Open Fiber has signed a contract with Telespazio to use space technology for bringing broadband connectivity even to the most remote and isolated locations throughout Italy.
The goal of the partnership between the Leonardo subsidiary and Open Fiber is to help close the country's digital divide and promote its digitalisation by providing Internet access to a wider catchment of users.
This will be achieved using a technology - via satellite - that is now capable of offering broadband services (HTS - High Throughput Satellite) with a level of performance fully comparable to that of terrestrial services. Even isolated homes, small islands and inaccessible areas will be able to enjoy digital services such as online streaming, smart working, and distance learning platforms.
“This technological solution enables us to take our network everywhere: through our already operational agreement with Telespazio we are extending our array of services to the most inaccessible locations across the country, in addition to our plans for FTTH and FWA fibre coverage. STTH - connection via satellite - will not replace these technologies, but will provide an alternative means to cable places that would otherwise remain without connectivity. The partnership will enable us to enrich our ultra-broadband network, which already reaches over 11 million homes. Using what has emerged as a winning business model we aim to close the Italian digital divide, the result of decades of low investment in the sector, by making the best available technologies available to our service provider customers”.
Elisabetta Ripa, CEO of Open Fiber
“The satellite technology offered by Telespazio is the complementary solution that was previously missing, one that will enable our nation to achieve its strategic objectives for ultra-broadband coverage. We’re proud to be able to make it available to Open Fiber and therefore to all commercial operators, thus guaranteeing access to digital connectivity services within a rapid and certain timescale. This initiative is part of a broader project by Leonardo to achieve territorial cohesion, aiming to reduce the connectivity gap by ensuring full digital citizenship for millions of Italians. This is all taking place within the context of our long-term vision as set out in the Be Tomorrow – Leonardo 2030 strategic plan".
Luigi Pasquali, Coordinator of Leonardo's space activities and CEO of Telespazio
Under the agreement, Open Fiber will acquire the STTH (Satellite To The Home) Internet access service from Telespazio. A continuous signal will be transmitted via satellite link and received by a compact antenna installed and configured at the customer's home. Telespazio ensures that Open Fiber has the best technologies currently available with performance based on HTS satellites. Moreover, the agreement will allow Open Fiber to access even higher levels of performance with the forthcoming VHTS satellites (Very High Throughput Satellite), in response to market changes and customer requirements.