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The Italian government wants Italy's largest telecoms operator Telecom Italia SpA (TIT.MI) to remain in Italian hands, undersecretary for telecommunications Paolo Romani said Tuesday.

"I reiterate that the Italian government's interest is that Telecom Italia remains Italian," Romani said in a press conference on the government's plan to boost investment in broadband technology.

Spain's Telefonica (TEF) is Telecom Italia's largest industrial shareholder, with an indirect 10% stake through a holding company called Telco.

Recent press reports have indicated Telecom Italia is considering a plan to merge with Telefonica, but Telecom Italia has always denied such a plan.

"I told this to Telefonica's chairman Cesar Alierta and to Telecom Italia's Chief Executive Franco Bernabe," Romani said. He said he reiterated the same position when he met with the Brazilian minister of communications, Helio Costa Tuesday.

Costa Tuesday also met Telecom Italia's management in Rome.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed subjects of common interest in the telecommunications sector, with the aim of strengthening the collaboration between Telecom Italia and Brazil, the Italian phone group said in a statement.

Telecom Italia controls Brazilian mobile-phone company TIM Participacoes SA (TSU) and has been focusing on Brazil and Italy as its core markets.

-By Giada Zampano, Dow Jones Newswires; 39 02 58 21 9904; giada.zampano@dowjones.com