Vodafone CEO warns Italy single broadband network could be step back: Report

MILAN: The head of Vodafone Group said Italy’s plan to create a single fast broadband network in which Telecom Italia would hold a majority stake could be a step backwards since it effectively amounted to renationalisation and re-monopolisation.

In an article in Politico on Wednesday, Nick Read said Rome was looking to recreate the fixed-line monopoly that previous Italian governments and EU institutions had dismantled.

“This would leave would-be fixed broadband providers with only one seller of wholesale access to the combined network – yet again Telecom Italia (TIM),” he said.