Three Dials O2 To Become Biggest Mobile Firm

A cash deal of more than £10bn could lead to the creation of the UK's largest mobile phone operator, with Three taking over O2. Three's parent, Hutchison Whampoa - owned by the richest man in Asia, Li Ka-Shing - said it was in "exclusive negotiations" with Telefonica to buy the UK's second-largest mobile firm for £10.25bn. Any tie-up would be likely to interest industry authorities as it would reduce the number of players in the UK mobile phone market to three - hitt