Telecom denies network 'split-up' plans

(ANSA) - Rome, March 10 - Marco Patuano, chief executive officer of Telecom Italia, and Communications Undersecretary Antonello Giacomelli denied separately Tuesday there will be any "switch off" splitting up the Telecom Italia network.
    The denials evidently sounded the death knell for the idea that had been mooted before the government's high-speed broadband plan.
    The surrounding debate was re-ignited when Patuano and Giacomelli were called before the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament.
    "Today, we see no need to split up the network," Patuano said, underlining Telecom's position that "the network must be neutral rather than corporatized". Patuano confirmed that negotiations are under way on content not only with Sky but also with others including "Mediaset, Netflix and with other operators, our platform is open".