- A heavy debt load tied to now-bankrupt Oi (OIBR) means that Telecom Italia (TI +2.9%) isn't interested in a purchase, says CEO Flavio Cattaneo.
- Speaking to newspaper Valor Economico, Cattaneo pointed to 20B reais (about $6.2B) in fines owed by Oi, almost the same as the market value of TI's Brazilian unit TIM Participações (TSU +1.9%). "If Oi manages to split its debt from its assets ... we will be watching," Cattaneo says.
- Cattaneo took over as TI's CEO amid well-documented disputes between former chief Marco Patuano and investing shareholder Vivendi (OTCPK:VIVHY +1.4%) over the disposition of TIM. Patuano was inclined to hold on to the Brazilian unit while Vivendi actively pushed to sell the division.
- Previously: Patuano exit from Telecom Italia likely to speed pending deals (Mar. 29 2016)