About the Committee

The Investments & ESG Committee brings together the work of the Council's former Investors, Sustainability and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committees under a single structure, reflecting how closely capital, environmental performance and social responsibility are now linked in digital infrastructure.

The Committee provides a forum for investors, operators and industry experts to examine the financial and non-financial factors shaping fibre and data centre investment across Europe. Its scope spans the investment landscape and financing conditions for network rollout, the environmental footprint and sustainability credentials of fibre infrastructure, and the governance and diversity practices that support a resilient, competitive industry.

By combining these perspectives, the Committee aims to give members a clearer view of how ESG considerations influence investment decisions,  and how the sector can demonstrate its value to the investors, policymakers and stakeholders who rely on that evidence.

This page is new and growing. The Committee's reports, studies, and other resources will be added here as they're published - in the meantime, you can explore the latest assets below.

State of Fibre: updated Market Forecasts 2021 - 2026 revealed with an overview of fibre deployment in rural areas

15 September 2021. Today at the FTTH virtual Conference 2021, the FTTH Council Europe released two reports: the latest figures of the FTTH Forecasts for 2021 and 2026 and an overview of fibre deployments in rural areas.

  • New forecasts anticipate 302 million homes passed with FTTH/B by 2026 for EU39, of which EU27+UK will account for 197 million representing a 67% increase compared to 2021 numbers.
  • Number of subscribers expected to reach 135 million in 2026 for EU27+UK from 60 million in 2021 and 197 million for EU39 (from 99 million) while take-up rate would continue to increase to 68,7% and 65,3% respectively. (from 51,1% and 48,5% in 2021)
  • Germany, UK and Italy confirm their huge growth potential and are joined by the Netherlands.
  • Urban/rural divide remains a challenge with only 22% of rural inhabitants enjoying full-fibre connectivity, compared to 45% for all territories in EU27+UK.

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