The Croatian Connection: Assessing Internet Speed, Coverage, and the Road Ahead for Digital Infrastructure

Market Overview: Current State of Internet Access in Croatia
Technology Trends: Innovations Shaping Connectivity
Competitive Landscape: Key Players and Market Dynamics
Growth Forecasts: Projections for Internet Expansion
Regional Analysis: Connectivity Across Croatian Regions
Future Outlook: Anticipating the Next Wave of Digital Transformation
Challenges & Opportunities: Navigating Barriers and Unlocking Potential
Sources & References

“Croatia’s internet infrastructure has made significant progress but still shows a gap between urban and rural areas.” (source)

Market Overview: Current State of Internet Access in Croatia

Croatia’s internet landscape in 2025 reflects a nation in the midst of rapid digital transformation, balancing robust urban connectivity with ongoing rural expansion. As of early 2024, Croatia’s fixed broadband penetration reached approximately 80% of households, with mobile broadband subscriptions surpassing 120% of the population, indicating widespread adoption and multiple device usage (European Commission Digital Economy and Society Index 2023).

Speed and Quality

According to Speedtest Global Index, Croatia’s average fixed broadband download speed in early 2024 was around 90 Mbps, while mobile internet averaged 70 Mbps. These figures place Croatia above the EU average for mobile speeds but slightly below for fixed broadband.
Urban centers like Zagreb, Split, and Rijeka enjoy gigabit fiber connections, with providers such as Hrvatski Telekom and A1 Croatia rolling out FTTH (fiber-to-the-home) networks. However, rural areas still rely heavily on older DSL and 4G technologies, resulting in a digital divide.

Coverage and Reach

5G coverage expanded rapidly in 2023–2024, now reaching over 70% of the population, with all major cities and many tourist regions included (HAKOM, Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries).
The government’s National Broadband Plan aims for 100% gigabit connectivity by 2030, with significant EU funding allocated to rural fiber deployment and 5G expansion (EU Digital Strategy: Croatia).

Future-Proofing and Challenges

Investments in next-generation networks are ongoing, with over €200 million earmarked for digital infrastructure upgrades through 2026 (Croatia’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan).
Key challenges remain: bridging the urban-rural gap, ensuring affordability, and fostering digital literacy, especially among older populations.

In summary, Croatia’s internet access in 2025 is fast and increasingly far-reaching, with a clear trajectory toward future-proof, gigabit-level connectivity. While urban areas are already enjoying high-speed, reliable internet, ongoing public and private investments are crucial to ensure that rural and underserved communities are not left behind in the digital age.

Technology Trends: Innovations Shaping Connectivity

As Croatia positions itself as a digital frontrunner in Southeast Europe, the nation’s internet infrastructure is undergoing rapid transformation. By 2025, Croatia’s connectivity landscape is defined by three key factors: speed, reach, and future-readiness.

Speed: Croatia’s average fixed broadband speed reached 110 Mbps in early 2024, a significant leap from 70 Mbps in 2021 (Speedtest Global Index). The government’s “National Plan for Broadband Development” aims to deliver gigabit speeds to 80% of households by 2025, leveraging both fiber-optic and advanced cable technologies (Croatian Government).
Reach: Rural and island communities, once underserved, are now seeing major improvements. The EU-backed “Next Generation Network” project has extended high-speed internet to over 700,000 residents in remote areas since 2022 (European Commission). Mobile 5G coverage now exceeds 75% of the population, with all major cities and tourist hubs fully covered (HAKOM).
Future-Proofing: Croatia is investing in next-generation technologies, including 5G Standalone (SA) networks and pilot 6G research. The country’s digital strategy emphasizes cybersecurity, IoT integration, and smart city initiatives, with Rijeka and Zagreb leading in public Wi-Fi and sensor networks (SmartCitiesWorld). The government’s digital literacy programs aim to ensure that citizens and businesses can fully leverage these advancements.

Looking ahead, Croatia’s internet access in 2025 is not only faster and more widespread but also designed to adapt to future demands. With robust public and private investment, the country is on track to meet EU Digital Decade targets, positioning itself as a regional leader in digital connectivity and innovation (EU Digital Decade).

Competitive Landscape: Key Players and Market Dynamics

The Croatian internet market is undergoing rapid transformation as it approaches 2025, driven by aggressive infrastructure investments, regulatory reforms, and shifting consumer demands. The competitive landscape is defined by a handful of dominant players, with Hrvatski Telekom (a Deutsche Telekom subsidiary), A1 Hrvatska, and Telemach Hrvatska leading the charge. These companies are racing to expand fiber-optic and 5G coverage, aiming to meet both urban and rural connectivity needs.

