France Telecom Has Eye on U.K. Cable Firm

France Telecom wants to get into the United Kingdom cable TV business and is interested in buying Cable & Wireless’ 53% of its spinoff, Cable & Wireless Communications, said people familiar with the discussions. France’s dominant phone company is eager to build its stakes in markets outside France. Two of the three major cable companies in the U.K.--CWC and Telewest Communications--are in merger discussions. The third, NTL, has said it will “play a very significant role” in cable consolidation. The Observer newspaper reported Sunday that CWC and NTL will agree to a merger this week, citing no sources. Company spokesmen declined to comment.