Europe missing its ultrafast targets

With only 20% of European customers adopting broadband services over 100 Mbps, the European Commission is falling behind its own targets with six months to go.

While the targets are certainly ambitious, the European Commission has decided it would like to have 50% of all broadband customers across the bloc subscribing to 100 Mbps by 2020. With only 20% subscribing to an ultrafast service, it looks like it is becoming a big ask as we head towards the mid-point of the year.

There will of course be numerous reasons for a lack of adoption. Some will suggest the telcos are not deploying suitable infrastructure to enough people, while others will say they are charging too much. That said, a more sensible explanation is that irrelevant as to how cheap a 100 Mbps service is, it is still too much; why would a normal person need such speeds today? Without the applications, customers would be paying for redundant speed.

What is worth noting is that connectivity is improving on the whole. The availability of ultrafast broadband has increased to 60% across Europe, up from 57% in 2017, while there have been gains on the mobile side as well. The DESI Report claims that 4G coverage is now almost universal in European homes, while rural coverage is also increasing.