Blu bids adieu?

NEWS Italy's smallest mobile phone operator Blu could be about to be swallowed as the firm opens itself up to bids. The company, which is mainly owned by Autostrade, BT and the Benetton family, has issued a statement saying it will talk to shareholders about its options. Current favourites to step in - for at least some of the company's assets - are Italian rivals Telecom Italia Mobile (TIM) and Wind, co-owned by Enel and France Telecom. It is not inconceivable that companies like Vodafone, owner of Italy's Omnitel business, and Hutchison could enter the fray.