(Telecompaper) Telecom Italia has become the first operator to commercially launch LTE-A services in Italy, offering connections up to 180 Mbps via the network of its mobile unit TIM. The service, dubbed TIM 4G+, is available now in 60 Italian cities, including Rome, Milan, Turin, Naples and Florence, with more to come "in the coming weeks". The operator activated its LTE-A service after conducting a trial run of the technology in Turin back in July. The download speed of 180 Mbps, around twice the highest theoretical speed currently available on Italian mobile networks, was possible thanks to carrier aggregation, in this case combining two of the spectrum bands available for LTE (800, 1800 and 2600 MHz). Telecom Italia said the speed of TIM's LTE-A network would be increased to a peak of 225 Mbps in the first few months of 2015. Consumer and business customers that have already subscribed to any of TIM's 4G offers will be allowed to access the 4G+ service free of charge until 30 April 2015. In addition, a number of LTE-A compatible smartphones and tablets will be added to TIM's portfolio before the end of the year.