"The Caio Report proved to be an important opportunity to take stock of the development prospects of broadband and ultrabroadband in Italy. The attention paid by the Government to a sector that is decisive for the relaunching of the economy is greatly appreciated". This was emphasized by Marco Patuano, CEO of Telecom Italia, commenting on the Report presented today to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
"The investigation found a positive evolution towards the achievement of the ultrabroadband coverage objectives of the Digital Agenda - Patuano continued - thanks to the planned investments by operators of both fixed and mobile new generation networks. We agree that the Government will play a key role in promoting the development of the demand and infrastructure, as the Report recommends. The public infrastructure works will be decisive in solving the problem of connectivity in those areas where the market has failed, areas not covered by the plans of the private operators".
"Telecom Italia makes and will continue to make - states Patuano - a vital contribution to the achievement of the 2020 objectives of the Digital Agenda, as confirmed by the acceleration of its own network development plans, in the hope of regulations and measures that promote investments".
"I am convinced that the case of the spin-off cited as "extrema ratio"- the Chief Executive Officer concludes - is a very effective way of emphasising the absolute strategic nature of the topic, and of the need to close the digital gap with other European Countries. However the hypotheses for the spin-off of the network, pursuant to the law, are very difficult to reconcile with the regulatory framework, both European and Italian, for a sector that has been completely liberalised since 1998, and characterised by growing competitiveness".
Rome, 30 January 2014
