Cork city has highest mobile data usage in Ireland, Eir claims

A new report by Eir claims Ireland’s data usage surged by more than 40% across the telecoms’ mobile network in 2023 and Cork City took the top spot.

The report claims this growth has been substantial across Irish counties. Leitrim had the most significant growth at 50% compared to the same period last year.

This followed Eir’s investment of more than €2.5m to expand Leitrim’s mobile network.

Eir attributed the increase in Ireland’s mobile data usage to its unlimited minutes and unlimited data tariffs, along with the increased adoption of data-intensive applications, such as video and gaming streaming services.

Cork city took the top spot in terms of data usage in Ireland. Tuam in Galway, Athy in Kildare, Dublin Airport and Edenderry in Offaly were the next highest locations in terms of data usage.

Fairhill in Cork city was the top location for voice calls in the country, followed by Athy in Kildare and Dublin’s Poppintree, Coolock and Blanchardstown.

Eir also reports increased levels of 5G usage across Ireland, with Dublin Airport being the top site for 5G usage, followed by Mullingar Town Centre and Dublin’s O’Connell Street.

Susan Brady, Eir’s consumer and small business MD, said the results are a “testament to Eir’s commitment” in providing mobile services to its customers, along with its investment in 5G technology.

Eir plans to roll out a gigabit broadband network to 1.9m premises in Ireland by the end of 2026, which will represent 84pc of homes and businesses in the country. The remaining 16pc will be covered by National Broadband Ireland.