Access to fast Internet connections for businesses in Germany is still lagging behind many other EU countries, the Federal Statistical Office reported on March 5.

Last year, 59% of businesses with a fixed broadband connection and at least 10 employees had access to fast Internet, the office said. This referred to speeds of at least 30 megabits per second (Mbps).

This was an 8-percentage-point increase on 2018, but despite the progress, Europe's biggest economy was only able to retain "its mid-table position in Europe", the statisticians said.

The EU-wide average for access to fast Internet was 54% last year, up six points on the previous year.

Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands were at the top of list, with 87%, 82% and 75% respectively.

France was the furthest behind at 33%, following by Croatia and Italy, both on 41%.

 - dpa