COOP plans Italy’s first MVNO

The Italian retail chain COOP is teaming up with Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) to launch the country’s first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO). COOP will be reselling capacity on the TIM network under the name COOPVoce (COOP Voice). The first trial services will begin later this month with a full commercial launch scheduled for the summer. AFX reports that COOP is also looking at signing resale agreements for fixed line and broadband services with TIM’s parent company Telecom Italia. COOP is Italy’s largest retail chain, with 1,300 outlets.