Optical Fiber: Agreement Between Retelit and FibreConnect to Support Business Digitalization in Industrial Areas of Emilia-Romagna

FibreConnect, an independent operator specializing in reliable business connections throughout Italy, and Retelit, a leading telecommunications provider in Italy focused on B2B, have joined forces to equip the industrial areas of Emilia-Romagna with an innovative and technologically advanced broadband network, fostering the digitalization of businesses in the region. The collaboration aims to promote business digitalization with positive impacts on employment, growth, and competitiveness.

Thanks to this agreement, industrial and artisan areas in Emilia-Romagna, particularly in the provinces of Parma, Piacenza, and Reggio Emilia, will benefit from advanced connectivity services. These services enable the adoption of Industry 5.0 technologies, IoT logistics, artificial intelligence, advanced cybersecurity solutions, and personalized customer service tools.

More specifically, through its collaboration with Retelit, which provides its existing fiber optic infrastructure in Emilia-Romagna for the cabling of industrial areas by FibreConnect, businesses will have access to a strategic asset and the necessary tools to compete globally. They will be able to leverage smart technologies that enhance the entire production chain.

This widely distributed network infrastructure places Emilia-Romagna among the most digitally advanced regions in Italy in terms of its industrial fabric.
Industrial districts set to benefit from the project include key production hubs such as Fiorenzuola D’Arda (PC), renowned for mechanical solutions, and Parma (PR), an excellence center in the food industry. These areas, along with other strategic locations, will see a significant improvement in connectivity, which is essential for innovation and maintaining competitiveness.

The fiber optic network will provide guaranteed connections with speeds ranging from 100Mb to 10Gb to over 4,000 companies. These businesses will gain access to major Internet Exchanges and benefit from advanced services made possible by a next-generation network.

Within the context of digital transformation and the goals of the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), ultra-broadband connectivity is a fundamental pillar for digitalizing business processes and enabling companies to compete effectively in global markets. This agreement will significantly contribute to the acceleration of the copper switch-off, an EU target for 2030, promoting a transition to more modern and sustainable technologies.

"Emilia-Romagna plays a key role in Italy due to its high concentration of businesses, particularly SMEs. Given this, we are excited to continue investing in this region, where we can actively contribute to technological and competitive development by making our innovative and advanced infrastructure available," said Jorge Álvarez, CEO of Retelit. "Our collaboration with FibreConnect aligns with this goal and will allow us to maximize coverage across the region’s industrial fabric with next-generation broadband services, supporting businesses in their growth and competitiveness."

"Investing in SME innovation means believing in the potential of the region. Our goal is to ensure that more and more companies can benefit from fiber optic technology, regardless of their geographic location," said Renzo Ravaglia, CEO of FibreConnect. "This agreement not only demonstrates the effectiveness of our business model but also serves as a concrete example of how collaboration and synergy can be key drivers for regional economic growth and competitiveness."