ROME (WiMAX Day). The Ministry of Communications in Italy announced yesterday that it has received 29 bids for 3.5 GHz WiMAX spectrum licenses. In December 2007, 48 companies submitted expressions of interest to the Ministry. The Communication Minister Paulo Gentiloni said “The submission of 29 bids for the WiMAX tender is a positive and important step for the race that is about to begin.” The Ministry said it will open the sealed bids beginning on January 30. Amongst the bidders for WiMAX licenses are Telecom Italia, Wind, Fastweb, Medianet Communications, Toto Construction Group and MGM Productions. “Thanks to WiMAX, we will have more broadband,” said Minister Gentiloni. “It’s a fundamental step to guarantee the right to access to the network as a Universal Service. The government confirms its commitment to reduce the digital divide that still exists in many regions of Italy.”