An established professional, many municipalities to connect and… the Open Fiber project taking shape in fascinating Sicily.
We followed a young engineer through her journey from one construction site to the next in Italy’s largest region. Here is an account of the adventure of Clara Distefano, Sicily Regional Manager: encounters, results, difficulties and the solutions of those working behind the scenes of Italy’s great digital highway.
Week after week, here is how we brought the ultra-fast 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. to Sicilian municipalities.
Behind the scenes: Week 1 (17-21 September)
Our adventure begins at Open Fiber’s offices in Palermo. After a day of analysis and planning, we are ready to hit the road.
The first week takes us offshore, to the mysterious island of Ustica, and then through the historical alleys of Serradifalco. They are dreamers’ days in which we prepare the projects that will bring 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. to these locations. One last meeting with the team and we are ready to move on to San Giovanni La Punta.
Behind the scenes: Week 2 (24-28 September)
How dynamic can we be? A week spent between Rome, Palermo and Messina, because at Open Fiber we never stop… but always with an eye on our team’s well-being! In between meetings, we have time to devote to the family and, in anticipation of a weekend of well-deserved rest, to discuss the future of ultra-broadband in Southern Italy with our Neapolitan colleagues via videocall: Campania, Basilicata and Sicily are increasingly digital!
Behind the scenes: Week 3 (1-5 October)
From progress analysis to work planning: this is how the week begins and continues with an itinerary that is exciting to say the least. Following the Digital Day at Villa Malfitano, where we shared our vision of the future of an increasingly interconnected Sicily, we moved on to the Mediterranean. From Salina, the pearl of the Aeolian Islands, travelling at 1 Gbps, to Acquedolci, in the province of Messina, site life is proceeding at high speed.
Behind the scenes: Week 4 (8-12 October)
A week devoted to problem solving and productivity! Between Palermo and Rome, we discuss technological and economic advances and work to solve problems and critical issues. Many people are interested in the Open Fiber project and we have made transparency our watchword: between meetings and presentations, the Mission continues!
Behind the scenes: Week 5 (15-19 October)
Has a month already passed since the start of this adventure? Most definitely, judging by the large number of applications for excavation permits we have received from all over the region!
Each granted authorisation is a small step towards a great future of inclusion and opportunity for Sicilian municipalities. But we never forget the others: the time has come for a meeting with managers from all the regions. What stage have we reached?
Behind the scenes: Week 6 (22-26 October)
As a project proceeds, monitoring its progress becomes an indispensable task. We have reached the most intense stage and meetings with institutions are proceeding at a rapid pace. Between paperwork and work progress, meetings with Open Fiber teams and managers, we travel between Palermo, Rome and Naples to meet all the actors who, together with us, are working on cabling Southern Italy.
Behind the scenes: Week 7 (5-9 November)
A crucial week for our adventure in Sicily. Objective: to activate the power station in San Giovanni La Punta, a small municipality at the foot of Etna with an interesting cultural heritage, by the end of December.
How do we achieve this? Naturally by interacting with the institutions in a transparent and fair manner, as we love to do. After receiving the go-ahead from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, we went to the site to inspect the work.
Behind the scenes: Week 8 (14-28 November)
Palermo, Enna, Catania… an Open Fiber Regional Manager’s job is never dull! Between team meetings, troubleshooting on the road and a visit to the University of Palermo, the days fly by. However, to conclude our adventure, we could not fail to mention a positive note: the work in San Giovanni La Punta is proceeding as planned and the plant is ready to be powered.
