500 km² of new connectivity to bridge Italy’s digital divide
The Italia 5G Densification Plan, a project under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) — managed by the Temporary Grouping of Companies (TGC/RTI according to Italian procurement law) formed by INWIT (as prime contractor), TIM and Vodafone — designed to reduce the digital divide in areas where mobile connectivity was unavailable and where market conditions did not support normal investment plans – so-called “white areas” affected by market failure -, has achieved the objective of bringing 5G mobile connectivity to 500 km² of Italian territory.
INWIT’s shared digital infrastructure is now also available in small towns and the country’s most remote areas, enabling innovative and essential digital services for local communities, ensuring social equity while supporting economic development.
This result was achieved with fewer infrastructure sites than originally envisaged under the Infratel tender, thanks to more efficient radio network design during the implementation phase compared to the initial plan, optimizing coverage of areas contributing to the achievement of the final target set by the European Commission.
INWIT’s implementation expertise and an in-depth analysis of local areas have enabled the company and the members of the TGC to generate benefits for all stakeholders involved in the project, minimizing the impact on local communities, maximizing coverage and at the same time reducing overall public expenditure.
From the first half of 2023 to May 31st 2026, the TGC led by INWIT with TIM and Vodafone deployed new 5G mobile telecommunications towers ensuring coverage of the European target of 500 km², corresponding to 973 white areas, and the plan is still underway with a view to further improving its results:
Project milestones
The project began in June 2022, when the TGC formed by INWIT , Italy’s leading tower company and one of the country’s main digital infrastructure companies, TIM and Vodafone won the tender for public funding under the Italia 5G Plan, aimed at deploying new network infrastructure capable of providing connectivity services with downlink and uplink speeds of at least 150 Mbps and 30 Mbps respectively.
The objective was to bring 5G technology to new areas of the country by June 30th 2026, supporting the digital development of territories not yet covered by operators’ ordinary investment plans.
Construction of the infrastructure began in the first half of 2023.
June 2023
Dialogue with local authorities
A key factor in enabling the project at local level was the collaboration established between the TGC and INFRATEL, the Department for Digital Transformation, and local authorities — and the ongoing dialogue during the implementation of the project, including the signing of a memorandum of understanding with UNCEM (the National Union of Municipalities, Communities and Mountain Authorities), ANCI (the National Association of Italian Municipalities), Infratel and the Department for Digital Transformation. Together with this Department, the company also met with more than 500 mayors to present the Italia 5G Plan to the municipalities potentially involved.
In addition, INWIT placed strong emphasis on engagement with local communities through the communications initiative “Facciamo rete – Infrastrutture digitali e condivise”, which enabled mayors and local authority representatives to explain how digital infrastructure allows their communities to stay connected while creating new opportunities and services for them.