Updated @ 10:47 EST, 15:47 BST: A source familiar with Comcast's thinking told Ars after this article published that it is not interested in buying T-Mobile. The source requested anonymity because the company tries to avoid making official comments on rumored mergers.

Since 2012, Comcast has has a commercial partnership with Verizon Wireless that allows it to sell Verizon Wireless products in bundles with Comcast cable services. This partnership would also allow Comcast to resell Verizon Wireless service under its own name beginning next year.

"Four years from signing, Comcast could become a reseller of Verizon Wireless' service through a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) agreement. Comcast could purchase Verizon Wireless' service at wholesale rates and then market and sell its own, branded wireless service in connection with our bundled offerings, creating more choice for consumers," Comcast's December 2011 announcement of the agreement said. The deal was approved by the FCC with some conditions in 2012.

Original story

Comcast is reportedly talking to the owner of T-Mobile US, Deutsche Telekom, about buying the wireless carrier.

The report was published today by Manager Magazin in Germany (where Deutsche Telekom is based) and summarized by Reuters:

Deutsche Telekom is in talks with U.S. cable company Comcast about a potential sale of T-Mobile US, German Manager Magazin reported on Wednesday, citing sources. Deutsche Telekom is in talks with several parties, including satellite provider Dish, according to the magazine, but Comcast is viewed as a more attractive buyer by the German telecoms provider's management. Comcast would be a better candidate as it is financially stronger and would be able to make an offer to buy all shares in T-Mobile US, Manager Magazine reported.

Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile shares each rose about 3 percent upon the report of a possible sale to Comcast, according to Bloomberg.

The German telecommunications company has been trying to sell T-Mobile for years. Deals with AT&T and Sprint were both abandoned because the US government opposed a merger that would leave the US with three major nationwide carriers instead of the current four.

Rumors of Dish Network trying to buy T-Mobile surfaced a couple of weeks ago.

Deutsche Telekom told Ars it "does not comment on rumors and speculation." We also contacted Comcast and T-Mobile this morning but have not heard back.

Comcast, the largest cable and broadband company in the US, tried to buy Time Warner Cable but admitted defeat on the merger in April because of opposition from the Federal Communications Commission and Department of Justice. US regulators were concerned Comcast could use its increased size to stifle the competition that online video streaming services pose to cable TV.

T-Mobile US CEO John Legere has said that he is interested in partnering with a cable company.