TPG Telecom Limited (ASX:TPG) is believed to be preparing to bring its non-fibre mobile assets back to market in the months ahead. Sources say TPG Telecom has a large team examining the company's capital costs and possible funding options. The thinking is a second sale attempt is being planned with improving market conditions in the not-too-distant future.

TPG halted talks with Macquarie-backed rival telco Vocus Group Limited in November over a sale and leaseback of its non-fibre mobile assets in a deal expected to be worth about $6.3 billion. That deal came after a strategic review was taking place that included a sale process for its Vision Network business, which connects homes to the internet. Vocus was originally weighing an acquisition of Vision, but then became more keen on a broader deal.

The transaction stalled after both groups could not agree on operational and commercial terms. Aiding any sale process will be improving conditions in the US debt markets. Vocus made an unsolicited bid for TPG's "mini NBN" fixed infrastructure assets - including Vision Network, which services about 400,000 customers. But once the pair engaged in talks, the deal increased dramatically in scale to include TPG's broadband assets, which would have effectively doubled Vocus's market share in the business and government space, rivalling beleaguered Optus.

Separating out assets in a telecoms company is a tricky exercise as Telstra knows only too well with its infrastructure unit it created called Telstra InfraCo. That took about two years. Part of the Vocus negotiations would involve long-term supply contracts.

The question is whether Vocus comes back and takes a second look at the offering, or whether pension funds line up. A private equity firm like Kohlberg Kravis Roberts may also take a look. At the time that the deal stalled, TPG had said it had received strong interest in its fixed infrastructure assets.