The Compare online application is an independent interactive tool which presents a list of a broad range of service providers’ plans for home phone, mobile, broadband and bundled services.
ComReg provides this service in accordance with its legal obligation to enable consumers to make informed choices when deciding to switch communications service providers or to switch plans with the same service provider. ComReg’s goal is to offer consumers the facility to accurately compare service providers’ plans using filters to narrow the search to what the consumer is looking for.
This Compare online application is for information purposes only. ComReg provides this service to enhance public access to information.
ComReg receives information from each service provider periodically. However, more up to date information may be available on the service providers’ own websites. Although ComReg endeavours to display accurate results in this online resource, all users should contact their preferred service provider directly to verify plan details before entering into a contract. Further information about such services may be available from the relevant service provider website.
ComReg’s goal is to provide information on a broad range of offers which cover a significant portion of the market, but it is not a complete overview of the market, and therefore not all service providers and plans are listed.
Some plans and promotions may have eligibility criteria or may only be available to certain customers, for example new customers only. Before entering into a contract, consumers should check with the relevant service provider to confirm eligibility and availability of their preferred plans and promotions, and to familiarise themselves with any applicable terms and conditions.
A bundle is a convenient way of receiving a combination of services including broadband, mobile, home phone and TV from one supplier. These services may work out cheaper than paying for each service individually and will be billed together, rather than receiving separate bills for each service each month.
Bill Pay – You pay a monthly bill for a set price from your mobile provider, for the services you have used in the previous month. The duration of the contract is usually month-to-month, 12 or 24 months. If you go above your allowance of calls, texts and data you will have to pay extra.
Bill Pay plans typically include a new or refurbished mobile phone handset in the contract, which may have a discounted price based on the type of bill pay contract entered into. There is also the option of a SIM-only plan where the service provider does not provide a handset , but you want a monthly bill pay contract for calls, texts and data.
Pre-Pay – This is a pay-as-you-go option. You buy credit from various outlets such as shops, bank machines and online, and top up your phone when you need to. Your mobile plan may include a cap on how much data you can use, minutes of calls you can make, or the number of texts you can send within a specified period (usually a month). You don’t have to enter into a fixed term contract and can stop using the service at any time. This can also include a new or refurbished mobile phone handset which is typically paid for upfront.
We have more information on mobile in our dedicated web section here.
The ‘G’ stands for the ‘Generation’ of mobile phone technology, for example 5G is the Fifth Generation. Each evolution of mobile technology has been capable of faster mobile internet (data) services, which has enabled year-on-year growth in data consumption, the mobile service most used by Irish consumers.
For more information on mobile technology, visit our dedicated webpage.
Multiple types of technology provide broadband to homes and businesses in Ireland. The broadband connection you can get will depend on where you live, the available technology, and what service providers are operating in your area. The main types of broadband connections available in Ireland are fibre, part-fibre, cable, copper, fixed wireless, satellite and mobile. For further information on broadband technology, visit our dedicated webpage.
Something that is often quoted when purchasing broadband, or when it is advertised, is broadband speed. This is usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). One gigabit per second (1Gbps) is roughly the same as one thousand megabits per second (1000Mbps). The more megabits, the faster and better quality your broadband connection, all other factors being the same. For more information on broadband speed and technology, visit our dedicated webpage.
The majority of, but not all, large service providers now include a built-in price increase in new contracts. These price increases can be calculated based on inflation, a fixed percentage or both and are sometimes known as Consumer Price Index Plus (CPI+). This price increase usually takes place automatically in April each year. ComReg does not set or approve retail prices. For further information on Annual Price Increases, visit our dedicated webpage.
Compare presents a range of costs associated with a service provider’s plan. It calculates and displays two costs, the total contract cost and average monthly contract cost, using the same methodology for all providers (each is explained below).
All costs are presented in a way to help consumers in comparing offers from a variety of service providers on a like-for-like basis, and to assist with making more informed decisions.
Service providers may present the details and cost of their plans differently on their websites, for example by highlighting discounted monthly charges, handset offers or promotions. Therefore, the costs displayed on Compare may differ from the prices advertised by a service provider.
This calculation is the total cost of the contract over the minimum contract term, excluding annual price increases. It is calculated by adding:
This calculation is the average monthly cost of the contract over the minimum contract term, annual price increases. It is calculated by:
For example, a 24-month contract with a total contract cost of €1,200 would have an average monthly contract cost of €50 (€1,200 ÷ 24).
This figure provides a standardised way of determining the average monthly cost of a particular plan, and a way to help compare plans across a variety of different providers.
As it is an average calculation and includes costs that may be spread across the contract term, it may not necessarily represent the amount that will be charged by your service provider each month.
This is the initial amount you pay when signing up for a contract. Installation charges, activation and connection fees are examples of upfront .
If you believe that some information on Compare is incorrect, please email comparefeedback@comreg.ie with the details.
If you need further assistance, please contact our Consumer Care team.
If you are a registered service provider who offers mobile, broadband, home phone or bundle services to consumers in the Republic of Ireland, please contact comparefeedback@comreg.ie