Lombardy tests the digital network of the future: satellite, fiber, and wireless to bridge the technological divide in the most isolated areas.

Bringing fast, reliable connections even to the most difficult-to-reach areas is the goal of the experiment conducted in Lombardy with a new digital infrastructure that integrates satellite, fiber, and wireless connections . The project aims to reduce the digital divide and ensure access to advanced technological services even in small towns, mountainous areas, and regions where the implementation of traditional terrestrial networks is more complex.

The results of the satellite experimentation were presented at the Milan headquarters of the Department for Digital Transformation , in the presence of the Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Lombardy Region with responsibility for Controls, Heritage and Digitalisation Ruggero Invernizzi , the regional councillor for Transport and Sustainable Mobility Franco Lucente , the Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council Alessio Butti and the president of Aria Marco Ambrosini.

The initiative involved 16 municipalities across 9 provinces in Lombardy and represents one of the first regional tests of a model capable of combining different technologies to ensure greater network coverage.

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Lucente: “Interconnectivity is a driving factor for development”

Regional Councilor Franco Lucente described the project as "innovative and highly technological," emphasizing how Lombardy has once again positioned itself as a pioneer in experimenting with new digital solutions.

"The goal is to eliminate the distance between hubs and suburbs, allowing citizens and the productive system to enjoy quality digital services everywhere, even the most remote," Lucente explained.

According to the councilor, the collaboration with the Government's Department for Digital Transformation allows Lombardy to contribute to the development of new connection models for the entire country. A more widespread network can become a strategic element in supporting businesses, public administrations, and citizens, promoting access to essential services such as digital healthcare, online public administration, and remote working tools.

"Interconnectivity must become a driving force for the local and national economy," added Lucente, hoping that the Lombardy experience can be replicated in other regions.

Butti: "Fiber remains the foundation, satellite completes the network."

Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council Alessio Butti highlighted the complementary role of satellite technology compared to traditional infrastructures.

“Fiber remains the backbone of our digital infrastructure, but satellite can complement it where distances, landforms and costs make it more difficult to build terrestrial connections,” he said.

The results of the experiment were deemed positive and represent a basis for evaluating the extension of the model to other Italian territories characterized by similar geographical conditions.

"Now we want to discuss with the operators to define the technical and economic conditions that will allow us to replicate this model in Italy," Butti explained.

According to the Undersecretary, a stable and fast connection can significantly improve people's daily lives, facilitating access to public and healthcare services even in the most remote areas.

Invernizzi: "A strategic model to reduce the digital divide"

For Ruggero Invernizzi, the experiment represents an important step towards greater digital uniformity across the country.

“Through this pioneering, visionary, and far-sighted experiment, we have demonstrated that satellite technology can represent an immediate and extraordinary response to eliminating the digital divide in the geographical areas of our country that are still uncovered,” he stated.

The regional undersecretary highlighted how using satellite technology reduces the time required to activate connections and cuts costs compared to building new physical infrastructure.

“We are reducing activation costs and drastically reducing waiting times for families and businesses who would otherwise risk being left out for years,” he added.

The goal now is to transform the Lombardy experience into a national benchmark for a more balanced digital modernization capable of involving all regions.

The project: a hybrid network between satellite and terrestrial infrastructures

The experiment is the result of a collaboration between the Department for Digital Transformation, the Lombardy Region, and Aria , as part of the National Strategy for Ultra-Broadband.

The Lombardy Region has invested 1,5 million euros to support the project, entrusted to the consortium formed by Fastweb and Telespazio , companies of the Leonardo group, with the scientific support of the University of Pavia.

The adopted solution uses hybrid multi-orbit satellite technology, designed to integrate with existing telecommunications networks. The satellite serves as a transport link between local networks and the national grid, while homes, businesses, and public buildings continue to be served via fiber, copper, or wireless connections.

The traffic generated by users is collected at specific territorial points and transferred through the satellite segment to the aggregation node. Milano Caldera, from where it is then routed to the Internet by the operators.

This architecture allows satellite capacity to be shared among multiple users, making it possible to connect entire territorial areas without the need to immediately build new physical infrastructure.

Tests in Lombardy: 16 municipalities and 39 network configurations involved

The field tests involved 10 collection points and 39 “virtual village” configurations , systems designed to simulate the behavior of a connected community.

The trial lasted 60 days and reproduced scenarios with up to 125 users simultaneously connected , engaged in everyday activities such as internet browsing, video streaming, video conferencing, cloud services and telephony over the network.

The tests were conducted under various weather conditions to verify the stability of the infrastructure and its ability to maintain adequate performance even in more complex situations.

The project involved areas in the provinces of Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Lodi, Mantua, Monza and Brianza, Pavia, and Sondrio, including municipalities such as Bergamo, Brescia, Ponte di Legno, Eupilio, Corte de' Frati, Marudo, Pieve Fissiraga, Casalmaiocco, Moglia, Brugherio, Montalto Pavese, Broni, Sondrio, Torre Santa Maria, Valdidentro, and Val Masino.

High performance: Download up to 500+ Mbps

Preliminary analysis of the results revealed significant performance. Download speeds measured during testing ranged from 216,4 to 515,8 Mbps , while upload speeds ranged from 33,7 to 91,9 Mbps.

The quality of services was evaluated with scores between 4 and 5 out of 5 , corresponding to performances considered adequate or optimal.

Specifically, in the areas of Brescia, Moglia, Eupilio, Montalto Pavese, and Sondrio, streaming and web browsing activities reached the maximum score envisaged by the experiment.

Tests with higher traffic intensity also highlighted the need to correctly size the shared network capacity, especially regarding upload traffic, which is essential for activities such as video conferencing and advanced digital services.

Ambrosini: "Innovation becomes a concrete service for citizens and territories."

Aria President Marco Ambrosini emphasized the operational value of the experiment, which transformed a strategic objective into a concrete project.

"With this experiment, Aria has transformed a strategic objective into a concrete project. The results provide us not only with a technological solution, but above all with a method: to experiment, measure, and empower institutions to make data-driven decisions," he explained.

According to Ambrosini, the initiative's value lies not only in the technology used, but also in the ability to develop public policies based on verifiable analysis and results.