Antitrust asks Mediaset for more info on Rai Way bid-update2

(ANSA) - Rome, March 3 - Italy's antitrust authority asked Silvio Berlusconi's Mediaset media conglomerate for additional information after its Ei Towers subsidiary bid on two-thirds of RAI public broadcaster's Rai Way transmission towers operator, sources said Tuesday. Mediaset has 5-10 days to respond, the sources said.
    The Senate industry committee will begin hearings on the proposed deal on Wednesday. Ei Towers CEO Guido Barbieri testifies tomorrow and Rai Way President Camillo Rossotto is slated for Thursday. Shares in Rai Way, Ei Towers and Berlusconi's media group Mediaset have been very active since the proposed purchase by the Mediaset-controlled firm was unveiled last week.
    The government has said RAI must retain 51% ownership of Rai Way while EI Towers, controlled by Mediaset, wants to purchase two-thirds.
    The proposed deal involving a company controlled by Mediaset, owned by ex-premier and media mogul Berlusconi, triggered a firestorm of controversy when it became public on Tuesday.
    If it were to succeed, the deal will be worth about 1.2 billion euros.