Italy’s Economic Development Minister has renewed calls for the country’s incumbent operator Telecom Italia (TIM) to spin off its network operations. Carlo Calenda is quoted by Bloomberg as saying: ‘My opinion is very clear: I think that we should have two legal entities – separated – [in] the market. I think that they are considering this.’ The authorities are keen to see the retail-wholesale split to protect network assets which are considered strategic after French firm Vivendi became TIM’s majority shareholder with a 24% stake.
Calenda also said that a fine that TIM may have to pay could be reduced if the company ‘accepts all the demands’ made of it. TIM and Vivendi are facing a penalty equivalent to 1% of annual turnover for failing to notify Italian authorities that Vivendi had assumed effective control at the telco.