Telecom Italia Is Said to Weigh Acquiring Stake in Metroweb

Telecom Italia SpA, which has had seven years of falling sales in its home market, is considering buying a stake in network owner Metroweb Italia to boost its broadband service, three people familiar with the matter said.

Italy’s largest carrier may initially seek a holding of under 50 percent for as much as 300 million euros ($413 million) to avoid potential antitrust hurdles, said one of the people, asking not to be named because the deliberations are confidential. A potential seller could be F2i SGR SpA, which owns 54 percent of Metroweb Italia, two of the people said.