Most European countries require a minimum download speed of 10 Mbps for an adequate fixed broadband internet access service.
Article 84(1) of the European Electronic Communications Code asks member states to define an adequate broadband internet access service “in light of national conditions and the minimum bandwidth enjoyed by the majority of consumers”.
The bandwidth must support at least services like email, e-banking, online education tools and search engines.
Luxembourg, Malta and Norway require 30 Mbps, while Denmark, Finland and Bulgaria only require 5 Mbps and 2 Mbps.
Eight countries have not defined the minimum speed.
Cullen International's latest European benchmark on universal service obligation investigates the minimum download speed required in 33 countries.
Scope
- Region: Europe
- Countries covered: 33
- Policy area: Telecoms
- Last updated: July 2026
For more details and for access to the full benchmark, please click on “Access the full content” - or on “Request Access”, in case you are not subscribed to our European Telecoms service.
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