In order to monitor the progress of broadband networks’ deployment across the Member States, DG CNECT (the European Commission Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology) has commissioned the Broadband Coverage in Europe (BCE) project to examine household coverage of all of the main fixed and wireless broadband technologies. The data is collected in a survey of National Regulatory Authorities and operators on a regional, NUTS3 level. In order to determine the number of homes passed by individual operator and/or technology networks, the number of households in each region is calculated using population data and average household size figures published by Eurostat annually for each country. The provided data is then combined to show total country coverage by different broadband technologies and download speed categories, taking into account operator and technology overlaps.

The indicators measure the coverage by broadband internet as a % of households. The data is available in two breakdowns breakdowns (with the database code in the square bracket):

• by download speed categories:
  
  • Broadband networks capable of at least 2Mbps download speed [MBPS_GT2] (included until 2020)
  • Broadband networks capable of at least 30Mbps download speed [MBPS_GT30]
  • Broadband networks capable of at least 100Mbps download speed [MBPS_GT100]
  • Broadband networks capable of at least 1Gbps download speed [GBPS_GT1]
  • Broadband networks capable of at least 1Gbps upload and download [GBPS_GT1_UD]

• by technology:
  • Individual technologies:
    • DSL (Digital subscriber line), including VDSL and VDSL2 Vectoring [DSL]
    • VDSL (Very high-speed digital subscriber line) [VDSL]
    • VDSL 2 Vectoring [VDSL2]
    • Cable modem DOCSIS 3.0, including DOCSIS 3.1. (Data over cable service interface specification - version 3.0) [DOCSIS3_0]
    • Cable modem DOCSIS 3.1. (Data over cable service interface specification - version 3.1) [DOCSIS3_1]
    • FTTP (Fibre to the premises) [FTTP]
    • FWA (Fixed wireless access) [FWA]
    • LTE (Long-Term Evolution standard for wireless broadband communication for mobile devices and data terminals, sometimes referred to as 4G) [LTE] (included until 2022)
    • Average LTE coverage [LTE_AVG] (included until 2021)
    • 5G (Fifth generation technology standard for broadband cellular networks) [5G]
    • 5G coverage in the 3.4–3.8 GHz frequency band [5G_GHZ3P4-3P8]
    • Satellite [SATL]
    • Cable modem [CBL_MM] (included until 2018)
    • WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) [WIMAX] (included until 2018)
    • HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) [HSPA](included until 2018)
  • Combination of technologies:
    • Fixed broadband coverage (including DSL, VDSL, VDSL2 Vectoring, FTTP, cable modem DOCSIS 3.0, DOCSIS 3.1 and FWA (or WiMAX, HSPA and LTE in the 2013-2018 editions of the study) [BB_FX]
    • NGA coverage (includes VDSL, VDSL2 Vectoring, FTTP, cable modem DOCSIS 3.0 and DOCSIS 3.1) [NGA]
    • Fixed Very High Capacity Network (fixed VHCN) coverage (comprising FTTP & DOCSIS 3.1) [VHCN_FX]
    • Very High Capacity Network (VHCN) coverage according to BEREC definition. Includes any network which fulfils one (or more) of the four criteria set out in the "BEREC Guidelines on Very High Capacity Networks" (BoR (23) 164). [VHCN_BEREC]
    • DOCSIS 3.0 & FTTP coverage [FTTP_DOCSIS3_0] (included until 2018)
    • Overall broadband coverage [BB] (included until 2018)

The broadband internet coverage data by technology is available as % of total households or as % of households in rural areas.

The broadband internet coverage data by speed is available as % of total households.

Data from 2015 onwards indicates broadband coverage levels at the end June of each year (mid-year data points). The 2013 and 2014 editions of the BCE study depict end-of-year data.

