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Diffusion of ICTs
As stated previously, Italy has a mature and developed telecommunications infrastructure. In the area of broadband diffusion, it lags behind other EU countries. There were approximately 5 broadband lines per 100 population, and the growth rate was 100% in 2003. There were approximately 23 PCs/100 population, and about 35 internet users/100, as of 2002; these figures have likely improved somewhat. Italy lacks an extensive cable infrastructure; broadband is most likely to be xDSL, and this creates opportunities for other technologies such as interactive or digital television, satellite, and mobile telephony.
Regional disparity for the diffusion of ICTs follows and perhaps exceeds the economic disparity as a whole:
The government is taking steps to increase the diffusion of ICTs, for example providing a €75 subsidy to individuals and legal persons for the purchase of broadband access equipment. The government also planned to have 80 percent of government offices and 70 percent of schools connected via broadband at the end of 2005. Increasing infrastructure deployment to underserved areas, for example in the South of Italy, is a priority of the national ICT policy.
Source: OECD. ICT Diffusion to Business, Country Report: Italy.
