In both blocks combined, WIND will be required to pay the Italian government a total of €1,120 million, with an initial €682 million paid within 30 days of completion. WIND has been awarded two FDD blocks in 800MHz, and four FDD blocks in 2600MHz.
The company said it now expects to launch 4G/LTE capabilities in the region as a result of the award, and it will be made available at the beginning of 2013, with validity up to 2029.
Vodafone Italy has also announced it has been awarded 60MHz new spectrum from the auction. The company said it will draw on its experiences in Germany when it launched LTE at the end of 2010 to aid the development of next-generation data services in Italy. Vodafone Italy has won a total of 20MHz in the 800 MHz band, 10 MHz in the 1.8GHz band and 30MHz in the 2.6 GHz band for a total of €1,260 million. Every frequency band will be available by the end of 2012.
As part of a growing push by the company in Europe in the mobile space, Vodafone Italy said it has seen mobile data revenue grow by 22%.
