Vodafone is mulling a deal for the Italian and Spanish divisions of Swedish telecoms firm Tele2, it has been reported.

The prospective acquisition of Tele2's fixed line business is intended to expand Vodafone's interests in the European markets and would enable the firm to add broadband to its existing mobile phone units, according to a Financial Times report.

News of Vodafone's movements comes as the head of the company's Spanish operations Franciso Roman this week announced he wants to offer broadband access via the nation's telephone networks.

The firm is investigating doing this without utilising Spain's fixed-line network, he said, and is aiming to have this up and running within a few months.

Mr Roman did not comment on reports of the Tele2 deal.

Vodafone already resells wholesale broadband packages from BT in the UK and in Germany offers broadband through the Arcor’s infrastructure.