News
Once again, EI Towers is participating as a partner in the Digital Innovation Forum 2026, held at Villa Erba in Cernobbio. Now in its fourth edition, the forum stands as the premier Italian and European event dedicated to policies for digital innovation, industrial competitiveness, and the development of future technologies. It serves as a key opportunity for institutions, industry operators, and technology companies to engage in dialogue on how to shape the digital future of both Italy and Europe, with a particular focus on healthcare, manufacturing, and the labor market.
During the first day of discussions, EI Towers CEO Guido Barbieri took part in a panel titled “Rethinking the Telco Sector: Why It Is Fundamental for Frontier Technologies—and How to Revitalize Investment.”
The Role of Broadcast Tower Companies
With over 2,000 sites, EI Towers manages networks at both regional and national levels, remaining a vital partner for radio and television broadcasters. The company supports the radio sector’s transition to DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) and upholds terrestrial digital broadcasting—which, despite evolving standards, continues to ensure free access to content.
IoT and New Services on Existing Infrastructure
Future growth, however, hinges on developing new services built upon this same infrastructure. This includes the Internet of Things (IoT)—with solutions already available and adopted in the market—as well as 5G broadcast, a potential point of convergence between telecommunications and broadcasting that still requires further regulatory steps.
Regarding IoT, Barbieri used an apt analogy: the “0G” network, where a device communicates only when necessary, and “the battery lasts for years, not days.” This emphasis on simplicity reflects a deliberate strategy—one that, in Barbieri’s words, involves “differentiating ourselves—almost proudly—from 5G.” The applications are tangible, ranging from monitoring infrastructure—such as bridges and viaducts—and tracking assets in the logistics sector to monitoring environmental parameters in agriculture. Furthermore, 0G technology enables highly secure data transmission.
Rethinking Telecommunications
Participating in the Digital Innovation Forum means precisely this: bringing the expertise of those who build and manage networks to the table—because, ultimately, rethinking telecommunications means making the infrastructure more valuable to the country.
EI Towers’ LPWA network enables an intelligent, efficient, and widespread communication ecosystem, transforming data into value for businesses, local communities, and citizens.
