Mediaset may invest in Telecom Italia

April 20, 2007 Former Premier Silvio Berlusconi said Thursday that his Mediaset media empire would consider investing in Telecom Italia to help keep it in Italian hands, but that it would not seek to take control of Italy's largest telecommunications company, the Italian news agency ANSA reported. American telecoms giant AT&T withdrew from talks earlier this week to acquire a stake in Olimpia, the unlisted holding that controls Telecom Italia with an 18% stake, from Pirelli & C SpA. The withdrawal came amid concern from Rome about the former telephone monopoly falling into foreign hands, raising speculation about possible Italian investors stepping forward.

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