Open Fiber, Linkem To Carry Out 5G-Ready FWA Tests In Digital Divide Areas

Italian operators Open Fiber and Linkem have signed an agreement to work together to develop ‘5G-ready’ mobile networks using the latter’s 3.5 GHz frequency licences. The aim is to conduct a series of pilots on Linkem’s fixed-wireless access (FWA) infrastructure with a view to improving access to rural parts of the country. Under the terms of the deal, wholesale operator Open Fiber will provide fibre-based backhaul access to Linkem’s core network in areas of low population density ahead of the full activation of 5G services in 2021.

Open Fiber last year signed a deal to use Intracom Telecom’s FWA equipment to access “digitally underserved” areas, while Linkem is partnering with Fastweb to deploy their respective FWA networks in up to 8 million homes in small and medium-sized towns by 2023.

―Telecompaper