The "Battaglie della Rete" podcast returns, created by Assoprovider in collaboration with RadioIT. At the center of today's debate is the new anti-piracy law, which risks putting the telecommunications sector in crisis.

In recent days in Italy, two battles have erupted. The first is that of the Parliament against online piracy through the Mollicone bill, which aims (at least in intention) to block access to copyright-protected content. 

The second is that of Assoprovider to ensure that this anti-piracy project, which indeed pursues legitimate objectives, does not create a catastrophic condition for companies in the sector. Especially for Proximity Operators, the small providers that guarantee Internet access in areas far from major urban centers.

Gianbattista Frontera, president of Assoprovider, and Antonella Oliviero, vice president of the association, discussed it in thelatest episode of the podcast “Battaglie della Rete”.

Let's delve into what is happening and Assoprovider's position.

What is happening with the Mollicone bill on anti-piracy?

First of all, the bill. The provision stipulates that, in the event of a report of copyright infringement, companies providing connectivity must block access to the IP address where the server transmitting the fraudulent content is based. 

Not only that. The provider must take action within half an hour of receiving the report from the designated authority (apparently an in-house platform of AGCOM), under penalty of an administrative sanction and an additional penalty of confiscation.

Frontera (Assoprovider): "Law that jeopardizes two thousand TLC companies and risks being useless"

The regulation was primarily designed to protect the rights of television and streaming companies that hold the broadcasting rights for Serie A football matches. However, as explained by Gianbattista Frontera, president of Assoprovider, the bill risks jeopardizing an entire sector.

"Small and medium enterprises in the TLC sector typically have around four employees. To ensure the service required by the new law, within the stipulated timeframes, each company would need to create a sort of internal task force, active 24/7, thus hiring an average of three or four additional people. This represents an investment that can reach 300,000 euros annually: unsustainable for independent providers. We are talking about two thousand companies employing a total of 10,000 workers. And if the regulation were confirmed in these terms, they would have to shut down," explains Frontera.

The regulation, furthermore, might not be effective. 

"Today, VPN services are widespread, allowing users to bypass any national-level IP address access restrictions, but it is not possible to block the Internet at the 'borders.' Therefore, there is a risk of crippling companies in the sector without achieving appreciable results."

Finally, Frontera reminds us, the Proximity Operators "will soon face difficulties due to the increase in radio emissions from 6 to 60 voltmeters for the introduction of 5G technologies: another measure that ends up crippling SMEs in the telecommunications sector."

For further insights on the topic, read: 5G, Assoprovider against the extension of electromagnetic emissions

Why are small businesses in the TLC sector so important for Italy?

During the podcast, Antonella Oliviero, vice president of Assoprovider, explains why Proximity Operators truly represent the backbone of the Italian entrepreneurial fabric:

«Assoprovider brings together telecommunications companies located throughout the national territory, effectively covering all provinces. We are present, as operators, especially in the so-called "market failure areas," where large operators have no interest in investing. Through their activities, these companies bridge the digital divide, endemic in these areas.»

Let's think about what happened during COVID: without the activity of Proximity Operators, Oliviero explains, "it would not have been possible to face the emergency: students would not have been able to study remotely, and workers and professionals would not have been able to operate in smart working."

"For decades," concludes the vice president, "we SMEs in the sector have been giving a great boost to the development of the country. There is much talk about digitalization and innovation, but without the contribution of these companies, in their almost social mission, great strides cannot be made. My appeal to the government and parliamentarians, therefore, is to pay more attention to our sector, especially to small operators: despite their small size, we can achieve great things."