Italian telco Open Fiber has picked Greek firm Intracom Telecom to supply and deploy fixed wireless access (FWA) for gigabit to the home across Italy.

The two companies have committed to deploy reliable gigabit connectivity to thousands of households using the 5G mm-wave frequency band.

Open Fiber selected Intracom’s WiBAS G5 smart-BS as the key platform for its national rollout plan, bringing quality of service and gigabit speed connection to homes and businesses across Italy. Open Fiber wants Italy to become the leading nation in the European Union in terms of VHCN connectivity while complying with the EU’s Digital Compass programme objectives.

The WiBAS G5 smart-BS (www.intracom-telecom.com/en/products/wireless_network_systems/home_business_access/wibasG5_smartBS.htm) was chosen for its speed of connection, long range and spectrum use to accommodate high subscriber density.

The FWA platform hosts several technologies, which allow a subscriber to enjoy download speeds of 1Gbit/s and an upload speed of 200Mbit/s. This is available at ranges extending to 6km using 200MHz of spectrum at the 5G mm-wave (26.5 to 27.5GHz) frequency band. Open Fiber tested the product’s performance in its lab as well as in a field environment.

The WiBAS G5 smart-BS is a multiuser MIMO platform, with active antenna system using hybrid beamforming, consuming less power than conventional cellular mobile systems, achieving a spectral efficiency of 29bit/s/Hz.

“This collaboration with Intracom Telecom marks a significant step in our mission to provide high-speed connectivity across Italy, including rural and underserved areas,” said Francesca Parasecolo from Open Fiber (openfiber.it). “By leveraging Intracom’s advanced FWA technology, we can extend gigabit services to areas where other technologies are not cost effective, ensuring fast, reliable and energy-efficient internet access for both residential and business users. This partnership is instrumental in accelerating the digital transformation of Italy, contributing to our goal of making ultra-broadband accessible to everyone.”

Kartlos Edilashvili, acting CEO of Intracom Telecom, added: “We are honoured by Open Fiber’s trust in our technology, and we are fully supporting its mission to expand ultra-fast internet connectivity in Italy, bridging the digital divide in rural regions. Our technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing FWA services, delivering Gigabit connectivity where fibre and cellular mobile face major limitations. This extension reinforces our shared commitment to bridging the digital divide and sets a new standard for FWA deployments across Europe.”

Intracom’s FWA products can ensure connectivity even in hard-to-reach areas. The company’s platform integrates dynamic capacity allocation and automation to expedite terminal installations and service activation, while maintaining carrier-grade quality and reliability.

Intracom Telecom (www.intracom-telecom.com) serves telecom operators, public authorities and large public and private enterprises. The group maintains its own R&D and production facilities and operates subsidiaries worldwide.