Fastweb and Wind Tre Agreement for National 5G Network

Fastweb and Wind Tre today announced a strategic agreement that, leveraging the specific assets of the two operators, will allow them to accelerate the implementation of a 5G infrastructure across the entire national territory. This is what is stated in a joint press release from the two companies. The agreement will allow the rapid implementation of a shared 5G network between the two operators, with the aim of providing high-performance next-generation mobile services for Fastweb and Wind Tre customers. The shared 5G network will include both macro sites and micro-cells, connected through Fastweb fiber, capable of covering 90% of the population by 2026. Wind Tre will manage the 5G network, while the two companies will remain completely independent, both commercially and operationally, in the use of the new shared infrastructure. As part of the agreement, Wind Tre will progressively provide Fastweb with roaming services on its network (4G and previous technologies) which will thus extend the coverage of its mobile services nationwide. At the same time, Fastweb will provide Wind Tre with wholesale access to its FTTH and FTTC network, increasing its capacity to offer ultra-broadband connections to its fixed network customers. The agreement has an initial term of 10 years and is subject to regulatory approval.
“Once again we are keeping our promises: the agreement with Wind Tre is a fundamental step in the execution of our strategy to become the leading fixed-mobile convergent operator”, says Alberto Calcagno, CEO of Fastweb. “Through this collaboration we will create the best 5G network, realizing our ambition to provide the best connectivity to our customers at home and away from home. We are equally proud to make our fiber network available to Wind Tre and its fixed network customers. By adding another such important customer to our portfolio, we make our role as a 'wholesale' operator – thanks to an ultra-broadband infrastructure already available to 75% of the population – increasingly relevant in the country”, underlines the manager. “It is with great satisfaction that I announce the strategic agreement between Wind Tre and Fastweb, on which we have great expectations. “Sharing our respective assets will allow us to further accelerate the plan to ‘re-invent’ Wind Tre, enabling 5G services and new applications, with the aim of meeting the current and future needs of our customers,” says Jeffrey Hedberg, CEO of Wind Tre. “We have already made significant progress in modernizing our network and IT systems and this agreement represents a further step towards ensuring our customers high connectivity performance. This agreement also consolidates Wind Tre’s role and responsibility in building a 5G ecosystem that fosters the growth of the economy and the country,” he concludes.