Italy’s ultrafast broadband push gets a major boost as FiberCop secures funding to expand its Fibre-to-the-Home network, targeting about 20.3 million connected property units by the end of 2027 and aims to shrink the digital divide nationwide.

The expansion will connect an additional 5.8 million households and businesses, advancing gigabit connectivity across Italy as part of the national strategy.

The financing is backed by InvestEU, with the EU’s investment program enabling the deal and aligning with Italy’s and Europe’s digitalisation and green/digital transition goals.

The EIB Group has mobilised more than €6 billion in Italian investments through InvestEU to date, underscoring the broader commitment to digital infrastructure.

FiberCop maintains a neutral, wholesale-only model, ensuring fair access to its high-capacity fibre network and enabling operators to offer up to 10 Gbps services.

The deal was announced with signatures from EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti and FiberCop’s Chairman and CEO Massimo Sarmi, marking formal backing.

This investment reflects a broader European trend toward prioritising digital infrastructure for competitiveness and strategic independence, with FiberCop playing a central role in Italy’s transformation.

Approximately 40% of the investments will target southern Italy’s Special Economic Zone to close gaps in connectivity and boost regional development.

The project aims to deliver speeds up to 10 Gbps, supporting cloud, AI, remote work, streaming, and digital health in areas lacking very high-capacity services.

The EIB approved up to €1 billion in financing for FiberCop, starting with an initial €500 million signing in Rome to expand and modernise the ultrafast network.

Background materials outline the EIB Group, InvestEU, FiberCop’s ownership structure, and how the project aligns with digitalisation and cohesion objectives in Italy.

FiberCop already manages a large Italian fibre network with extensive infrastructure and workforce to execute the expansion.