Deutsche Telekom (DT) has started talks with Vodafone (VOD), France Telecom (FTE.FR), and Telefonica S.A. (TEF) about selling T-Mobile UK, The Financial Times reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the situation. Talks, however, are understood to be at a preliminary stage, and a merger between T-Mobile UK and France Telecom's Orange UK is still being discussed. People on the Deutsche Telekom side said significant progress could be made by mid to late-October, but other people close to the potential bidders said closing any deal would take longer. Representatives of the companies declined to comment.

Full story at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cdd3e664-98ae-11de-aa1b-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1

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