Abstract

Ultra broadband is a powerful booster for economic and social development. At the beginning of this century Italy was a forerunner in the deployment of fiber; after 2003, however, this process suddenly stopped, and there are no signs regarding a rapid movement towards the Next Generation Network. Although the huge dimension of investments (between 10 and 13 billion euros), under certain conditions return on investment could be positive. What is really needed, and unfortunately missing, is a project shared by all stakeholders: firms, policy makers, consumers.