Romania ranks first in the EU for fibre to the premises, against an EU average of 74.13% (European Commission, 2025).
Romania's median fixed broadband speed in September 2026: 277.68 Mbps down and 193.63 Mbps up (Ookla).
In rural Bucharest-Ilfov, fibre-to-the-premises coverage is 94.66%. Area coverage is not a connection, so check the address.
Internet in Romania: the short answer
Romania has some of the best fixed internet in Europe. According to the European Commission's Digital Decade 2026 country report for Romania, 96.25% of homes are covered by fibre to the premises (FTTP), against an EU average of 74.13%, and Romania ranks first in the EU for this indicator. In the Bucharest-Ilfov region, coverage is 97.79% overall and 94.66% in rural areas.
Speeds match. In Ookla's Speedtest Global Index for Romania, updated September 2026, the median fixed broadband speed was 277.68 Mbps download and 193.63 Mbps upload, with 6 ms latency, 15th in the world.
In plain words: fixed internet is rarely the problem in Romania. Check the specific house, and plan a mobile backup.
For the other connections a house needs, water, power and gas, see our guide to villa utilities in Ilfov.
The numbers: Romania against the EU
| Indicator (2025) | Romania | EU average | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibre to the premises (FTTP) coverage | 96.25% | 74.13% | European Commission, Digital Decade 2026 |
| FTTP coverage in sparsely populated areas | 94.02% | 62.61% | European Commission |
| Share of fixed subscriptions of 1 Gbps or more | 36.64% | 26.97% | European Commission |
| 5G coverage | 59.3% | 96.79% | European Commission |
| Fixed internet connections | over 7 million (+3%) | ANCOM, via Economedia | |
| Fibre-to-the-home connections | 5.7 million (+7%) | ANCOM, via Gadget.ro |
Two facts stand out. Fibre is almost everywhere, including in villages. And mobile 5G, nationally, is the weak point: Romania ranks last in the EU for 5G coverage, the Commission says, mainly outside the big cities. In Bucharest-Ilfov it is a different picture: 99.80% 5G coverage, and 98.24% in rural areas.
According to ANCOM, Romania's telecoms regulator, fixed internet grew by 6% in rural areas in 2025 and by 1% in towns, Economedia reported. About four in ten fixed connections are now gigabit.
Fixed and mobile, by the numbers
| Fixed broadband | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|
| Median download (Ookla, September 2026) | 277.68 Mbps | 85.44 Mbps |
| Median upload | 193.63 Mbps | 18.40 Mbps |
| Latency | 6 ms | 21 ms |
| World rank | 15th | 56th |
For video calls, the number that matters most is upload. Fixed fibre gives you plenty of it. A mobile connection is fine as a backup, less so as your only line for a team that works on video all day.
Who provides internet in Ilfov
Three operators dominate the fixed market. At the end of 2025, by number of connections, Digi had 74%, Orange 15% and Vodafone 10%, according to ANCOM figures reported by Gadget.ro. There are also smaller local providers in some communes.
On the mobile side, the market has three operators: Orange, Vodafone and Digi. Telekom Romania's business was split between Vodafone and Digi, the European Commission notes.
What this means for a buyer: in most new neighbourhoods of Ilfov, at least one fibre operator already reaches the street. But "the neighbourhood has fibre" is not the same as "your house is connected". The last few metres, from the street to the house, are what you need to check.
"The neighbourhood has fibre" is not the same as "your house is connected".
Remote work from a villa: what really matters
| Item | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre to the house | Upload and stable latency for video | Ask which operators already serve the street, and check the address on their sites |
| A conduit from the street | Without it, connecting can mean digging | Ask the developer where the fibre enters the house |
| Wired network inside | Wi-Fi through concrete walls loses speed | Ethernet points in the office, or a mesh system |
| A second line | Fibre can be cut by roadworks | A mobile router on another operator's network |
| Power backup | A short power cut drops your call | A small UPS for the router and the computer |
| A quiet room | Calls with children at home | One closed room with a door, away from the street |
Solar panels on the roof do not by themselves keep the router on during a power cut: ask whether the system has a battery with a backup mode. More in our guide to solar panels on a villa.
