(Telecompaper) Italy's ministry for economic development (MiSE) has announced that it intends to summon executives from Telecom Italia (TIM) to discuss the group's fibre-optic broadband plans in underserved and rural areas. In a statement, industry minister Carlo Calenda said the government had no wish to prevent or hinder TIM's investment but that it needed to respect legal commitments and the relevant European Community legislation for broadband expansion in non-economic viable areas. If TIM's investment lacks that legal basis "the government will act to protect the public interest, as it's obliged to do," said Calenda.