Telecoms superpower plans...claims UK newspaper

Press reports that Cable and Wireless Communications is planning to merge with NTL within the week, published in the Observer on Saturday, have been dismissed as "pure speculation" by both companies.

The same article also suggested that Telewest would be forced into negotiations with Cable and Wireless and in order to form a new "communications superpower"".

A NTL, spokesperson said: "This is pure speculation, and it is our policy not to comment on speculation. We are all in talks on a number of subjects all the time. We will make an announcement when there is something to announce."

The combined forces of Cable and Wireless and NTL would create a communications player worth around £13 billion. A coalition between all three telecoms could be worth as much as £25 billion.