Vodafone/Verizon The Italian front

Has Vodafone’s chilly relationship with Verizon Communications thawed? Maybe, judging by the E8bn payout the two companies are sharing from their investment in Vodafone’s Italian business. The global mobile operator owns 77% of its Italian unit, formerly known as Omnitel. Verizon, a US telecoms group, owns the remaining 23%. Under a shareholders’ agreement, the precise terms of which aren’t publicly disclosed, Verizon can request dividends to be paid from Vodafone Italy. Now is a good time to as...