Strategies

Technological innovation presents increasingly complex challenges that require a proactive approach to ensure the country’s competitiveness, thereby making the development of advanced digital infrastructures essential. Artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cloud computing, blockchain, and quantum technologies are transforming the economy and society.

In this context, the Fondazione Ugo Bordoni is evolving to anticipate the future and respond to emerging challenges, expanding its scope beyond the telecommunications sector. Building upon its traditional role as a reference in the field, the Foundation is now strategically engaged in the analysis of the economic impact of new technologies, to support industrial policies and innovation.

This transformation enables FUB to assist Public Administration, regulatory authorities, and institutions by providing specialized expertise, decision-making tools, and advanced strategies that ensure competitiveness, innovation, and infrastructure security.

The Scientific Directorate guides FUB’s strategies by identifying key areas of action and defining guidelines for the Foundation’s scientific positioning on relevant issues. It also monitors technological developments and research advancements, ensuring the Foundation remains at the forefront of addressing the challenges of the digital future.

The research and innovation topics identified by the Fondazione Ugo Bordoni reflect the evolution of its role, from a historically rooted position in telecommunications to addressing the strategic challenges of innovation and industrial policies in emerging technologies, data science, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.

The current geopolitical landscape and the rapid transformation of the technological environment make it imperative to develop national and European strategies in areas that will shape the playing field for innovation and strategic autonomy.

The topics outlined in the FUB infographic will guide the Foundation’s activities in the coming years, alongside research on the issues presented in the following infographic, which will be central to the future of technological innovation.

In addition to research and innovation topics and key areas for the future of innovation, the Fondazione Ugo Bordoni has also identified strategic priorities that must be overseen due to their significance for the Public Administration, independent authorities, and institutions as a whole.

