Investments and Agreements to Boost Fibre Connectivity Among Small-Medium Enterprises in the Districts
Fiber Up: Innovation Takes Root in Italian Industries
In an effort to connect Italy's 14,000 industrial areas with high-quality, reliable fiber networks, FibreConnect steps up, recognizing the demand from businesses nestled within these zones for specialized, top-tier services.
"We've chosen to invest in underserved industrial zones, often ignored by big telecom operators, due to their low population density. We build robust, intricate networks, hand-in-hand with local authorities, capable of delivering a stable, high-performance connection - even under tricky infrastructure conditions," shares Salvatore Lombardo, FibreConnect's Vice General Manager with a rich background as the director-general of Infratel, dedicated to championing ultra-broadband infrastructure growth in Italy, as quoted on our website.
The Italian scenario is undeniably clear: as per the Agcom-Polimi Observatory, only 49% of SMEs had access to an Ftth network as of September 2024. These businesses, contributing a staggering 41% of Italy's overall revenue and accounting for a third of the workforce, are crying out for better internet access.
FibreConnect positions itself as a wholesale operator, not dealing directly with end consumers but rather partnering with 93 ISPs to make premium fiber connections available to more than 56,000 Italian businesses. "Our end goal? Reaching approximately 86,000 businesses across 201 industrial areas by the close of this year, when we anticipate hitting financial stability as a company established in 2022," adds Lombardo.
It's not a groundbreaking revolution, but rather a calculated evolution. FibreConnect presses forward, armed with two institutional investors: the Italian fund Azimut Libera Impresa, which holds a 55% stake, and the pan-European Marguerite fund, which focuses on sustainable infrastructure projects, snagging a 45% share [2]. The recent closing of the deal that brought Marguerite on board transpired just a few days ago.
FibreConnect lays the groundwork for progressive change, forging ahead with the support of these key players [3].
[1] FibreConnect partners with Elevion Group for integrated sustainability and connectivity solutions. [Source][2] Financial details of FibreConnect S.p.A.'s institutional investors, Azimut Libera Impresa and Marguerite fund.[3] Additional expansion and financing details for FibreConnect S.p.A., including a €50 million financing agreement with the European Investment Bank (BEI). [Source]
It's an intentional, forward-thinking endeavor to propel Italy's industrial areas into the digital future.
- Salvatore Lombardo, Vice General Manager of FibreConnect, mentioned that they are investing in underserved industrial zones with the aim of providing these businesses with robust, high-performance fiber networks applicable to various aspects of work, finance, and technology.
- FibreConnect is partnering with several players in the business and financial sectors, including institutional investors like Azimut Libera Impresa and the Marguerite fund, with the shared goal of providing fiber connections to more than 86,000 businesses in Italy, boosting digital growth in industries across the country.
