Vivendi said its long term plans for Telecom Italia (TI) remain unaffected by the news that tycoon Xavier Niel has now built up a position to own more than 15 per cent of the Italian incumbent. Niel (pictured ), founder of France's low cost mobile operator Iliad, caused a surprise by taking just over 11 per cent in the Italian incumbent last week, which Italian regulator Consob reportedly said had increased to the equivalent of more than a 15 per cent voting stake on Friday. If exercised, Niel would become Telecom Italia's second largest shareholder, behind Vivendi.