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Telecom Italia to set up committee to evaluate Brazil sale
2014-01-17 09:32:00| Telecompaper Headlines
(Telecompaper) Telecom Italia announced its intention to put in place controls to vet eventual deals involving TIM Brasil, specifying that there is no current bid for the company's prized Brazilian unit or any plans to sell it. The controls would take the form of an "ad hoc procedure, in line with that for operations with related parties", said the company in a statement following a board meeting held on 16 January. Directors also decided to set up a group to evaluate changes to the company's bylaws, and said that both the Brazilian issue and governance matters will be further discussed at another board meeting on 06 February. The main outcome of the meeting is that any possible future sale of TIM Brasil could need approval at a special shareholders' meeting where Telefonica, if identified as a related party, would be left out of the vote. However, such a review by independent directors could shield Telecom Italia from accusations of conflict of interest. Telefonica currently controls Telecom Italia together with three Italian partners via a 22.4 percent stake held in investment vehicle Telco. Sources close to the matter have said Telefonica is looking to break up TIM Brasil and divide its assets between itself and the other two mobile operators in Brazil to circumvent antitrust issues.
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Category:Telecommunications