MERGERS : AT&T OBLIGED TO COME CLEAN ON ITS INTENTIONS ON VODAFONE IN EU.

At the request of the UK competition authority, the US telecoms operator AT&T was asked to clarify publicly its position regarding a possible bid on its British competitor Vodafone, the global number two in the sector. In its 27 January statement, AT&T confirmed that "it does not intend to make an offer soon for Vodafone".

Last October, the group's CEO, Randall Stephenson, spoke of the tremendous opportunities in Europe for investments in broadband, leading to speculation on a bid for Vodafone. Such a merger would create a giant worth 180.8 billion and bring about huge changes on the European market. Stephenson's recent discussions with Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia and Digital Agenda Commissioner Nellie Kroes, at the Davos forum, seemed to give credence to the rumours.

Several analysts reported that AT&T had its eye on another British mobile telecoms competitor, Everything...