Bringing Ultra-Broadband to Smaller Islands: A Progressing Initiative

The Minor Islands Connection Plan was launched with the goal of providing ultra-fast connectivity to smaller islands and enabling modern digital services for businesses, citizens, and local governments. The event took place on the Teliri cable-laying ship in Palermo and was attended by institutional actors, media, and representatives from Elettra Tlc.

The undersecretary of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Innovation, Alessio Butti, highlighted the importance of connecting smaller islands with ultra-fast networks as an investment in their economic development. Alfredo Maria Becchetti, President of Infratel Italia, also emphasized the significance of providing adequate connectivity to these islands and bridging the infrastructure gap.

Elettra Tlc expressed pride in contributing to the strengthening of the economy of the Minor Islands through their installation of optical connections for the Plan. Financed and promoted by the Department of Digital Transformation with an investment of over 45 million euros from Pnrr, this Plan aims to provide adequate connectivity to 21 smaller islands primarily in Sicily. Through laying submarine and terrestrial optical cables, it aims to enable modern digital services such as ultra-broadband services, mobile connectivity services and potential services based on 5G technology on these islands. Sixty-two percent (62%) of these islands are located in Sicily.