Italy’s state-controlled postal group Poste Italiane has launched a €10.8 billion ($12.5 billion) cash-and-share bid to acquire Telecom Italia, in a move aimed at taking the telecom operator private and expanding its footprint in digital infrastructure, as reported by Reuters.
The offer includes a mix of cash and newly issued shares, valuing Telecom Italia at a premium to its recent market price. Poste, already the company’s largest shareholder with about a 27 percent stake, is seeking full control as part of a broader strategy to consolidate its position across telecoms, payments, and data services.
If successful, the deal would create a combined group with roughly €27 billion in revenue and €5 billion in operating profit, while unlocking an estimated €700 million in annual synergies, largely from cost savings and operational efficiencies.
The acquisition also aligns with Italy’s push to strengthen digital sovereignty, giving Poste greater control over Telecom Italia’s data centres and cybersecurity assets. The transaction is expected to be reviewed by Telecom Italia’s board, with a potential completion timeline set for late 2026.
