For all of Italy's sclerosis, it is a telecom battleground, with Britain's Vodafone (nyse: VOD - news - people ) and a venture owned by Hong Kong titan Li Ka-shing among the participants.
The oft-cited "people familiar with the situation" say that Verizon is considering ending its joint venture withVodafone by purchasing back the 45 percent stake the European carrier currently holds in its American cousin.