Want to go to Ireland without cutting the Web cord? Don’t panic, the Internet plays a major role in the daily lives of Irish households! The ubiquitous Internet has become an essential means of communication, and you won’t have too much trouble making the most of it in Ireland! However, the quality of service depends on where you are, and you could well find yourself without Internet in some of the more remote areas… Here’s what you need to know to surf the web in Ireland…
There are ways to get Web access in Ireland
Ireland is often criticized for its incomplete network coverage, which often prevents the most remote regions from benefiting from broadband (ADSL) or 4G. The fault lies above all with the government’s considerable delay in equipping the country uniformly with telephone lines capable of supporting large data flows.
Don’t worry, though: the country is currently catching up, and Internet access is becoming easier and easier, wherever you are! Only a few small rural villages will therefore be affected by this problem.
As for access to the city, it’s generally very satisfactory! In fact, many establishments (B&Bs, hotels, restaurants) offer free, uninterrupted WIFI, with no access restrictions. This will save a few cold sweats for big-city lovers, who can’t do without a little web surfing! So rest assured: you can take your tablet or laptop with you without a care in the world!
A big advantage for Europeans who simply want to consult the Web via their phone. The new regulations concerning the end of roaming charges on the old continent will enable you to enjoy your usual package directly in Ireland… at no extra cost!
All French operators have had to comply with this law, and now Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free and other competitors are legally obliged to stop charging you extra. Perfect for connecting to the Web, using your GPS or consulting our fabulous site!
Be careful, however, not to overextend your package: overconsumption can happen very quickly.
If you’re not too keen on using your package on the spot, you can buy a local SIM card. Inexpensive, they allow you to buy a prepaid package, and use Irish mobile operators.
Please note: this is a very practical alternative, but it does require a de-locked cell phone.
If the phone solution isn’t enough, and you don’t want to use your smartphone as a means of connecting to your computer, then we recommend the 4G key. It’s a simple USB key, capable of connecting to local 4G (once again, roaming charges are not charged, but we recommend you check with your operator, as this varies from company to company).
This will allow you to connect to the Web from your PC! Simple and practical… but be careful! These keys operate on a flat-rate basis, and exceeding them can be costly.
Don’t hesitate to buy an Irish 4G key: it can be interesting because it’s often cheaper. You’ll find plenty of them in Terminal 1 at Dublin Airport. Expect to pay €30 on average, with top-up options.
