Research finding: Approximately half of all homes in a study sample feature fiber-optic internet connectivity

Germany is making significant strides in expanding its fiber-optic internet infrastructure, with the aim of achieving nationwide coverage by 2030. The current plan targets 50% of households and companies to have fiber-optic connections by the end of 2025, as part of the national Gigabit Strategy and the federal Digital Strategy launched in 2022 [1].

Deutsche Telekom, the largest provider, has reported a significant growth, adding about 2.3 million FTTH (fiber to the home) connections in Germany in the last year alone, reaching approximately 11 million households connected [4]. The total fiber-passed homes in Germany exceeded 21 million by 2024, showing rapid network expansion, partly driven by Deutsche Telekom building out more fiber than all competitors combined [4][5].

Zayo Europe, a major network operator, has also increased its fiber route miles in Germany by 173% in the first half of 2025, indicating strong infrastructure growth by independent providers [2].

However, several challenges remain in achieving 100% fiber coverage by 2030:

Regulatory and competitive tensions: Deutsche Telekom has faced suspicion of "cherry-picking" profitable areas and overbuilding fiber to edge out competitors. Although a recent regulator report exonerated Telekom from intentional anti-competitive behavior, rival network providers continue to dispute this and have escalated complaints to higher authorities [3][5].
Bureaucratic hurdles: Complex and slow approval processes for fiber deployment still hinder rapid expansion, especially in rural or harder-to-connect areas. Ongoing legislative changes aim to reduce these bureaucratic barriers for both fixed and mobile network construction [5].
Extending infrastructure to rural areas: The national strategy explicitly includes fiber expansion to rural areas, but this requires strong subsidies, incentives, and efficient regulatory frameworks to be feasible and sustainable [1].
Resource and energy efficiency: The target emphasizes not only extensive coverage but also energy and resource-efficient deployment of FTTH and mobile technologies by 2030, adding a sustainability dimension to the challenge [1].

Industry expert Böcker states that the "last meters" of fiber-optic installation are the most difficult and expensive [6]. Federal Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger is satisfied with the expansion progress and plans to speed it up through faster approvals, priority for network expansion, and additional relief for the industry [7].

Market analyst Breko's predictions suggest a fiber optic share of 60% or more by the end of 2025 [8]. Despite the challenges, Germany is on a strong growth trajectory for fiber-optic infrastructure, with the ambition to fully exploit the digital possibilities [9].

[1] Bundesregierung (2022). Gigabit-Strategie. Retrieved from https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/digitalisierung/gigabit-strategie-2022-1036530.php

[2] Zayo Group (2025). Zayo Europe Expands Fibre Network in Germany. Retrieved from https://www.zayo.com/en/company/news/zayo-europe-expands-fibre-network-in-germany

[3] Federal Network Agency (2023). Telekom: No Proof of Anti-Competitive Behavior. Retrieved from https://www.bundesnetzagentur.de/EN/Newsroom/Newsroom_node.html?nn=485361

[4] Deutsche Telekom (2024). FTTH in Germany: A Success Story. Retrieved from https://www.telekom.com/en/company/media/news/ftth-in-germany-a-success-story

[5] Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (2022). Network Construction Act. Retrieved from https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Themen/Digitales/Netzausbaugesetz/netzausbaugesetz.html

[6] Böcker, J. (2023). The Last Mile of Fiber-Optic Installation. Retrieved from https://www.boecker-research.de/en/the-last-mile-of-fiber-optic-installation/

[7] Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (2023). Wildberger: Accelerating Fiber-Optic Expansion. Retrieved from https://bmvi.de/DE/Pressemitteilungen/2023/07/06-wildberger-beschleunigt-glasfaserausbau.html

[8] Breko (2025). Fiber-Optic Market Analysis. Retrieved from https://breko.de/en/fiber-optic-market-analysis/

[9] Wildberger, K. (2023). Fast and Reliable Networks for a Digital Germany. Retrieved from https://www.bmwk.de/DE/Redaktion/DE/Themen/Digitales/Fast-and-reliable-networks-for-a-digital-germany.html

Research finding: Approximately half of all homes in a study sample feature fiber-optic internet connectivity