According to Ookla, the company responsible for the popular broadband speed measurement tool Speedtest, Europe appears to be facing challenges in achieving its ambitious targets for high-speed broadband connectivity, as set by the European Commission.
Among the EU member states, Spain takes the lead in promising high-speed broadband connections, with 87% of households committed to speeds exceeding 100 Mbps. In contrast, Germany is at the bottom of the list, with only 38% of households assured such speeds.
The European Commission has established objectives of reaching 100 Mbps connectivity by 2025, with a subsequent target of delivering connections of at least 1 Gbps to all EU households within five years.
However, the reality doesn’t always align with these promises. Despite pledges of at least 100 Mbps, only 34% of Italian customers are actually experiencing such speeds. In contrast, Denmark is leading the way with 67% of its population enjoying these promised speeds.
Fiber connections, which promise higher speeds, often face obstacles in the last few meters due to the use of copper cables. In the UK, only 43% of households have fiber connections to the premises, while in Germany, the figure is 21%. Romania stands out with a remarkable 98% of households having fiber connections, and it boasts the highest EU Broadband Price Index score of 95, in stark contrast to the EU average of 64 and a low score of 42 in Belgium (as reported by Invest Romania).
Discrepancies become even more apparent with higher speeds. Around 40% of French households have access to connections of at least 1 Gbps, but only 1.42% actually achieve these promised speeds. Similar underperformance is observed in other countries aiming for gigabit speeds.
In response to these challenges, Ookla offers advice to the European Commission with the goal of improving broadband connectivity for EU citizens. The company suggests that better promotions could encourage consumers to opt for higher-speed broadband deals, which, in turn, would incentivize broadband providers to enhance their networks. Furthermore, continued investment is crucial as Europe strives to meet its ambitious targets, allowing fiber technology to deliver the benefits of superior internet speeds, reduced latency, enhanced security, and environmental sustainability.
In summary, Europe’s pursuit of high-speed broadband connectivity faces both technical and delivery challenges, and concerted efforts are needed to bridge the gap between promises and actual performance.
