Vodafone Confirms Asset-Swap Discussions with Liberty Global

LONDON: Vodafone has confirmed that it is in the early stages of discussions with Liberty Global regarding a possible exchange of selected assets between the two companies.

"There is no certainty that any transaction will be agreed, nor is there certainty with respect to which assets will ultimately be involved," Vodafone said in a statement.

Though much speculation had been centered on talks of a merger, Vodafone said that it is "not in discussions with Liberty Global concerning a combination of the two companies."

Vodafone did not say on Friday which businesses were being discussed.

Liberty Global has operations in 12 European countries, including Britain, Germany and the Netherlands. Its current market capitalization is around $46 billion. Vodafone, which is the world's second-largest mobile telecoms company, has a market capitalization of some $102 billion.