Vodafone confirms approach for Germany’s largest cable company

Mobile phone giant Vodafone has confirmed that it is considering a bid for the largest cable operator in Germany, Kabel Deutschland.

The announcement follows reports that Vodafone had made an informal within the past week to Kabel, which provides internet, phone and television services for more than eight million German households.

Kabel has a market value of about €6.6 billion (£5.6bn) and it is understood that Vodafone had considered a €10bn bid earlier this year.

However, analysts had expected talks to die down after Vodafone struck a deal last month with Deutsche Telekom, allowing it to offer fixed-line broadband and television services across Germany.

Vodafone said: “There is no certainty that any offer will ultimately be made nor as to the terms on which any such offer might be made.”