The assumption has long been that AT&T-Philips Telecommunications BV would ultimately win the day in Italy and end up as the technological partner for Italtel SpA, but the issue has become so bogged down in impenetrable and predictably unpredictable Italian politics that almost anything might still happen: the other contenders still live are L M Ericsson Telefon AB, Siemens AG and Alcatel NV, but the last two are regarded as outsiders, while a strong lobby is thought to be arguing Ericsson’s case; a decision by the end of the week, definitely by the end of the month is promised, but it’s only an Italian promise.
