FiberCop, dopo the closing between KKR and TIM, is today launched as a wholesale fixed telephony operator, offering access services on its copper and fiber networks throughout Italy to telecommunications and media companies.
FiberCop's scope of activity also includes high-capacity networks and transport infrastructure, as well as monitoring, diagnostics, installation support and maintenance services, ensuring the highest level of quality, safety and reliability. The company made the appointment yesterday evening Massimo Sarmi as president and Luigi Ferraris as CEO.
“We are committed – said Sarmi – to build and offer the fiber optic network that telecommunications and media operators need to provide the best digital and connectivity services to citizens, businesses and public and private institutions in Italy. Our goal is to significantly contribute to the economic development of the country and have a positive impact on society." For Ferraris “FiberCop will play a crucial role in the digital transition in Italy through the creation and offer of innovative digital infrastructures. I am proud to lead a large team of professionals, technicians and salespeople who operate throughout the national territory, with the common objective of supporting a strategic segment for the economy".
FiberCop, the new leaders and the future
Sarmi has already held the role of president of FiberCop since November 2020, now moving on to president of the new FiberCop. Luigi Ferraris joins FiberCop from Italian State Railways, where he served as CEO from 2021 to 2024.
FiberCop becomes the most advanced and widespread network infrastructure available to operators, with over 24 million kilometers of optical fiber and ultrabroadband coverage of more than 95% of active lines. It has 20.000 employees nationwide.
FiberCop is now wholly owned by a group of investors led by KKR and including the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Italian Government, a company wholly owned by Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Cpp Investments and the infrastructure fund F2i Sgr.
FiberCop, the letter to employees
“Our company has deep roots, an important industrial history that has marked the development of Italy and which, now, has the ambition of creating a new future: we are now the largest wholesale operator in the country”. This is what Sarmi and Ferraris wrote today in a joint message – the first of their mandate – addressed to the approximately 20 thousand employees of the company. “We are honored to work with all of you on the construction of the Italian digital infrastructure – continue the two managers -. FiberCop has a vital role to play in enabling telecommunications and media operators to provide the best digital services and connectivity to citizens, businesses and public and private institutions in Italy. We are excited to begin this new challenge together, whose success will also be made possible by the commitment, passion and technical excellence of each of you."
FiberCop, what they said
Marcello Sala, general director of economics at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, with the closing “an important step is taking place for the future of telecommunications. The government wanted to protect an asset that it considers strategic for Italy and intends to maintain this role of guarantor also in the next steps together. We also want to underline the importance of operating with institutional investors, confirming the attractiveness of investments in our country".
For Alberto Signori, partner, Infrastructure of kkr: “Today's launch of FiberCo marks a historic milestone for the Italian telecommunications sector. The operation creates a wholesale network accessible to all operators, provides new capital for investments in network infrastructure and accelerates the conversion from copper to high-performance optical fiber throughout Italy. The strategic partnership between the Italian government and KKR reflects our shared commitment to accelerate the digital transition in Italy and represents the significant role that private capital can play in supporting economic and social development. Together we are ready to build a solid digital infrastructure in line with Italy's digital ambitions. We are also pleased to continue our investment partnership with Adia, which has invested in Fibercop since 2021, and to welcome Cppib and F2i as new shareholders.'
For Khadem AlRemeithi, executive director, Infrastructure of Adia “today's success, defined with the closing of the transaction and the launch of the new FiberCop, represents a historic event that marks a new chapter in the Italian telecommunications industry. This strategic move demonstrates our commitment, starting from 2021, to modernize the sector and contribute to the growth and development of Italian digital infrastructures."
Renato Ravanelli, CEO of F2i Sgr: “F2i's investment joins that of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and three international investors in support of a systemic operation of great strategic and industrial value for our country. F2i will carefully follow this important investment by supporting the company and its new management so that the objectives of the industrial plan already agreed between the shareholders are pursued and aimed at the rapid replacement of the copper network with a fiber optic network, a necessary condition for the transformation digital of the country".
