AT&T and the leading Mexican and Latin American mobile operator America Movil have each offered to buy a 33.3% stake in Olimpia, a holding company that owns a 17.99% stake in Telecom Italia. Although their bids are valid until the end of this month, they are understood to be opposed by the Italian government. Telecom Italia currently lists institutional (26.13%) and ‘other’ (25.82%) Italian investors as its principal shareholders. Its extensive domestic and foreign (European and Latin American) media interests include Alice Home TV, an IPTV service available in 250 towns across Italy. It will also launch COOPVoce, Italy’s first (MVNO) Mobile Virtual Network Operator, in conjunction with COOP Italia later this month.
