Wind Tre, an Italian network operator, has acquired the assets of OpNet, a wholesale fixed wireless access provider.
In a statement announcing the transaction, OpNet confirmed that Wind Tre has acquired 100% of the company, which was previously called Linkem. A separate announcement from Jefferies Financial Group Inc.— the company's major shareholder— stated that the sale is worth EUR 485 million (USD 520 million). Tessellis S.p.A, in which Opnet holds 59.26% stake, is not included in the deal. The agreement is still subject to government and regulatory approvals, but it is expected to be completed in the "coming months."
"The acquisition is part of OpNet’s strategy to enhance its assets and the dynamic business model that distinguishes it," said OpNet.
5G Spectrum Portfolio Expansion
Wind Tre will expand its 5G spectrum portfolio as part of the acquisition, adding 20 MHz in the 3.6-3.8 GHz band and 200 MHz in the 26.5-millimeter band to 27.5 GHz.
The expansion of Wind Tre's 5G spectrum portfolio through acquisition brings forth several significant benefits for the company and its customers. Firstly, acquiring additional spectrum in the 3.6-3.8 GHz band and the 26.5-27.5 GHz millimeter-wave band enhances Wind Tre's network capacity and capabilities. This expanded spectrum portfolio allows the company to offer higher data speeds, increased network capacity, and improved overall performance for its 5G services. With more spectrum resources at its disposal, Wind Tre can effectively meet the growing demands of consumers and businesses for bandwidth-intensive applications and services, such as high-definition video streaming, virtual reality, and Internet of Things (IoT) deployments.
Moreover, the acquisition of additional spectrum positions Wind Tre as a leader in the Italian telecommunications market, enabling the company to maintain a competitive edge and differentiate its offerings from rivals. With access to a broader range of frequency bands, including the crucial mid-band and millimeter-wave spectrum, Wind Tre can deploy a more comprehensive and robust 5G network infrastructure. This allows the company to deliver enhanced coverage, reliability, and quality of service to its customers, thereby attracting and retaining subscribers in an increasingly competitive market landscape. Additionally, the expanded spectrum portfolio enables Wind Tre to explore new innovative use cases and applications that leverage the capabilities of 5G technology, driving digital transformation and economic growth across various sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and entertainment.
