EU digitization report: Fiber optics for all will be tight by 2030

The new report on the state of digitalization in Europe, published by the EU Commission on Monday, is a mixed bag. According to the report, the member states have made progress with digital infrastructure. However, broadband expansion with fiber optics and independent 5G networks is still lagging the targets.

As of the end of 2024, 69% of EU households had a fiber optic line to the building. This is referred to as “fiber to the premises” (FTTP), whereby homes and offices can still be connected via copper. The EU's goals for the digital decade envisage an affordable and fast network connection everywhere and for all – with fiber optics and the current mobile generation – by 2030.

Germany below average

The connection with gigabit speeds has increased by a few percentage points to 82.5% across the EU, while general 5G coverage has risen to 94%. With 5G in the 3.4 to 3.8 GHz range, in which more data can be transmitted in less time – but without long range – – 67.7% of the EU is covered.

According to the separate national report, Germany is well below the EU average in the fixed network in some cases. For FTTP, Germany's total coverage in 2024 was only 36.8%. However, growth here is well above the EU average. Around a third of households in sparsely populated areas in Germany have a fiber optic connection in the building.

Theoretically, more than 77% of households in Germany can surf at gigabit speeds, which corresponds to an increase of 3.5%. Around 53% of fixed broadband connections in Germany reach speeds of 100 Mbit/s or more (EU average: 72%).

Germany's 5G coverage was 99% in 2024, slightly exceeding the EU average. In the 3.4 to 3.8 GHz band, coverage reached 49.5% – the EU average here is higher at just under 68%.

Gigabit expansion: making significant progress

With its gigabit strategy – the German government, like the EU – is aiming for fiber optics and superfast networks for all by 2030. The EU Commission warns that the expansion in Germany must be “significantly accelerated”. Ultimately, greater gigabit coverage in rural areas could “also help to reduce socio-economic disparities”.

According to the report, the use of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud and big data in companies has improved, but also falls short of expectations. The EU is “still dependent on external providers of AI and cloud services – which are often used in the public sector – and in the production of semiconductors and quantum infrastructure components”, the Commission complains. A significant part of the public digital infrastructure in the e-government sector “continues to depend on service providers outside the EU”.

According to the report, more than half of Europeans (55.6%) have basic digital skills. There are still too few IT specialists with advanced qualifications available. The data revealed ongoing challenges such as fragmented markets, overly complex regulations and security risks. Further public and private investment and easier access to venture capital for EU companies could promote innovation.

(wpl)