At the end of September, the total number of broadband subscribers in Ireland stood at 1.12 million, a 6.7pc increase since the previous quarter. ComReg (Commission for Communications Regulation) reckons some 59pc of Irish households now have broadband.
Excluding mobile broadband, the total number of broadband subscribers at the end of September was 856,375.
The regulator estimates that broadband penetration, including mobile, at the end of September stood at 25.9pc.
In total there were 1.38 million internet subscribers in Q3, up 3.2pc on the previous quarter.
Eircom’s overall share of fixed-line market revenue fell by 1pc to 67pc during the quarter.
ComReg reckons 59pc of Irish households now have broadband.
Overall mobile penetration stood at 121.5pc at the end of Q3, with mobile phone subscriptions increasing by 64,934 during the period.
In total there are 5.2 million mobile phone subscriptions in Ireland.
During the third quarter, over 91,000 Irish mobile phone users switched provider.
As well as this, Irish mobile consumers continued to send more text messages with 2.52 billion messages sent, up 3.1pc on the previous quarter.
The results were welcomed by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan TD, who said: “Considering that in 2003 we only had 6,000 broadband subscribers, this represents remarkable progress over this timeframe.
“Some 59pc of households now have broadband. This figure should be seen in the context of the 70pc of Irish households that have a personal computer.
“We are not where we want to be on broadband but we are getting there. Our growth rates continue and competition across platforms is delivering real results.
“The National Broadband Scheme will bring broadband to those areas currently unserved. With universal broadband in Ireland, we can concentrate on increasing speeds and reducing costs. This is a priority of my Ministry,” Minister Ryan said.
By John Kennedy
