Vodafone’s has a 45% stake in Verizon Wireless, equity estimated at $50 billion dollars. That isn’t exactly “side money” but Vodafone is rumored to be seeking a buyer with Marry Poppin-like pockets. They’ve previously been firm in their sentiments that they’re in the Verizon deal for the long haul but in a seeming change of feeling, CEO Vittorio Colao has softened his stance:

“Verizon Wireless is and has been a good investment,” he said at Goldman Sach’s media conference in New York, reported the Daily Telegraph. “We are a minor investor, [but we are] very active. The board continues to re-look at the situation.”

He added that the board examines at other options “regularly”, but “for the time being we are here”.

It’s no secret that Verizon Wireless has long wanted to free themselves from the Vodafone deal but escape never seemed like an option. Could this be the start to an end for a rocky relationship?

[Via Cellular-News]