TIM contracts Cisco for network upgrade

Italian telco TIM has kicked off a project with Cisco to upgrade its Optical Packet Metro (OPM) network. The modernisation contract will see Cisco deploying its ASR 9000 router technology, which will boost network speed and efficiency, while enabling TIM to more effectively target the digitisation of its fixed and mobile services for the consumer, business and wholesale sectors. The investment is part of TIM’s three-year plan for 2017-2019, and involves spending roughly EUR5 billion (USD5.8 billion) to speed up the implementation of national ultra-broadband (fibre and 4G) coverage, with the goal of extending it to 99% of fixed network homes by the end of 2019, while reaching over 99% of the population with 4G by the same date.