Ministry sees noticeable progress in fiber optic expansion

Germany's digital ministry reported "noticeable progress" on Thursday in the expansion of fiber optic networks. According to the ministry's figures, nearly 50 percent of German households will have access to a fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) or fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connection, or the possibility to obtain one on short notice, by the end of 2025.

The ministry stated this represents a six-percentage-point increase between mid-2025 and the end of 2026. "The fiber optic expansion is gaining momentum," said Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU). He announced plans to introduce further regulatory measures and a joint declaration of intent with companies, states, and municipalities to stimulate the nationwide rollout of future-proof fiber networks.

The most significant gains were in FTTB connections, which rose from 11.43 percent to 20.24 percent. However, this figure indicates connection to the building and not necessarily to individual apartments in multi-family dwellings. The number of readily bookable FTTH connections is reported at just over 40 percent.

Officials attribute the current figures primarily to a strategic shift by companies, which are now focusing more on acquiring actual customers rather than just increasing coverage. Changes to regulatory frameworks under the previous government are also believed to have contributed. Some states, such as Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and Bremen, are leading in deployment, while southern states and Thuringia are lagging behind.