Thanks to the new network infrastructure entirely in optical fiber, companies will have access to the technological innovations foreseen by the Transition Plan Industry 5.0 to support their digital development and, consequently, their business
Bologna, 2 April 2025 – Supporting employment, promoting business growth and increasing the competitiveness of companies operating in 57 Industrial and Craft Areas of Emilia-Romagna and Veneto; this is the objective underlying the agreement between Acantho, Digital Company of the Hera Group, e FibreConnect, a private and independent operator offering reliable connectivity services at companies from the Italian Industrial and Craft Areas (AIA).
It is an agreement that contributes significantly to the acceleration of the ‘shutdown’ of copper, a goal dictated by the European Union by 2030, thus promoting the transition towards more modern and sustainable technologies.
Within this year, Acantho, with its own fiber-optic network and the new FibreConnect ultra-broadband network, extends HERABIT’s offering by providing high performance and reliable connectivity services to more than 15,000 companies operating in two of the country’s most productive regions; Enabling sustainable development for enterprises with poor network coverage and limited access to ultra-broadband services.
Acantho enhances the connectivity with FibreConnect through the implementation of 4 backhauling links, two in Veneto and two in Emilia-Romagna, with a total extension of 1,737 km, thus providing an FTTH connection with guaranteed bandwidth from 100 Mb to 10 Gb.
The first loop connects Bologna to the province of Modena, returning to the capital via two diversified routes, ensuring connectivity to 13 Industrial Areas; the second loop connects Bologna to the province of Ravenna, returning to the capital with two separate routes, providing connectivity to 8 Industrial Areas.
In the case of Veneto, one loop runs from Venice to the province of Padua and back on two separate routes connecting five industrial areas, while the other goes from Venice to Conegliano (Treviso), and back on two separate routes serving 10 other industrial areas.
The AIA involved in the project include important production districts, such as Campogalliano, in the province of Modena, known for its strategic position in the logistics sector, and Ponzano Veneto, in Treviso, an important reference centre for mechanical engineering and iron and steel.
In the digital transformation landscape, as in that of the PNRR, ultra-broadband internet connection is an essential element to achieve an adequate level of digitization that is transversal to all business processes, to enable firms to compete effectively on the markets.
Optical fiber, moreover, is experiencing constant growth, driven by the increasing adoption by companies of services, including advanced solutions for cyber security, video surveillance, warehouse logistics with the use of IoT and artificial intelligence, Advanced customized customer service solutions.
«Investing in the development of companies operating in our territory, reducing the digital divide, or the lack of ultra-broadband, is a growth factor» – says Alessandro Aiello, General Manager of Acantho – “In addition, the aspect we care most about is digital readiness, fundamental for the digital preparation of companies and societies, necessary to understand, use and take advantage of digital technologies. This is an essential commitment for Acantho and the Hera Group».
«Investing in SME innovation means believing in the potential of the territory, and our goal is to ensure that as many companies as possible can benefit from the advantages of optical fibre, regardless of their geographical location», says Renzo Ravaglia, CEO of FibreConnect. «This agreement not only demonstrates the effectiveness of our business model, but also represents a concrete example of how collaboration and system can be key elements for the growth and competitiveness of the country’s economy».
Tags: acantho, fibreconnect, herabit