Bell Atlantic, Vodafone Said to Be in Talks to Form Venture

Vodafone AirTouch, the world’s largest wireless company, is in talks to form a joint venture with Bell Atlantic Corp., the No. 1 U.S. local phone company, three weeks after the companies agreed to split their existing wireless venture, the Times of London said, citing sources close to Vodafone. Analysts said the agreement could involve a merger of Vodafone’s operations in the Western U.S. and Bell Atlantic’s cellular unit, the paper said. Both companies declined to comment. Such a venture could create a nationwide U.S. wireless phone network.

Vodafone has vowed to build or buy new networks to extend its U.S. reach after it and Bell Atlantic split their PrimeCo Personal Communications venture earlier this month. The breakup left Vodafone without service in the Eastern U.S., while Bell Atlantic is set to become the No. 1 U.S. wireless provider after its $91.7-billion purchase of GTE Corp. Vodafone shares rose 50 cents to close at $19.38 in over-the-counter trading; Bell Atlantic rose $1.44 to close at $65.31 on the New York Stock Exchange.