Telecom Italia (TI) has mandated BNP Paribas and WestLB to structure a securitisation programme backed by charges on its Italian telephone customers, and to underwrite the first issue from the vehicle. The lead managers declined to comment, but TI, the dominant provider of fixed line telephony in Italy, is believed to intend raising around Eu4bn from a repeat issuance securitisation vehicle that will likely parcel a range of assets. Market participants said the core element of collateral will be phone bills from private customers, but corporate bills may also be included, and other revenues such as equipment sales may be added if that proves feasible.
March 31, 2000