As the fiber broadband industry continues to evolve, frontrunners—those network operators and internet service providers (ISPs) leading the charge into multi-gigabit—recently shared their key insights at the FTTH Conference Amsterdam. There is great interest in the topic. These frontrunners have encountered both opportunities and challenges, and their experiences offer valuable lessons for our industry.
Unlocking value for consumers and networks
As fiber broadband networks evolve to support 1 Gbps and beyond, the rollout of the last mile to homes plays a crucial role in enabling these high-speed services. From both the consumer and network perspectives, this evolution brings exciting opportunities. On the consumer side, while not everyone fully understands the benefits of multi-gigabit speeds yet, awareness is increasing.
For network operators and ISPs, deploying multi-gigabit fiber connections is not just about speed—it’s also a strategic network optimization. High-speed connections at the edge help offload traffic, improve latency, and allow a better distribution of bandwidth during peak usage. Upgrading the last mile with technologies like XGS-PON enables symmetrical, scalable, and energy-efficient delivery of speeds well beyond 1 Gbps, preparing networks for future consumer demands. While the widespread deployment of multi-gigabit fiber is still ramping up, it’s on the roadmap for many operators.
Segmenting the market: know your first movers
One lesson frontrunners shared is the importance of segmentation. Rather than deploying multi-gigabit connections broadly from the outset, targeting the right segments is more effective. By rolling out the service segment by segment, operators and ISPs can better tailor their offerings to maximize adoption and satisfaction.
There is a distinct early adopter group: households typically led by people in their 40s, with at least two children, who are all heavy internet users. These households often include remote workers, gamers, and families with numerous connected devices. They were among the first to opt in for multi-gigabit services.
Reaching these users effectively requires more than just a fast connection—it means offering a complete experience. Many frontrunner service providers found that bundling multi-gigabit fiber with Wi-Fi 7 made for a much more compelling value proposition. With this combination, consumers experience the full benefits of symmetrical speeds and ultra-low latency, which are crucial for today’s advanced applications.
From homes passed to homes activated: rethinking investment priorities
Another important shift in thinking is the movement from simply passing homes with fiber to actually activating them. In Europe, for example, fiber coverage has expanded to 74.6%, up by 25 million homes since the previous year. Yet uptake remains at only 53.1%, meaning just 32.9% of the total population of households uses fiber. (SOURCE: 2025 FTTH Market Panorama).
Is it worth spending additional money to extend coverage further when uptake remains relatively slow? Some argue that resources might be better allocated to converting homes passed into homes activated rather than expanding coverage further.
Ultimately, what builds return on investment (ROI) is not just expanding the network footprint but ensuring people actually use the fiber. Activation drives value, both for consumers and for ISPs’ business models. The main point is clear: connecting households and increasing adoption should be the next big step, not just expanding the network footprint.
Interoperability: the hidden prerequisite
Behind every successful multi-gigabit deployment lies a less visible but equally critical foundation: interoperability. Frontrunners, mainstream operators, and ISPs struggle if their infrastructure and devices don’t work seamlessly together.
For instance, interoperability between OLTs and ONTs from different equipment vendors is a prerequisite for delivering the multi-gig experience. Without it, the benefits of speed and low latency fall apart, with the risk of customer dissatisfaction and undermining the business case. Ensuring all parts of the ecosystem function smoothly is not just a technical detail—it’s a strategic necessity.
Set the right expectations and deliver on them
Frontrunners have also discovered the importance of managing expectations. When marketing a certain speed and latency, consumers expect that level of performance, especially during high-demand situations like streaming live events. If the network falters under pressure, it can quickly lead to a poor experience, even if the core infrastructure is sound.
That’s why it’s not just about indiscriminately offering high-speed connections to everyone. Instead, careful segmentation and a phased rollout strategy ensure that the network can deliver consistent quality. Only then can ISPs justify premium pricing and maintain customer satisfaction.
A smarter path to multi-gigabit
As more operators and ISPs prepare to move into multi-gigabit, these lessons provide a crucial guide. The journey beyond 1 Gbps isn’t just about raw speed—it’s about segmentation, focusing on activating homes, investing in interoperability, and delivering what you promise. Frontrunners have shown that success depends not only on infrastructure investment but also on ensuring people actually adopt, use, and benefit from what’s offered. That’s how fiber broadband moves beyond 1 Gbps.
See also our previous blog, “6 ways fiber connectivity is evolving and what’s next”
