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FTTH/B subscribers numbers in Europe forecast to double

The FTTH Council Europe’s latest fiber to the home/building (FTTH/B) report forecasts a 50 % rise in the number of homes passed by fiber across 39 countries in the European region over the next five years and a doubling of subscriber numbers.

16 Sep 2021
FTTH/B subscribers numbers in Europe forecast to double

FTTH/B subscribers numbers in Europe forecast to double

The FTTH Council Europe’s latest fiber to the home/building (FTTH/B) report forecasts a 50 % rise in the number of homes passed by fiber across 39 countries in the European region over the next five years and a doubling of subscriber numbers. The report, based on research by IDATE, estimates 99 million households across 39 countries will have a FTTH/B subscription at the end of 2021, rising to 197 million by the end of 2026, with the EU27+UK accounting for 135 million subscribers. IDATE also calculates that FTTH/B coverage will rise from 204 million homes in 2021 to 302 million homes in 2026. The region encompasses the 27 EU member states, as well as Belarus, Iceland, Israel, Kazakhstan, North Macedonia, Norway, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, the UK and Ukraine.

European-FTTHB-history-IDATE

The drivers behind FTTH/B network deployment include rising data demand, public funding as EU countries strive to reach the EU’s Digital Agenda goals for 2025/2030, the switching off of copper networks, and a trend towards mutualized networks and network sharing agreements in Europe. However, the report recognizes FTTH/B will continue to face competition. In addition to fixed cable (Docsis 3.1/4.0) and G.Fast networks, 5G in the 26 GHz band will offer an alternative access technology for the residential market. Gigabit Capable FWA (60Ghz) will also be available in certain regions. The other obstacle to a speedy FTTH/B roll out is a lack of skilled labor to lay new fiber networks.