Italy 5G plan

The ‘Italia 5G’ plan, approved on 25 May 2021, by the Interministerial Committee for Digital Transition (CITD), is a strategic initiative designed to accelerate the deployment of 5G networks across Italy. This plan is a crucial component of the broader ‘Strategia Italiana per la Banda Ultralarga – Verso la Gigabit Society,’ which aims to meet the European Commission’s digital transformation goals by 2026, well ahead of the 2030 targets.

Objectives The primary goal of the ‘Italia 5G’ plan is to facilitate the widespread deployment of 5G mobile networks, ensuring that all areas, including those underserved by the market, receive high-speed connectivity. The plan is allocated 2.02 billion euros under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), focusing on areas where private investment alone is insufficient to meet connectivity needs.

Strategic Approaches

1. Detailed Mapping and Analysis
   • Methodology: A detailed mapping exercise identified areas lacking adequate mobile coverage by 2026. This mapping was conducted using a grid system covering the entire national territory and involved extensive data collection from mobile operators.
   • Results: The mapping revealed that significant portions of the country, including rural and remote areas, would not meet the minimum performance thresholds for mobile connectivity without public intervention.
2. Fiber Optic Backhauling
   • Objective: Ensure that 21,900 radio base stations (SRBs) are equipped with fiber optic backhauling by 2026, enabling high-capacity mobile networks.
   • Implementation: Public funding will be provided for the installation of fiber optic infrastructure, targeting areas identified through the mapping process. This includes approximately 18,600 SRBs not covered by existing obligations and 2,500 SRBs near planned fiber projects.
3. New Mobile Network Sites
   • Objective: Establish new mobile network sites to achieve at least 150 Mbit/s download and 50 Mbit/s upload speeds under typical peak traffic conditions by 2026.
   • Implementation: Public funding will support the creation of additional mobile network infrastructure in areas where current and planned private investments fall short of meeting these performance standards.

Intervention Models

1. Incentive-Based Model
   • Approach: The plan primarily uses a gap funding model, providing public subsidies to cover a portion of the investment costs. This encourages private operators to expand their networks into underserved areas.
   • Ownership: The infrastructure developed under this model will remain the property of the operators, who will be required to offer wholesale access under regulated conditions.
2. Direct Intervention
   • Scope: In cases where existing public infrastructure is nearby, direct public investment will be used to extend these networks to meet the connectivity goals. This includes approximately 13% of sites within 1 km of existing public fiber networks.
   • Management: Infratel Italia S.p.A. will manage these projects, ensuring that the infrastructure is available for use by all operators under fair and regulated conditions.

Selection and Implementation

1. Public Tenders
   • Procedure: Transparent and non-discriminatory public tenders will be used to select operators for both fiber backhauling and new mobile network site projects.
   • Criteria: The tenders will consider the economic efficiency of the proposals, the ability to meet the specified performance targets, and the overall benefit to the national connectivity goals.
2. Monitoring and Compliance
   • Oversight: The implementation will be closely monitored to ensure compliance with the investment commitments. Regular progress reports and a claw-back mechanism will prevent overcompensation and ensure the effective use of public funds.