Although Europe’s fibre-optic cable manufacturing industry is fairly small on a global scale, it’s becoming increasingly important for the continent's digital transformation. Demand for high-speed internet in Europe is on the rise due to the increase in data-intensive services, like streaming platforms. Telecommunications companies have invested heavily in fibre-optic technology to upgrade their infrastructures, inflating demand for fibre-optic cables. Fibre-optic cables are also essential for expanding the 5G network, as they connect numerous small base stations and enable the required data transfer rates. They’re also used in the automotive industry, sensor technology and robotics. Over the five years through 2025, fibre-optic cable manufacturing revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.4% to €4 billion, including a forecast hike of 4.1% in 2025. Consumers and businesses are increasingly valuing fast internet connection, resulting in telecommunications companies investing heavily in their fibre-optic infrastructure, ramping up profitability over the past five years. However, the development of fibre-optic networks in Europe varies between countries. According to the German Broadband Association, in 2022, fibre-optic penetration in Germany was around 26%, while the UK reported a penetration rate of 33% at the beginning of 2022. In contrast, Spain (89%), Portugal (87%) and Sweden (84%) had a much higher penetration rate at the end of 2021. In Sweden, telecommunication companies have rejected transitional technologies like vectoring, which has led to a faster roll-out of fibre networks, avoiding delays in roll-out that have occurred in other countries. The automotive market also provides a healthy market for fibre-optic cable manufactures, a sector that has been experiencing a slow recovery from its pandemic-driven tumble amid severe supply chain disruptions. Over the five years through 2030, revenue is slated to swell at a compound annual rate of 5.4% to €5.2 billion. Western Europe isn’t particularly attractive for the production of fibre-optic cables due to low sales volume, high labour costs and market dominance by subsidiaries of international corporations. However, several Western European countries are actively investing in and expanding their fibre-optic infrastructure, which should promote future sales. The European Commission has announced investments of around €850 million for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital second Work Programme in the four years through 2027. The UK and Germany have also launched initiatives to achieve nationwide gigabit broadband coverage by 2030. Spain is driving forward its fibre infrastructure with significant investment and legislative support to promote competition and digitisation.

Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, the decennial census is the official source of population totals for April 1st of each decennial year. In between censuses, the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities, and towns and estimates of housing units for states and counties..Information about the American Community Survey (ACS) can be found on the ACS website. Supporting documentation including code lists, subject definitions, data accuracy, and statistical testing, and a full list of ACS tables and table shells (without estimates) can be found on the Technical Documentation section of the ACS website.Sample size and data quality measures (including coverage rates, allocation rates, and response rates) can be found on the American Community Survey website in the Methodology section..Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted roughly as providing a 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value. In addition to sampling variability, the ACS estimates are subject to nonsampling error (for a discussion of nonsampling variability, see ACS Technical Documentation). The effect of nonsampling error is not represented in these tables..The category "Has a computer" includes those who said "Yes" to at least one of the following types of computers: Desktop or laptop; smartphone; tablet or other portable wireless computer; or some other type of computer. The category "No computer" consists of those who said "No" to all of these types of computers..An Internet "subscription" refers to a type of service that someone pays for to access the Internet such as a cellular data plan, broadband such as cable, fiber optic or DSL, or other type of service. This will normally refer to a service that someone is billed for directly for Internet alone or sometimes as part of a bundle..The category "With a broadband Internet subscription" refers to those who said "Yes" to at least one of the following types of Internet subscriptions: Broadband such as cable, fiber optic, or DSL; a cellular data plan; satellite; a fixed wireless subscription; or other non-dial up subscription types. The category "Without an Internet subscription" includes those who accessed the Internet without a subscription and also those with no Internet access at all..The 2018-2022 American Community Survey (ACS) data generally reflect the March 2020 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) delineations of metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas. In certain instances, the names, codes, and boundaries of the principal cities shown in ACS tables may differ from the OMB delineation lists due to differences in the effective dates of the geographic entities..Estimates of urban and rural populations, housing units, and characteristics reflect boundaries of urban areas defined based on 2020 Census data. As a result, data for urban and rural areas from the ACS do not necessarily reflect the results of ongoing urbanization..Explanation of Symbols:- The estimate could not be computed because there were an insufficient number of sample observations. For a ratio of medians estimate, one or both of the median estimates falls in the lowest interval or highest interval of an open-ended distribution. For a 5-year median estimate, the margin of error associated with a median was larger than the median itself.N The estimate or margin of error cannot be displayed because there were an insufficient number of sample cases in the selected geographic area. (X) The estimate or margin of error is not applicable or not available.median- The median falls in the lowest interval of an open-ended distribution (for example "2,500-")median+ The median falls in the highest interval of an open-ended distribution (for example "250,000+").** The margin of error could not be computed because there were an insufficient number of sample observations.*** The margin of error could not be computed because the median falls in the lowest interval or highest interval of an open-ended distribution.***** A margin of error is not appropriate because the corresponding estimate is controlled to an independent population or housing estimate. Effectively, the corresponding estimate has no sampling error and the margin of error may be treated as zero.

Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, the decennial census is the official source of population totals for April 1st of each decennial year. In between censuses, the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities, and towns and estimates of housing units for states and counties..Information about the American Community Survey (ACS) can be found on the ACS website. Supporting documentation including code lists, subject definitions, data accuracy, and statistical testing, and a full list of ACS tables and table shells (without estimates) can be found on the Technical Documentation section of the ACS website.Sample size and data quality measures (including coverage rates, allocation rates, and response rates) can be found on the American Community Survey website in the Methodology section..Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted roughly as providing a 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value. In addition to sampling variability, the ACS estimates are subject to nonsampling error (for a discussion of nonsampling variability, see ACS Technical Documentation). The effect of nonsampling error is not represented in these tables..An Internet "subscription" refers to a type of service that someone pays for to access the Internet such as a cellular data plan, broadband such as cable, fiber optic or DSL, or other type of service. This will normally refer to a service that someone is billed for directly for Internet alone or sometimes as part of a bundle..The category "With a broadband Internet subscription" refers to those who said "Yes" to at least one of the following types of Internet subscriptions: Broadband such as cable, fiber optic, or DSL; a cellular data plan; satellite; a fixed wireless subscription; or other non-dial up subscription types. The category "Without an Internet subscription" includes those who accessed the Internet without a subscription and also those with no Internet access at all..The 2018-2022 American Community Survey (ACS) data generally reflect the March 2020 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) delineations of metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas. In certain instances, the names, codes, and boundaries of the principal cities shown in ACS tables may differ from the OMB delineation lists due to differences in the effective dates of the geographic entities..Estimates of urban and rural populations, housing units, and characteristics reflect boundaries of urban areas defined based on 2020 Census data. As a result, data for urban and rural areas from the ACS do not necessarily reflect the results of ongoing urbanization..Explanation of Symbols:- The estimate could not be computed because there were an insufficient number of sample observations. For a ratio of medians estimate, one or both of the median estimates falls in the lowest interval or highest interval of an open-ended distribution. For a 5-year median estimate, the margin of error associated with a median was larger than the median itself.N The estimate or margin of error cannot be displayed because there were an insufficient number of sample cases in the selected geographic area. (X) The estimate or margin of error is not applicable or not available.median- The median falls in the lowest interval of an open-ended distribution (for example "2,500-")median+ The median falls in the highest interval of an open-ended distribution (for example "250,000+").** The margin of error could not be computed because there were an insufficient number of sample observations.*** The margin of error could not be computed because the median falls in the lowest interval or highest interval of an open-ended distribution.***** A margin of error is not appropriate because the corresponding estimate is controlled to an independent population or housing estimate. Effectively, the corresponding estimate has no sampling error and the margin of error may be treated as zero.

Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, the decennial census is the official source of population totals for April 1st of each decennial year. In between censuses, the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities, and towns and estimates of housing units for states and counties..Information about the American Community Survey (ACS) can be found on the ACS website. Supporting documentation including code lists, subject definitions, data accuracy, and statistical testing, and a full list of ACS tables and table shells (without estimates) can be found on the Technical Documentation section of the ACS website.Sample size and data quality measures (including coverage rates, allocation rates, and response rates) can be found on the American Community Survey website in the Methodology section..Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted roughly as providing a 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value. In addition to sampling variability, the ACS estimates are subject to nonsampling error (for a discussion of nonsampling variability, see ACS Technical Documentation). The effect of nonsampling error is not represented in these tables..The category "Has a computer" includes those who said "Yes" to at least one of the following types of computers: Desktop or laptop; smartphone; tablet or other portable wireless computer; or some other type of computer. The category "No computer" consists of those who said "No" to all of these types of computers..An Internet "subscription" refers to a type of service that someone pays for to access the Internet such as a cellular data plan, broadband such as cable, fiber optic or DSL, or other type of service. This will normally refer to a service that someone is billed for directly for Internet alone or sometimes as part of a bundle..The category "With a broadband Internet subscription" refers to those who said "Yes" to at least one of the following types of Internet subscriptions: Broadband such as cable, fiber optic, or DSL; a cellular data plan; satellite; a fixed wireless subscription; or other non-dial up subscription types. The category "Without an Internet subscription" includes those who accessed the Internet without a subscription and also those with no Internet access at all..The Hispanic origin and race codes were updated in 2020. For more information on the Hispanic origin and race code changes, please visit the American Community Survey Technical Documentation website..The 2018-2022 American Community Survey (ACS) data generally reflect the March 2020 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) delineations of metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas. In certain instances, the names, codes, and boundaries of the principal cities shown in ACS tables may differ from the OMB delineation lists due to differences in the effective dates of the geographic entities..Estimates of urban and rural populations, housing units, and characteristics reflect boundaries of urban areas defined based on 2020 Census data. As a result, data for urban and rural areas from the ACS do not necessarily reflect the results of ongoing urbanization..Explanation of Symbols:- The estimate could not be computed because there were an insufficient number of sample observations. For a ratio of medians estimate, one or both of the median estimates falls in the lowest interval or highest interval of an open-ended distribution. For a 5-year median estimate, the margin of error associated with a median was larger than the median itself.N The estimate or margin of error cannot be displayed because there were an insufficient number of sample cases in the selected geographic area. (X) The estimate or margin of error is not applicable or not available.median- The median falls in the lowest interval of an open-ended distribution (for example "2,500-")median+ The median falls in the highest interval of an open-ended distribution (for example "250,000+").** The margin of error could not be computed because there were an insufficient number of sample observations.*** The margin of error could not be computed because the median falls in the lowest interval or highest interval of an open-ended distribution.***** A margin of error is not appropriate because the corresponding estimate is controlled to an independent population or housing estimate. Effectively, the correspon...

