The Italian subsidiary of China's ZTE has signed an agreement with the secretary of state for telecommunications and public services agency AASS of the Republic of San Marino to set up a new venture to develop an open access telecommunications infrastructure throughout the mini state. The MoU seeks to convert the republic into one of the first smart countries in the world, with the resulting AASS-ZTE newco setting up an open access mobile network supported by a fibre-optic backbone to boost services and encourage competition via the entry of new operators, said the partners.
The deal will help convert San Marino into one of the first nations in the world to offer 5G to businesses and citizens alike through the use of sustainable technologies designed to protect the Unesco world heritage site. The AASS said the network would take up to 3 years to build and could generate revenues of up to EUR 135 million over 25 years. ZTE also pledged to open an innovation and research centre in the republic to train future telecommunications engineers.
The announcement comes after ZTE pledged to invest EUR 500 million in Italy over the next 5 years. TIM last year signed an agreement with the Republic of San Marino to convert the micro-state into the first nation in Europe to have a 5G mobile network.