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We demand Router Freedom for Italian Internet users!
We demand Router Freedom for Italian Internet users!
The Italian regulator AGCOM will decide whether to limit or consolidate Router Freedom in the country. The FSFE has actively engaged in a coalition of organisations urging the authority to prioritize consumer protection and the rights of end-users to use their own routers/modems in fiber networks.
In February 2025, Italy's telecommunications regulator, AGCOM, initiated a regulatory process to determine whether consumers will have the right to choose and use their own routers/modems in fiber networks (FTTx). The decision involves delimiting the boundary between the public network and the end-user’s private network, technically known as “Network Termination Point” (NTP). While Italy was one of the first countries to formally introduce Router Freedom in 2018, since then, AGCOM has introduced a series of exceptions undermining end-users' rights, negatively impacting how consumers use their own equipment to connect to fiber networks.
No technological necessity to limit freedom of terminal equipment in fiber networks
AGCOM has opened a public consultation asking about the pros and cons of determining the position of the NTP in ways which could either consolidate Router Freedom or undermine this right from the perspective of end-users. The FSFE has submitted its response (EN, IT), advocating for the NTP to be designated at the passive physical point where the public network connects to the end-user's premises. This means freedom of routers and modems for fiber networks.
We highlighted to AGCOM that, in recent years, regulators from Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany have analysed the topic in great detail and have found no objective technological necessity (a requirement in EU law to limit Router Freedom) for fiber networks. Besides, we provided the regulator with comprehensive evidence from our Router Freedom survey that consumers in Italy definitely support Router Freedom as a crucial element of Net Neutrality. Therefore, we called on AGCOM to maintain a unified approach to terminal equipment regulations and protect Italian consumers’ right to choose their internet devices.
Certification requirements against Router Freedom
As we warned back in October 2024, the incumbent operator in Italy, TIM, has introduced certification procedures for wholesale fiber routers in the Italian market, creating barriers to market entry, limiting consumer choice, and ultimately undermining Net Neutrality. We urged AGCOM to push industry actors to explore alternative ways to cover certification costs without shifting the burden onto consumers. Instead of restrictive measures, voluntary, non-discriminatory certification schemes that align with internationally recognized standards should be promoted to ensure fair competition and technological neutrality.
Engaging with our Italian community: an effort for Router Freedom
During the whole process, the FSFE was supported by a network of stakeholders ranging from savvy volunteers, Linux User Groups, maker spaces, consumer organisations, to industry representatives. We activated individuals and friend organisations to take part in the consultation and raise their voice in favour of Router Freedom. We are grateful to all these people who support us and engage in such complex technical and legal procedures in defence of consumers.
If you are in Italy and want to join our movement, learn how you can support our cause!
