High-speed internet lines to surge in Europe as virus boosts demand: Study

MILAN: The number of high speed fibre optic broadband lines in Europe is expected to more than double over the next six years from last year’s levels as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates demand for faster internet services, a study showed on Thursday.

High speed fibre will pass 202 million houses in the European Union and Britain by 2026, up from 88.1 million in 2019, according to a joint report by consultancy firm IDATE and industry group FTTH Council Europe.

Houses passed is an industry term meaning the potential number of premises a service provider could connect to high-speed fibre optic broadband.