Telecom Italia is determined to keep hold of and expand its Brazilian mobile unit, Tim Brasil, according to CEO Marco Patuano. In an interview with the Financial Times, Patuano said that he had met two-thirds of the Brazilian government during a recent visit and had informed them that Telecom Italia was “here to stay”. Not only that, he said that the company would be investing and making the network better rather than allowing rivals to buy or break up the business.
Patuano was responding to rumours swirling at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last week that America Movil was eyeing up Tim Brasil, especially after its CEO Daniel Hajj said that the group would be “open to opportunities” to share in the consolidation of the Brazilian market. However, Patuano confirmed that there were no talks with any rivals or pressure from the Brazilian telecoms regulator Anatel to close a deal. “Everything could have a price, but we feel comfortable in Brazil. Today, we have no discussions with anybody,” he said.
