Telecom analysts were waiting Tuesday to see if NTL would indeed up its bid for Virgin Mobile as predicted in a weekend newspaper report.
London's Sunday Times said NTL, Britain's largest cable operator, would boost its $1.4 billion offer for Virgin by 10 percent sometime in the coming weeks.
The Times said that while Virgin Mobile majority owner Richard Branson was in favor of a deal with NTL, some minority investors on the board were seeking a higher price. It remained to be seen if 10 percent would change their minds.
Branson would retain about 15 percent of the combined company, which would offer British subscribers "four-play" mobile and fixed-line phone service along with broadband and television.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International
