Metroweb Italia
Italian fiber-optic infrastructure holding company that consolidated urban networks and dark-fiber operations before being merged into Open Fiber in 2017.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Metroweb Italia S.p.A. was an Italian telecommunications-infrastructure holding company headquartered in Milan. Established on June 30, 2011, it was created to organize ownership and development of fiber-optic network assets associated with the Metroweb business. The company operated primarily as an infrastructure platform rather than as a conventional retail internet-service brand. Its principal commercial activity was the construction, ownership, management, and wholesale leasing of fiber-optic networks, including dark-fiber capacity supplied to telecommunications operators and business customers. The company was initially associated with F2i, an Italian infrastructure investment fund, and Intesa Sanpaolo. Intesa Sanpaolo held a minority position at the time of formation but later sold its shares to F2i for €20 million. Following a capital increase subscribed by FSI Investimenti, the investment vehicle connected with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, Metroweb Italia became a joint venture in which F2i held 53.83% and FSI Investimenti held 46.17%. This ownership structure placed the company within the wider Italian effort to mobilize institutional capital for next-generation broadband infrastructure. Metroweb Italia served as a holding structure for several operating and development companies. These included Metroweb Milano, Metroweb Genova, Metroweb Sviluppo, and Metrobit. In October 2012, the group acquired an 85% controlling interest in the Genoa-based company Saster Net, which was subsequently renamed Metroweb Genova. The transaction expanded the group beyond its Milan-centered network footprint and supported its positioning as a multi-city fiber-infrastructure operator. Its wholesale model focused on providing access to network infrastructure rather than selling branded consumer subscriptions. The company was known for offering dark-fiber services to operators and companies across different sectors. Dark fiber allowed customers to use leased, unlit optical-fiber strands and to install or manage their own transmission equipment. This model made Metroweb Italia relevant to telecommunications carriers, business users, public-sector organizations, and other entities requiring high-capacity connectivity. Metroweb Italia also became involved in the strategic reorganization of Italy’s fixed broadband infrastructure market. In April 2015, the company rejected a takeover bid from Telecom Italia. The decision preserved its separate ownership structure at a time when control of fiber assets was becoming increasingly important to competition and national broadband policy. In June 2016, Enel began negotiations with F2i and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti concerning the integration of Metroweb’s assets with Enel Open Fiber. Open Fiber had been established as a wholesale network venture involving Enel and CDP Equity. On December 20, 2016, Enel Open Fiber acquired the entire capital of Metroweb Italia. The subsequent merger by incorporation was approved by the relevant board in January 2017 and completed during the first quarter of 2017. Metroweb Italia therefore ceased to operate as a separate corporate entity. Its assets and activities were absorbed into Open Fiber, which continued the broader development of wholesale fiber networks in Italy. The brand is consequently best understood as a historical infrastructure company rather than an active standalone telecommunications operator.
History
Metroweb Italia was incorporated on June 30, 2011, as an Italian holding company for fiber-optic infrastructure activities. The business was formerly known as F2i Reti TLC S.p.A. and was established around the development and consolidation of urban broadband networks. Its operating emphasis was wholesale connectivity: rather than marketing standard consumer broadband plans, the group provided network infrastructure and dark-fiber capacity to telecommunications operators, companies, and other institutional users. At formation, Intesa Sanpaolo held a minority stake of 12.5%. That interest was later sold to F2i for €20 million. FSI Investimenti, the investment vehicle associated with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, subsequently subscribed to a capital increase and became the new minority shareholder. The resulting ownership structure gave F2i a 53.83% holding and FSI Investimenti a 46.17% holding. This arrangement reflected the role of infrastructure funds and public-sector capital in the expansion of Italy’s next-generation fixed networks. Metroweb Italia controlled a group of related entities, including Metroweb Milano, Metroweb Genova, Metroweb Sviluppo, and Metrobit. In October 2012, it acquired 85% of Saster Net, a company based in Genoa. Saster Net was renamed Metroweb Genova, extending the group’s network presence and corporate structure beyond Milan. The group’s network proposition centered on urban fiber deployment and the wholesale provision of dark fiber, enabling customers to activate their own optical transmission systems. The company became an important participant in strategic discussions about the ownership and organization of Italian fiber infrastructure. Telecom Italia made a takeover bid in April 2015, but Metroweb Italia rejected the proposal. In 2016, Enel entered negotiations with F2i and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti to combine Metroweb’s assets with Enel Open Fiber. Open Fiber was being developed as a wholesale infrastructure operator backed by Enel and CDP Equity. The transaction advanced in stages. On December 20, 2016, Enel Open Fiber acquired the entire capital of Metroweb Italia. The board approved the subsequent merger by incorporation on January 13, 2017, and the merger was completed in the first quarter of 2017. Metroweb Italia consequently ceased to exist as an independent company, while its network assets and related activities were incorporated into Open Fiber. Its corporate history forms part of the consolidation of Italy’s urban fiber networks into a larger national wholesale broadband infrastructure platform.