Hrvatski Telekom remains the market leader, boasting the largest share of fixed broadband and mobile subscribers. As of late 2023, it covered over 80% of Croatian households with high-speed broadband, and its 5G network reached more than 60% of the population (Hrvatski Telekom).
A1 Hrvatska is aggressively expanding its fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network, targeting 1 million households by 2025. The company has also invested heavily in 5G, aiming for nationwide coverage and offering gigabit speeds in major cities (A1 Hrvatska).
Telemach Hrvatska, after acquiring Optima Telekom, is leveraging its parent company United Group’s resources to disrupt the market with competitive pricing and bundled services. Telemach is focusing on both urban and underserved rural areas, aiming to close the digital divide (Telemach Hrvatska).

According to the Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM), the average fixed broadband speed in Croatia surpassed 100 Mbps in 2023, with projections to exceed 200 Mbps by 2025 as fiber penetration increases (HAKOM). Mobile internet is also advancing, with 5G expected to cover 85% of the population by 2025, supporting future-proof applications such as IoT, smart cities, and remote work.

Despite these advances, challenges remain. Rural areas still lag in high-speed access, and the market is under pressure to keep prices competitive while investing in next-generation networks. EU funding and government initiatives are expected to play a crucial role in bridging these gaps and ensuring that Croatia’s internet infrastructure is both fast and future-proof by 2025 (European Commission).

Growth Forecasts: Projections for Internet Expansion

Croatia’s digital landscape is poised for significant transformation by 2025, driven by ambitious government initiatives, EU funding, and robust private sector investment. The nation’s commitment to expanding high-speed internet access is evident in its National Broadband Plan, which aims to provide at least 100 Mbps connectivity to all households by 2025, with a focus on future-proofing infrastructure for gigabit speeds (European Commission).

Current Penetration and Speed: As of 2023, Croatia’s internet penetration rate stands at approximately 85%, with average fixed broadband speeds reaching 70 Mbps and mobile speeds averaging 60 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index). Urban areas, particularly Zagreb and coastal cities, enjoy higher speeds and more reliable connections, while rural regions lag behind.
Growth Projections: By 2025, forecasts suggest internet penetration will surpass 92%, propelled by the rollout of fiber-optic networks and 5G expansion. The Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM) projects that over 70% of households will have access to gigabit-capable connections by 2025 (HAKOM).
5G and Rural Inclusion: The deployment of 5G networks is accelerating, with all major operators—Hrvatski Telekom, A1, and Telemach—committed to nationwide coverage by 2025. This is expected to bridge the urban-rural digital divide, enabling smart agriculture, telemedicine, and remote education in less populated areas (Total Croatia News).
Future-Proofing Initiatives: Croatia is leveraging EU Recovery and Resilience Facility funds to invest in next-generation networks, aiming to ensure that infrastructure can support emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, and cloud computing. The government’s digital strategy emphasizes resilience, cybersecurity, and scalability to accommodate future demands (EU Recovery and Resilience Facility).

In summary, Croatia’s internet expansion by 2025 is set to be fast, far-reaching, and future-proof, positioning the country as a regional leader in digital connectivity and innovation.

Regional Analysis: Connectivity Across Croatian Regions

As Croatia advances toward a digital future, regional disparities in internet connectivity remain a critical issue. In 2025, the landscape of internet access across Croatian regions is shaped by a combination of infrastructure investments, EU funding, and private sector initiatives. The government’s National Plan for Broadband Development aims to provide at least 100 Mbps to all households by 2025, with a focus on rural and underserved areas (Croatian Government).

Urban vs. Rural Divide: Major cities like Zagreb, Split, and Rijeka enjoy widespread fiber-optic coverage, with average fixed broadband speeds exceeding 150 Mbps. In contrast, rural regions such as Lika-Senj and parts of Slavonia still rely on older ADSL or 4G connections, with average speeds between 30–50 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index).
Mobile Connectivity: 5G rollout is accelerating, with coverage reaching over 70% of the population by early 2025. However, coverage gaps persist in mountainous and island regions, where 4G remains the primary mobile broadband option (HAKOM).
EU-Funded Projects: The “Next Generation Network” initiative, co-financed by the EU, has targeted over 700,000 residents in remote areas, aiming to bridge the digital divide by deploying gigabit-capable networks (European Commission).
Affordability and Access: While the average monthly broadband price in Croatia is around €25, rural users often face higher costs due to limited provider competition (Cable.co.uk).

