With markets drying up further, more consolidation is being seen in the global mobile industry. Latest in the series is Verizon Wireless’s move to buy US rural mobile service provider Alltel Corp. Britain’s Vodafone has 45 percent stake in the Verizon Wireless. It is learnt that Verizon Wireless is close to clinching a deal with Alltel for gaining ownership for around US$27 billion. Read the full story