- 2017
Merger into Open Fiber
[1]The merger by incorporation was approved in January and completed during the first quarter of 2017.
- 2016
Enel Open Fiber acquires Metroweb Italia
[1]Enel Open Fiber acquired the entire capital of Metroweb Italia on December 20, 2016.
- 2015
Telecom Italia bid is rejected
[1]The company rejected a takeover bid from Telecom Italia.
- 2012
Acquisition of Saster Net
[1]Metroweb Italia acquired an 85% controlling interest in Genoa-based Saster Net, which was renamed Metroweb Genova.
- 2011
Metroweb Italia is founded
[1]Metroweb Italia S.p.A. was established on June 30, 2011, as a holding company for fiber-optic infrastructure activities.
Products and positioning
Wholesale telecommunications infrastructure provider focused on urban fiber-optic networks and dark-fiber access rather than consumer retail broadband.
Telecommunications infrastructure
Urban fiber-optic networks
Metroweb Italia controlled and developed metropolitan fiber-optic infrastructure, with operations associated particularly with urban network deployments in Italy. These networks supplied the physical capacity needed by telecommunications operators and enterprise customers for high-speed fixed connectivity.
Wholesale connectivity
Dark-fiber services
The company offered dark-fiber access, meaning leased optical-fiber strands without active transmission equipment supplied by the network owner. Operators and businesses could use this capacity with their own electronics and network-management systems, making the service suitable for customized, high-capacity connectivity requirements.
Telecommunications infrastructure
Wholesale fiber access
Metroweb Italia supplied fiber network access to telecommunications operators and companies rather than positioning itself primarily as a consumer internet-service provider. Its wholesale model allowed third parties to use the group’s urban infrastructure for communications and broadband services.
Brand decisions
2016
Sale to Enel Open FiberM&ABackground
Enel, F2i, and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti negotiated a broader integration of Metroweb’s fiber assets with Open Fiber.
Action taken
Enel Open Fiber acquired the entire capital of Metroweb Italia on December 20, 2016.
Aftermath
The acquisition led to a merger by incorporation, completed in the first quarter of 2017, and Metroweb Italia ceased to operate as a separate company.
2015
Rejecting Telecom Italia’s takeover bidM&ABackground
Telecom Italia proposed a takeover of Metroweb Italia during a period when control of fiber infrastructure was becoming strategically important in Italy.
Action taken
Metroweb Italia rejected the takeover bid and remained separately owned.
Aftermath
The company continued under the ownership of F2i and FSI Investimenti until its later acquisition by Enel Open Fiber.
2011
Capital restructuring and institutional ownershipStrategyBackground
The company’s ownership was reorganized after Intesa Sanpaolo exited its minority position and FSI Investimenti subscribed to a capital increase.
Action taken
Intesa Sanpaolo sold its shares to F2i for €20 million, while FSI Investimenti became the new minority shareholder.
Aftermath
The resulting structure gave F2i 53.83% and FSI Investimenti 46.17% of Metroweb Italia.
Share sale price. €20 million (2011)
Sources1 sources
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