National Broadband Ireland (NBI), the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Louth County Council have confirmed the completion of the National Broadband Plan's primary infrastructure works in County Louth.

The achievement opens up high-speed fibre broadband to homes, farms, businesses and schools in areas that previously lacked dependable, fast connectivity. Louth is among the latest counties to hit this stage as the nationwide build moves into its final stretch, with completion due later this year.

Speaking recently, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, TD, said: "The completion of the National Broadband Plan build in County Louth is a significant milestone in delivering on our commitment to connect every community to the opportunities of the digital economy.

"This €33 million Government investment is giving homes, businesses and communities across Louth the connectivity they need to work, grow, and compete. That matters particularly in a county with such a proud industrial heritage and such a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

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"The National Broadband Plan is transforming rural Ireland. In Louth, we are seeing that transformation become a reality, creating the digital foundations for the next generation of enterprise, innovation, and opportunity.

"This is about more than broadband. It is about giving people the tools to build their future in the communities they call home."

To mark the milestone, Louth County Council hosted a reception at the Oriel Centre, Dundalk, with addresses from Cllr Dolores Minogue, Cathaoirleach; Feargal Ó Coigligh, Secretary General, Department of Communications; Mairead Meyer, Chief Operations Officer, NBI; and David Conway, Chief Executive, Louth County Council.

Around 9,000 premises in Louth fall within the State’s Intervention Area, where NBI is delivering minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second. The rollout represents €33 million of Government investment locally, with more than 3,500 premises already live on the network.

With construction advanced nationwide, NBI says the main fibre build remains on schedule to finish by year-end. The network will enable high-speed broadband for 566,000 homes, farms and businesses across rural Ireland—up from 537,000 at contract signing.

Across the country, almost 532,000 premises can now order services on the NBI network, with more than 193,000 connections to date. In many areas that have been live for longer, take-up already exceeds 60%, highlighting strong demand for robust fibre connectivity supporting remote work, online learning, digital health, agri-tech, tourism and local enterprise.

NBI operates as a wholesale-only provider; residents and businesses order through retail broadband providers rather than directly with NBI. Those in the rollout area can use their Eircode on the NBI website to check availability, see participating providers and place an order.