UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15D-16
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2006
TELECOM ITALIA S.p.A.
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
Piazza degli Affari 2
20123 Milan, Italy
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files
or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
FORM 20-F [X] FORM 40-F [ ]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant
is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [ ]
Indicate by check mark if the registrant
is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information
contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing
the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b)
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
YES [ ] NO [X]
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned
to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- _______
 |
PRESS RELEASE
TELECOM ITALIA: AGREEMENT WITH
TURK TELEKOM TO SELL 40.5% STAKE IN AVEA FOR 500 MILLION DOLLARS
The Telecom Italia Group will reinvest $250 million in the capital of Oger Telecom, reinforcing its participation in the holding which controls
Turk Telekom
At Group level, the transaction will reduce Telecom Italia’s net financial debt by $250 million.
Operation foreseen in the agreements with Oger Telecom when Turk Telekom was privatized
Milan, July 14, 2006 – Telecom Italia today signed a contract for the sale to Turk Telekom of its 40.5% shareholding in AVEA, held by subsidiary TIM International, for a total price of USD 500 million.
With the acquisition, Turk Telekom, which already holds 40.5% of Avea’s capital, will increase its stake to 81%, with the remaining 19% owned by IS Bank.
The Telecom Italia Group is reinvesting half of the proceeds from the sale ($250 million) in the capital of Oger Telecom - in which it currently holds 13% - which, as well as 55% of Turk Telekom also controls Cell C (South Africa’s third mobile operator) and Cyberia, a leading internet provider in Saudi Arabia, the Lebanon and Jordan.
At Group level, the transaction will reduce Telecom Italia’s net financial debt by $250 million.
The agreement, which was signaled last year when Telecom Italia, together with Saudi Oger, placed the winning bid for the privatization of 55% of Turk Telekom, will become effective when all the necessary approvals, including those of the relevant Turkish authorities, have been obtained.
Telecom Italia
Telecom Italia Group Press Office
Institutional Press Office
+39.06.3688.2610
www.telecomitalia.com/media
Telecom Italia
Investor Relations
+39.02.8595.4131
www.telecomitalia.com/investors
Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the "Safe Harbor" Provision of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Private Securities Litigation reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. The Press Release included in this Form 6-K contains certain forward looking statements and forecasts reflecting management's current views with respect to certain future events. The ability of the Telecom Italia Group to achieve its projected results is dependant on many factors which are outside of management's control. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results and are based on certain key assumptions. The following important factors could cause the Telecom Italia Group's actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward- looking statements: - the continuing impact of increased competition in a liberalized market, including competition from global and regional alliances formed by other telecommunications operators in the core domestic fixed-line and wireless markets of the Telecom Italia Group; - the ability of the Telecom Italia Group to introduce new services to stimulate increased usage of its fixed and wireless networks to offset declines in its fixed-line business due to the continuing impact of regulatory required price reductions, market share loss and pricing pressures generally; - the ability of the Telecom Italia Group to achieve cost-reduction targets in the time frame established or to continue the process of rationalizing its non-core assets; - the impact of regulatory decisions and changes in the regulatory environment; - the impact of the slowdown in Latin American economies and the slow recovery of economies generally on the international business of the Telecom Italia Group focused on Latin America and on its foreign investments and capital expenditures; - the continuing impact of rapid changes in technologies; - the impact of political and economic developments in Italy and other countries in which the Telecom Italia Group operates; - the impact of fluctuations in currency exchange and interest rates; - Telecom Italia's ability to continue the implementation of its 2002-2004 Industrial Plan, including the rationalization of its corporate structure and the disposition of Telecom Italia's interests in various companies; - the ability of the Telecom Italia Group to successfully achieve its debt reduction targets; - Telecom Italia's ability to successfully roll out its UMTS networks and services and to realize the benefits of its investment in UMTS licenses and related capital expenditures; - Telecom Italia's ability to successfully implement its internet strategy; - the ability of the Telecom Italia Group to achieve the expected return on the significant investments and capital expenditures it has made in Latin America and in Europe; - the amount and timing of any future impairment charges for Telecom Italia's licences, goodwill or other assets; and - the impact of litigation or decreased mobile communications usage arising from actual or perceived health risks or other problems relating to mobile handsets or transmission masts. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the group will achieve its projected results.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: July 14th, 2006
TELECOM ITALIA S.p.A.
BY: /s/ Carlo De Gennaro
---------------------------
Carlo De Gennaro
Company Manager