British mobile phone giant Vodafone Group is considering the acquisition of a controlling interest in India's Hutchison Essar, it said on Friday.
Vodafone said the process was at an early stage. A bid for Hutchison Essar could cost over $13 billion, according to reports.
Vodafone said in a statement its board believed the mobile market in India has great potential and a move for Hutchison Essar would be consistent with its stated strategy of seeking selective acquisition opportunities in developing markets.