According to a report published in the Daily Mail, Verizon, Telefonica of Spain and private equity firm Blackstone are planning to acquire and break-up the world's largest mobile phone company Vodafone.

While currently struggling Vodafone apparently has not been approached yet, a successful bid may lead to a complicated break-up of the company. Not only is Verizon Wireless in the US operated as a joint venture between Verizon and Vodafone, but Vodafone's 180 million global customers are divided into 27 countries on five continents. Vodafone also holds several stakes in other carriers, for example about 4% in China Mobile, which is considered the world's second largest cellular service provider.

There were no official comments on the Daily Mail article.