Looking ahead, Croatia’s connectivity is becoming increasingly future-proof. The government’s commitment to the EU’s Digital Decade targets—ensuring gigabit connectivity for all by 2030—has spurred further investment in fiber and 5G infrastructure. However, the pace of progress varies: while urban centers are approaching gigabit speeds, rural and island communities require continued support to catch up. The success of Croatia’s digital transformation will depend on sustained public-private collaboration and targeted policies to ensure equitable, high-speed internet access nationwide.

Future Outlook: Anticipating the Next Wave of Digital Transformation

As Croatia positions itself for the next wave of digital transformation, the quality and reach of its internet infrastructure are pivotal. By 2025, Croatia is expected to make significant strides in both broadband speed and coverage, aligning with the European Union’s Digital Decade targets. The government’s National Plan for Broadband Development aims for gigabit connectivity in urban areas and at least 100 Mbps in rural regions by 2025 (European Commission).

Speed and Coverage: As of 2023, Croatia’s average fixed broadband speed reached 80 Mbps, with mobile internet averaging 60 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index). Ongoing investments in fiber-optic networks and 5G expansion are projected to push average speeds above 150 Mbps for fixed and 100 Mbps for mobile by 2025.
Rural Inclusion: The EU-funded “Next Generation Network” projects are closing the digital divide, targeting 99% household coverage with high-speed internet by 2025 (EU Regional Policy).
5G Rollout: Croatia’s 5G network, launched in 2021, is expanding rapidly. By 2025, 5G is expected to cover over 80% of the population, enabling advanced applications in smart cities, telemedicine, and Industry 4.0 (HAKOM).
Future-Proofing: Croatia is investing in digital skills and cybersecurity, ensuring that its digital infrastructure is resilient and adaptable to emerging technologies such as IoT, AI, and cloud computing (Government of Croatia).

Looking ahead, Croatia’s commitment to EU digital benchmarks and robust public-private partnerships are set to make its internet access not only faster and more widespread but also future-proof. This digital leap is expected to boost economic competitiveness, attract tech investment, and enhance quality of life for citizens. As 2025 approaches, Croatia’s “digital backbone” will be a critical enabler for innovation and sustainable growth in the region.

Challenges & Opportunities: Navigating Barriers and Unlocking Potential

Croatia’s digital landscape is rapidly evolving, with internet access playing a pivotal role in economic growth, education, and social inclusion. As of early 2024, Croatia boasts an internet penetration rate of approximately 85%, slightly above the global average (DataReportal). However, the journey toward a fully connected, future-proof nation is marked by both significant challenges and promising opportunities.

Infrastructure Gaps: While urban centers like Zagreb and Split enjoy high-speed fiber and 5G connectivity, rural and island communities lag behind. According to the European Commission’s DESI 2023 report, only 60% of Croatian households had access to very high-capacity networks (VHCN), compared to the EU average of 73%. Bridging this digital divide remains a top priority.
Affordability and Digital Literacy: The cost of high-speed internet has decreased, but remains a barrier for low-income households. Additionally, digital skills are unevenly distributed; only 53% of Croatians possess at least basic digital skills (DESI Croatia), limiting the full utilization of available technologies.
Regulatory and Investment Climate: Croatia’s government has committed to the EU’s Digital Decade targets, aiming for gigabit connectivity for all by 2030. The National Recovery and Resilience Plan allocates over €100 million for broadband expansion (Plan oporavka). However, bureaucratic hurdles and slow permit processes can delay infrastructure projects.
Opportunities in 5G and Fiber: The rollout of 5G networks is accelerating, with all major operators expanding coverage. By 2025, 5G is expected to reach over 70% of the population (HAKOM). Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) initiatives, supported by EU funds, are also scaling up, promising gigabit speeds and future-proof connectivity.
Digital Economy and Innovation: Improved internet access is unlocking opportunities in e-commerce, remote work, and digital services. Croatia’s thriving tech startup scene, particularly in fintech and gaming, stands to benefit from robust, reliable connectivity.

In summary, while Croatia faces notable barriers in achieving universal, high-speed internet access, targeted investments, regulatory reforms, and a focus on digital skills are paving the way for a more connected and competitive future by 2025 and beyond.