8 févr. 2025
Italian broadband provider EOLO and Chinese supplier ZTE have partnered to develop a standalone 5G mmWave FWA network, set to launch later this year. With advanced equipment delivering 1Gbps connectivity, this collaboration marks a significant milestone in Europe's 5G SA rollout and reinforces EOLO's market leadership.
Italian broadband provider EOLO has entered into a multi-year agreement with Chinese supplier ZTE to jointly develop a standalone (SA) 5G millimeter-wave Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) network. The new deployment, slated for later this year, marks a significant milestone for 5G SA adoption in Europe and underscores ZTE’s expanding presence in the Italian market.
Under the agreement, ZTE will supply state-of-the-art 5G mmWave wireless access network equipment, including baseband units, antennas, and Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). The cutting-edge equipment is engineered to deliver high-speed connectivity up to 1Gbps, supporting the growing demand for bandwidth-intensive applications. ZTE claims to hold a leading market share in 5G FWA and mobile broadband terminal shipments, with over 4 million units delivered globally.
EOLO, which primarily targets homes and businesses in smaller Italian towns, leverages this innovative technology to complement existing fiber coverage and enhance network capacity. According to the latest data from Italy’s regulatory body Agcom, FWA connections now account for 11.4% of the country’s fixed-line market, totaling 2.3 million connections. EOLO leads with a market share of 28.9%, surpassing competitors such as TIM, which holds 19.3%.
Guido Garrone, CEO of EOLO, stated, “These infrastructures complement our fiber networks and play a key role in driving the nation’s future. Starting in 2025, our 1Gbps FWA network will usher in a new era of connectivity.” He further emphasized that the collaboration with ZTE not only accelerates network deployment but also helps boost Italy’s competitiveness in the global telecommunications landscape.
This strategic partnership comes at a time when 5G SA is gaining momentum in Europe. As of the end of last year, only 40% of the European population was covered by 5G SA, compared to 91% in North America. In parallel, industry players such as Orange are introducing new features for enterprise customers, including Voice over New Radio (VoNR) and network slicing, further underlining the market’s shift toward more robust, future-proof 5G networks.
EOLO and ZTE’s collaboration is expected to significantly enhance network performance and reliability, paving the way for advanced telecom services across Italy and beyond.