NTL to buy its way into mobile market

NTL is aiming to start its own mobile phone service by buying airtime from one of the next generation mobile networks. According to today's Financial Times, the cable company has propositioned all four existing mobile operators with cash offers to buy space on their third-generation network. It was still said to be waiting for a response. In the past the operator and its main shareholder, France Telecom, suggested they would launch a joint bid for one of the UMTS licenses. The move followed yesterday's launch of Virgin Mobile, which will use One2One's existing phone network in the UK. Virgin Mobile said it would not be trying for a third generation mobile licence, though both its parent companies would be interested in bidding. ®