3 Italia/Wind merger may be at risk over Iliad refusing to enter Italian market
The proposed merger between Italian mobile phone operators 3 Italia and Wind could be at risk, Italian language daily Il Messaggero reported.
The unsourced article said a draft law by the Italian government asking up-front payments in 2017 to use radio frequencies would cost Iliad [EPA: ILD] EUR 300m. This would put Iliad's business plan at risk. The French teleco is understood to be displeased at the move and could, therefore, decide not to enter the Italian market, it added.
However, as reported, the 3 Italia/Wind merger is contingent on meeting European antitrust requirements to sell some of its frequencies to Iliad. If this proves impossible, the merger could be threatened, it noted.