3.4 bn euros assigned for fast internet in Italy

3.4 billion euros of the “Italia a 1 Giga” tender were assigned to bring fast Internet to about 7 million street addresses distributed throughout the Italian territory.

The tender, envisaged by the National Strategy for Ultra Broadband (PDF) together with those to connect the smaller islands, schools and health facilities and to promote the development of 5G networks, is funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.

The tender started from an auction base of approximately 3.6 billion euros for the 14 geographic areas awarded (so-called lots). The tender made it possible to obtain savings of over 220 million euros for the state, assigning a total of approximately 3.4 billion euros. Of these, approximately 1.8 billion were awarded to Open Fiber, which was awarded 8 lots, and approximately 1.6 billion to Tim, winner of the remaining 6 lots. Public funds will finance up to 70% of the investments that must be made by 30 June 2026. The winners of the tender will complete the investments with their own funds, estimated at around 1.5 billion euros.

“We are very satisfied with the actions we have taken to bring fast Internet to the whole country and we thank Open Fiber and Tim for the operational and financial commitment they have put into this project. With funds from the PNRR we are moving forward at a rapid pace to allow everyone, without exception, to have a fast and modern connection. After the 45 million for the connection of the smaller islands, we now allocate around 3.4 billion to all those territories where it is more difficult to bring fiber, and soon we will also conclude the tenders to connect the strategic centers of the country, such as schools and health facilities and to encourage the development of 5G ” declares Vittorio Colao, Minister for technological innovation and digital transition.

The successful bidders must guarantee all market operators wholesale access to the financed infrastructures, on the basis of the guidelines of the Communications Authority (Agcom). The results of the tender are available on the Infratel Italia website.

CT Bureau