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 8212; dubbed by some as the 8216;8216;Big Bang theory8217;8217;, the newspaper said 8212; 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 Vodafone8217;s reiteration that it 8216;8216;continues to monitor developments in the US market8217;8217; and is weighing a bid for US provider AT038;T Wireless Services Inc., which put itself up for sale last month. Reuters