Telecom Italia (TIM) intends to defy the government and press ahead with plans to expand its fibre-optic broadband network to underserved and rural areas all over of Italy, reports La Repubblica, citing TIM CEO Flavio Cattaneo. "Our investments have already begun, we announced them in good time and according to the law... we will go ahead," said Cattaneo. The government is threatening to claim damages from TIM if it follows through on its plan to roll out fibre-optic broadband in so-called digital divide areas after awarding the first of several planned tenders to build a national network to the Open Fiber wholesale-only venture of Italian utility Enel and state lender CDP.
Although TIM took part in the tender to roll out fibre in the regions of Abruzzo, Molise, Emilia Romagna, Lombardy, Tuscany and Veneto, it subsequently withdrew and announced that it was setting up a new company dedicated exclusively to the selective development of new fibre infrastructure in underserved areas of the country to compete with Open Fiber. The new company will roll out high-speed broadband networks in the non-economically viable areas of the country known as clusters C and D. "The government's attack is that of a 'dirigiste' state,” said Cattaneo, adding that “we are a private company and in Italy companies are free to do business.”
