The role of Brother For digital Italy was at the centre of the intervention of Pietro Piccinetti, CEO of Infratel a Telco for Italy. “At this crucial moment in our history, technology must finally confront ethics, while the digital economy and innovation have become key words to address global challenges. In this context, Infratel Italia is constantly engaged in the digital transition“, declared Piccinetti.
Infratel Italy has been operational since 2005 with the aim of creating broadband-enabling infrastructures in areas of the country of little economic interest for private operators, Piccinetti recalled. “It has grown over the years as a company responsible for the creation of broadband and ultra-broadband telecommunications network infrastructures and theEliminating the digital divide in the countryto satisfy the connectivity needs of citizens, businesses and public administrations and eliminate obstacles to the development of the so-called digitally marginal territories of the country”, stated the CEO of Infratel.
“In the global panorama, where technology and connectivity have become the pillars of economic and social progress, Infratel’s role is central to ensuring that Italy does not fall behind,” continued Piccinetti. “Infratel Italia has, in fact, an ambitious objective: promote the spread of ultra-broadband and 5G throughout the national territory, especially in areas where there is no market“. Infratel Italia, Piccinetti recalled, “over the years has enabled citizens, businesses and public administrations to use digital services, affirming the principle according to which Connectivity is synonymous with freedom“.
“Ultra-broadband and 5G are the beating heart of a modern digital society“, Piccinetti said again. “They enable businesses of all sizes to innovate, help public bodies offer more efficient services and improve people’s quality of life by facilitating access to educational, health and cultural resources. Infratel works tirelessly to develop these infrastructures, collaborating with local authorities, private operators and communities to carry out projects that will transform the face of our country”.
Infratel for digital infrastructures: the results
Today Infratel Italia is executor of public intervention plans for digital infrastructures and for the diffusion of services based on ultra-fast connectivity. As is known, the interventions implemented by Infratel Italia are financed through a program agreement with the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy – Mimit and an agreement with the Department for digital transformation at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Invitalia and Infratel Italy. The networks created over the years with the direct model and the white areas concession plan, for which Piccinetti provided the numbers, fall within the scope of the Program Agreement with Mimit.
With the direct model Infratel Italia has built a backhauling fiber optic network infrastructure for over 20,000 kmto connect approximately 3,000 Italian municipalities to the large national backbones and has built Fttx fiber optic access network infrastructures in 604 municipalities; To date, the company offers dark fiber in IRU mode to over 70 different operators.
With regard to the concession network created by Open Fiber, the public network connects 4,964 municipalities (out of 6,045). As of today, 6.7 million real estate units are available for sale (out of 8.4 million foreseen in the plan)
Then there is the WiFi Italia project which sees around 600,000 users registered on the network federated to the project and over 10,000 access points installed in over 1,700 municipalities.
“Thanks to these interventions, millions of Italians living in rural or peripheral areas are finally gaining access to quality connectivityessential to compete in an increasingly digitalized economy,” said Piccinetti.
The interventions of the Pnrr
Infratel Italia, pursuant to the agreement with the Department for Digital Transformation, is also implementing subject of Government interventions included ininvestment 3 “Ultra-fast networks” of Mission 1 – Component 2 of the Pnrr and of Minor Islands Plan, to whom 14% of the total resources of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan were dedicated. “This data highlights thethe centrality of connectivity initiatives for the coming years and the decisive role that Infratel Italia has assumed in promoting the country’s digital infrastructure”, said Piccinetti.
But Infratel’s work is not limited to the construction of network infrastructures enabling ultra-broadband services, concluded Piccetti. The company is, in fact, also involved in offering services, through telecommunications operators, and raising awareness to ensure that the population and the productive fabric are prepared to make the most of new technologies. Initiatives such as the School Plan and support for SMEs for the digital transition they are concrete examples of how Infratel is contributing to creating a widespread and inclusive digital culture.
With the Connected Health Plan Infratel Italia works on the creation of advanced high-capacity networks for ultra-fast connection for over 8,700 public healthcare facilities, spread throughout the Peninsula.
Coming to the progress on the Pnrr projects, Piccinetti highlighted, for the Italy 1 Giga Plan 752,000 connected citizens (22%). To support operators in finding manpower, issuing the necessary permits as well as carrying out the works, various actions have been introduced, in agreement with the Department. Furthermore, the implementation activities of article 20 paragraph 5bis of Legislative Decree 19/2024 are underway.
5G densification plan: 213 areas covered out of 1,385 planned. 5G backhaul plan: 4,444 radio stations connected out of 9,698 planned. Connected Health Plan: 25% of the 8,700 planned locations. Connected School Plan: 46% of the 9,000 locations planned. This intervention complements School Plan 1, launched in 2021. Overall, the two plans will bring 1 Gigabyte connectivity to over 35,000 Italian schools.
“At the end of 2024 we will have the satisfaction of concluding the Minor Islands Plan, which will equip 21 islands between Lazio, Puglia, Sicily, Tuscany and Sardinia with submarine optical connections by the end of 2024, in compliance with the Pnrr targets assigned to Italy”, he highlighted Piccinetti.
Credit lines for network companies
“Two examples of the new impetus given by Infratel to its activities are emblematic”, the CEO continued: “we have started a series of meetings with the Regionstogether with the Department for Digital Transformation, with local institutions, companies in the TLC sector and operators to take stock of the situation. These meetings took us to Tuscany, Lazio, Lombardy, Liguria and Calabria, and many more are planned. Furthermore, we have promoted, through some Italian banks, dthe credit lines dedicated to network construction companies, thanks to the involvement of Anie Sit, with discounted rates and advance payments on invoices. A few days ago – then – a memorandum of understanding for the training and employment of people detained on ultra-broadband construction sites was signed together with the Department for Digital Transformation, the Ministry of Justice, and all the operators awarded the tenders. . An agreement that has a double value: responding to the shortage of manpower affecting construction sites and contributing to the reintegration of detained people, offering them training and work”.
Ethics and social justice in connectivity
Infratel’s mission, in fact, “is also that of act as a driver for integrating social justice into connectivity, ensuring that access to digital technologies is not a privilege, but a fundamental right. We help create an inclusive digital society that respects diversity and promotes equity in terms of opportunities and benefits resulting from connectivity. We know that the future that awaits us will be increasingly connected and interdependent, and Italy must be ready to face this challenge. Let me say,” concluded Piccinetti, “that I am truly very proud to represent a company that is essential to building the foundations of a digital society for all.”
