(Telecompaper) The board of Argentina's federal telecommunications regulator AFTIC has unanimously rejected the sale of a controlling stake in Telecom Argentina owned by Telecom Italia to US-backed investment fund Fintech on the grounds that the buyer doesn't have the necessary qualifications to operate a telecommunications company in the country. "The board considers that (Fintech) is not in a position to operate and take control Telecom Argentina's services and infrastructure. Fintech has demonstrated neither experience nor expertise," said AFTIC in a statement. Telecom Italia had agreed to sell its 68 percent controlling stake in Telecom Argentina holding company Sofora to Fintech for USD 960 million at the end of 2013 but the deal has been held back by the ongoing financial crisis in Argentina as well as delays in securing regulatory approval.