BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators gave unconditional approval on Thursday to U.S. investment firm KKR's 22-billion-euro ($24 billion) acquisition of Telecom Italia's (TIM) fixed-line network.

The deal is significant as it marks the first time that a big telecoms operator in a major European country is divesting its landline grid, potentially paving the way for others to follow suit.

The Commission's announcement confirmed a Reuters' story last week.

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