UAE Tops Global Ranking in Fibre Optic Coverage for Ninth Year

The United Arab Emirates has retained its position as the global leader in fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) coverage for the ninth consecutive year, with a nationwide penetration rate of 99.5%, according to the latest report from the FTTH Council Europe.

The UAE's advanced fibre optic network, managed primarily by e& UAE (formerly Etisalat), spans more than 14.5 million kilometres—over 360 times the Earth's circumference—and delivers high-speed connectivity to more than 2.88 million homes across the country. The extensive infrastructure has been instrumental in placing the UAE ahead of other leading countries, including South Korea (96.6%) and China (93.6%).

Fibre optic technology was first introduced in the UAE in 1986 as part of the country’s national transport network. In 2011, Abu Dhabi became the first capital city in the world to achieve full fibre optic network coverage—an early achievement that helped position the UAE at the forefront of global telecom innovation.