UK one of fastest growing FTTP markets in Europe – thanks to independent network investment

The FTTH Council Europe’s annual FTTH/B report has revealed that the UK is one of the five fastest growing markets in Europe for FTTP. Between September 2019 and September 2019 there was a 50% increase in full fibre connections to the home in the country.
The Independent Networks Cooperative Association (INCA), the co-operative trade association for independent providers of next-generation broadband services in the UK and Ireland, noted that 55% of connections across Europe are now being provided by the independent network sector.
Commenting on the UK’s performance – which has seen the country climb two places in the ranking and add 1.4 million connections – Malcolm Corbett, CEO of INCA said: “To have made such progression over the space of a year – and only a year after the UK’s first appearance on the table – is encouraging. This is a result of the positive policy environment, investment appetite and the capabilities of the UK’s digital infrastructure sector. It highlights that the UK is playing a real role in the wider progression of fibre deployments in Europe, as uptake across the continent increases.”
Corbett also said that amidst the demand pressures as more people work from home during the Covid-19 pandemic, the contribution of independent operators is more important than ever.
Readers can view the full report here.