Satellite broadband is helping to connect rural communities across Ireland, and as a satellite specialist, Bigblu is one of the best companies out there to get you connected without breaking the bank. We explore Bigblu’s history, its packages and contact information in this dedicated guide.
Bigblu and Konnect are no longer accepting customers Biglu and Konnect have stopped accepting domestic customers, but they are still offering business solutions to their commercial customers through Eutelsat-Konnect. You can still find all the information about both companies and what their offers were in our Bigblu guide.
Who Is Bigblu Broadband?
Bigblu was the largest distributor of WTTx satellite broadband in Europe, with a customer base exceeding 115,000 customers. While this number of customers sounds relatively low, it is somewhat deceptive. Bigbu broadband specialises in providing internet connections to rural communities, and those who are either underserved or not served at all by traditional broadband solutions such as fibre, ADSL or SIRO.
What Did This Mean for Existing Bigblu Irelands Customers?
In autumn 2020, Bigblu was acquired by Eutelsat in a deal totalling roughly €38,000,000. Currently, Eutelsat sells satellite broadband services through their satellite - Konnect. As a result, Bigblu Ireland no longer took on new customers. Existing customers needn’t worry, however, as existing contracts will continue to be honoured. Likewise, you can still contact Bigblu customer service through the same details that you are used to.
Your Bigblu account continued to operate as normal, without the need for any further changes in username or log-in details. To access your account, head over to the Bigblu login page, and enter either your account username, email or account number, followed by your password. If you have forgotten your password, select the “Forgotten Password” button, and enter either your username or email to receive a reset notification to your email address.
What Is Konnect?
Konnect is a satellite that Eutelsat launched in 2020, and provided strong broadband connections across Europe and parts of Africa, with speeds reaching up to 100 Mbps. Though the Konnect broadband Ireland website is its own entity, it is directly owned by Eutelsat.
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What Is Satellite Broadband?
Satellite technology has been a common feature in homes now for decades, with the most recognizable retailer of satellite products being Sky. Satellite broadband does not require a connection to fixed-line networks, enabling homes in rural areas to access a broadband connection that may otherwise not have been possible.
To get satellite broadband, a satellite dish will need to be installed on your home. This dish will pick up signals emitted from a satellite in space, which are then communicated to your router, and emitted as a WiFi signal. These signals tend to provide a much faster connection than traditional ADSL broadband, with speeds up to 100 Mbps, however, this still pales in comparison to fibre broadband connections.
Pros and Cons of Satellite Broadband
Though the types of satellite broadband Ireland has can be a great solution for rural households, it does still come with a few drawbacks. We look into their pros and cons in the list below.
Advantages
- Provides access to rural communities and homes.
- Good speeds.
- No reliance on landlines and fixed networks.
- Quickly growing and improving industry.
Disadvantages
- Requires a satellite dish installation.
- Speeds can be affected by bad weather.
- High latency causing slow responsiveness.
- Tends to have data usage restrictions.
Satellite broadband is typically favoured by those who do not have the options of fibre and ADSL connection, and who similarly may not have a strong enough local network signal for mobile broadband to be viable. That being said, you can of course still get satellite broadband even if you do have access to these alternate forms of connection.
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What Deals Are Available Through Konnect Broadband Ireland?
The options for Satellite broadband Ireland has always been somewhat limited, both in terms of broadband provider choice, and package options. While Konnect Eutelsat doesn’t offer a huge variety to pick from, there are currently three available tariffs to examine.
| Package Name | Monthly Price | Contract Length | Speeds Up To | Data Allowance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | €37.90 | 12 Months | 20 Mbps | 50 Gb P/M |
| Lite | €37.90 for 3 Months €47.90 Thereafter |
12 Months | 37 Mbps | 75 Gb P/M |
| Plus | €47.90 for 3 Months €67.90 Thereafter |
12 Months | 75 Mbps | 150 Gb P/M |
Last Updated: 06/10/2023
Though each of these packages features a data limit, unlike most providers, Konnect Eutelsat didn't financially penalise their customers or cut-off their services if these limits were exceeded. Instead, once the data allowance has been used, users will experience a speed reduction, making each plan effectively unlimited. This ‘soft penalty’ helped to avoid cutting off homes or wracking up big bills and was another reason why Bigblu’s customers gave the company such good reviews.
One final thing to take into consideration when weighing up your Bigblu broadband choices was that two of the above packages came with an installation fee. These were:
- Starter - €149
- Lite - €79
- Plus - Free
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How Can I Contact Bigblu or Konnect?
As we have previously mentioned, despite Bigblu being taken over by Eutelsat, their contact details remained the same. You may notice that the contact details for Bigblu below correspond to the UK, however, don’t worry, these are indeed the correct details for customers from the ROI also. Additionally, we have attached the contact details for Konnect should you wish to discuss package specifics.
| Contact Method | Phone | Post | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bigblu Ireland | +44 (0) 1869 222 900 | [email protected] | Bigblu Broadband Plc, 106 – 108 Churchill Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire., OX26 4XD |
| Konnect Ireland | 04493 17999 | [email protected] | Not Available |
Bigblu Irelands customer service is available between the hours of 9 am to 5 pm between Monday and Friday, and 10 am to 3 pm on Saturday, and Konnect is available from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Was Bigblu any good?
While there are many other broadband providers who offer satellite options, Bigblu was one of the few who specialise and only offer satellite services. This gives them a wealth of expertise and experience in what other companies may otherwise regard as a niche field.
Additionally, on Trustpilot, customers have awarded Bigblu with an outstanding 3.8 out of 5 stars out of a total sample of almost 2,500 reviews. Many customers cite their customer service and reliability as strong points, while there are one or two who complain about lack of action on some subjects, but on a review site, a few negative reviews are always to be expected.
Want to find out how your broadband provider weighs up? Check out our broadband provider review page to find out how your company fairs.
What is latency?
Latency is a measurement of input, to response time. For example, the moment you click a button this signal is sent to the satellite in space, down to the station on earth, then back again to your computer. High latency means that the speed of this data transfer is slow, and your action may take a moment to correctly react.
Due to satellite broadband having a higher latency than other broadband types, satellite broadband is not ideal for tasks such as online gaming, which require a high level of responsiveness, and a low level of latency.
Will I have to return my equipment if I cancel?
This will depend upon your contract, and how long you have had it. You may be obligated to return all of the items that your supplier has sent to you or only a part. Check your terms and conditions carefully before cancellation, as failure to return any required equipment could result in a fine.
Which other broadband providers offer satellite broadband?
At present, there are three further satellite broadband providers in Ireland outside of Bigblu and Konnect Eutelsat. These are:
- Digiweb
- Rural Wifi
- Irish Satellite Broadband
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