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Italian watchdog investigates Telecom Italia contract with former network arm
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MILAN (Reuters) -Italy’s antitrust watchdog has opened an investigation into the
MILAN (Reuters) -Italy’s antitrust watchdog has opened an investigation into the business relationship between Telecom Italia (TIM) and FiberCop, the fixed-line network company spun-off from the former phone monopoly.
After the 22 billion euro ($22.90 billion) sale of FiberCop to a consortium led by U.S. investment fund KKR last July, TIM signed a 15-year master service agreement (MSA) to regulate business with its former network company, which offers connectivity capacity to TIM and rivals operating in the Italian telecoms market.
TIM’s contract with the operator of its former fixed-line fibre and copper network “contains provisions that could result in an anti-competitive agreement”, the competition authority said on Monday.
TIM said in a statement that it is collaborating with the authority, adding the contract meets regulatory requirements. A FiberCop representative was not immediately available to comment.
($1 = 0.9607 euros)
(Reporting by Cristina Carlevaro and Elvira PollinaEditing by David Goodman)
Telecom Italia is a major telecommunications company in Italy, providing a wide range of services including fixed-line and mobile communications, internet services, and television.
FiberCop is a fixed-line network company that was spun off from Telecom Italia, focusing on providing connectivity capacity to various telecom operators in the Italian market.
An antitrust investigation examines business practices to determine if they violate competition laws, potentially leading to anti-competitive agreements or monopolistic behavior.
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