Fastweb + Vodafone today announced that it has successfully conducted a trial on its commercial 5G network in Rome, achieving a peak download speed of 2.5 Gbps. This cutting-edge result paves the way for the upcoming 5G Advanced, an evolution of 5G technology that enhances network performance and maximizes spectrum efficiency, enabling advanced applications and next-generation services powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). This marks the first smartphone test in Italy to reach such speeds on a commercial 5G network.
The trial was conducted by aggregating six carriers: five 4G LTE bands and one 5G NR (“New Radio”, a fully 5G-based transmission network) with 1024QAM modulation applied to the 5G NR component, creating a network architecture that employs advanced techniques to increase spectral efficiency. The 2.5 Gbps mobile network speed was achieved in collaboration with Honor, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and Xiaomi.
At 2.5 Gigabits per second, users can download episodes of their favorite TV series or large productivity app packages of several gigabytes within minutes. In the coming months, as more compatible smartphones become available, an increasing number of users will benefit from these innovations for complex applications such as augmented and virtual reality and immersive entertainment, among others. Higher speeds and greater capacity are essential to support advanced use cases and high network load scenarios, including wearables, smart and connected factories, and applications leveraging agentic AI to reduce repetitive, low-level tasks.
Networks capable of exceeding gigabit speeds open the door to new advanced applications across industries, from logistics to manufacturing automation, education, and healthcare.
“The record achieved today in Rome allows us to accelerate the development of advanced 5G solutions that leverage AI to continuously improve performance. We are thus driving the creation of high-value services that make a tangible contribution to the country’s digital transformation,” said Max Gasparroni, Chief Technology and Security Officer of Fastweb + Vodafone. “Delivering the best possible experience to our customers is our priority. This is why we continue to invest in cutting-edge technologies and innovative infrastructures that make our mobile network the best in Italy, as recognized by several independent reports. Our mobile ecosystem can quickly adapt to customer needs, and we are now adding even more capacity and flexibility.”
Fastweb + Vodafone has already begun deploying the new configuration on high-traffic radio sites in Rome and Milan, to ensure more efficient use of the frequency spectrum and deliver an even better connectivity experience to its customers.
Finally, the company is pursuing a broader network infrastructure innovation program aimed at enhancing service quality both indoors and on the move. Among the new developments presented today are two projects currently being implemented. The first involves the use of intelligent equipment on 4G radio stations to improve wireless system performance: by leveraging AI-based functionalities, these systems can enhance coverage in offices, shopping centers, and public venues. The second project focuses on AI-driven optimization techniques for the automatic adjustment of network parameters, balancing traffic in real time while improving customer performance and boosting sustainability through greater energy efficiency.