Two of Italy’s mobile operators have agreed to share up to 2,000 sites for their mobile infrastructure to drive down cost and drive up efficiencies.

Under the scope of the “co-siting” deal, Telecom Italia and 3 Italia will share the so-called “passive” infrastructure of their networks, including the poles, cables, electricity supply and conditioning systems and other civil infrastructure. Each operator will maintain ownership of their respective sites, but will make those sites available to the other partner.

The deal does not include the “active” electronic equipment for their respective networks, the companies said, adding that the deal will help them ensure the observance of the guidelines contained in the Code for Electronic Communications aimed at promoting a more efficient use of network infrastructure in urban and rural areas.

“This is an agreement of huge importance for the telecommunications industry in Italy, because on one hand it improves the cost structures of the two companies, further reducing the environmental impact of a clean technology such as wireless and, on the other hand, it signals a turning point in the continuation in higher levels of competition,” Vincenzo Novari, CEO of 3 Italia highlighted.

The sentiment is echoed by Stefano Pileri, director of technology at Telecom Italia: “The value of this agreement is two-fold. From the point of view of efficiency, it will be possible to significantly reduce the cost of site leases, one of the highest cost items in mobile networks. Secondly, the progressive reduction of the number of antennas will have a positive impact on the environment.”

According to the companies, the agreement will last three years and is renewable. The deal when fully realized will address 2,000 sites, offer a cost savings of 30% and a time reduction of the network development for each operator.