Premier Matteo Renzi said Thursday
the government aims to have 100% ultra broadband coverage in
Italy by 2020.
"Italy's objective is to have 100% coverage at 30 Mbps by
2020 with 50% of subscribers at 100 Mbps," Renzi said at the
presentation of a project to extend ultra broadband technology
to 224 cities and towns with energy giant ENEL and "other
important private companies".
The leader of the centre-left Democratic Party (PD) said
the project will start in Perugia, Bari, Venice, Catania and
Cagliari.
He said the project was backed by a 4.9-billion-euro fund
with the Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning
(CIPE).
"The challenge is to make this be something that is not
just an opportunity for people in the business, because real
broadband changes people's lives," Renzi said.
Renzi said Thursday the only risk Italy runs is that of not
carrying out major public works.
"They say doing it is risky," Renzi said.
"The only risk Italy runs is that of not freeing up
hundreds of public and private projects... This is so for (the
ex-steel works cleanup at) Bagnoli and for large-scale strategic
projects".
The premier also said Thursday Italy is at the vanguard of
renewable energy technology, in spite of critics who hold the
government is not doing enough to switch to renewable sources.
"My affectionate thoughts go out to all those saying Italy
is not at the renewable energy vanguard," Renzi said.
"It is".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA