No bid for Tiscali by Vodafone

Vodafone has reportedly pulled out of the auction for Tiscali.
According to the Financial Times, Vodafone will not be making a proposal for the Italian-based broadband provider.  It is thought that there was a disagreement over Tiscali’s valuation of its UK and Italian-based operations. 

However, Vodafone may enter the auction again if it fails to reach an agreeement with the remaining bidders.  No comment has been made by either party.  This leaves BskyB, Carphone Warheouse, Wind and Swisscom in the running.

In recent weeks, Vodafone made a non-binding bid for Tiscali, and was thought to be the front runner to buy its UK and Italian based operations. 

A successful buyout of Tiscali by Vodafone would have given one of the worlds largest mobile operators a strong foothold in the fixed-line broadband market in the UK.