MILAN, Italy-Italian communications group Tiscali is said to be looking for a partner for its consortium to bid for a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System license in Italy later this year. Deutsche Telekom AG and Hutchison Whampoa were cited in international press reports as possible partners.
The consortium, called Andala, is 58-percent controlled by Tiscali and includes Franco Bernabe, former Telecom Italia chief executive; CIR holding company; HDP group; and IMI bank.
Such a partnership would allow Deutsche Telekom to re-enter the Italian wireless market after selling its stake in mobile and fixed-line operator Wind to France Telecom and Enel last month for $2.5 billion.
In related news, Reuters reported the Dix.it consortium, which had planned to bid in the Italian UMTS license process, will disband with some members forming a new rival consortium. Dix.it members include Pirelli, IFIL, Banca di Roma, AEM and e.Biscom.
Italy will offer five UMTS licenses through a private auction, where the financial component of each bid will be deemed the determining factor in its success. At least seven large consortia are expected to compete, with proceeds estimated to be around $12 billion. Bids must be presented by Aug. 24, with the final decision coming in September.
