Verizon and Vodafone may share enterprise, network gear
updated 10:45 am EDT, Mon March 14, 2011
Vodafone to buy more dividend in Verizon
A rumor that's nearly a year old and has been brought back again six months ago has once again made the news. This time, however, UK's Vodafone and US-based Verizon are said to be combining parts of their businesses and share equipment costs. The two would merge enterprise divisions that cater to clients from more than one country, according to plans the Times had on Sunday.
They are also considering buying network gear together, according to the tip.
Vodafone, which hasn't officially commented, is nearing a purchase of a dividend from Verizon Wireless, of which it owns 45 percent, with Verizon having the rest. This would mark the first such move since 2005. Both companies have publicly dismissed talk of an outright merger but have grown close, especially as the two may start to unify networks once LTE is used on both sides.
