1980s- 1990s

1980 - The first combined token-coin public telephone and launching of fax machines

1986-‘87– New services are launched including the Toll-Free Number, Tele-Conference and Closed Group of Users; activation of ITAPAC and CDN (Direct Number Connection) networks.

1989 - In Venice, the first Italian digital telephone exchange comes into operation.

1990 – The TACS 900 MHz Mobile Radio Service comes into operation. The first mobile phones come into use in Italy.

1991 - Activation of the ISDN network for integrated digital data and voice transmission via telephone lines.

1994 –Telecom Italia is set up, with the incorporation in SIP of Iritel, Telespazio, Italcable and Sirm.
Completion of the Intelligent Network, which, with its “intelligent nodes”, provides advanced telephone services including toll-free calls, virtual private networks, premium tariff services, distributed charging, universal number, mass call handling and televote.

1995 - Telecom Italia Mobile is set up.
The TIM Card, the first pre-paid and rechargeable phone card in the world, is launched, as is SMS (Short Message Service) for sending short text messages. Boom in mobile phones.

1996 - Memotel, the centralised answering service, is activated throughout Italy.

1999 – Use of ADSL technology for fast Internet connections.