TIM Starts Switching Off Copper Network in Italy

Italian operator TIM is starting to switch off its copper telecommunications network. The process starts in Trento. The Mattarello exchange, which serves an important area south of the city, is the first exchange in the country entirely cabled with Fibre To the Home (FTTH) technology and, therefore, all customers served by the exchange will be able to migrate to the new network with the consequent ‘switch-off’ of the copper network. This operation will see the exchange serve homes and offices directly with connections up to 1 Gb.

The initiative, which starts the new phase of the country’s digitisation promoted by TIM, was announced during the signing of the agreement for digital cooperation signed by Maurizio Fugatti, President of the Autonomous Province of Trento, Franco Ianeselli, Mayor of Trento, and Luigi Gubitosi, CEO of TIM. The aim of the understanding is to develop a virtuous model of collaboration between institutions, businesses and associations in order to speed up the digitisation of the territory, further boost economic growth and become a reference point in the country’s digital transformation process. All this will be achieved by encouraging citizens, businesses and the Public Administration itself to adopt the best technologies.

Now that the installation of FTTH at the exchange is complete, TIM intends to promote the shift to ultrabroadband services of all customers served by this infrastructure, including those with other operators. The migration process will take place gradually on the basis of customer sign-ups. The agreement aims to inform citizens and promote within the community the benefits deriving from adoption of the new technologies, which considerably increase the service quality. The Municipality of Trento also considers the initiative fit to further promote the Smart City.

“As we start to switch off the copper network we will start to write a new chapter in the history of telecommunications in Italy, confirming our commitment to want to be an integral part of the country’s innovation and digitisation process,“ stated Luigi Gubitosi, TIM's CEO. “We are convinced that with the consolidation of this process, which will gradually involve the whole country, we will speed up the digitisation process for citizens, businesses and the public administration, at the same time promoting development of the digital skills necessary to return to growth both in Italy and internationally.“