Vivendi is open to discussing the state of control of the TIM network with Rome by Reuters

MILAN (Reuters) – Telecom Italia (MI:) Vivendi (OTC 🙂 ‘s main shareholder (TIM) is open to discussing the possibility of the Italian government gaining control of TIM’ s fixed network, a French company spokesman said on Sunday.

The statement marks a change in the attitude of the French media group, as TIM investors are ready to evaluate a takeover plan of 10.8 billion euros ($ 12.2 billion) submitted by the US fund KKR to TIM.

So far the French team has been dragging its way to Rome to gain control of TIM’s fixed network.

A spokesman for the French media group told Reuters that Vivendi was “interested in promoting the efficiency and modernity of the network while maintaining the value of its investment”.

“In this perspective, the hypothesis of a state-controlled network, if it can lead to an institutionally driven strategic project, will certainly be assessed with openness,” the spokesperson added.

TIM’s fixed line business offers Italy’s leading telecommunications infrastructure and plays a key role in broadband deployment efforts to improve the coverage Rome expects to spend billions of euros of EU funds.

The state-owned CDP investor has taken a 10% stake in TIM to oversee the network and is expected to play a key role in the network’s plans.

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