Open Fiber closed 2022 with growing numbers, both in terms of revenues and in terms of margins, reaching with the ultra-broadband network a coverage of 15,5 million real estate units (of which 13 million in FTTH and 2,5 million in FWA) confirming its position as FTTH fiber optic network operator leader in Italy and among the first in Europe. The group made it known after the approval of the budget by the Board of Directors. THE revenues at the end of 2022 they amounted to 470 million euros, an increase of 24% compared to 2021, and EBITDA grew by 18% to 179 million, with a margin of 38% despite discounting the costs for participation in the tender for the PNRR and the start of construction activities in the 8 lots awarded as part of the Italy 1 Giga Plan in 3.881 municipalities, the company statement said.
Il Net income it is equal to approximately -162 million euros (approximately -210 million in 2021). There financial position net amounts to -4,6 billion euro, of which approximately 660 million in shareholder loans, while investments made in the reference year are over 1,5 billion euro.
"In a complex global context, characterized by inflation and a serious shortage of manpower, thanks to the support of the shareholders and the financial system - including international - we are carrying out an ambitious project, which has expanded with participation in the Italy 1 Giga Plan". commented the CEO Mario Rossetti.
Acceleration on White Areas
Il network development plan saw a marked acceleration in 2022, in particular on the White Areas where are concentrated i greater efforts: with approximately 20 additional kilometers of network built compared to 31 December 2021, more than 50% of what has been done since the beginning of the plan has been achieved, for a total of over 57 km out of the approximately 88 km overall of the project. “We are strongly committed to complete coverage of the whole country with the network a ultra broadband, giving priority to White Areas where the digital gap is most discounted: thanks to the acceleration achieved last year, 2023 will be the decisive year for the completion of the Bul plan in 2024 – he added – With these goals we have already invested over 6 billion, and we continue to do so, to build the digital future of the country”. 'Innovation, sustainable digital transition and social commitment are the pillars of Open Fiber's plan to equip the country with a technologically advanced infrastructure that favors Italy's growth and competitiveness' commented Rossetti.
With Open Fiber, Italy has improved the European digital rankings
Since Open Fiber entered the market in 2017, Italy has reversed the trend that had pushed it to the bottom of the European digital rankings after years of low investments.
Evidence of the positive result are the official documents of the European Union and Agcom and the reports produced by the FTTH Council. In particular, according to the latest DESI report, Italy's FTTH coverage increased from 34% to 44%, close to the EU average (50%). At the end of 2022, the total number of active customers on the OF network was over 2,3 million. In September 2022, considering the data from the latest AGCOM Observatory, Open Fiber's FTTH constituted around 65% of the Italian residential market.
With the aim of further accelerating the construction of the infrastructure and providing a concrete solution to the serious shortage of skilled labor affecting all infrastructure operators, Open Fiber has created together with the Autostrade per l'Italia Group the Open Fiber Network Solutions consortium, which is hiring and training professionals specialized in the construction of fiber optic telecommunications infrastructure.
Il Consortium – whose teams have been operational since the first half of 2022 – as at 31 December 2022 it employed over 500 internal and external resources. Confirming the validity of the wholesale-only business model, over 300 operators in the TLC, broadcasting, energy and e-learning sectors have chosen Open Fiber as the main supplier of infrastructure and services.
