The expansion of fiber networks across the Asia Pacific (APAC) has gained significant momentum in recent years, largely driven by government-led broadband initiatives.
With optical fiber networks now reaching the majority of households in many markets, the region's fiber broadband subscriptions surpassed the 500-million mark at the end of 2022. This figure represents an impressive 85.1% share of the entire residential fixed-line broadband subscriber base, showcasing the scale of fiber adoption across the region.
However, despite this extensive network reach, fiber broadband service take-up rates in most markets remain below 50%, indicating that there is still considerable potential for growth and increased utilization.
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China’s Massive Fiber Infrastructure
Mainland China leads the way in fiber deployment, and boasted 59.6 million kilometers of installed fiber lines at the end of 2022. This extensive network has positioned China as a global leader in fiber infrastructure, and the country's commitment to expanding broadband access is set to continue.
Kagan estimates that by 2027, fiber broadband subscribers will account for at least 90% of all broadband users in China. The push for fiber expansion has been spearheaded by China Mobile Ltd., which alone deployed around 19.4 million kilometers of fiber cables. These efforts form part of the government's broader strategy to ensure ubiquitous broadband access, which will be critical for supporting China's digital economy and future technologies like 5G and IoT.
China's fiber deployment strategy is supported by multiple national policies and initiatives. The Broadband China Strategy (2013) set the foundation for expanding fiber-optic networks, focusing on increasing broadband coverage in rural and underserved areas. China’s 5G and fiber network integration aims to provide 1,000 Mbps speeds to all counties and township seats by 2025, enhancing connectivity across the country. The East-to-West Computing Resource Transfer Project is strengthening data transmission between regions by expanding fiber networks. The China Optical Fiber and Cable Development Plan, part of the "13th Five-Year Plan," is enhaning the manufacturing and deployment of fiber-optic cables.
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India's Rapid FTTH Growth
In India, the Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) market is experiencing rapid growth, led by companies such as Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. and Bharti Airtel Ltd. Within two years of its launch, Reliance Jio became the market leader, connecting over 7.6 million residences to its FTTH network by the end of 2022. Bharti Airtel, the second-largest player in the market, expanded its FTTH services to over 500 new towns during the same period.
This surge in fiber expansion aligns with India's Digital India initiative, which aims to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Government support and favorable policies have been instrumental in accelerating the deployment of fiber infrastructure in urban and semi-urban areas, though rural penetration remains a challenge.
The BharatNet project, spearheaded by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), aims to connect 250,000 gram panchayats with high-speed internet through fiber optic cables, supporting governance, e-services, and digital inclusion across rural areas. Furthermore, the National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP) 2018 emphasizes fiberization to boost 5G readiness and the overall telecommunications framework. Make in India supports the domestic manufacturing of fiber optic equipment, while the Smart Cities Mission ensures fiber-based infrastructure is utilized in urban areas for smart city services.
Japan and South Korea: Mature Markets Focused on Upgrades
Japan and South Korea, which were among the first countries to adopt nationwide fiber broadband services in the early 2000s, continue to lead in terms of advanced fiber technologies. The focus in these mature markets has shifted to improving network speeds and power efficiency in long-distance signal transmission.
Despite the sophistication of its fiber infrastructure, Japan faces challenges in expanding coverage to remote areas due to geographical barriers and natural disasters. To address these issues, companies like NTT and KDDI have partnered with SpaceX to explore wireless space broadband solutions for hard-to-reach regions.
In Japan, the Infrastructure Development Plan for a Digital Garden City Nation (revised in 2023) aims to reach 99.90% fiber-optic coverage by 2027, focusing on bridging regional disparities in broadband access. The Society 5.0 initiative, a core element of Japan’s vision for future digital society, emphasizes integrating advanced technologies like AI, IoT, and quantum computing with fiber infrastructure, aiming to solve societal problems while fostering economic growth. The Integrated Innovation Strategy 2022 supports the expansion of fiber networks to facilitate the creation of smart cities, enhance communication systems, and further digitalization efforts across industries. The 6th Science, Technology, and Innovation Basic Plan underscores the importance of infrastructure improvements, particularly for a highly digital and data-driven economy.
South Korea has long been a global leader in fiber deployment, driven by comprehensive policies and initiatives to ensure universal high-speed broadband access. Key policies include the Korean Information Infrastructure (KII), launched in the late 1990s, which laid the groundwork for widespread fiber networks. This was followed by the IT839 Strategy, which focused on broadband convergence, establishing an environment conducive to the development of high-speed networks, fiber expansion, and 5G readiness. More recently, the Giga-KOREA Project aims to deliver gigabit-speed internet that is 40 times faster across the country. South Korea's Broadband Convergence Network (BcN) policy is another significant initiative, enabling ultra-high-speed broadband connections nationwide and promoting infrastructure sharing between telecom operators, reducing costs and ensuring competitiveness in fiber deployment.
