Alca-Lu and Regione Liguria to tackle digital divide

Alcatel-Lucent (Alca-Lu) and Regione Liguria have signed an agreement to extend broadband coverage in the remote areas of the region, to help bridge the digital divide. Regione Liguria will leverage Alca-Lu’s expertise in developing wireline and wireless solutions as well as its professional services and applications capabilities. This cooperation also calls for the participants to promote better understanding of technology, which is seen as a pre-requisite to help smooth the development of the Information Society. Regional head Claudio Burlando said: ‘We have a specific commitment: to accomplish broadband coverage of the entire territory by 2009, and to provide enterprises, public administrations, entities promoting culture and young people –those that use internet – with this fundamental service. The agreements between public and private – growing in number – are meant for guaranteeing the best service to the end users and for assuring a fair competition. Regione Liguria not only supports the extension of broadband in areas not covered by private operators, but it is also committed in investing in contents.’