An estimate of between USD40 billion to USD50 billion in bonds would be issued by Verizon Communications Inc as it finances the purchase of Vodafone Group Plc's 45% shareholdings in the joint venture known as Verizon Wireless.

An initial offering would exceed the USD17 billion bond issue done last April from Apple Inc, according to an anonymous source familiar with the transaction. The person was without authority to speak publicly on the matter. Aside from the debts incurred in USD, Verizon is also planning to sell notes in both GBP and EUR currencies.

Should the issuance push through, this amount would be would be above earlier estimates of USD30 billion in bonds, with a USD20 billion dollar denominated debt with between USD5 billion to USD10 billion in other currency notes. 

Verizon spokesperson Bob Varettoni had declined to provide any comment as to the debt sale plans of the company. What the company expects though is the maintenance of its finances within their investment-grade credit.