None of these is expensive to plan before you move in. Most of them are expensive to fix after the walls are finished.
How to check internet at a specific house: 6 steps
- Ask the seller or developer which operators serve the address. Get names, not "there is fibre".
- Check availability for the exact address with each operator, online or by phone. Area coverage is not a promise for one house.
- Ask where the fibre enters the house, and whether there is a conduit from the boundary to the technical room.
- Run a speed test on site. ANCOM's own test, Netograf, also shows maps of fixed and mobile results by area.
- Test mobile signal in every room on two networks, for your backup line.
- Read the contract speed. Keep your test results; if the service falls short again and again, they support a complaint to the provider.
Five questions for the developer before you sign
When you buy a new home from a developer, you can get most of the answers in writing before signing:
- Which operators already have fibre in the project's street? If none yet, is there an agreement with one, and when?
- Where does the fibre enter the house? Ask to see it on the plans.
- Are there empty conduits between rooms? They let you add network cable without breaking walls.
- Where is the technical cabinet? A router in the middle of the house covers better than one in the garage.
- Who arranges the connection at handover? The developer, or you with the provider.
If you buy from abroad, ask by email and keep the answers. They help on handover day too.
Working remotely from Romania: beyond the cable
A fast line does not settle where you may legally work from. If you are not an EU citizen and plan to live in Romania while working for a company abroad, look at the residence options. We cover one of them in our guide to the digital nomad visa in Romania. Tax residency is a separate question for an accountant, and we touch on it in tax residency between Israel and Romania.
The northern suburbs suit hybrid work well: fast fibre at home, and a short drive to the offices in Pipera and to the airport on the days you need them.
Frequently asked questions
How fast is home internet in Romania?
In Ookla's Speedtest Global Index for September 2026, Romania's median fixed broadband speed was 277.68 Mbps download and 193.63 Mbps upload, 15th in the world. Most homes are on fibre.
Is there fibre in the villages around Bucharest?
Mostly yes. The European Commission reports FTTP coverage of 94.66% in rural parts of the Bucharest-Ilfov region in 2025. Coverage of an area does not guarantee a connection to a specific house, so check the address.
Which internet providers operate in Ilfov?
The three national operators are Digi, Orange and Vodafone. At the end of 2025 Digi held about 74% of fixed connections, Orange 15% and Vodafone 10%, according to ANCOM. Some communes also have small local providers.
Is mobile internet good enough as a backup?
Usually, around Bucharest. Bucharest-Ilfov had 99.80% 5G coverage in 2025, and Romania's median mobile speed was 85.44 Mbps in September 2026. Upload is much lower than on fibre, so use it as a backup, not as your main line for heavy video work.
How do I test my internet speed officially in Romania?
Use Netograf.ro, the speed test platform of ANCOM, Romania's telecoms regulator. It also publishes maps of fixed and mobile results.
The bottom line
In Romania, a fast connection is the norm, not a luxury. Bucharest-Ilfov has fibre almost everywhere and near-full 5G coverage. What still needs checking is the specific house: the last metres of cable, the network inside and a backup for the day the fibre is cut.
If you plan to work from a home north of Bucharest, book a 30-minute call with me. We will go through the checklist for the houses you are considering, whether or not you buy from us.
Moti Azulay, Compass Group Romania
Sources: European Commission, Digital Decade 2026 country report: Romania (Council document 10476/26 ADD 52, PDF) · Ookla Speedtest Global Index: Romania · Economedia: ANCOM data for 2025 · Gadget.ro: ANCOM market shares, end of 2025 · Netograf, ANCOM's speed test
This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Data is current as of 22 October 2026. Coverage figures describe areas, not individual addresses; check availability for the specific house with the operators.
Now you know more.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Consult local professionals before any transaction.
