This EU-funded project built a next-generation fibre optic network for the Italian region of Molise, thus providing ultra-broadband connectivity to the municipalities of Termoli, Isernia, Pozzilli and Venafro.
Connecting Molise, Italy with ultra-broadband
- 12 October 2018
“The fibre-optic network infrastructure allows citizens, businesses and public administration to take advantage of the many innovative services that are a driving force for the growth of the entire local economy. This development favours a complete growth in the region, with businesses and public administration being equipped to be truly competitive.”
This project brought high-speed internet connection to the citizens of Italy’s Molise region. Thanks to the construction of an ultra-broadband infrastructure, thousands of households and buildings now enjoy connection speeds of up to 30 megabits per second. Furthermore, over 3 000 have connections up to 100 megabits per second, including about 100 public administration offices, schools and hospitals.
Ultra-broadband for all
The main objective of the project was to develop a telecommunications infrastructure capable of bringing ultra-broadband network coverage to the region’s periphery. Through an open tender process, Telecom Italia was selected to construct a new, passive optical infrastructure to deliver high-speed innovative services to citizens, businesses and public administrations.
In total, Telecom Italia built a 230 km fibre-optic network using minimally invasive excavation techniques that had little impact on the environment. Now, over 70 000 citizens have access to ultra-broadband coverage, including:
over 31 000 residential spaces90 public administration offices6 hospitals26 schools10 military bases.Digital agendas
The project is in line with the EU’s Digital Single Market strategy, and Italy’s digital plan, both of which aim to boost local economies by delivering sustainable economic and social benefits from a digital single market.
According to the EU, even though 250 million Europeans use the internet every day, there are still millions who have limited access, low quality, or no access at all. This is especially true in rural areas like many of the municipalities in the Molise Region.
But, as a direct result of digital agenda projects, more and more Europeans are gaining access to high-speed internet. As a result of this project, all major urban areas and industrial districts within the Molise Region now have access to ultra-broadband coverage.
This project also serves as a prime example of how public-private partnerships can be used to create next-generation networks, even in municipalities that have historically been excluded from coverage by the major telecommunication players.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Ultra Broad Band Strategic” is EUR 5 700 000, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 2 000 000 through the “Molise” Operational Programme for the 2007-2013 programming period.