Virgin Media Ireland and Vodafone Ireland have agreed a wholesale network access deal, meaning Vodafone will offer its customers fixed-line broadband using Virgin Media's fibre broadband network, which has passed 1m premises in Ireland.

Virgin Media offers fibre broadband speeds of 1Gbps, and will invest €200m in a network upgrade over the next three years to increase speeds to up to 10Gbps. The company has already upgraded over 150,000 premises to fibre across its network.

"We’re very pleased to provide network access opportunities to other operators for the first time and we welcome Vodafone as our first wholesale network partner," said Tony Hanway, CEO of Virgin Media Ireland.

"It’s all systems go as we continue to expand our network nationally and bring ultrafast fibre connectivity to over 240,000 homes by the end of 2022, and over 1m homes by 2025.

"Our entry into the wholesale market will support more competition while improving service delivery for consumers, businesses and communities across Ireland.”

In Association with

Amanda Nelson, CEO of Vodafone Ireland, said: “As Ireland’s largest Fibre to the Home market provider, and the fastest growing broadband provider over the last 12 months, we are always looking for new and innovative ways to bring the best products and solutions to our customers.

"Our new broadband partnership with Virgin Media means Vodafone customers will be able to avail of their Fibre to the Premise network, as they continue to upgrade to fibre around the country."

She added: "Having recently celebrated 21 years in Ireland, we are looking forward to supporting our customers and businesses across the country long into the future, ensuring balanced regional development and a resilient and strengthened economy.

"Partnerships such as this, demonstrate our continued focus on our significant network investment strategy, as we look to continually upgrade and refresh our capabilities in Ireland.”

Photo: (l-r) Amanda Nelson and Tony Hanway.