1 Giga Italy plan

The ‘Italia a 1 Giga’ plan, approved on 27 July 2021, by the Interministerial Committee for Digital Transition (CITD), is a strategic initiative aimed at achieving rapid and widespread deployment of ultra-broadband networks across Italy. This plan is part of the broader Italian Ultra-Broadband Strategy, aligned with the goals set out in the European Commission’s ‘Gigabit Society’ and ‘Digital Compass’ communications. It is also a crucial component of Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

Key Objectives

The primary goal of the ‘Italia a 1 Giga’ plan is to ensure that all residential and business units across Italy have access to fixed-line internet speeds of at least 1 Gbit/s by 2026, significantly ahead of the European target set for 2030. The plan aims to address the digital divide and promote social inclusion by extending high-speed connectivity to underserved and rural areas where private investments are insufficient due to lower profitability.

Legal and Financial Framework

The legal basis for the plan is rooted in the PNRR, which allocates approximately 3.8 billion euros out of a total of 6.7 billion euros earmarked for achieving the strategy’s objectives. As a state aid measure under Article 107(1) TFEU, the plan will be notified to the European Commission for authorisation. Additionally, the plan will be regulated by the Italian Communications Authority (Agcom) to ensure fair pricing and access conditions.

Strategic Approaches and Models

The plan outlines several strategic approaches and models to ensure effective implementation:

1. Threshold of Intervention: The plan sets a minimum threshold of 300 Mbit/s for current interventions to ensure future-proof networks that can evolve to meet growing demand. This threshold is essential for achieving the 1 Gbit/s target by 2026.
2. Incentive Model: The plan adopts an incentive-based model to encourage private operators to extend their networks to underserved areas. This model is favoured as it minimises public intervention while maximising private investment and efficiency.
3. Detailed Mapping: A comprehensive mapping of the national territory was conducted to identify areas lacking adequate broadband coverage. This mapping involved consultation with operators and detailed analysis to ensure targeted and effective public intervention.

Selection Procedures and Lot Sizes

The selection of operators to implement the network infrastructure will be through transparent and non-discriminatory public tenders. The tendering process will be designed to ensure competitive dynamics and efficient use of public resources. Operators will be selected to build passive end-to-end infrastructure, and existing infrastructure will be utilised wherever possible to avoid duplication and reduce costs.

Implementation and Monitoring

The plan emphasizes rigorous monitoring and evaluation to ensure compliance with the investment commitments made by private operators. Regular progress reports and the application of penalties for non-compliance will be integral to the plan’s execution. The goal is to complete the plan by the first half of 2026, with intermediate milestones set to track progress.

Consultation and Feedback

The plan was subjected to a public consultation process, inviting feedback from operators and stakeholders on various aspects, including the intervention threshold, the incentive model, and the design of tender lots. This feedback has been instrumental in shaping the final plan to balance public objectives with market realities.