Ahead of FTTH Congress CEE 2025, Vincent Garnier, Director General of the FTTH Council Europe, shares insights on the drivers and challenges shaping fibre deployment and adoption across Central and Eastern Europe. While coverage in markets like Romania, Estonia, and Hungary is strong, the focus is increasingly on connecting homes and boosting adoption. Key themes include closing the adoption gap, innovative financing and business models, and ESG- and DE&I-driven strategies. Emerging technologies such as XGS-PON, energy-efficient equipment, AI-enabled network management, and low-impact civil works are enhancing performance, reducing costs, and improving sustainability. The discussion also highlights the importance of collaboration, rural connectivity, and regulatory support to ensure inclusive, large-scale fibre rollouts, positioning the region to achieve full-fibre coverage and Europe’s Digital Decade targets by 2030.