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London - Vodafone and BSkyB have held high-level discussions on how to curb BT's growing reach over the broadband market, the Sunday Times reported, citing senior sources.
The newspaper said the talks illustrate the extent to which the once-staid telecoms operator has gained on its competitors by betting on fibre broadband and top flight football.
According to its sources, the newspaper said BSkyB, the Rupert Murdoch-owned pay-TV group, and Vodafone discussed striking deals on Sky's sports and movie channels and collaborating on a high-speed broadband service.
However, the sources said, it was unlikely that the two firms would build a nationwide fibre network because it would cost several billion pounds.
Vodafone declined to comment while Sky was not immediately available to comment.
BT is spending more than £3bn ($4.93bn) on a high-speed fibre-optic network that should reach 90% of homes by next year and a further £2bn on sports broadcast rights, the newspaper said.
Shares in BSkyB lost more than £1.5bn of their value in November after BT won the rights auction to show Champions League soccer.
