The BBC placed an article on their news website yesterday (2 September 2013). This said that Vodafone sells Verizon stake for $130bn. This equates to £84bn. Shareholders will get £54bn of the money from the sale. The rest will support investments in 4G and high-speed networks.
When approved, the deal is excepted to close in February 2014.
Verizon’s VZ 38,83 +0,04 +0,10% press release is no longer available (except via PR Newswire Verizon reaches agreement to acquire Vodafone’s 45 percent interest in Verizon Wireless for $130 billion). Vodafone’s LON:VOD 192,54 -4,28 -2,17% press release on media speculation before the Verizon announcement can also be found.