Telecom Italia - 6k
                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 6-K

                         REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

                        PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15D-16
                    UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                         FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2003


                              TELECOM ITALIA S.p.A.
                 (Translation of registrant's name into English)

                                CORSO D'ITALIA 41
                                ROME, ITALY 00198
                     (Address of principal executive offices)


          Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files
          or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

                          FORM 20-F [X]   FORM 40-F [ ]


          Indicate by check mark if the registrant
          is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
          as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): [ ]

          Indicate by check mark if the registrant
          is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
          as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): [ ]


          Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information
          contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing
          the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b)
          under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                               YES [ ]     NO [X]

          If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned
          to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- _______










PRESS RELEASE




Milan, 9 September 2003 – In relation to the agreements undertaken between France Télécom and the argentine Werthein Group (which is conditional upon receipt of all necessary authorizations by local authorities) for the sale of France Télécom’s stake in Nortel Inversora (the controlling shareholder in Telecom Argentina), the Telecom Italia Group, which currently owns 50% of Nortel ordinary stock, has entered into an agreement with the Werthein Group with a view to protecting its investment in Argentina.


Prior to the sale, the France Télécom Group and the Telecom Italia Group will contribute their interests in Nortel to a new, equally owned company (Newco).


The France Télécom Group will then sell 48% of Newco the Werthein Group,   together with a call option on the remaining 2% (which may be exercised from 31 December 2008 to 31 December 2013). The Telecom Italia Group has agreed to acquire a call option on the Werthein Group’s interest in Newco. The price of this call option is 60 million US dollars, which may be exercised from 31 December 2008 to 31 December 2013.






Telecom Italia

Communication & Media Relations

Corporate Press Office

+39.06.3688.2610

www.telecomitalia.it/stampa_uk





Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the "Safe Harbor" Provision of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

The Private Securities Litigation reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor"
for forward-looking statements.  The Press Release included in this Form 6-K
contains certain forward looking statements and forecasts reflecting
management's current views with respect to certain future events.  The ability
of the Telecom Italia Group to achieve its projected results is dependant on
many factors which are outside of management's control.  Actual results may
differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking
statements.  Such forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties
that could significantly affect expected results and are based on certain key
assumptions.

The following important factors could cause the Telecom Italia Group's actual
results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-
looking statements:

- the continuing impact of increased competition in a liberalized market,
including competition from global and regional alliances formed by other
telecommunications operators in the core domestic fixed-line and wireless
markets of the Telecom Italia Group;

- the ability of the Telecom Italia Group to introduce new services to
stimulate increased usage of its fixed and wireless networks to offset declines
in its fixed-line business due to the continuing impact of regulatory required
price reductions, market share loss and pricing pressures generally;

- the ability of the Telecom Italia Group to achieve cost-reduction
targets in the time frame established or to continue the process of
rationalizing its non-core assets;

- the impact of regulatory decisions and changes in the regulatory
environment;

- the impact of the slowdown in Latin American economies and the slow
recovery of economies generally on the international business of the Telecom
Italia Group focused on Latin America and on its foreign investments and capital
expenditures;

- the continuing impact of rapid changes in technologies;

- the impact of political and economic developments in Italy and other
countries in which the Telecom Italia Group operates;

- the impact of fluctuations in currency exchange and interest rates;

- Telecom Italia's ability to continue the implementation of its 2002-2004
Industrial Plan, including the rationalization of its corporate structure and
the disposition of Telecom Italia's interests in various companies;

- the ability of the Telecom Italia Group to successfully achieve its debt
reduction targets;

- Telecom Italia's ability to successfully roll out its UMTS networks and
services and to realize the benefits of its investment in UMTS licenses and
related capital expenditures;

- Telecom Italia's ability to successfully implement its internet strategy;

- the ability of the Telecom Italia Group to achieve the expected return
on the significant investments and capital expenditures it has made in Latin
America and in Europe;

- the amount and timing of any future impairment charges for Telecom
Italia's licences, goodwill or other assets; and

- the impact of litigation or decreased mobile communications usage
arising from actual or perceived health risks or other problems relating to
mobile handsets or transmission masts.

The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive.  Due to such
uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the group will achieve its projected
results.



                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date:      September 9th, 2003


                                                   TELECOM ITALIA S.p.A.


                                              BY: /s/ Carlo De Gennaro
                                                  ---------------------------
                                                      Carlo De Gennaro
                                                       Company Manager