03.05.07, 3:45 AM ET

MILAN (AFX) - Tiscali SpA is planning to launch its TV service, distributed over the internet, in Italy in September, after last week's UK launch, said Tiscali Italia unit CEO Mario Mariani.

In comments in La Repubblica newspaper, he said the September launch will transfer technology obtained via last August's acquisition of the internet TV firm HomeChoice in the UK.

'It will be enough to have 2 megabit bandwidth to guarantee the 30 channels that make up the Tiscali TV offering. In fact, in truth, a bandwidth of 1.2 megabit is enough,' he said.

Many rival Italian internet operators are already offering 4 and 6 megabit bandwidth for their internet TV services.

However, the September Italy launch date is later than the 'by the start of the second quarter' 2007, cited by Tiscali officials last October.

The UK service builds on HomeChoice's existing offering and comprises a 19.9 stg a month 'triple-play' of internet, fixed phone service, and TV via a set-top box, including replay possibility.

nigel.tutt@thomson.com