One-2-One attracts bidders

Bidders are lining up for One-2-One, the smallest of Britain's four mobile telephone companies, and a short list could be drawn up as early as this week, a source close to the company said yesterday. Up to 10 potential bidders have been tipped, including German carriers Deutsche Telekom and Mannesmann, France Telecom, French utility group Vivendi and MCI WorldCom of the US. Some analysts believe European telecoms giant Deutsche Telekom, which is embroiled in a controversial $81 billion merger with Telecom Italia, is among the keenest bidders.