TIM needs fast solution to single fibre-optic network project with Open Fiber: paper

FILE PHOTO: Telecom Italia's logo for the TIM brand is seen on building roof downtown Milan

MILAN (Reuters) - Telecom Italia (TIM) needs a solution to be found quickly over a stalling plan to merge its fibre-optic assets with those of rival Open Fiber, the chairman of the country's biggest telecoms group told an Italian newspaper.

In an interview with La Stampa daily on Wednesday, Salvatore Rossi said TIM should remain in charge of the network if the merger went through because of the need to maintain and upgrade it.

"It's important to have the investment and technological capabilities to upkeep the network and make it evolve ... this is something only Telecom Italia has in Italy," Rossi said.

He added TIM could not wait indefinitely.

"A company such as TIM, which competes on the market, cannot wait for too long. A solution must be found rapidly," he said.

(Reporting by Elvira Pollina, writing by Valentina Za, editing by Gianluca Semeraro)