Vodafone shares rise on rumours of Bell Atlantic deal

NEWS Rumours of an impending tie-up between Bell Atlantic and Vodafone AirTouch's US operations have resurfaced, following high-level talks and a 3.9 per cent rise in the UK's company's share price yesterday. Shares in Vodafone closed at £12.90, up 48p on the day, but had fallen back to £12.69 by midday today. Imdustry watchers claim the move would make sense for Vodafone. It snatched AirTouch from under the nose of Bell Atlantic at the start of the year, but the company's US mobile network doesn't cover the Eastern seaboard - the area where Bell Atlantic is strongest. Bell Atlantic, however, lacks a presence on the West coast. Meanwhile, rivals such as AT&T, Nextel and Sprint PCS have national coverage.