Vodafone Italia has signed an agreement with Telecom Italia for the sharing of radio access network sites.

Replacing the previous one following its expiry, the agreement covers 9,860 of each of the two operators' sites, which will be shared over the duration of the agreement. This will last six years, is renewable and is open to potentially interested third parties.

The agreement covers the sharing of existing or future sites and regards passive network infrastructure (including, for example, civil structures, towers and masts, electrical and air conditioning equipment), whilst it does not extend to the sharing of the electronic equipment used to provide mobile services to customers, frequencies or activities involved in network operations. Each operator will retain full ownership of its infrastructure, whilst both will host the other operator with the aim of reducing the number of base stations around the country.

The initiative puts into effective practice the guidelines set out in the Electronic Communications Code, which facilitates site sharing as a means of making a more efficient and environmentally friendly use of resources.

Responsibility for implementing the initiative will rest with technicians from the two companies' technology departments, who will assess and draw up the procedures for implementing what is a highly innovative agreement with regard to the scope of the project.

"The agreement, which envisages the sharing of sites on an equal basis," explained Alberto Ripepi, Vodafone Italia's Chief technology Officer, "will provide significant benefits in terms of reduced network infrastructure costs, above all with regard to cuts in rental expense and energy savings. It will also have an extremely positive impact as a result of the reduced quantity of base stations in cities and rural areas."

Both Vodafone and Telecom Italia will continue to be fully autonomous and independent as regards the planning and implementation of network development and the pursuit of technological and commercial development goals.