The agreement will see Vodafone Ireland offer customers fixed line broadband services using Virgin Media Ireland’s fibre network.
The Virgin Media network passes 1 million premises across Ireland, offering broadband speeds of 1Gb/s. The company’s ongoing €200m network upgrade to full fibre over the next three years will be designed to support speeds up to 10Gb/s. Virgin Media has already upgraded over 150,000 premises to fibre across the Virgin network.
Through this new wholesale network access agreement between the companies, Vodafone’s customers will now have more choice and will be able to access Virgin Media’s expanding fibre network.
Tony Hanway, Chief Executive of Virgin Media Ireland says of the agreement: “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. 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 1 million homes by 2025. Our entry into the wholesale market will support more competition while improving service delivery for consumers, businesses and communities across Ireland.”
Amanda Nelson, CEO of Vodafone Ireland adds: “Our new broadband partnership with Virgin Media means Vodafone customers will be able to avail of their FTTP network, as they continue to upgrade to fibre around the country. 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.”
