Telecom Italia To Boost Ultra Broadband Products In Italy

10th Jun 2010 12:09

NAPLES (Dow Jones)--Italy's largest telecoms operator Telecom Italia SpA (TIT.MI) told regulators Thursday it will push ahead with its own plans to boost broadband coverage in Italy, aiming to offer ultra broadband services to 50% of the Italian population by 2018. After a hearing with telecoms regulator Agcom in Naples, Telecom Italia Chief Executive Franco Bernabe told reporters the company wants to stick to its investment plans, which include EUR7 billion on the fixed-line network upgrade in the next three years. Asked about an alternative plan recently announced by rival operators Fastweb (FWB.MI), Vodafone (VOD) and Wind, Bernabe said: "We know there's a plan by alternative operators, but we're going ahead with our plan". The Italian regulator has called for a common effort by Italy's telecoms operator to boost broadband investment in the country. -By Giada Zampano, Dow Jones Newswires, +39 348 7678 016; [email protected] (END) Dow Jones Newswires June 10, 2010 07:09 ET (11:09 GMT)