France Télécom latest company to be linked with Telecom Italia

Italian daily Il Sole 24 Ore reports, without citing sources, that France Télécom is studying the possibility of buying a controlling stake in Telecom Italia, while the bids of AT&T and América Móvil faces difficulties. The American and Mexican companies, which are seeking to each buy 33% of Olimpia, a holding company which owns 18% of Telecom Italia, have asked for guarantees about the future of Telecom Italia’s fixed line network. The Italian government is reported to be be keen to open up the wireline network to all operators.