- Poste Italiane to acquire Vivendi’s remaining 2.51% stake, increasing its TIM share to over 27%.
- Deal reflects shifting Italian telecom ownership rules and Vivendi’s full exit from TIM.
What happened: Poste Italiane to buy Vivendi’s remaining TIM shares for €200 million
Poste Italiane is reportedly preparing to acquire the French media group Vivendi’s remaining 2.51% stake in Italy’s incumbent telecom operator TIM, in a deal valued at around €200 million, according to reports from Il Fatto Quotidiano. The transaction has not yet been officially confirmed by either company.
The purchase would increase Poste Italiane’s ownership to over 27%, solidifying its position as TIM’s largest shareholder. Despite this significant stake, the acquisition will not trigger a mandatory takeover bid, thanks to recent changes in Italian takeover rules.
TIM, one of Italy’s leading telecommunications companies, has faced years of strategic shifts and ownership changes. Vivendi’s exit marks the final step in its divestment from the Italian market, following years of shareholding and occasional board influence.
Financial sources cited by Italian media have placed the transaction value at approximately €200 million, reflecting both TIM’s market valuation and Poste Italiane’s willingness to strengthen its role in Italy’s telecoms sector.
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Why it’s important
The move is significant for both Poste Italiane and the Italian telecom market. By consolidating its stake, Poste Italiane gains more influence over TIM’s strategic direction at a time when the sector faces increased competition and regulatory scrutiny. Analysts suggest the deal could allow Poste Italiane to play a more active role in shaping TIM’s investment in digital infrastructure, including fibre networks and 5G rollout.
For Vivendi, the sale completes its retreat from the Italian telecom market, following years of partial ownership that have sometimes been at odds with TIM management. While the deal strengthens Poste Italiane’s position, questions remain about the broader implications for governance and market competition in Italy’s telecom sector, particularly as Poste is not traditionally a telecom operator.
The transaction also highlights Italy’s evolving regulatory framework, which has reduced the obligation to launch takeover bids when shareholder thresholds are crossed. Market observers may watch closely to see whether Poste Italiane leverages this consolidation to influence TIM’s corporate strategy or pursue further acquisitions in the digital services space.
While the transaction might seem a routine portfolio adjustment, it raises significant questions about shareholder concentration, market competition, and the strategic future of one of Italy’s key telecom operators.
