According to Bank of America Merrill Lynch analysts after it met with Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao just this week, his company, Vodafone Group Plc would be considering the exit from its joint venture with Verizon Communications Inc only when an offer would be made that would give the UK carrier more value than its 45% share.

Emmet Kelly, one of the analysts reported today that "Vodafone will only sell its US stake if a Verizon offer beats the status quo." The analysts further wrote that the recent merger and acquisition related news releases are in actuality, 'tactical posturing'. 

To entice Vodafone to sell its shareholdings, Verizon would probably be needing between US$135 billion and US$140 billion, according to the analysts. Verizon's management team told these analysts that the 45% shareholdings would have a fair value of US$100 billion. Citigroup Inc this month estimates that the possible deal would be valued between US$120 billion to US$135 billion.

Calao envisions that the US wireless market as the best market in the world despite the participation of more competition in the form of Sprint-Nextel Corp and T-Mobile US Inc of Deutsche Telekom AG.