MILAN, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Telecom Italia (TIM) said on Wednesday its core profit rose by 6.1% last year boosted by its Brazilian unit and helped by signs of improvement at its ailing domestic business, whose service revenue returned to growth in the final quarter.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation including lease payments (EBITDA-AL) rose to 5.3 billion euros for 2023, the former phone monopoly said in its preliminary full-year results. That was slightly above an analyst consensus provided by the company for a 5.7% rise to 5.28 billion euros ($5.66 billion) as well a 'low-mid single digit growth' targeted by TIM.

($1 = 0.9321 euros) (Reporting by Elvira Pollina Editing by Keith Weir and Cristina Carlevaro)