/s. These infrastructure upgrades improve the ability of subscribers to tap into a wide range of OTT services, including videostreaming services from the likes of Netflix and other providers. This report presents an overview of all these platforms and major service providers, noting the status of digital TV via the terrestrial, cable and satellite platforms, as well as interactive TV services.

Key developments:

Vodafone Ireland becomes a quad-play provider with its IPTV launch; Virgin Media Ireland discontinues its MMDS service; eir launches eVision on Demand service; RTÉ initiates Saorview DTT service; Magnet Networks launches free web TV; government’s NewEra broadband plans to support connectivity; report updates includes the regulator’s market data to Q4 2016, telcos’ operating and financial data to Q4 2016, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

Virgin Media Ireland, Smart Telecom, Magnet Networks, eir, Casey Cablevision.