- Italian operators TIM and Vodafone have agreed to share their 5G radio access network (RAN) infrastructure to expand coverage and reduce deployment costs.
- The collaboration is part of a broader trend toward joint network models that improve efficiency while maintaining competitive service offerings.
What happened: Italian carriers to combine 5G radio access networks
Italy’s leading telecommunications operators, TIM and Vodafone, have reached an agreement to share their 5G radio access network (RAN) infrastructure across key parts of the country. The deal will see both companies deploy and operate a jointly managed RAN while continuing to maintain separate core networks and service brands.
Under the arrangement, the operators will co-invest in and use shared 5G base stations, antennas and related equipment in areas where joint coverage can drive better outcomes for customers. The collaboration targets improved geographic reach, particularly in suburban and rural regions where individual deployments may be less economically viable.
TIM and Vodafone said the initiative will help accelerate 5G coverage and improve network density without duplicating infrastructure. By pooling resources, the carriers aim to achieve cost efficiencies while ensuring competitive offerings for enterprise and consumer segments.
The shared RAN model, often referred to as active sharing, goes beyond traditional passive site sharing, which typically involves the co-location of physical towers and masts. Active sharing encompasses spectrum and radio equipment, enabling deeper operational collaboration. Both TIM and Vodafone emphasised that the agreement will respect regulatory requirements and maintain independent control of their networks’ core elements.
The move follows similar partnerships in European markets, where operators have sought to balance the high costs of 5G rollout with the need to provide broad coverage and high-performance services. In the UK and other countries, RAN sharing has enabled carriers to expand coverage more rapidly while reducing capital and operating expenditures.
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Why it’s important
The TIM–Vodafone 5G RAN sharing partnership reflects a significant shift in network strategy at a time when operators face rising infrastructure costs and competitive pressure from digital services. 5G networks require dense deployment of radio equipment to deliver high speeds and low latency, particularly for advanced applications such as industrial automation, connected vehicles and smart city services.
By sharing RAN infrastructure, TIM and Vodafone can spread deployment costs over a larger footprint, accelerating network expansion into less profitable areas. This approach may also support the sustainability agendas of both companies by reducing redundancy in equipment and energy use.
For consumers and business customers, the collaboration could translate into broader 5G coverage and more reliable connectivity, especially outside major urban centres. Enhanced coverage may also foster innovation in areas such as edge computing, IoT and cloud-based services that rely on robust mobile connectivity.
Regulators and industry experts will watch the arrangement closely, as RAN sharing can raise questions about competition and service differentiation. However, the TIM–Vodafone model maintains separate core networks and brands while optimising shared physical infrastructure, offering a blueprint for efficient network expansion that other operators may follow.
