Thanks to a new fibre optic infrastructure, the many remote villages of Italy’s Valle d’Aosta region are connected to high-speed internet and have access to free wi-fi.
Connecting Italy’s Valle d’Aosta with ultra-broadband internet
- 19 November 2019
In a region with the highest mountains in Europe, the VDA Broadbusiness project has switched on the new generation of communication towers and nodes, with 720 km of optic fibre cable laid and the installation of hundreds of switching cabinets and radio stations. Over 600 wi-fi hotspots have been installed in every village and tourist attraction, for the benefit of all locals, tourists, enterprises, and small businesses.
Although mountains are majestic, for those living in them they are natural barriers to modern means of communication. This is particularly true for Alpine regions such as Italy’s Valle d’Aosta. A lack of accessibility has always made it difficult to lay the cable infrastructure that most traditional communication systems rely on. This, in combination with the relatively low number of potential users in the area, have prevented telecom operators from setting up shop. As a result, citizens and businesses have remained relatively unconnected.
Using a fibre optic infrastructure, the EU-funded VDA Broadbusiness project is bringing ultra-wide broadband connection to the Valle d’Aosta. This will pave the way for the development of next generation access technology like fourth generation mobile and 5G networks.
Increased wi-fi availability
The Valle d’Aosta has the distinction of being the region with the highest concentration of mountain villages in Italy. Transportation and communication across these villages has always been complicated – and expensive – often resulting in people moving away to larger metropolitan areas. This project saw the use of ultra-wide broadband as a type of digital highway between the villages, to improve the quality of life for the villagers, increase tourism, and attract new businesses.
The project first conducted an in-depth analysis of the region’s communication needs, including those of residents, tourists, and businesses. From this study it was made clear that the best way to meet the needs of all potential users was increased wi-fi availability.
The project installed 720 km of fibre optic cables to link all the region’s villages. From this network, all 74 town halls were connected and over 600 wi-fi hotspots installed. As a result, even the smallest and most remote village is now connected and able to provide at least one wi-fi hotspot. All locals and tourists have free access to the wi-fi.
Next generation on its way
As a result of this project, the Valle d’Aosta is one of Italy’s best-connected mountain regions. With a complete fibre optic infrastructure now in place, project organisers are confident that next generation access services will soon be available across the entire region. Once complete, everyone will benefit from the kind of digital services usually only found in urban areas.
The VDA Broadbusiness infrastructure is the basis for the realisation of the National Plan for the Ultra Wide Band, which is currently installing a new access network that will connect private and business users to the backhauling network.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “VDA BROADBUSINESS” is EUR 20 050 445, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 9 261 191 through the “Valle d'Aosta” Operational Programme for the 2007-2013 and 2014-2020 programming periods. The investment falls under the priority “Promotion of information and communication technology”.