Telecom Italia (TIM) has officially accepted a €700 million offer from Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and Retelit for the acquisition of Sparkle, TIM’s international wholesale subsidiary. The agreement marks a significant step in Italy’s strategic efforts to secure its telecommunications infrastructure, with the transaction expected to close by the first quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approvals.
Sparkle is TIM’s wholesale international arm, operating one of the world’s most extensive submarine cable networks, providing backbone connectivity across Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. With over 600,000 km of fiber-optic infrastructure, Sparkle plays a crucial role in supporting data traffic for telecom operators, ISPs, enterprises, and institutions worldwide.
Sparkle’s Tier-1 IP backbone, Seabone, ranks among the top global IP transit providers, ensuring robust, low-latency connections between major internet hubs. The company also manages state-of-the-art data centers in key locations, delivering cloud, security, and IoT solutions to international clients.
The deal aligns with Italy’s broader strategy to strengthen national control over critical telecommunications infrastructure. The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), already playing a role in Italy’s telecom sector through its stake in TIM, is expected to ensure Sparkle’s network remains under Italian jurisdiction, enhancing sovereign security and digital resilience.
Retelit, a leading Italian wholesale operator, specializes in fiber-optic networks and business connectivity solutions. With a nationwide backbone, extensive metro fiber assets, and a growing presence in 5G backhaul and data center services, Retelit is well-positioned to integrate Sparkle’s assets into its portfolio. The acquisition could enhance Italy’s competitiveness in the European and Mediterranean digital landscape.