Although the American Community Survey (ACS) produces population, demographic and housing unit estimates, the decennial census is the official source of population totals for April 1st of each decennial year. In between censuses, the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program produces and disseminates the official estimates of the population for the nation, states, counties, cities, and towns and estimates of housing units for states and counties..Information about the American Community Survey (ACS) can be found on the ACS website. Supporting documentation including code lists, subject definitions, data accuracy, and statistical testing, and a full list of ACS tables and table shells (without estimates) can be found on the Technical Documentation section of the ACS website.Sample size and data quality measures (including coverage rates, allocation rates, and response rates) can be found on the American Community Survey website in the Methodology section..Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2018-2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.Data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted roughly as providing a 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value. In addition to sampling variability, the ACS estimates are subject to nonsampling error (for a discussion of nonsampling variability, see ACS Technical Documentation). The effect of nonsampling error is not represented in these tables..The category "Has a computer" includes those who said "Yes" to at least one of the following types of computers: Desktop or laptop; smartphone; tablet or other portable wireless computer; or some other type of computer. The category "No computer" consists of those who said "No" to all of these types of computers..An Internet "subscription" refers to a type of service that someone pays for to access the Internet such as a cellular data plan, broadband such as cable, fiber optic or DSL, or other type of service. This will normally refer to a service that someone is billed for directly for Internet alone or sometimes as part of a bundle..The category "With a broadband Internet subscription" refers to those who said "Yes" to at least one of the following types of Internet subscriptions: Broadband such as cable, fiber optic, or DSL; a cellular data plan; satellite; a fixed wireless subscription; or other non-dial up subscription types. The category "Without an Internet subscription" includes those who accessed the Internet without a subscription and also those with no Internet access at all..The Hispanic origin and race codes were updated in 2020. For more information on the Hispanic origin and race code changes, please visit the American Community Survey Technical Documentation website..The 2018-2022 American Community Survey (ACS) data generally reflect the March 2020 Office of Management and Budget (OMB) delineations of metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas. In certain instances, the names, codes, and boundaries of the principal cities shown in ACS tables may differ from the OMB delineation lists due to differences in the effective dates of the geographic entities..Estimates of urban and rural populations, housing units, and characteristics reflect boundaries of urban areas defined based on 2020 Census data. As a result, data for urban and rural areas from the ACS do not necessarily reflect the results of ongoing urbanization..Explanation of Symbols:- The estimate could not be computed because there were an insufficient number of sample observations. For a ratio of medians estimate, one or both of the median estimates falls in the lowest interval or highest interval of an open-ended distribution. For a 5-year median estimate, the margin of error associated with a median was larger than the median itself.N The estimate or margin of error cannot be displayed because there were an insufficient number of sample cases in the selected geographic area. (X) The estimate or margin of error is not applicable or not available.median- The median falls in the lowest interval of an open-ended distribution (for example "2,500-")median+ The median falls in the highest interval of an open-ended distribution (for example "250,000+").** The margin of error could not be computed because there were an insufficient number of sample observations.*** The margin of error could not be computed because the median falls in the lowest interval or highest interval of an open-ended distribution.***** A margin of error is not appropriate because the corresponding estimate is controlled to an independent population or housing estimate. Effectively, the correspon...

Throughout the past few years, there has been a steady progression in rural China’s internet infrastructure. By June 2025, the internet penetration rate in rural areas in the country stood at **** percent, yet, remained lower than the national level. The internet coverage in urban regions reached **** percent. The leaps in Chinese telecommunications Since the 1990s, China has seen a rapid development of telecommunications, mainly driven by the introduction of fiber-optic systems and digital technologies. The Chinese government had been keen on building more telecommunication infrastructure. Between 2014 and 2023, the number of 4G mobile base stations saw a dramatic increase. The internet connection has been extensively expanded to public places. It is also worth noting that the download speed of fixed-line broadband in China has been upgraded substantially. Unleash the rural internet power Yet among the *** million rural population in China, a ***** did not have access to the internet in 2025. To provide more affordable internet services, measures have been carried out in Chinese villages and small towns to reduce service rates and extend the broadband connection. As of June 2025, around **** percent of internet users were living in rural China. With the enhancement of internet coverage in the countryside, the Chinese online community will see plenty of growth.