FTTH will Help Poland Achieve its Digital Ambitions
A fast-growing economy needs a fast fibre network, says the FTTH Council Europe
BRUSSELS, 16 October 2014 – The FTTH Council Europe calls on Poland to put fibre to the home (FTTH) at the heart of its digital strategy. As Warsaw prepares to host the FTTH Conference 2015, Poland’s Government is also facing key decisions that will determine how easily its citizens and businesses can become part of the online economy. A strategy based on FTTH will provide the most reliable foundation for the digital world.
Historically Poland lacked a modern telecommunications infrastructure, but the situation is changing rapidly. Uptake of broadband services in Poland is still lower than the European average, especially in rural areas. With a total of 77,000 FTTH/B subscribers, Poland did not appear in the previous edition of the FTTH Ranking because – with only 0.51% of Polish homes subscribing to FTTH/B at year-end 2013 – it has not yet reached the 1% threshold[1]. However, Poland is one of Europe’s fastest growing economies: between 2007 and 2013 its gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 18.2%.
In 2014 the Polish Government must set the course for the next five years. Thanks to funding from the European Union (2007–2013), long-distance fibre networks have been installed across the country. Now the Government must decide how to connect end users into that network, setting out a comprehensive plan to connect the country’s citizens by the year 2020 – in line with the targets set out in the Digital Agenda for Europe.
“Now is the time to make the right decision for Poland’s future,” said Karin Ahl, President of the FTTH Council Europe. “FTTH is the only future-proof way to build broadband access networks, and it is our strongly-held view that public money should ONLY be spent on future-proof infrastructure. We are encouraged by what we hear, and we hope that Poland will soon join the world’s leading FTTH economies![2]”
To find out how FTTH can enhance productivity, innovation and quality of life, join us in Poland for the 12th edition of the FTTH Conference, to be held in Warsaw’s international exhibition centre EXPO XXI on 10 to 12 February 2015.
[1] Fibre to the Home (FTTH) and Fibre to the Building (FTTB) definitions are available on our web site www.ftthcouncil.eu. The FTTH Market Panorama update for the year 2014 will be presented at the FTTH Conference 2015 in Warsaw
[2] Poland did not appear in the previous edition of the FTTH Ranking because – with only 0.51% of homes subscribing to FTTH/B at year-end 2013 – it has not yet reached the 1% threshold.
About the FTTH Council Europe
The FTTH Council Europe is an industry organisation with a mission to accelerate the availability of fibre-based, ultra-high-speed access networks to consumers and businesses. The Council promotes this technology because it will deliver a flow of new services that enhance the quality of life, contribute to a better environment and increase economic competitiveness. The FTTH Council Europe consists of more than 150 member companies. www.ftthcouncil.eu
About the FTTH Conference 2015
Combining top-level presentations with an exhibition and unparalleled networking opportunities, the FTTH Conference is the largest FTTH-focused event in the world, attracting more than 3,000 participants. The 12th edition of the FTTH Conference is to be held in Warsaw’s international exhibition centre EXPO XXI from 10 to 12 February 2015, under the special theme “Creating a Connected Continent”.
The event has secured patronages from the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure and Development (MIR – Ministerstwo Infrastruktury i Rozwoju), Poland’s Ministry of Administration and Digitization (MAC – Ministerstwo Administracji i Cyfryzacji) and the Office of Electronic Communications (UKE – Urząd Komunikacji Elektronicznej).
[1] Fibre to the Home (FTTH) and Fibre to the Building (FTTB) definitions are available on our web site www.ftthcouncil.eu. The FTTH Market Panorama update for the year 2014 will be presented at the FTTH Conference 2015 in Warsaw
