Fastweb and Wind Tre announce a strategic agreement 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.

The agreement has an initial, ten year duration and is subject to the approval of competent authorities. Fastweb will finance the co-investment agreement from its own available cash resources. Swisscom's guidance for 2019 remains unchanged.