O2 sniffs around Bulldog, Tiscali - report

O2 has become the latest cellco to be linked with the possible acquisition of a broadband operator. According to the Independent, the Telefonica-owned firm is eyeing Bulldog - the LLU operator owned by Cable & Wireless (C&W) and Tiscali UK.

It seems O2 - which used to be the mobile arm of BT - is exploring demand for a fixed/mobile product for its punters. Its sister operation in Germany already offers a fixed/mobile product and the execs are keen to find out if there would be an appetite for such products in the UK.

If O2 decided to take that route, it could opt for a wholesale fixed line offering. Equally, it could snap up a provider.

Either way, O2's thoughts on the matter are at an early stage with one source telling us that as regards possible takeover targets, "there are no names on the piece of paper".

Last month, rumours surfaced that Vodafone is looking to snap up a UK ISP as part of a strategy to provide bundled phone, internet, TV and mobile services. At the time it too was linked to Bulldog and Tiscali.

Yesterday, Orange UK announced that it had swallowed sibling Wanadoo to create a single telecoms outfit capable of providing fixed, mobile and broadband. Some 2,000 jobs are to be lost as part of the merger. ®