(Telecompaper) Telecom Italia (TIM) intends to defy the government and press ahead with plans to expand its fibre-optic broadband network to underserved and rural areas all over of Italy, reports La Repubblica, citing TIM CEO Flavio Cattaneo. "Our investments have already begun, we announced them in good time and according to the law... we will go ahead," said Cattaneo. The government is threatening to claim damages from TIM if it follows through on its plan to roll out fibre-optic broadband in so-called digital divide areas after awarding the first of several planned tenders to build a national network to the Open Fiber wholesale-only venture of Italian utility Enel and state lender CDP.