Slow Internet: This map shows which federal states have the least fiber optics

Every federal state does its own thing, which is also reflected in the spread of fiber optics in Germany. There are only two federal states that stand out positively – the rest are still sneaking around with a lame network.

In many things, Germany is a pioneer and role model for the rest of the world. However, fast internet is not one of them, as some developing countries are better positioned. This is also shown by a current analysis on the subject of fiber optic expansion.

The 2022 market overview by the Federal Association of Broadband Communication (Breko) shows that just 26 percent of German households can get Internet via fiber optics.

But: This number only describes the “Homes Passed” status, in which there is at least one empty duct for fiber optics – this means that a cable has not necessarily been laid (“Homes Prepared”) or the household has been connected (“Homes Connected”).

The differences between the federal states are significant. Now you can use the CHIP speed test to find out how fast your internet really is:

Fiber optic expansion fluctuates

The federal states show a very unequal distribution of fiber optic expansion. The frontrunners are Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg, where almost two-thirds of households already have access to a fiber optic connection (“Homes Passed”).

After that there was nothing for a long time and finally Saxony-Anhalt in third place with a third:

Schleswig Holstein: 61%
Hamburg: 59%
Saxony-Anhalt: 33%
Saxony: 31%
Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and Lower Saxony: 29%
Saarland: 28%
Bavaria: 25%
Brandenburg, Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia: 23%
Thuringia: 21%
Bremen and Hesse: 20%
Baden-Württemberg: 17%
Berlin: 10%

Ironically, the capital Berlin is far behind, with just ten percent fiber optics among users.

What are the future plans?

The demand for fiber optics continues to increase. 4.4 million new connections have been added since the end of 2020. The federal government has the goal of supplying half of all German households with it by 2025 (“Homes Passed”), and by 2030 it should even be 100 percent.

However, current geopolitical developments could push this goal somewhat into the background, so rapid expansion will be a challenge.

Exciting: Currently, 71 percent of fiber optic connections belong to alternative network operators – i.e. competitors of Deutsche Telekom, which is actually the top dog in the network.