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Southeast Asia: Addressing Connectivity Gaps
Southeast Asian countries are also actively pursuing fiber expansion, with national policies playing a crucial role in accelerating deployment.
In Indonesia, for instance, Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (Telkom Indonesia) upgraded copper-based connections to fiber in 459 cities and districts by the end of 2022. However, broadband penetration remains low in rural and remote areas, where Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and satellite solutions are often used to extend coverage. The collaboration between Kacific Broadband Satellites Ltd., PT Bis Data Indonesia (BIGNET), and PT Primacom Interbuana (Primacom) to build 2,500 satellite internet sites illustrates efforts to overcome these connectivity challenges.
Indonesia's fiber deployment efforts are anchored by several significant policies and initiatives. The Palapa Ring Project is a key government-led initiative that aims to establish a nationwide fiber optic backbone, connecting remote regions and providing reliable broadband services. Another initiative is the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2020-2025, which promotes broadband expansion, particularly targeting public facilities like schools and healthcare centers to boost e-education, e-health, and e-government.
The Philippines has made significant strides in fiber expansion, with PLDT Inc. and Converge ICT Solutions Inc. leading the charge. PLDT reached 17.2 million homes by early 2023, while Converge ICT passed 15.1 million.
In the Philippines, the National Broadband Plan (NBP), spearheaded by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), aims to establish a nationwide government-owned broadband network. The plan is supported by the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project, which was launched in 2024. Phase 1 of the NFB spans 1,245 kilometers and connects various provinces, Metro Manila, and eco-zones, enhancing government operations and expanding internet access. The entire NBP, set for completion by 2026, will increase internet penetration from 33% to 65% and lower connectivity costs. To further accelerate deployment, the DPWH Policy on Telecommunications and Internet Infrastructure Pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 11494 facilitates faster construction of telecom infrastructure by relaxing right-of-way regulations. Another project, the Resiliency Route, seeks to bolster fiber connectivity in metropolitan areas like Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao.
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Government-Backed Projects in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam
In Malaysia, the Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) initiative, launched by the government, aims to enhance digital infrastructure across the country. By the end of 2022, the project had connected 7.7 million premises to fiber, improving the broadband landscape. Moreover, Malaysia’s National Fiberization and Connectivity Plan (NFCP), launched in September 2019, aims to provide robust and affordable digital connectivity nationwide with a budget of MYR 21.6 billion (approximately USD 5.16 billion).
Similarly, Singapore's Nationwide Broadband Network, supported by NetLink NBN Trust, has reached over 1.5 million households, offering fiber plans with speeds up to 2.5 Gbps. Singapore’s Digital Connectivity Blueprint (DCB) aims to maintain world-class digital infrastructure and includes objectives like doubling submarine cable landings in the next decade and achieving seamless 10 Gbps domestic connectivity within five years. The Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network (Next Gen NBN) advocated for high-speed fiber connectivity, and required the network to cover 95% of homes and businesses by 2012, which it achieved ahead of schedule. Furthermore, the SMEs Go Digital Program encourages small and medium enterprises to adopt digital solutions, including fiber-based services.
Thailand's Digital Thailand policy has also facilitated significant fiber expansion, with ISPs like True Corp. and Advanced Info Service PCL connecting more than 23 million households in 2022. Thailand’s National Broadband Network (NBN) is a significant initiative aimed at delivering high-speed internet access nationwide, particularly targeting affordability and coverage for all citizens. Additionally, the 8-Step Strategy unveiled by the National Digital Economy and Society Commission (ONDE) in 2023 seeks to accelerate digital transformation by integrating various sectors, including fiber expansion and deployment.
In Vietnam, the three major ISPs—VNPT, Viettel., and FPT Telecom—collectively reached 18 million fiber subscribers by year-end in 2022. The country's fiber infrastructure uses advanced technologies such as Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) and Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) to handle high data volumes, supporting the growth of digital services.
Vietnam has implemented several national policies and initiatives aimed at enhancing fiber deployment across the country. The Decision No. 977/QĐ-BTTTT, initiated in June 2024, outlines the Strategy for Developing Vietnam's International Fiber Optic Cable System with ambitious goals, including the activation of new submarine cable routes by 2027 and a total designed capacity of at least 350 Tbps by 2030. Additionally, Vietnam's Smart City project in Hanoi aims to leverage fiber technology to enhance urban infrastructure, improve services, and promote digital governance, ultimately fostering a more connected society.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While APAC has made remarkable progress in fiber expansion, challenges remain. Rural and geographically isolated areas continue to pose difficulties for fiber deployment due to high costs and logistical issues. To bridge these gaps, countries are exploring hybrid solutions, including Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), satellite, and even space-based broadband technologies. As governments continue to prioritize broadband infrastructure development, the region is well-positioned to achieve higher fiber adoption rates and drive digital transformation.
As evident in the above, national policies have been pivotal in shaping the fiber landscape in APAC, and sustained efforts will be crucial in addressing the remaining connectivity gaps and maximizing the region's fiber potential.
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