Private equity giant CVC Capital Partners has emerged as a key player in the ongoing investment interest in Telecom Italia (TIM), joining a growing list of suitors evaluating the former Italian phone monopoly, according to a report by Reuters.
The report cites unnamed sources familiar with the matter as revealing that CVC has expressed its interest in TIM directly to the Italian government, alongside French telecom operator Iliad, while Poste Italiane, Italy’s postal service operator, is also studying a possible equity stake in the business.
CVC’s track record of executing complex deals positions it as a significant contender in shaping TIM’s future.
CVC has a long history of investing in telecommunications and technology businesses, making TIM a logical target as it seeks to enhance its portfolio in Europe. TIM’s recent moves, meanwhile, to sell its landline grid to US fund KKR, a deal that helped reduce debt, highlight its focus on restructuring and streamlining operations — a strategy that aligns with CVC’s investment approach.
Poste Italiane, which already operates a mobile network under Poste Mobile, is exploring ways to deepen its relationship with TIM and is reportedly evaluating whether a closer partnership could be enhanced through an equity stake.
However, no formal decisions have been made by Poste, and TIM’s potential inclusion on its agenda remains speculative. Sources suggest one possibility for Poste could involve acquiring a 9.8% stake in TIM currently held by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), Italy’s state-owned investment arm.
TIM’s major shareholders include France’s Vivendi, which holds a 24% stake and has reportedly shown openness to divesting its position. Meanwhile, CDP, TIM’s second-largest investor, has yet to comment on the situation.