1. The Future of Digital Terrestrial Television: Transition to IPTV and Spectrum Management
   The radio spectrum, a limited yet vital resource for telecommunications, is central to institutional interest, driven by the European Commission’s directives regarding the transmission band. The transition from digital terrestrial television to IPTV models, expected to be completed starting in 2032, represents a pivotal shift with significant economic and industrial impacts on national competitiveness.
   This transformation will create substantial opportunities and challenges for businesses and consumers. In particular, optimizing frequency use for new digital services will be crucial to maximizing the economic and social benefits of this transition. Building on its strategic role in the transition from analog to digital television, the Foundation is conducting studies and providing technical contributions on this issue to institutions.
2. Upper 6GHz: A Spectrum Contested Between 5G and Wi-Fi
   The Upper 6GHz spectrum, ranging from 6 to 7.125 GHz, is a crucial asset for the evolution of telecommunications networks, directly impacting industrial competitiveness and global connectivity. Its use necessitates a delicate balance between the needs of 5G (supported by telecom operators), which requires dedicated frequencies for advanced performance, and the expansion of Wi-Fi (backed by Big Tech), which is increasingly central to widespread digitalization.
   In Europe, there is a focus on protecting the telecommunications industry, while in the United States, unlicensed access is favored, leveraging its extensive cloud infrastructure. This divergence reflects global dynamics in which spectrum management is a decisive factor in innovation and the development of future networks. FUB actively participates in the CEPT working group to contribute to the international debate on this strategic issue, while also providing strategic consulting and scientific studies to institutions.
3. Satellite and Terrestrial Systems: Competition or Integration?
   The intersection of satellite and terrestrial systems is critical in today’s technological landscape, where competition and integration are intertwined in strategically significant scenarios. The advent of global satellite solutions – based on constellations of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites – opens new perspectives, fostering communication and international cooperation.
   In Europe, the preference leans toward an integrated approach, but geopolitical dynamics extend beyond technical considerations, highlighting the strategic value of space infrastructures. To this end, Europe aims to strengthen its strategic autonomy by investing in innovative projects that ensure long-term technological resilience. The Fondazione Ugo Bordoni supports national institutions with technical contributions and strategic consulting on the Space Economy.
4. 6G: The Connectivity Revolution for Cloud-Native Networks
   6G, a system with ultra-high transmission capacity, represents the next evolution in mobile communications, projecting the future of networks into new frontiers. Essential for industrial competitiveness and global connectivity, 6G is based on a cloud-native architecture, integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning to enable ultra-reliable, low-latency innovative services.
   6G will fundamentally transform how we communicate, work, and interact with the digital world, ushering in a new era of innovation and connectivity. For this reason, FUB is actively engaged in analyzing cloud policies – an essential enabler for sixth-generation networks – and participates in international discussions on the strategic relevance of 6G through working groups and research initiatives.
5. Resilience of Italian Connectivity Infrastructure: Advanced Technologies and Innovative Models
   The resilience of connectivity infrastructure is crucial for protecting sensitive data of institutions and critical infrastructures, as well as ensuring operational continuity. The integration of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, the adoption of advanced technologies—such as quantum and quantum-safe technologies, artificial intelligence, the enhancement of sovereign cloud solutions, and high security standards for networks—are fundamental elements in developing innovative models to address the challenges of connectivity in increasingly complex scenarios. The Fondazione Ugo Bordoni addresses these issues by supporting decision-makers with strategic contributions, promoting research through the Extended Partnerships under the PNRR, in which it is actively involved, and proposing the activation of doctoral scholarships and collaborations with leading universities.
6. AI and Cybersecurity: Synergy for Network Protection
   The combination of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity is becoming increasingly strategic for protecting communication networks and cloud infrastructures. Artificial intelligence enhances cybersecurity by making threat detection, data traffic analysis, and real-time attack response more efficient. At the same time, it is essential to protect AI-powered systems from manipulation, vulnerabilities, and emerging threats. This synergy enables the development of proactive and resilient defenses, ensuring secure connectivity and safeguarding data and critical infrastructures. The Fondazione Ugo Bordoni addresses these topics by conducting research activities, particularly through the Extended Partnership “SERICS – Security and Rights in CyberSpace“ under the PNRR, in which it actively participates. Additionally, it strengthens the link between research and innovation by proposing doctoral scholarships and collaborating with top universities within the relevant scientific community.
7. Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Processes and Productivity
   Artificial intelligence represents a disruptive transformation factor, inherently capable of redefining approaches to work and research, as well as the dynamics of industrial development and public policies. Its application to internal processes – an area already being explored by the Fondazione Ugo Bordoni – can accelerate data analysis, expedite knowledge production, and enhance decision-making support for institutions, including through the use of predictive models. In this scenario, AI can support the national system not only by making internal processes more efficient but also by assessing the potential impact of industrial policies. Understanding and managing this transformation is essential for developing national and European strategies capable of ensuring competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

The Scientific Directorate defines the scientific and methodological direction of the Foundation’s research, innovation, and strategic consulting activities, in line with the 2025–2027 Three-Year Strategic Plan and the comprehensive program of studies, research, and collaborations with Public Administrations and independent authorities.

Responsibilities:

• ensures the scientific quality of all Foundation outputs
• supports the General Directorate in securing new agreements and preparing technical annexes
• coordinates the preparation of work programs by Areas and Units, with a particular focus on scientific and methodological approaches
• oversees the management of scientific publications
• ensures the continuous development of the Foundation’s expertise

RESEARCH

• supervises research quality
• manages relations with universities and proposals for participation in European projects
• plans dissemination activities for research findings

 
INNOVATION

• develops the Annual Innovation Plan with input from Area and Unit managers
• designs and enhances laboratories and experimental activities, with a particular focus on key technological and digital innovations outlined in institutional agreements

 
STRATEGIES

• provides high-level strategic consulting to Public Administration, requiring cross-disciplinary expertise across different Areas
• drafts Position Papers on key strategic topics relevant to public administration, providing a foundation for the development of strategies, industrial policies, and regulatory initiatives

TRAINING

• develops the Annual Internal Training Plan with contributions from Directorates, Areas, and Units
• organizes training programs aligned with the Foundation’s strategic objectives

SCIENTIFIC AUDIT

• conducts scientific monitoring of ongoing agreements and projects
• ensures the quality of deliverables