The Italian leg of iliad S.A.'s long journey as a telecoms upstart may be nearing its conclusion. French tycoon Xavier Niel's local outfit is in merger talks with Vodafone Group Public Limited Company (LSE:VOD) to reduce Italy to a three-player market, Reuters says. Assuming no hectoring from European competition boss Margrethe Vestager, a deal would likely trigger copycat consolidation in Germany, France, Spain and the UK.

Vodafone and Iliad are in talks about a possible merger of their Italian telecommunications businesses, Reuters reported on January 22, 2022. Privately owned Iliad and Vodafone both declined to comment.