Italy advances digital connectivity via satellite and fiber

Digital infrastructure developments are underway in Italy, focusing on both satellite-hybrid solutions and fiber optic expansion.

In Lombardy, a pilot project combining satellite, fiber, and wireless connectivity has yielded download speeds between 216.4 and 515.8 Mbps. The initiative, a collaboration between the Department for Digital Transformation, the Lombardy Region, and ARIA, uses satellite capacity as a shared transport layer between local and national networks to reach difficult-to-access areas. The project, valued at 6.5 million euros, is being implemented by a consortium of Fastweb and Telespazio (part of the Leonardo group) with scientific support from the University of Pavia.

Separately, FiberCop has begun upgrading the fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in Busseto. This expansion aims to provide speeds of up to 10 Gbps to support digital services such as 4K streaming, telemedicine, and smart working, while also contributing to environmental goals through reduced CO2 emissions.