- 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) network .
- 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%FibraVera“, 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 FTTHtechnology(Fiber-to-the-home, which extends fiber optics directly into buildings) the only solution capable of delivering speeds exceeding 1 Gigabit per second. Open Fiber’s main partner operators, along with local Internet 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-BROADBAND 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- BroadbandPlan(PianoBandaUltraLarga–BUL), managed by Infratel Italia, a company controlled by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, with coordination from the Sicilian Region.
100%FIBRAVERA 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 divide 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 GiuseppeLaccoto,MayorofBrolo. “Wewillensureultra-fastconnectionsforschools,offices,and othermunicipal structures, leading tosignificantsavings on utility costs.However, this initiative is not just a technical upgrade; the installation of fiber optics is an integral part ofour broader development vision, aiming to make Brolo more modern, efficient, and competitive.”
“Technologicalinnovation is notan isolated goal but the driving force behind improving public servicesandthedailylivesofourcitizens.Wewantaconnectedcity,capableofofferingsimple and accessible digital solutions that make everything easier and more immediate. I am also thinking about businesses operating in e-commerce 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 TOFTTHNETWORKS
“Withthisproject,” states PaolaMartinez,HeadofInstitutionalAffairsatOpenFiber, “OpenFiber 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 beyondItalyandtheEU’sGigabitconnectivitytargets,underminingthetechnologicalinvestments 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”.
OPENFIBER:ACHOICETHATREWARDSYOU
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.
WHOISOPEN FIBERFOR?
Open Fiber is Italy’s leading FTTH fiber optic operator and one of the leaders in Europe. As a wholesale-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.