Fiber optics as a seismic detector: the University of Sannio is involved in the Atena project.

Transforming the FTTH fiber optic network into a true seismic event detector serving the country. Combining innovation, research, and training, Open Fiber promoted the Atena project , which began in late 2024 and is part of the telecommunications company's initiatives to strengthen its employer branding and consolidate collaboration with the academic world. The goal is to actively involve students in innovative projects of corporate interest, fostering ongoing and direct dialogue between universities and businesses. Open Fiber collaborated with the Engineering departments of the University of Messina and the University of Sannio in Benevento, engaging students in the development of a project dedicated to seismic risk analysis using Fiber Sensing technology. The activities were supported by the Network Engineering & Innovation team led by Francesca Parasecolo , who supported the participants throughout the training and design process. The final event of the initiative took place at the Open Fiber headquarters in Rome, with a discussion of project work by UniMe students Emilia Currò, Irene Giacoppo, and Gianluca Sindoni (coordinated by Professor Giuseppe Campobello) and Sannio students Alessia Manganiello and Marco Vaccarella , led by Professor Luca De Vito and the Director of the Engineering Department, Nicola Fontana . Welcoming the students and faculty were Open Fiber CEO Giuseppe Gola , Director of People & Sustainability Romina Chirichilli , and Director of Technology Nicola Grassi. The day continued with a tour of the Service Operation Center (SOC) and the Open Factory, the laboratory where Open Fiber specialists conduct daily validation tests for the network's innovative services and launch product and solution trials leveraging the advantages offered by the fiber optic infrastructure.

With one of the most extensive fiber optic networks in Europe, Open Fiber has established itself as a leading digital innovation player in Italy. Its strategy is based on a strong and tangible presence throughout the country, where the company builds next-generation infrastructure and solid relationships with academics and society. Specifically, the direct involvement of younger generations in advanced technological projects is a key lever for fostering skills, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. The Atena Project's integrated approach combines the country's technological growth with the qualified training of young talent, with the goal of providing opportunities for discussion on concrete application scenarios and the creation of an open, inclusive, and sustainability-oriented innovation ecosystem. The Atena Project also provides opportunities for direct interaction between students and Open Fiber professionals, with meetings dedicated to exchanging expertise and sharing field experiences. The program also included a series of visits to active construction sites in the Messina and Benevento areas, with the aim of offering students a concrete vision of the application of the technologies covered and the implementation techniques for an optical telecommunications network.