Rumors started a while ago that Verizon Communications was interested in buying another mobile carrier that could be completed in a deal worth more than $100 billion. The deal is going to be for Verizon Communications buying the 45 percent stake that Vodafone owns in the joint venture known as Verizon Wireless. The two companies have been talking for some time, but nothing has ever been coming out of the negotiations before. According to recent reports, that is about to change since talks about the buyout have become more serious over the last couple of months.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Verizon Communications and Vodafone start talking about the deal again and Verizon is reportedly talking with banks about the multi-billion dollar loan that is needed in order to take over the 45 percent stake that Vodafone owns right now. Sources that were talking with the Journal claim that a deal will be complete in the “near term”. Bloomberg is another source that is reporting that the talks between the two companies are more “advanced” over recent months. Verizon is reportedly talking with banks in order to come up with at least $60 billion, but the end result is Verizon Communications paying more than $100 billion in the deal.
The buyout could be completed as early as the 2nd of September when Verizon Communications makes an official announcement regarding the deal. In the past, the talks had died down due to the final price and while Vodafone is seeking to get around $130 billion, Verizon was only willing to spend $100 billion. Those issues have reportedly been figured out and now the talks have gone into the completion stages. Since the reports have leaked this week, Vodafone has confirmed they are in talks with Verizon Communications to sell the 45 percent stake in Verizon Wireless. More information was not disclosed at this time and that there is “no certainty that an agreement will be reached.”
Verizon Wireless has one of the largest 4G LTE networks in the country and recently announced the completion of the 4G LTE rollout with the company focusing on the next step in the data network path, which is reportedly going to be VoLTE, or Voice Over LTE. Other companies like AT&T have also talked about getting through the next step throughout the next 12 months.
