The biggest winner in the auction was the relatively little-known AriaDSL SpA, which secured licenses in all Italian regions for a total of ¤47.5 million, the Communications Ministry said. The company is reportedly controlled by Israeli billionaire David Gilo, founder of Vyyo, a Norcross, Georgia, company selling equipment for wireless high-speed data connections to businesses and homes.

The second-biggest spender was AFT SpA, a company providing WiFi hotspots around Italy, which paid ¤34.4 million for licenses in all Italian regions.

The former telecom incumbent Telecom Italia snapped up licenses in central and southern Italy for a more modest ¤13.8 million.

The terms of the WiMax auction obliged bidders to explain their plans for introducing the technology to the country's Internet black spots.

Italy's licenses run for 15 years and are renewable, but cannot be sold without Communications Ministry approval.