Vodafone partner stokes bid talk

VODAFONE'S US partner Verizon Communications has cleared a path for the British group to bid for AT&T Wireless Services, the sector's third-largest player, which has put itself up for sale.

Verizon chairman Ivan Seidenberg said that if Vodafone wanted to sell its 45% stake in their joint venture Verizon Wireless as part of a successful move on AT&T, Verizon Communications would be happy to pick up its shares. 'We certainly would not shy away from wanting to own 100% of Verizon Wireless,' Seidenberg told analysts. 'It's their [Vodafone's] call.'

The remarks will fuel speculation that Vodafone could join the auction next month for AT&T Wireless, which has a market value of more than $30bn (£16.51bn). Verizon, with 37m subscribers, is the US's largest mobiles player.

It is 55% held by Verizon Communications and 45% held by Vodafone, which would be required to relinquish this holding if it succeeded in buying AT&T Wireless. The fiercely competitive US mobile sector is dominated by six players and analysts believe that it is set for significant consolidation.