The agreement will allow H3G to offer its customers a GSM service using the TIM network, in areas not covered by the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), the European implementation of the 3G wireless phone system, while in anticipation of the completion of its very own 3G network.
The agreement also provides for direct interconnection between the two networks and for the first 3G infrastructure sharing agreement in Italy.
Hutchison Whampoa is the majority shareholder of H3G with 78.3%, followed by CIR (12.9%), S. Paolo Imi (5%), BMI (2%), HDP (1%), Gemina (0.5%), and Tiscali (0.3%).
