Study warns full EU fibre broadband switchover will take 92 years

The Europe-wide switchover to full fibre optic broadband technology could take more than nine decades to complete, according to a new study.

Conducted by fibre consultancy firm Ventura Team and financial expert Portland Advisors, the research claimed the move away from copper networks could last for 92 years without a significant change in telecoms regulations from EU governments.

At present, the fibre broadband switchover is happening "at a snail's pace", the report warned. This could seriously damage Europe's economic growth for years to come.

The study, which was funded by the FTTH (fibre-to-the-home) Council Europe, revealed an estimated €261 billion (£210 billion) in capital expenditure will be required to extend fibre optic cables to every EU household.

However, the current rate of telecoms investment in fibre broadband is just €3 billion per year, which the authors stressed is simply not enough.

Stefan Stanislawski, co-author of the study and partner of Ventura Team, said: "In Europe we are still not investing enough money into fibre - and this is not for lack of capital.

"The industry could fund the switchover itself over a period of 25 years with the right regulations."