Our key policy priorities

The FTTH Council Europe considers that fibre networks are fundamental to the digital transformation of European economies and that the objectives of the Digital Decade need to be reached in a timely fashion.

To this end, the FTTH Council Europe considers it essential to maintain a favourable regulatory framework for fibre investment in a competitive environment. The existing framework has delivered, and is delivering, good results in terms of fibre deployment and in our view, in Europe, concerns are mostly on the demand side of the fibre market.

Among our key policy priority is copper switch-off, which would give a clear signal to the sector and investors, have positive impact on FTTH roll-out and adoption, and have advantages in terms of energy efficiency and operational costs. This is why the FTTH Council Europe launched the Copper Switch-Off Tracker.

Browse below our key objectives that in our view should be at the core of the current 2024-2029 EU legislative and regulatory cycle.

Our positions as FTTH Council Europe

Reducing uncertainty on the demand side

Clear policy objectives, such as progressive copper switch-off, encourage investment in fibre networks. Learn how these measures boost productivity and support the green transition.

Maintaining a Competitive Environment

Effective competition drives innovation and network expansion. Explore our strategies to promote fair market practices and prevent monopolistic behaviour in fibre network development.

Facilitating Fibre Network Deployment

A favourable regulatory environment is critical for fibre deployment. From reducing barriers to infrastructure sharing to implementing cost-reduction measures, Europe needs to further develop a fibre-friendly ecosystem.

Supporting the Green Transition

Transitioning to fibre networks offers significant energy savings and environmental benefits. We advocate for integrating fibre networks into the EU taxonomy to unlock green financing opportunities.

Ensuring Spectrum Availability for In-Home Connectivity

In-home Wi-Fi is the backbone of digital usage. Proper allocation of the 6GHz spectrum is vital to ensure faster and more reliable connectivity for European households and businesses.

Digital Networks Act

We welcome the Digital Networks Act’s focus on investment and competition, supporting regulatory stability through the SMP process. We support a balanced copper switch-off protecting consumers, tailored access remedies reflecting national realities, and constructive engagement to accelerate FTTH deployment and strengthen sustainable competition.

Cybersecurity Act

The FTTH Council Europe supports stronger security and resilience in Europe’s telecom network and services market, understands that the proposed Cybersecurity Act is part of the broader strategy aimed at guaranteeing Europe’s strategic autonomy and security, and is willing to cooperate with European Institutions to achieve this objective.

Copper Switch-Off Tracker

This new study, carried out by Cullen International and set to become a vital evidence base for policymakers, regulators, operators and investors, provides a comprehensive analysis of the progress toward deactivating legacy copper networks in the EU27 + UK area, including policy and market implications of transitioning to fibre.

Learn more

FTTH Policy & Regulations essentials

The deployment of FTTH networks is a complex and multifaceted endeavour, and the framework governing their rollout is of utmost importance: this guide has the aim of providing companies, policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders with the policy & regulations fundamentals for the deployment of FTTH networks in Europe.

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FTTH Adoption Drivers and Hurdles in Europe

By carrying out a thorough analysis of FTTH market data and doing a deep dive into 8 selected countries, the FTTH Council Europe, in collaboration with Plum Consulting, has developed a series of recommendations of measures that both policymakers and industry executives will find useful when considering how to increase the FTTH adoption.

The FTTH Council Europe Publishes First-of-its-kind Study on FTTH Adoption Drivers and Hurdles in Europe

Feb 23, 2023

News | FTTH Council Europe Press Releases |

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Brussels, 23 February 2023 – Today, the FTTH Council Europe revealed a new study on the FTTH/B[1] drivers and hurdles in Europe, prepared by Plum Consulting.

The new study addresses a key challenge for all decision-makers and the industry: the discrepancy between fibre rollouts and take-up rates. While the FTTH/B rollout coverage in Europe now amounts to 57% and is progressing steadily, the take-up rate is yet to reach the 50% mark, with considerable differences at country level. In practice, this means that only 27% of the population is effectively connected to a full fibre network. The study analyses the FTTH Council Europe data about the FTTH/B deployment and adoption, looks at the most prominent drivers and hurdles in Europe, and features an in-depth analysis of 8 European countries: Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, and the UK. The selected countries are either overperforming compared to EU27+UK average or underperforming. The study provides a set of recommendations based on the key take-up drivers and hurdles as well as the most effective measures identified in the selected countries.

^[1]_{“Fibre to the Home” (FTTH) is defined as an access network architecture in which the connection to the subscriber’s Premises is Optical Fiber. The fibre optic communications path is terminated on or inside the Premises for the purpose of carrying communication services to a single subscriber. “Fibre to the Building” (FTTB) is defined as an access network architecture in which the fibre optic communications path is terminated within the building for the purpose of carrying communication services for a single building with potentially multiple subscribers.}

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