MILAN, Aug 5 (Reuters) - Telecom Italia isconsidering the possibility of settling separate antitrustdisputes with rivals to stop damage claims for around 4 billioneuros ($4.6 billion), two sources close to the matter toldReuters on Wednesday.
Mobile phone giant Vodafone sued the former Italianphone monopoly two years ago for abusing its dominant positionin its home market, seeking over 1 billion euros in damages.
Other telecoms firms have also sued Telecom Italia oncompetition grounds in recent years. Swisscom's Italian broadband unit Fastweb is seeking damages of 1.74billion euros, internet firm Tiscali is seeking 285million, while small telecoms firms Eutelia, Voiceplus andTeleunit are seeking a combined sum of nearly 1.1 billion.
The sources gave no indication on the status of anypotential talks. A settlement, if reached, would allow theparties to bypass long judicial proceedings.
Telecom Italia is expected to make provisions for at least300 million euros to cover risks connected to the lawsuits. ($1 = 0.9201 euros) (Reporting by Danilo Masoni and Stefano Rebaudo; editing byAgnieszka Flak)