Italy ready to invest EUR4bn in broadband expansion

The Italian government says it plans to kick off a series of tenders early next year to expand fibre and 5G coverage under a EUR4 billion (USD4.65 billion) investment scheme. Minister for Technological Innovation and Digital Transition Vittorio Colao told Corriere della Sera that tenders to connect 6.2 million premises to fibre-optic networks will begin in January, and this will be followed by projects to expand 5G coverage. The fibre schemes will target rural and semi-rural areas, particularly in the south of the country, while the 5G plan envisages improved connectivity for locations such as major rail lines and sparsely populated areas to support agriculture.