Italtel is to postpone the decision on telephone exchange partner for the formation of a joint venture until after the appointment of a new managing director at the end of September. The untimely death of Italtel chief Marisa Bellisario from bone cancer two weeks ago has thrown the company into disarray and the July deadline has been put back again. Italtel said that a number of candidates are being considered for the post of managing director although no shortlist has yet been drawn up. Lined up for the hand of Italtel are the favourite AT&T/Olivetti combination, Alcatel NV, Siemens AG, Northern Telecom Ltd and L M Ericsson AB. The choice of partner is so bound up with labyrinthine Italian politics that it is impossible to call.