Telecom Italia seeks raised stake in French UMTS contender

NEWS The Italian telco said it wants to raise its holding in the French mobile firm by the end of December in time for France's tender early next year for UMTS licences. A spokeswoman at Bouygues refused to comment on the nature of the increase in Telecom Italia's stake. Telecom Italia currently holds 19.6 per cent of Bouygues Telecom while Bouygues Group holds 21 per cent. BDT is the main shareholder with a 59.5 per cent stake with constructor JC Decaux owning 20.9 per cent and French bank BNP Paribas holding 6.5 per cent.