- The Sicilian municipality is among the first five in Italy to take part in the initiative aimed at promoting and accelerating the migration to full fiber (FTTH) networkNetwork In computer language, the term network defines a set of hardware and software devices which, when linked together, enable the exchange and sharing of resources, data or information. In a computer network, the devices that generate, route and terminate data are called network nodes..
- Around 4,500 housing units already reached, with €100 vouchers available for new residential users.
Brolo (Messina), February 6, 2025 – Brolo, in the province of Messina, is one of the first Italian municipalities to promote the abandon of copper through the amigration to full fiber (FTTH – Fiber-To-The- Home) network. The Sicilian town is the first out of five locations selected across Italy for “100% Fibra Vera”, Open Fiber’s initiative aimed at encouraging the migration to FTTH in telecommunications infrastructure.
FIBER-TO-THE-HOME
Open Fiber has already completed the construction of the new fiber optic network in Brolo, now reaching approximately 4,500 housing units, including homes, businesses, public offices, and schools. The infrastructure is built using FTTH technology (Fiber-to-the-home, which extends fiber optics directly into buildings) the only solution capable of delivering speeds exceeding 1 GigabitGigabit The Gigabit is the unit of measurement that represents 1 billion bits and is abbreviated as Gbit or Gb. This unit of measurement is often used, together with the megabit and the kilobit, in relation to time (in seconds) for calculating the transmission speed of digital signals, mainly used to calculate the speed of a data download. The Gbit/s is currently a widely used unit of measurement to refer to data transmission speed in computer networks. per second. Open Fiber’s main partner operators, along with local InternetInternet The word comes from the fusion of the English terms international and net, i.e. international network. This term refers to the worldwide computer network that users all over the world can access via a computer to transmit and share data and information. Service Providers, are already offering services over the ultra-fast network. Interested users can check their address coverage on openfiber.it, contact one of the available operators, and choose their preferred tariff plan to start enjoying high-speed browsing.
ULTRA-BROADBANDBroadband The term broadband, in telecommunications, generally refers to the transmission and reception of information data at a connection speed of over 144 kb/s. Broadband organises different channels, conveying different content in the form of data, such as Internet radio, animation, audio files and high-definition video. PLAN
This is a strategic investment in digital infrastructure that does not weigh on the municipal budget. The technology infrastructure has been financed with regional and state funds under the Ultra-Broadband Plan (Piano Banda Ultra Larga – BUL), managed by InfratelInfratel Infratel Italia S.p.A. is an in-house company of the Ministry of Economic Development and is the implementing party of the Government’s Broadband and Ultra-Broadband Plans. For more information visit www.infratelitalia.it Italia, a company controlled by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, with coordination from the Sicilian Region.
100% FIBRA VERA PROJECT
Brolo was chosen as one of the pilot municipalities for several reasons, primarily due to the extensive coverage of the full fiber optic network and to highlight the importance of reducing the digital divideDigital Divide A term to describe the gap between those who can use new information and communication technologies and those who, for technical, economic or social reasons, are unable to use them. Read the news item “Digital divide and social inequality: the role of Open Fiber” to find out more. in lively local municipalities which can benefit from digital innovation. The “100% Fibra Vera” project promotes synergies between the Municipality and Open Fiber to minimize user activation times, thus encouraging the migration process from copper. A key measure involves a single authorization process required for the final pre-wiring of housing units, which relieves the Municipality from managing multiple requests and significantly speeds up the approval process.
ULTRA-FAST BROLO
“The removal of copper and the simultaneous deployment of fiber optics is a crucial step in the growth and modernization strategy we have pursued with our administrative efforts,” says Giuseppe Laccoto, Mayor of Brolo. “We will ensure ultra-fast connections for schools, offices, and other municipal structures, leading to significant savings on utility costs. However, this initiative is not just a technical upgrade; the installation of fiber optics is an integral part of our broader development vision, aiming to make Brolo more modern, efficient, and competitive.”
“Technological innovation is not an isolated goal but the driving force behind improving public services and the daily lives of our citizens. We want a connected city, capable of offering simple and accessible digital solutions that make everything easier and more immediate. I am also thinking about businesses operating in e-commerceE-commerce A contraction of ‘Electronic Commerce’, i.e. the buying and selling of goods and services directly on the web or via e-mail without going to shops and department stores. and tourists visiting Brolo – we must do everything possible to provide them with the best-performing network. I am certain that everyone—businesses and residents alike—will benefit from a super-fast internet connection.”
MIGRATION TO FTTH NETWORKS
“With this project,” states Paola Martinez, Head of Institutional Affairs at Open Fiber, “Open Fiber aims to contribute to the process of decommissioning copper networks, demonstrating how the spread of fiber optics fosters community development, especially in areas far from major urban centers. Unfortunately, the transition to FTTH fiber optic networks has been progressing slowly. Without specific regulatory action, the complete shutdown of copper would be delayed well beyond Italy and the EU’s Gigabit connectivity targets, undermining the technological investments and efforts being made to achieve the country’s digital and ecological transition. We are starting with Brolo to showcase that Italy is ready for the digital revolution”.
OPEN FIBER: A CHOICE THAT REWARDS YOU
All residential users in Brolo have an additional opportunity: those who activate an ultra-fast connection with Open Fiber’s partner operators by June 30, 2025, can receive a €100 voucher, redeemable as an Amazon.it Gift Card, a MediaWorld gift card, or a fuel voucher. The deadline to request the reward is August 31, 2025.
To participate, users need to check their address coverage on https://openfiber.it/buono-premio/, choose a partner operator and activate their ultra-fast connection: once the installation is complete, the designated form must be filled out on https://openfiber.it/richiedi-buono-regalo/ to generate the voucher. Finally, it is important to ensure that the installer applies the sticker with the code on the optical outlet.
WHO IS OPEN FIBER FOR?
Open Fiber is Italy’s leading FTTH fiber optic operator and one of the leaders in Europe. As a wholesaleWholesale Open Fiber is a ‘wholesale only’ operator, i.e. it operates exclusively in the wholesale market, offering access on fair and non-discriminatory terms to all interested Market Operators.-only operator, it does not sell fiber optic services directly to end customers but instead makes its infrastructure available to all interested operators under equal conditions.