Boost for Vodafone as Verizon boss eyes mobile joint venture Vodafone owns 45pc of Verizon Wireless, the largest mobile operator in the US with more than 111m customers. Lowell McAdam, chief executive of Verizon Communications, which owns the remaining 55pc, told a US newspaper that Verizon has "always said we would love to own all of that asset" and that it now appears "feasible." "Our wireline [fixed line telephone] business is getting stronger and, as that gets stronger, it makes it easier," he added. Verizon tried to buy Vodafone out of the joint venture in 2006 but its offer was rejected. Analysts estimate it may have to pay as much as $100bn to buy Vodafone's stake now. The UK-based mobile operator spent many years under pressure to rid itself of its stake in Verizon Wireless, but it started reaping the benefits in 2012 when the company started paying its shareholders dividends after a hiaitus of many years. Verizon Communications and Vodafone shared $18.5bn of pay outs, helping the latter company to maintain its position as the biggest dividend-payer in the FTSE 100 despite a slide in business at its European operations. However, Vodafone's European difficulties could help Verizon to make an even bigger acquisition than simply Vodafone's stake in their joint venture. Citigroup analyst Simon Weeden said in a note on Monday that it was "no longer as outlandish as it once seemed" that Verizon might make a bid for Vodafone in its entirety. Verizon Communications" market capitalisation stands at just below $125bn, while Vodafone's rose above £80bn yesterday, after Mr McAdam's comments helped to fuel a 2.75 increase in its shares to 162.40p.