Vodafone Reportedly Exploring Takeover Of Liberty Global

(RTTNews) - Vodafone Group Plc (VOD.L, VOD) is exploring a combination with Europe's leading cable operator Liberty Global Plc (LBTYA) that would create Europe's largest phone, Internet and TV company, worth more than $130 billion, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

Newbury, England-based Vodafone is holding internal deliberations and analyzing the financial and regulatory hurdles as well as investor support for a share-based deal, Bloomberg quoted the people as saying.

According to Bloomberg, no formal negotiations with Liberty are under way, there's no guarantee a deal will be reached, and valuation and regulatory issues remain key obstacles.

Ono cable company in Spain and Kabel Deutschland in Germany as it seeks to either buy or build fixed-line infrastructure across Europe.

Vodafone has been adding cable assets across Europe. After agreeing to buy Germany's Kabel Deutschland Holding AG last year, Vodafone acquired Grupo Corporativo Ono SA of Spain.