Vodafone

Vodafone Group plc is a British multinational telecommunications company headquartered in Newbury, Berkshire, England, with operations spanning Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. As of August 2026, it maintains its own networks in 17 countries and extends its services through partner networks in 42 additional nations. The company is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange as a FTSE 100 constituent and holds a secondary listing on the NASDAQ via American depositary receipts. The name "Vodafone" is derived from "voice data fone," a stylized spelling chosen to emphasize the provision of both voice and data services over mobile phones. The company originated in 1980 when Racal Electronics, a major British military radio manufacturer, secured access to battlefield radio technology from the UK General Electric Company. Under the direction of chairman Ernest Harrison, Racal’s military radio head Gerry Whent explored civilian applications, leading to a joint bid with Millicom Inc for the UK’s second cellular licence. Awarded in December 1982, the partnership—initially 80% owned by Racal—launched as Racal-Vodafone on 1 January 1985, with comedian Ernie Wise making the first non-employee mobile call from London. After a public flotation in 1988, the company demerged from Racal Electronics in 1991 to become Vodafone Group Plc. Key acquisitions followed, including Talkland and Peoples Phone in 1996, and the landmark purchase of AirTouch in 1999, which prompted a name change to Vodafone AirTouch. That same year, Vodafone merged its US assets with Bell Atlantic to form Verizon Wireless, and in 2000 completed a hostile takeover of German giant Mannesmann for £112 billion—then the largest corporate merger in history—after Mannesmann’s purchase of Orange breached a non-compete understanding. The EU approved the merger on condition that Vodafone divest Orange, which France Télécom acquired. The company reverted to Vodafone Group Plc in July 2000 and introduced its partner network model in December 2001, beginning with TDC Mobil of Denmark, allowing brand and service expansion without direct investment.