With regard to the article published by the Il Sole 24 Ore newspaper on Saturday 19 January, entitled "IT Telecom verso lo spezzatino", the Telecom Italia Group wishes to clarify that the speculation regarding any future disposal en bloc or piecemeal of Telecom Italia Group IT operations outlined in the article is completely and utterly groundless. Under the Group´s strategy for IT Telecom assets are to be enhanced, not disposed of, as the company has stated to the newspaper in question. Reorganization is being undertaken prior to reinforcement and a relaunch of the IT business, under a dual market approach oriented respectively towards the business world and financial institutions, and to central and local government.