Italian Fastweb + Vodafone End Tower Deal with Inwit

Swisscom-owned Fastweb + Vodafone will terminate its Master Services Agreement (MSA) with Italian tower company Inwit. The move follows a recent deal with Telecom Italia to form an infrastructure joint venture.

Swisscom stated it will enter discussions with Inwit to end the MSA, agreeing on a migration plan spanning several years to ensure operational continuity until and after March 2028. It said the decision was based on Inwit’s tower costs being above market level and its refusal to engage in formal negotiations to align with standard market conditions.

“Inwit’s above market prices reduce Fastweb + Vodafone’s ability to make investments necessary to maintain high-quality mobile networks and support Italy’s digitalization,” said Swisscom. Lowering costs and advancing Italy’s next-generation infrastructure were two main reasons given for Fastweb + Vodafone’s JV with Telecom Italia.

The companies are planning to build and operate 6,000 towers in Italy, in a direct challenge to Inwit. Swisscom explained that terminating the MSA with Inwit will allow Fastweb + Vodafone to redirect financial resources towards the development of new infrastructure. All actions it is taking are in full compliance with the agreement, which includes the right to termination with two years’ prior notice, Swisscom added.