Vodafone, Bell wireless float

Telecom firms Vodafone Airtouch and Bell Atlantic plan to float their American mobile phone joint venture on the stock market.

The sale of shares in the venture, called Verizon Wireless, was announced on Tuesday.

It came a day after the merger of the two companies' US cellular phone and paging business was formally completed.

Vodafone said the flotation was still at the planning stage and would probably be in the US, although there could also be a listing in Europe.

The companies said Verizon Wireless would be further strengthened after Bell Atlantic completes its merger with GTE later this year.

Including additions from GTE, the new company will be the largest mobile phone company in the US, with coverage of more than 90% of the population.