Italy’s remotest regions could share infrastructure, avoid duplication and keep TIM’s assets the hands of the nation
Telecom Italia (TIM) and broadband network company Open Fiber are discussing a possible pact to share their fibre infrastructure and expedite the rollout to Italy’s remotest regions. This could let Open Fiber use TIM’s infrastructure while the telco earns a fee, if the finer details of the arrangement are agreed. It would also give Open Fiber access to TIM clients in those areas, according to Reuters. New TIM CEO Pietro Labriola, who came up through the ranks as an infrastructure specialist, is keen to develop a business plan as the debt laden group seeks to widen its options in the face of a €10.8 billion takeover approach from New York-based private equity group KKR.
Fighting fire with fibre
State lender Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) is a key shareholder in both TIM and Open Fiber, and is reportedly anxious to create the right conditions for a merger of the two groups’ network assets in order to expedite a national fibre rollout and avoid the waste of duplication. CDP had been working with TIM on this strategy for some time before the KKR bid was made at the end of 2021. A TIM board meeting has been set for Monday Feb 14th to discuss Labriola’s plans. According to Italian daily Il Messaggero on Thursday the broadband agreement for access to remote areas could be signed off on Monday. However Reuters’s sources say several points must be ironed out and more time could be needed.