Lunchtime deadline looms at Vodafone

Mobile operator Vodafone was yesterday said to be looking at whether to push the button on a possible takeover bid worth about £900 million for Cable & Wireless Worldwide.

The group has until lunchtime today to bid or walk away after Tata Communications withdrew its interest in Cable last week. Sources have said it was a “fifty-fifty call” whether Vodafone will table a formal bid noting a price of 30p to 35p a share.