Altnets are increasing their influence across Europe’s fixed broadband markets

Altnets are changing fixed broadband market structures across Europe. Fixed operators without a large mobile division now have a notable market share in the UK, Germany and Norway, and this share has grown between 2024 and 2025.

The ways in which altnets are changing market structures vary by country. In some countries, altnets have accelerated fibre deployment; in some, they have embedded themselves by targeting niche local markets; in others, they have driven retail competition. The UK, Germany and Norway provide three contrasting examples of how altnets are shaping developments in fixed broadband markets. These highlight how the competitive role of altnets shifts as markets move from roll-out to maturity.