Who Are Konnect Broadband Ireland?

Konnect operates as a satellite broadband specialist, focused on providing reliable internet services to those who had either limited or nonexistent access to traditional fixed-line networks. The company is owned by Eutelsat, which has led European satellite broadband provision since 2012.

The Eutelsat Konnect satellite launched in 2020, providing coverage across Europe and Africa. Konnect exclusively offered satellite services to domestic customers only, with no alternate broadband types.

Eutelsat previously acquired Bigblu in autumn 2020 for a sum of €38 million. This merger helped to strengthen Eutelsat and provided further resources for the extension of Eutelsat-Konnect services.

What Exactly Is Satellite Broadband?

Satellite broadband is broadband provided to you via satellites. Installation requires a satellite dish on the home. The signal flows from the satellite to the dish, then to a router which distributes WiFi throughout the home.

By getting rid of the need for a fixed-network connection, such as with fibre, SIRO, or ADSL, satellite broadband is ideally suited to provide service to rural communities and places that cannot yet access established networks.

Find the Best Broadband Deal in Your Area!

Our broadband experts at Selectra can help you secure a fast, affordable plan in your area — completely free.

Ad - Selectra Service
This is a free call from Ireland. Selectra agents can assist you with comparing and switching energy providers on weekdays between 9 am and 5.30 pm.

Pros and Cons of Konnect Satellite Broadband Ireland

Advantages

  • Does not need a landline or fixed-line connection
  • Much wider coverage than fixed-line networks
  • Sufficient speeds for most tasks
  • Long-life installations and dishes
  • Faster than ADSL and some mobile broadband plans

Disadvantages

  • Very limited provider selection
  • Moderate latency and limited data usage allowances
  • Requires a satellite dish installation
  • Can be affected by poor weather
  • Much slower than fibre and SIRO

Satellite broadband is currently more of a niche market, unlike the traditional ADSL and fibre options. With stable internet connection gradually becoming a core utility for everyday life, however, broadband providers are gradually looking towards this section of the market as a way to expand upon their services.

What Were the Konnect Broadband Ireland Packages?

What Were the Konnect Broadband Ireland Packages
Package Name Monthly Price Contract Length Average Speeds Priority Data Allowance
Starter €37.90 12 Months 20 Mbps Down, 3 Mbps Up 50 GB/Month
Lite €37.90 (3 months) then €47.90 12 Months 37 Mbps Down, 3 Mbps Up 75 GB/Month
Plus €47.90 (3 months) then €67.90 12 Months 75 Mbps Down, 3 Mbps Up 150 GB/Month

When browsing other satellite broadband providers such as Digiweb, Rural WiFi, and Irish Satellite Broadband, you may notice that their plan names and pricing are almost identical to those of Konnect. This is because those providers also use the Eutelsat-Konnect satellite rather than their own independent systems.

What Is Priority Data Allowance?

While all Konnect packages featured unlimited data usage, what was limited was your priority speed allowance. Each package came with a set amount of data that was prioritised. Once you used your data allowance, rather than cutting you off, Konnect opted to continue providing internet services but at a reduced speed until your monthly allowance was renewed.

Data used between the hours of 1am and 6am was not counted towards your priority data allowance.

How Much Data Do I Need?

How Much Data Do I Need comparison table
Internet Activity Advised Broadband Speed
Sending Emails 1 Mbps
Browsing Social Media 1-5 Mbps
Streaming Music 2 Mbps
Streaming HD Movies 5 Mbps
Online Gaming 10 Mbps+
Working Online From Home 5-25 Mbps

Bear in mind that these speeds are per person. If there are multiple people in your home doing similar activities at once, you should multiply these speeds by the number of people present.

If you only use the internet for occasional light use, then the Starter package would have been sufficient. For those who used the internet regularly, the Lite or Plus packages were the way to go.

Find the Best Broadband Deal in Your Area!

Our broadband experts at Selectra can help you secure a fast, affordable plan in your area — completely free.

Ad - Selectra Service
This is a free call from Ireland. Selectra agents can assist you with comparing and switching energy providers on weekdays between 9 am and 5.30 pm.

What Was Konnect Satellite Installation?

Two installation options were available: self-installation by contacting customer service, or expert installation (paid service).

Installation pricing:

  • Starter: €149
  • Lite: €79
  • Plus: Complimentary

After completing your order, you would have a satellite dish, transceiver and modem delivered to your property. The installation itself would take place within the following three weeks from your order completion.

Can I Still Contact Konnect?

Even though the provider is no longer accepting new customers, you can still get in touch with them for queries, complaints, or to compare broadband packages.

Can I Still Contact Konnect comparison table
Contact Method Details
Phone Number 04493 10800 — 9am to 5pm (local call cost)
Email Address [email protected]
Social Media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

What Were the Konnect Satellite Broadband Reviews Like?

Konnect satellite broadband reviews rated at 2.8 stars out of 5 by 340 reviewers. While this rating may seem a little low, most broadband providers receive an overall rating of 2 stars or less, making Konnect's higher-than-average score noteworthy.

Customers praised the professionalism and expertise of both the Konnect customer service and installation engineers. There were also some reviews that voiced negative views on the product quality, with some citing patchy signals and throttled speeds. You can compare broadband reviews to see how other providers rate.

Find the Best Broadband Deal in Your Area!

Our broadband experts at Selectra can help you secure a fast, affordable plan in your area — completely free.

Ad - Selectra Service
This is a free call from Ireland. Selectra agents can assist you with comparing and switching energy providers on weekdays between 9 am and 5.30 pm.

Frequently Asked Questions About Konnect

Yes. However, as satellite broadband tends to have a higher latency than other forms of broadband, adding a VPN into the mix could result in further degradation of responsiveness and speeds.

While satellite broadband and mobile broadband fulfil a similar purpose, they differ in how they work. Satellite broadband picks up signals from space via a dish, resulting in reliable speeds but high latency. Mobile broadband works by picking up local mobile network signals. If your home has a good mobile network connection, you can avoid the dish installation by going for mobile broadband instead.

No. The Konnect satellite dish required manual positioning and would not self-orient with the satellite. The engineer conducted tests at installation to ensure optimal position. If strong wind adjusted your dish, you could download the Konnect Install app to correctly re-adjust it.

Potentially. If your home is rented, you need written permission from your landlord authorising the installation of a satellite dish. If you live in a historical or conservation area, you need to contact the relevant authorities to see if the installation is permitted.

No. Konnect has stopped accepting new domestic customers. They still offer business solutions. For alternative satellite broadband options, consider providers such as Digiweb, Rural WiFi, or check other broadband providers in your area.