FastWeb to deliver self-install home gateways to domestic and SoHo customers in H2

August 7, 2007 – Italian telco FastWeb has announced that it plans to deliver self-install home gateways to its domestic and small office home office (SoHo) customers in the second half of 2007.

The new gateway, which will connect to home devices via fixed or Wi-Fi connections, will enable SIP-based telephony and fixed/mobile convergence services, as well as cutting installation costs, shortening service activation times and enabling remote updating and configuration via the broadband connection.

The move is expected to bring FastWeb level with a number of European Tier 1 operators which are delivering broadband service offerings via increasingly sophisticated home gateways.  FastWeb also plans to extend its network to more homes in Italy, and reportedly aims to directly reach half of the country’s population of 58mn, compared to the current penetration rate of 45%.

FastWeb has also divulged that it is developing a new service based on the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) standard, which will enable customers to access media files via their TV – including music, video and photos – which are stored on the home gateways or other UPnP-capable device.

FastWeb reported a net loss of €14.9mn for the first half of 2007 and total revenues of €714.4mn for the period.  For the second quarter of 2007, the operator reported a net profit of €5.8mn from revenues of €360.5mn.