WINDTRE and Iliad consider sharing rural 5G infrastructure via new unit

Italian mobile network operators (MNOs) WINDTRE and Iliad are considering a joint 5G rollout in rural areas to cut costs. A report from Reuters says WINDTRE is proposing to transfer 7,000 rural mobile towers to a new unit and Iliad would acquire a 50% stake, with the joint venture used to build the shared 5G infrastructure. The towers cover around 27% of Italy’s population, with sources saying the business would be worth between EUR600 million and EUR900 million (USD660 million to USD996 million). Iliad currently has a roaming agreement in place with WINDTRE to cover areas where its own network of 9,000 active sites does not reach.