Vivendi to increase TIM stake to 19%

French media group Vivendi is to increase its stake in Italian fixed line and wireless operator TIM (formerly Telecom Italia) beyond its current 15.49%. A report from Reuters quotes four people familiar with the matter who say that Vivendi is preparing to up its holding to around 19%. One of the sources said the move is designed to improve Vivendi’s position should TIM become involved in merger talks with another major European telco such as France’s Orange or Deutsche Telekom of Germany. Vivendi inherited an 8.3% interest in TIM earlier this year as part of a deal with Telefonica of Spain, and has since increased its stake through a number of share purchases.