Vodafone eyes Verizon Communications

Vodafone Group Plc has explored making an offer to buy Verizon Communications, its partner in Verizon Wireless, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources close to Vodafone.

The newspaper said the plan, which has been explored at least theoretically, would likely necessitate a hostile takeover of Verizon that would require Vodafone to shell out at least $150 billion. Such a deal — dubbed by some as the ‘‘Big Bang theory’’, the newspaper said — may lead to Vodafone keeping Verizon Wireless, the largest US mobile provider, and spinning off the remainder of Verizon, which provides traditional telephone services, or selling its wireline assets.

A Vodafone spokesman was not immediately available to comment on the report. The story follows Vodafone’s reiteration that it ‘‘continues to monitor developments in the US market’’ and is weighing a bid for US provider AT&T Wireless Services Inc., which put itself up for sale last month. (Reuters)