Fibercop CEO Denounces State Aid to Open Fiber, Threatens EU Complaint

June 27, 2025 | TalkNation Technology

Massimo Sarmi, CEO of Fibercop—the company managing TIM's former fixed network and recently acquired by KKR (with the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance holding a 16% stake)—has sent a formal letter to several government officials denouncing “state aid” allegedly granted to Open Fiber.

The letter warns about a planned “notification to the European Commission” concerning the €660 million public contribution assigned to Open Fiber to rebalance concessions in white areas (rural and underserved zones). According to Fibercop, this aid “distorts competition conditions in the national ultra-broadband infrastructure market.”

The funds were allocated under a concession agreement to help Open Fiber stabilize its economic and financial plan in these white areas, following technical discussions and approval by government decree on January 21, 2025. So far, €50 million have been disbursed, with the remaining €610 million scheduled for payments in 2027, 2028, and 2029.

The letter was addressed to key ministers including Adolfo Urso, Tommaso Foti, and MEF head Giancarlo Giorgetti, as well as Innovation Undersecretary Alessio Butti and Cabinet Chief Gaetano Caputi.

Sources close to Fibercop emphasize that no formal legal steps have been taken yet and that the company remains open to dialogue to further clarify the issue.

Meanwhile, speculation around a possible merger between Fibercop and Open Fiber, which would create a single national ultra-broadband network, is increasingly doubtful amid rising tensions.

Read More →