Vodafone has done an about-face on its ambition to acquire Tiscali's broadband punters, according to a report.

The mobile operator's lack of a sizeable UK fixed-line broadband business had put it in the lead to acquire Tiscali's two million British subscribers, but the Financial Times today reckons it won't happen.

Murmurings of Vodafone's change of heart surfaced in the Italian press earlier this week. A couple of weeks ago it was said to have tabled a €1.6bn bid for all of Tiscali's European broadband businesses. Reportedly the two fell out over that valuation.

Vodafone's sudden disinterest leaves Sky, Italian mobile operator Wind (headlines at the ready, chaps), Swisscom and Carphone Warehouse in the bidding. Or maybe not; in May the FT said Carphone had also dropped out.

Predictably nobody's commenting, so who's favourite now is anyone's guess. Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? ®

Related stories

• Carphone goes bargain hunting in Tiscali sell-off (22 September 2008)
• Vodafone shares tumble on interims (22 July 2008)
• Vodafone prevails in £2bn UK tax spat (7 July 2008)
• Tiscali subscribers to be sold to Vodafone tomorrow: report (3 June 2008)
• Tiscali crosses Carphone Warehouse from bidders list (13 May 2008)
• Tiscali confirms sell-off is on the table (29 February 2008)
• Tiscali boss faces board showdown as sell-off rumours swirl (27 February 2008)