Italian Operators Consider Joining Forces

The parent companies of Italian operators WindTre and Iliad discussed a potential combination between the two firms. This is the latest speculation on potential consolidation in the Italian market.

Early-stage discussions have reportedly taken place between Iliad Group and representatives from CK Hutchison, with various options apparently on the table. The move is far from the first time Iliad has been linked with combining with a rival in Italy, having attempted to lure Vodafone Group into joining forces in 2023. The latter eventually sold its business there to Swisscom instead.

Earlier this year, Iliad was reportedly in talks over a tie-up with Telecom Italia, though discussions came to nothing. A move to combine Iliad and WindTre would cut the number of operators in Italy from four to three, something the European Commission refused to sanction when WindTre was formed in 2016 from operators Wind and 3.

Among the conditions for regulatory approval for that deal was the creation of a new entrant in the market, an opportunity taken by Iliad. However, European market consolidation is an area where operators and vendors across the continent are now strongly pushing regulators to support.