Telecom Italia customers will be able to access LTE mobile broadband services from 7 November when the operator begins to sell USB modems and tablets compatible with the new network.

LTE will initially be available in Rome, Milan, Turin and Naples, with more than 20 cities due to have the service by the end of the year and the rest of Italy to follow soon after.

The technology should provide customers with improved web browsing and the ability to access content that was previously difficult to deliver, such as HD video streaming.

The LTE-enabled devices will be bundled with data packages including the Ultra Internet Pack, a one year bundle which provides 20GB of web access per month for tablets and PCs via a USB modem for EUR349.

A range of business and smartphone data packages will be introduced at a later date.

Italy completed its LTE spectrum auction in September 2011, raising a total of EUR3.95 billion. Telecom Italia and Vodafone both spent EUR1.26 billion for various spectrum blocks, while VimpelCom’s Wind and Hutchison-owned 3 Italia also acquired spectrum. Vodafone Italia is expected to launch LTE on October 30, while Three plans to launch by the end of the year. Wind's plans are not yet known.