FiberCop Ready to Expand the Italian Network: 5.8 Million Properties Towards 10 Gbps

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a funding package of up to 1 billion euros for FiberCop to support the expansion and modernization of the national ultra-broadband network. The first tranche, amounting to 500 million euros, was formalized in Rome through an agreement signed by EIB Vice President Gelsomina Vigliotti and FiberCop's President and CEO Massimo Sarmi.

This operation falls within the framework of the European program InvestEU, which aims to mobilize public and private capital to support the digital transition and the strategic objectives of the European Union. Through InvestEU, the EIB Group has already activated investments exceeding 6 billion euros in Italy.

The funding will enable FiberCop to accelerate its FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) development plan, aiming to reach an additional 5.8 million residential units across the national territory. The company aims to reach a total of 20.3 million covered units by the end of 2027, expanding the availability of high-capacity connections up to 10 Gbps through a neutral wholesale model and open access for telecommunications operators.

A significant portion of the investments, about 40%, will be concentrated in the regions included in the unique Special Economic Zone for the South. The stated goal is to reduce the infrastructure gap in areas where access to very high-capacity services is still limited.

FiberCop manages one of the most extensive network infrastructures in the country, with about 28 million kilometers of fiber already laid, 10,500 exchanges, and over 160,000 distribution cabinets. The infrastructure also includes over 114 million kilometers of operational copper network. Development and maintenance activities are entrusted to over 18,000 professionals distributed throughout the national territory.

The EIB's intervention is part of the Italian Ultra-Broadband Strategy and contributes to European goals related to gigabit connectivity by 2030. The project aims to improve the availability of next-generation networks for both citizens and businesses, facilitating the spread of advanced digital services and bandwidth-intensive applications.