Telecom Italia’s (TI) board meeting next week will discuss whether to renew its interest in fibre operator Metroweb.

The meeting on 16 October could decide on a cash offer for an initial 40 per cent in the fibre operator, which would boost TI’s ability to offer bandwidth-heavy services, according to Bloomberg.

Sources said TI could later boost its stake in Metroweb to 60 per cent and eventually hit 100 per cent in up to five years.

Meanwhile, Reuters said Metroweb’s top two shareholders – infrastructure fund F2i and state holding Cassa Depositi e Prestiti – sent a letter to TI setting no limits to the incumbent’s stake in Metroweb, which means TI could eventually take full ownership.

This is not the first time TI has shown an interest in Metroweb, but talks last year between the two companies stalled, which left the door open for TI’s leading rivals in the mobile market, Vodafone and Wind.

Vodafone and Wind signed a letter of intent with Metroweb in June to jointly rollout fibre coverage. It will be interesting to see how they respond to Telecom Italia’s renewed interest in the fibre operator.