Italian ISP and MVNO Fastweb has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the city of Rome to collaborate on the development of 5G and future Wi-Fi services ahead of a trial launch by the end of 2020. The two parties plan to collaborate on a number of experimental projects beginning in 2018, including digital applications for Smart City and IT systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) networks. The trials will cover vertical sectors such as tourism, industry, video surveillance and remote sensoring. Fastweb says it is ‘committed to designing and implementing the network infrastructure needed for the development of new digital services’.
Mayor of Rome Virginia Raggi commented: ‘Ours is a city that, aware of its history and traditions, embraces the future with enthusiasm.’ Earlier this year rival telco Telecom Italia (TIM) signed an agreement to develop 5G networks in the city of Turin.