Open Fiber’s work progress
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.: with over 5 billion in investments, Open Fiber has to date built over 100,000 km of infrastructure and connected over 15,9 million homes, companies and public administration offices to the ultra-high-speed 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.. About 64,200 km of ultra-fast network (73% of the total) laid in the country’s White AreasWhite Areas White Areas are those where private operators have not deemed it worthwhile to invest and therefore lack broadband and ultra-broadband infrastructure..
In just five years of work, with a total investment of over € 5 billion, Open Fiber has become the leading Italian operator in terms of FTTHFTTH “Fiber to the Home” is the technology that connects POPs, located in exchanges, to end users’ property units with fiber optics. (Fiber To The Home) infrastructure development: ultra-fast optical fiberOptical fiber A cable made of glass fiber through which a light signal is transmitted over long distances for broadband network access. Compared to copper cables, optical fiber can transmit signals much faster, up to 40 Gigabits per second. It is therefore ideal for quickly transferring large amounts of data; it is also unaffected by external interference (electromagnetic interference, temperature variations, etc.). While fiber optics certainly offers the advantage of fast, high-quality and secure data transmission, its high installation cost is a drawback for network builders. Read the news to find out more: “Optical fiber, what it is and how it works”. right into homes, businesses, and public offices.
Since the start of its operations in 2017, Open Fiber has connected a total of over 15,9 million property units (P.U.P.U. Property unity.s) throughout Italy, for both residential and commercial use, out of the approximately 30 million that comprise the country’s total. Today, over 65% of people surfing on FTTH networks in Italy do so via Open Fiber’s fiber-optic cables (1).
Overall, Open Fiber has built over 100,000 km of infrastructure, of which 46,000 km is in Black AreasBlack Areas Black Areas are those in which there are, or will be in the near future, at least two different providers of ultra-broadband network services and the provision is taking place under competitive conditions. (the most densely populated towns and areas) and about 64,200 km in White Areas (less populated inland areas of the country). In the Black Areas there is an average of one property unit for every 5.5 metres of network, while in the White Areas the average is one P.U. for every 13.8 metres of infrastructure. In order to connect the inland areas with fiber, therefore, more than twice as much network must be built as in the towns, moreover in areas that are more complex in topographical terms.
With regard to the White Areas covered by the concession, as of 30 April 2023 Open Fiber had laid about 64,200 km of ultra-fast network, or 73% of the total. Furthermore, it has set up 2,950 radio base stations for the FWAFWA Also known as ‘Wireless Local Loop’ (WLL), FWA refers to the use of radio solutions to cover the last mile to property units dispersed in very sparsely populated areas. A main antenna, typically connected to the network via fiber optics, covers an area of varying size where an antenna is mounted on each property unit equipped with an apparatus that transforms the radio signal and enables the connection of the CPE (Customer Premises Equipment), the electronic device used as a user-side terminal. (fixed wirelessWireless Connections that use ‘wireless’ transmission systems to connect the user’s device to the network. Typical examples are 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, and WiMax. access) service.
The construction of the infrastructure has significantly helped to reduce 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 Italy, contributing to doubling the availability of ultra-fast networks from 22% in 2017 to 44% in 2021 (2). For its implementation, Open Fiber has invested on average more than € 1 billion per year, totalling around € 4.3 billion over the last four years and with a forecast of over € 2 billion in 2023.
