Global networking giant Cisco said that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Italian telecom firm TIM to focus on italy's digitisation. This MOU has been signed in the framework of Digitaliani, the three-year investment plan launched by Cisco in January 2016, whose objectives are aligned with TIM own digitization program, said Cisco in a statement.

The two companies are engaged in developing a joint business and innovation program. Under this MoU, they will leverage their competences and technologies, to create solutions and services focused on Cybersecurity, Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, Smart Cities and 5G.

Cisco said that in this project, industrial players, public and private sector players and research center, start-ups will be involved in creating and implementing projects to accelerate digitisation to improve the lives of citizens. Working on these projects will help the growth of a wide ecosystem of companies, developers and vendors ready to support Italy's economic development.

“Cisco is deeply committed to helping drive digital acceleration in Italy, and we are proud to partner with TIM to foster an ecosystem that will combine Cisco's unique position in the Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, and Smart Cities with TIM's leadership in managed digital services to create a new wave of solutions for the Enterprise, Public Sector, and Small Business. What Cisco is doing with TIM is setting the standard, in many respects, for the digital transformation partnership model we are building in many countries around the world. This partnership also truly places the network at the center of Italy's digital transformation,” said Chuck Robbins, Chairman and CEO, Cisco

“Digitization will be the most important factor of TIM transformation, helping us to deliver the best customer experience, integrating service simplicity and a complete offer. We want to improve our customers' life but we also want to support Italy's development and a simpler way to access digital services for citizens, companies and public sector organizations. We are happy to share this journey to Cisco, that is giving a strong contribution to our efforts” said Amos Genish, CEO, TIM

The first visible step of this strategic partnership is the integration of Cisco Umbrella cybersecurity solution in TIM offerings for Italian Small and Medium Businesses.