Masserie 2.0 The Alta Murgia National Park, MISE and Infratel Italia project to enhance Wi-Fi connectivity in local farms Masserie 2.0 starts, the project of the Alta Murgia National Park, Ministry of Economic Development and Infratel Italia aimed at more efficient access to digital services in the rural areas of the territory, in the farms in particular.

The aim is to make the natural and cultural heritage of Alta Murgia accessible, by enhancing Wi-Fi connectivity where it is weak or absent, with new access points that will be installed outside and inside the agricultural buildings. As part of the “Piazza Wi-Fi Italia” project, Masserie 2.0 is the result of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Economic Development, Mibac, the Puglia Region and the Park Authority, which provides for interventions for the diffusion of Wi-Fi connectivity and intelligent platforms on the territory, in parallel with the implementation of experimental measures and good valorisation practices. Technological innovation while respecting ancient traditions.

The Masserie 2.0 project aims at a modernization of agricultural processes accompanied by sustainable growth of the territory and greater sharing of its wealth. In fact, improving Wi-Fi connectivity has potential advantages to increase the quality, traceability and sustainability of crops, with solutions that improve working conditions. It would allow farms to be an active part in promoting natural and cultural heritage. The installation of the Wi-Fi access points will be carried out by Infratel Italia, the in-house company of Mise which works to extend the Internet access opportunities for citizens, businesses and public administrations. Users who join the project will be able to take advantage of a free, easy-to-use digital support available on the Wifi.italia.it network and through a dedicated app.

The farms concerned must respond by 31 August 2020 to a specific "Notice of expression of interest" published on the website of the Authority. "I firmly believe that bringing innovation in the field of agriculture through initiatives like this - said Mirella Liuzzi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economic Development - can make a decisive contribution to modernizing realities that only need to be digitally voted to transform critical issues current opportunities for new growth. As the Ministry of Economic Development, the goal is to promote widespread connectivity, also and especially in the internal areas of the country, and to accompany this transformation process for the benefit of production activities in line with the specific characteristics of the territories ".

«This new project will improve not only the connectivity services - explains Francesco Tarantini, PNAM president - also the reception services through the many agritourisms, educational farms and agro-zootechnical companies present in the area, central in the promotion of natural and cultural heritage . Immersed in the rural landscape, the farms are identity goods to be valued and made known, putting them on the net. The institution's goal is to improve the access to the Internet in a widespread way through the supply and installation of access points, at no cost to those joining the project. We therefore invite the farms to go to the park's website and to submit their membership as soon as possible through the appropriate Notice ".

" The project with the Alta Murgia Park is an example of how we can combine the enhancement of a beautiful area with digital services in favor of citizens and tourists - added Marco Bellezza, CEO of Infratel Italia- Masserie 2.0 it must also aim to become a model for other national parks to start again with quality and sustainable tourism ».