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San Marino is set to become one of the first states in Europe to introduce 5G-related technologies after its government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Telecom Italia (TIM). The agreement outlines a phased upgrade of the microstate’s mobile network to deliver substantial improvements in capacity, coverage and service capabilities.
The Republic of San Marino, home to about 33,000 residents and covering 61.2 square kilometres, will partner with Telecom Italia to modernise its mobile infrastructure. The plan includes rolling out enhanced 4.5G features and selected 5G technologies such as advanced antenna systems (MIMO 4×4), carrier aggregation, higher-order modulation schemes, and cloud-based network architecture. The programme also calls for the installation of “small cells” — compact, low-power masts designed to blend into streets and piazzas with minimal visual and environmental impact.
Key to the project is a significant expansion of the radio access network. The technology roadmap aims to roughly double the number of existing mobile sites while deploying several dozen small cells across San Marino. These sites will be connected through fibre-optic links to ensure low latency and high throughput between base stations and the core network.
Branded “San Marino 5G,” the initiative is positioned as a digital transformation effort intended to increase transmission capacity by an order of magnitude compared with typical 4G performance. The upgraded infrastructure will enable citizens, businesses and public administrations to connect many more devices and services, accelerating the adoption of smart city and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions well in advance of broader regional targets.
TIM’s local affiliate, TIM San Marino, will support a range of smart city applications and public services. Planned offerings include enhanced public security systems, fleet management and information services for public transport, wide-area remote surveillance, and virtual- and augmented-reality experiences to promote tourism — for example through portals such as Livein.sm. The upgrade is also expected to benefit local manufacturing by enabling more advanced production monitoring and automation features.
The San Marino project follows TIM’s wider 5G activities in Italy. Earlier in the year, TIM signed an MOU to begin metropolitan 5G trials in Turin, with the target of progressively covering the entire city by 2020. That trial programme envisages installing over 100 small cells in key urban areas and at major universities, with an initial trial population of around 3,000 users testing new services and use cases.
By combining targeted upgrades to existing sites with dense small-cell deployment and a fibre backbone, the San Marino initiative is designed to deliver faster speeds, higher capacity and improved reliability for residents and organisations. The project also emphasises low-impact infrastructure and localised services that support public administration, safety, transport and tourism, illustrating how a compact territory can serve as a testbed for advanced mobile technologies and smart-city innovations.