Croatia s fiber optic cable upgrade

Croatia is undergoing a major fiber optic network expansion, combining government, state-owned, and private initiatives to provide high-speed broadband to urban and rural areas by 2026.

National Broadband Strategy

Croatia's National Plan for Broadband Development 2021–2027 aims to provide all households with download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and government offices, schools, and health facilities with symmetric 1 Gbps connections. The plan also supports the deployment of 5G networks in major cities and along highways, with EUR 130 million allocated for broadband expansion in rural areas under the Recovery and Resilience Plan . The Digital Croatia Strategy 2032 complements this by promoting digital skills and infrastructure development across the country .

State-Owned Network Upgrades

The OIV (Office for the Implementation of Digital Infrastructure) has expanded its DWDM-based fiber optic network, connecting northern and southern Croatia, including Dubrovnik, through a 44-kilometer cable section. This network supports high-speed data transmission from 2 Mbit/s to 100 Gbit/s between major cities and is used for telecommunications, multimedia, and satellite services . OIV also manages the NP-BBI Programme, targeting areas with insufficient commercial interest, ensuring reliable and secure optical infrastructure for public and commercial services .

Private Sector Initiatives

OPTIX Infrastructure is the largest private fiber optic expansion project in Croatia, aiming to connect over 200,000 households and businesses by 2026. With investments exceeding EUR 200 million, OPTIX focuses on rural regions and towns, providing high-speed internet, digital TV, and telephony services without requiring pre-marketing or municipal funding . The rollout emphasizes sustainable construction methods and direct property connections for both single-family homes and multi-unit buildings.

Regional Projects

In Split-Dalmatia County, Hrvatski Telekom is building a fiber-optic network across several municipalities and the town of Imotski, targeting nearly 7,500 households with ultra-fast broadband by June 30, 2026. The project, valued at EUR 5.5 million, is co-financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, ensuring open-access Very High Capacity Networks (VHCN) for all operators . This expansion will enhance access to digital public services, support entrepreneurship, and stimulate local economic development.

Summary

Croatia's fiber optic upgrade is a multi-faceted effort involving government planning, state-owned network expansion, and private sector investment. By 2026, the country aims to achieve nationwide high-speed broadband coverage, improve digital public services, and strengthen connectivity in both urban and rural areas, laying the foundation for a robust digital economy and 5G integration .