• March 9, 2009

Yahoo is reportedly in talks with Vodafone to replace Google as the default search provider on the U.K.-cased based carrier's mobile phones. Vodafone's search deal with Google is set to expire later this year, and Yahoo is just one of the possible search providers the wireless operator is considering to succeed Google, according to a Bloomberg report, citing unnamed sources.

Yahoo already powers search on AT&T and T-Mobile USA phones in the U.S. as and those from T-Mobile and Telefonica SA's 02 unit in Europe. The Web portal--which is vying with Google and Microsoft to lock up mobile search deals--said it is in talks with numerous operators worldwide, but declined to comment specifically on negotiations with Vodafone.

Vodafone, the world's largest mobile operator, also declined to comment and did not confirm that its 2006 agreement with Google will end this year. Vodafone and other carriers are actively seeking to build mobile data revenue from activities such as mobile search as sales from their traditional voice businesses flatten or decline.--Mark Walsh