VHCN connectivity has also improved in sparsely populated areas. Between 2013 and 2021, the proportion of households in low-settlement areas with a fixed VHCN connection increased from 4% to 37% across the EU. Despite this progress, access levels differ significantly between EU Member States and also within many Member States with regard to population density.

Extensive high-speed internet coverage in Malta

In 2021, Malta recorded high-speed internet coverage for all households (100%), followed by Luxembourg (96%), Denmark (95%), and Spain (94%). Conversely, fixed high-speed internet connections were least widespread in Greece (20%), Cyprus (41%), and Italy (44%).

In sparsely populated areas, Malta has the most widespread coverage (100%), followed by Luxembourg, Denmark, and the Netherlands (79%). Conversely, Greece has the least widespread coverage in sparsely populated areas (0%), followed by Czechia (7%) and Finland (12%).