A report by Ookla, highlighted in Wi-Fi NOW Global this spring, opens a relevant discussion across the FTTH industry. As fibre broadband coverage expands rapidly across Europe, a surprising bottleneck has emerged, and it is happening right inside the users’ homes.
The promise of gigabit broadband is real, but there’s a catch
On the positive side, the report confirms what most of us already know: the rollout of gigabit broadband infrastructure is accelerating rapidly across Europe. National governments have created favourable regulatory and commercial environments, and end-users are eager to move beyond outdated DSL lines in favour of high-speed fibre connectivity.
The promise is exciting: blisteringly fast broadband speeds, allowing end-users to connect an ever-increasing number of devices to the Internet and download high-definition content in real-time.
The hidden bottleneck: legacy routers
But there’s a downside, and it’s one ISPs and consumers alike must urgently address.
Many ISPs are still deploying older-generation broadband routers, which limit the potential gigabit speeds available to their customers.
Key issues highlighted in the report include:
- Outdated WAN interfaces.
Many deployed routers still use 1 Gbps ports, making it impossible for users to tap into multi-gigabit speeds, even when their fibre connection supports it.
“Multi-gigabit fibre now accounts for nearly 20% of all residential broadband connections across Europe.” – Ookla Report. - Legacy Wi-Fi standards.
The widespread use of older Wi-Fi technologies, such as Wi-Fi 5, limits the in-home experience.
“Even countries with very high fibre penetration, such as Spain, Portugal, and Ireland, have deployed less than 25% Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7-capable CPEs.” – Ookla Report. - Limited in-home Wi-Fi coverage.
With modern building insulation, larger properties, and more devices than ever, routers with too few antennas or outdated chipsets simply cannot keep up.
The result? Frustrated users who aren’t getting the experience they were promised, and more pressure on ISP support lines.
The opportunity: upgrade the in-home experience
The message is clear:
“European countries and ISPs that swiftly transition a larger share of their base from legacy Wi-Fi standards to more advanced CPE will maintain a significant competitive edge in differentiating their fibre experiences.” – Ookla Report
This is where Icotera steps in.
Wi-Fi routers that match the speed of the fibre
At Icotera, our high-quality Wi-Fi routers and access points are designed to meet the possibilities of modern fibre networks. We’ve already helped ISPs across Europe upgrade their in-home experience, reducing support calls, increasing customer satisfaction, and delivering on the true promise of gigabit broadband.
Our flagship i4882 Wi-Fi 6 router features 8x 5GHz antennas, providing exceptional in-home performance and extended range compared to lesser spec routers from our competitors. Couple this with the benefits for multi-user Wi-Fi connections, meaning the users get better, more reliable Wi-Fi in more areas of the home, providing a better Quality of Experience (QoE), which leads to improved customer satisfaction and ultimately fewer support calls. Equipped with a 2.5G internet port, the i4882 also supports multi-gigabit connectivity.
And now, with our new Sága Wi-Fi 7 portfolio, we’re taking performance to the next level.
The Sága routers are designed to meet the needs of today’s gigabit customers and those of tomorrow. They combine multi-gigabit WAN capabilities with blazing-fast tri-band Wi-Fi 7 performance, supporting more connected devices, higher throughput, and ultra-low latency.
Ready to unleash the true power of fibre?
As the Ookla report makes clear, delivering fast fibre speeds is only part of the equation. Today’s broadband users expect a seamless, high-performance in-home experience, and ISPs that meet these expectations will maintain a significant competitive edge.
If you're ready to upgrade your router portfolio and unlock the full potential of your customers’ fibre connection, let’s talk. With Icotera, fibre speed doesn’t stop at the doorstep; it thrives in every room.
