Fincantieri, a global leader in shipbuilding, and Sparkle, Italy's top international service provider and a major global operator, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop advanced technological solutions for the surveillance and protection of submarine telecommunications cables.
The partnership highlights a strategic vision to enhance Italy's technological development and competitiveness on the global stage. By combining expertise, the two companies aim to ensure the resilience of critical infrastructures essential for digital connectivity and technological progress.
Key Collaboration GoalsFincantieri and Sparkle will work together through specialized teams to analyze security needs and develop innovative solutions for the operational resilience of undersea telecom infrastructures.
Fincantieri, leveraging its experience in underwater technology and shipbuilding, is advancing state-of-the-art surveillance and protection systems for subsea infrastructure. The company views the underwater sector as critical for sustainable economic growth, particularly amid rising geopolitical tensions and global reliance on submarine cables. This initiative solidifies Fincantieri's position as a leader in underwater technology and innovation.
Sparkle, which operates a proprietary 600,000-km fiber-optic network—90% of which is submarine-based—has long been dedicated to the protection of these infrastructures. It employs advanced physical and digital security systems and collaborates with key stakeholders, including the Italian Navy and the Polo Nazionale della dimensione Subacquea (PNS), Italy’s national underwater technology hub.
Leadership StatementsPierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Director of Fincantieri, emphasized:
> "This agreement with Sparkle is a significant milestone in our journey to safeguard critical submarine infrastructure. By combining reliability and innovation, we reinforce our commitment to digital security and civilian submarine development, further establishing Fincantieri and Italy as industrial leaders on the global stage."
Enrico Maria Bagnasco, CEO of Sparkle, added:
> "Our collaboration with Fincantieri is a vital step in securing subsea infrastructure, which forms the backbone of global connectivity and national security. By merging expertise in shipbuilding and telecommunications, we aim to address the complex challenges of an interconnected world while strengthening Italy’s position as a global leader in digital innovation and sustainability."
The collaboration builds on Sparkle’s ongoing partnerships, including with the Italian Navy since 2022, to safeguard submarine cables and surrounding areas. This new agreement aligns with Italy's broader efforts to bolster digital resilience and technological leadership.