Italian telecoms companies have agreed on technical aspects for infrastructure needed for a high-speed broadband network in Italy, the government said, in a boost to long-running efforts to build a fibre-optic network.

The Deputy Communications Minister Paolo Romani said the telecom operators — whom he had summoned periodically this year to discuss the issue — had agreed on the technical model for a transition to fibre from the current copper network. A survey of existing fibre-optic infrastructure in Italy and plans to develop them over the next three years would begin next week, he said.

A separate meeting of telecom operators will be convened to discuss plans for a combined private and public effort to build the high-speed network needed to meet European goals on broadband access, he said.

Fastweb, Wind and Vodafone Italia earlier this year announced plans to roll out a  E2.5 billion euro fibre-optic network in Italy that would be open to public and private partners, but Telecom Italia has refused invitations to join the effort.

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