Telecom Italia has announced plans to launch a high-speed ultra-broadband network in the city of Udine.

The next generation fibre optic scheme will deploy a Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC) system, as part of a deal with the city's council.

It comes as part of Telecom Italia's fibre investment programme, which aims to offer a Next Generation Access Network to three quarters of customers in the country's 100 largest urban areas over the next two and a half years.

Homes and businesses in Udine will see broadband speeds increase to 30-50 Megabits/second from early next year, the operator said.

The group plans to employ innovative digging techniques and exploit existing infrastructure to reduce construction times and the costs of the new scheme.

Telecom Italia's director of strategy, Oscar Cicchetti, signed the deal with Udine mayor Furio Honsell.

Mr Cicchetti said: "The realisation of broadband and ultra-broadband infrastructure and the diffusion of the services that use it will provide a powerful boost to the economy of the Udine area and improvement to the quality of life of its citizens."