Wind and Fastweb sign network sharing agreement

Italian telco Fastweb has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding network sharing in Italy with rival operator Wind. In particular, the MOU concerns local loop unbundled (LLU) exchanges and fibre-optic infrastructure, aiming to reduce network fees following recent decisions on unbundling fees by fixed line incumbent Telecom Italia (TI). The two companies will also make joint requests to TI for the opening of access to unbundling, claiming that high charges prevent network expansion to areas not directly covered by their own infrastructure; a situation that they feel is harmful to the development of competition in the fixed-line market.