Best Broadband Deals in Nothern Ireland, UK (March 2025 )

Q: Who is the best broadband provider in Northern Ireland?

Vodafone is the best broadband provider in Northern Ireland. With Vodafone’s Essential 2 plan, you can get speeds up to 73Mbps, which is more than enough for UHD streaming. It only costs £20 a month, there are no cancellation fees, and no mid-contract price increases.

Q: What is the fastest broadband in Belfast?

In 2025, the fastest broadband provider in Belfast is Virgin Media . Its Gigabit broadband offers not a maximum, but an average speed of 1,130Mbps. Other broadband providers in Belfast, including Vodafone, Sky, and BT, all have premium packages capable of speeds around the 900Mbps mark.

Given the abundance of broadband providers in Northern Ireland, selecting the right one can be overwhelming, especially with the varying terms, speeds, and prices. Finding the best option is no easy task.

Fortunately, we've taken the legwork out of the process for you. Here are the top broadband deals in Northern Ireland for 2025.

List of best broadband deals in Northern Ireland

How to compare broadband deals in Northern Ireland

Check availability. Enter your postcode in our postcode checker to see which providers are available in your area.
Compare deals. Compare deals available based on your preferred speed, contract length, and price.
Switch provider. Press “View deal” and finish the switch by making a contract with the chosen provider.

What broadband packages are available in Northern Ireland?

Exploring the broadband options in Northern Ireland can be challenging, given the extensive variety of packages. Whether you need a basic internet connection or a complete bundle, there's a solution tailored to your needs. Here’s a breakdown of the main choices:

Broadband-only: Ideal for those who only need internet access, these packages offer various speeds to suit different browsing and streaming needs.
Broadband and phone: Combining internet and landline services, these deals are perfect for users who still rely on a home phone for calls alongside their internet use.
Broadband and TV: These packages bundle internet with television services, providing a range of channels and on-demand content for entertainment enthusiasts.
Broadband, home phone, and TV: The ultimate all-in-one solution, these comprehensive bundles offer internet, landline, and a full suite of TV channels and services – think Sky and BT – catering to all your communication and entertainment needs.

What to consider while looking for the best broadband deals in Northern Ireland?

Finding the best broadband deal might be tricky, but these few tips can help you navigate better:

Check availability. Most internet providers don’t have 100% coverage. Check to make sure your desired broadband package is available in your area and that it’s well-covered so you can avoid unnecessary downtime.
Compare packages. Consider the price, speed, and contract length of each provider available in your area. The best broadband deal for you really depends on your needs.
Consider your usage. Some broadband plans are exceptionally cheap but limit your bandwidth. Monitor your internet usage with third-party tools or your router’s built-in tools, so you know exactly what you need to get. Don’t pay for something you won’t use.
Read reviews. Before committing to a long-term contract, make sure you can trust your chosen provider. Look at what its current customers are saying — are they happy?
Look for bundles. If you have a landline, a TV, or both, you should look into bundle deals. Most mainstream providers offer significant discounts if you sign up for packages that combine services.

Main internet providers in Northern Ireland

The most popular internet providers in Northern Ireland are:

BT. BT’s Northern Ireland division is based in Belfast and supports both home and business broadband users. It currently has the most subscribers in the region, with many getting at least 100Mbps speeds.
Virgin Media. Virgin Media is the second-biggest provider in Northern Ireland. Like BT, it offers broadband, TV, and phone services.
Sky. Sky is a very popular choice in Northern Ireland, with over 5 million subscribers. Its broadband and TV bundles are a common favourite amongst the population.
TalkTalk. This provider has a great reputation for offering excellent speeds at a reasonable price.
Vodafone. Vodafone has some of the lowest-priced plans in Northern Ireland and has tens of thousands of positive reviews attesting to its fantastic broadband speeds.

What types of broadband are available in Northern Ireland?

The three main types of broadband available in Northern Ireland are:

Fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP). This is the best and fastest broadband option in 2025. It uses fibre optic cables for the entire route to your home. With FFTP, you can get 1000Mbps download speeds. But most affordable plans in Northern Ireland limit you to around 300Mbps.
Fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC). FTTC uses some fibre optic cables on the route to your home. It’s a significant improvement to traditional ADSL, allowing for download speeds up to 100Mbps.
Standard ADSL broadband. This is the oldest broadband type you can get. It uses a traditional home phone line for connection. You’re limited to around 24Mbps. But it’s also the cheapest optio
Mobile broadband. This option uses the mobile network to provide internet access. It is ideal for those who need flexibility and mobility, offering decent speeds but often with data caps.
Satellite broadband. Satellite broadband is a viable option for rural or remote areas where other types of broadband are not available. It provides decent speeds, but latency can be higher, and it can be more expensive.

What broadband speed can you expect in Northern Ireland?

Broadband speeds in Northern Ireland vary depending on several factors, such as your chosen provider and plan. For example, here are some of the average download and upload speeds for the deals we recommended:

Provider	Average download speed	Average upload speed
Vodafone	73Mbps	19Mbps
Fibrus	318Mbps	100Mbps
Sky	61Mbps	16Mbps
BT	300Mbps	49Mbps
Virgin Media	264Mbps	25Mbps
TalkTalk	525Mbps	72Mbps
Plusnet	300Mbps	50Mbps
EE	67Mbps	19Mbps

How can you improve broadband speed in Northern Ireland?

If you’re finding that your internet speed is too slow, there are several things you can do to improve your broadband speed:

Check your internet plan. Internet plans have limited speeds. Find out your package's maximum and average download and upload speeds. You might need to upgrade your contract to get what you need.
Use an ethernet cable. Wireless connections are far more vulnerable to interference. Connecting your device directly to the router with an ethernet cable gives you the most reliable connection possible.
Upgrade your router. If you’ve had the same router for a few years, you might want to get a new one from your provider. The latest WiFi hardware is designed to handle much faster internet speeds.
Move your router. Thick walls, clutter, and router distance all have a huge impact on your connection speed. Move your device as close to the router as possible and test the speed. If it has improved, you should reposition your router somewhere more appropriate.
Examine your device. Sometimes, there’s nothing wrong with your provider or router. Make sure the device you are using is up to date and isn’t slow. Try using a different device and do a speed test to see if that’s the issue.

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Broadband deals Northern Ireland - FAQ

Who is the best broadband provider in Northern Ireland?

Vodafone is the best broadband provider in Northern Ireland. With Vodafone’s Essential 2 plan, you can get speeds up to 73Mbps, which is more than enough for UHD streaming. It only costs £20 a month, there are no cancellation fees, and no mid-contract price increases.

How to get internet in Northern Ireland?

The best modern method to get internet in Northern Ireland is FTTP. FTTP uses fibre optic cables exclusively for the best broadband speeds. For a lower price, you can use FTTC, which only uses some fibre optic cables - but it’s a little slower. In rural Northern Ireland, you might have to use ADSL broadband.

What is the fastest broadband in Belfast?

In 2025, the fastest broadband provider in Belfast is Virgin Media. Its Gigabit broadband offers not a maximum, but an average speed of 1,130Mbps. Other broadband providers in Belfast, including Vodafone, Sky, and BT, all have premium packages capable of speeds around the 900Mbps mark.

How much is the social broadband tariff in Northern Ireland?

Social broadband tariffs in Northern Ireland, specifically designed for low-income households and those on certain benefits, vary but typically range from £10 to £20 per month. Currently, the best deal is offered by Fibrus, which has launched Full Fibre Essential, a new social tariff broadband for eligible customers, priced at £14.99 per month.