MILAN (Reuters) - Telecom Italia (>> Telecom Italia S.p.A.) said on Tuesday that contacts with Hutchison Whampoa (>> Hutchison Whampoa Limited) aimed at assessing the feasibility of an integration process were "only preliminary" and "non-binding."
In a statement issued at the request of market regulator Consob, Telecom Italia reiterated it would discuss the issue at a board meeting on Thursday and release a statement after that meeting.
A source familiar with the negotiations said on Tuesday Hutchison Whampoa is in talks to buy up to 29.9 percent of Telecom Italia.
(Reporting By Danilo Masoni, editing by Silvia Aloisi)