The Italian government has announced plans to free up frequencies to launch trials of 5G technology in three as yet unnamed Italian cities next year. Italy "is deeply convinced of the benefits of 5G technology, so much so that in 2017 we will trial it in three cities , one in the north, one in the centre and one in the south, using part of the spectrum,” said Italian undersecretary for economic development in charge of telecommunications Antonello Giacomelli at the Global 5G Event in Rome hosted by the 5G Infrastructure Association - Public Private Partnership (5G PPP). The trials are set to take place on the 3.4-3.8 GHz band, although Giacomelli also denied any delay in Italy’s plans to free up the 700 MHz frequencies for mobile use, saying the country was fully in line with the European Council's decision to set a 2022 deadline to vacate the band.
At the same event, Vodafone Italia CEO Aldo Bisio welcomed the undersecretary’s proposal and, according to Corriere della Serra, commented that “after the trial stage [Vodafone envisages] the 5G coverage of three major Italian cities by 2020." Telecom Italia chairman Giuseppe Recchi likewise revealed plans to press ahead with the rollout of 5G services. "We are currently considering which northern cities to choose to start trials of 5G, to ensure that we have the first city covered with this technology in 2020," he said.
