“The idea that Telecom Italia leases the future Enel fiber optic network on a long-term basis represents one rational scenario. Said the CEO of Enel, Francesco Starace responding to yesterday's statements by Telecom CEO Marco Patuano.
During the hearing of the Telecom top management in parliament, Patuano explained that “where Enel were to build” network infrastructures “we have nothing against verifying the possibility of becoming purchasers of infrastructures in a very long time. We confirm our interest in cooperating with anyone who builds”. However, he added, "it is not mandatory to always make company combinations" and "you can buy infrastructure from others". Telecom will be interested in buying "if the price at which to buy is confirmed to be lower than that at which we are going to build, it is economically reasonable to go and buy".
Patuano then specified, on what he said in the Senate hearing, that "there are areas where it is highly probable" that Enel's network "is less expensive, in others it is probable it is more expensive because we ourselves own infrastructures. The real difference is having infrastructural components”.
Enel has recently set up a newco for broadband open to telecommunications operators which will be led by Tommaso Pompei. The broadband theme it is increasingly present in the debate between Enel and Telecom especially today, on the eve of an important Board of Directors meeting. Tomorrow Telecom must decide on the request to expand the agenda of the meeting convened for December 15 with the integration of four directors as requested by Vivendi, Telecom's largest shareholder.
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“The Telecom board of directors – recalled Patuano – will consider Vivendi's request and also Assogestioni's letter. The outcome is up to the board of directors”. Assogestioni, with a letter, expressed strong perplexity about Vivendi's request.
