Wind Tre, Italy's largest mobile phone operator has signed strategic agreement with leading broadband provider Fastweb for the deployment of a nationwide state-of the-art 5G network.
The co-investment agreement will lead to the rapid deployment of a shared 5G radio access and back-hauling network in Italy that will support the delivery of next-generation, high performing mobile services for Fastweb and Wind Tre customers.
The shared 5G network will include Wind Tre and Fastweb macro and small cells, connected through dark fiber from Fastweb, to be deployed nationwide, with a targeted coverage of 90% of the population by 2026. Wind Tre will manage the 5G network, while both operators will remain independent in the commercial and operational use of the shared infrastructure. This will enable the two partners to roll out the 5G network faster and more cost-effectively. The resulting network capacity, incremental investment and running cost will be split according to a cost-sharing-mechanism. The terms of the co-investment will allow important synergies from 2020 onwards.
As part of the agreement, Wind Tre will provide Fastweb roaming services on Wind Tre’s existing network (4G and legacy technologies), thus allowing Fastweb to extend its mobile coverage to national level, while Fastweb will provide Wind Tre wholesale access to Fastweb’s FTTH and FTTC network, increasing the capability of Wind Tre to provide ultra-broadband connectivity to Wind Tre’s wireline customers.
Jeffy Hedberg, CEO, Wind Tre
Indeed, we are making great progress in modernizing our network and IT systems and this partnership represents the next step in ensuring high performance connectivity for our customers.
Alberto Caccagno, CEO, Fastweb
We are equally proud to make our fiber infrastructure available to Wind Tre and to its wireline customers, as our role as wholesale operator – with ultrabroadband infrastructures available to third parties covering 75% of the population - becomes increasingly relevant in the country.
