Italy minister eyes broadband access for all plan

ROME, Oct 18 (Reuters) - The Italian government has prepared a plan to ensure broadband Internet access for all from next year, which would require investment of about 800 million euros, the minister of public administration said on Sunday.

The investment to ensure all users can access the Internet with data transmission speeds of 2 megabytes per second will come from public and private sources, including the telecom operators, Renato Brunetta told local radio.

"I expect to have 2 MB of broadband for everyone starting from 2010," said Brunetta, citing the need for an efficient Internet network to end bureaucracy.

"The plan is ready ... It's a problem of investments, but by now only a final push is needed."

He said he expected to get approval from relevant authorities by November.

Italy's telecom regulator in July proposed setting up a private-public vehicle to roll out a high-speed broadband network, with funds from companies and the state. Any plans for a national network has been expected to cost billions of euros.

Any major broadband project would have major implications for telecom operators like top player Telecom Italia (TLIT.MI), which says it will invest in the move to fibre optic from copper wire based on demand and clients' willingness to pay for it. (Reporting by Emilio Parodi, editing by Will Waterman)