Members of the FTTH Council Europe are active in every segment of the fibre to the home (FTTH) value chain. The Deployment and Operations (D&O) Committee is the place where technology experts come together to discuss, debate and educate the broader telecom ecosystem and help industry stakeholders understand how to deploy high quality full-fibre networks, addressing the large variety of challenges they face throughout Europe.

From design and planning, to optimal technology selection, roll out of operations, testing and maintenance, our key publication, the FTTH Handbook, brings together state-of-the-art information and recommendations to help every FTTH professional in the industry. Its 9th edition was unveiled on 15th September 2021 during the FTTH Virtual Conference 2021; it is already available for members of the FTTH Council Europe on a complementary basis and can be purchased by the general public here.

5G is fibre’s best friend! The D&O Committee has undertaken two valuable pieces of research to evaluate the potential benefits that are brought about through converged planning of FTTH and 5G backhaul networks.  We presented the results of these studies in a recent webinar, you can access the replay here.

More recently, the Committee has produced a white paper which details the reasons underpinning our position in favour of full-fibre compared to alternative broadband technologies. 

 

 

FTTH/B in Rural Areas 2025

The FTTH/B in Rural Areas 2024 report, published by the FTTH Council Europe, provides an in-depth analysis of fiber deployment in rural regions across EU27+UK. It highlights coverage expansion trends, investment strategies, and regulatory frameworks aimed at closing the digital divide.

Key insights include the growth of FTTH/B coverage in rural areas, now at 63.6% (+11 pp YoY), and the varied approaches across countries—some prioritizing FTTH-only strategies, while others adopt technology-neutral solutions. Despite coverage growth, adoption remains a challenge, with take-up rates varying widely across countries.

The report also details government initiatives, funding programs (such as the EU’s €8 billion CEF Digital), and private sector investments driving broadband expansion.

With the EU’s Digital Decade targets aiming for universal gigabit coverage by 2030, the report underscores the need for continued investment and policy alignment to ensure high-speed connectivity reaches all rural communities.

This edition also introduces an enhanced country-by-country analysis, offering a detailed breakdown of regulatory frameworks, deployment challenges, and funding mechanisms shaping rural FTTH/B expansion in each market.

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