Abstract

The paper focuses on the development of next generation broadband networks, with particular reference to the Italian case. Starting from the analysis of the current situation, determined by often hardly sharable regulatory choices and by the lack of specific and organic economic policies, the existing criticalities and the problems emerging to foster the development of a digital economy are emphasized. Given the economics of the sector, which strictly depends on the available technologies, it is argued that the desirable scenario is the one in which only one fiber optic access network be deployed and services based competition between operators be promoted.