The recent change of government in Italy will not impact the state’s backing of a plan to combine the fixed infrastructure assets of Telecom Italia (TIM) and Open Fiber. A report from Reuters cites Franco Bassanini, chairman of wholesale network operator Open Fiber, as saying: ‘I didn’t notice any substantial difference of opinion among the main political forces with regards to telecom infrastructure so I don’t think there’ll be a change of heart.’
Negotiations are ongoing between TIM and Open Fiber shareholders Enel and state-backed Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), with a view to combining the two telecoms networks. Meanwhile, the head of utility group Enel, Francesco Starace, said last week that the merger talks are not a top priority at the moment. Reuters quoted him as saying: ‘This idea is not super urgent.’