VODAFONE

HISTORY:
Vodafone made the UK's first mobile call at a few minutes past midnight on 1 January 1985. Within fifteen years, the network was the largest company in Europe and the largest of its kind anywhere in the world. By the turn of the century, almost every second UK citizen had a mobile – and a third of them were connected to Vodafone.
The Vodafone story is one of investment, innovation and award-winning customer service. Above all, it’s one of growth and the ability to deliver the tremendous benefits of mobile communications, not just in the UK but worldwide.
1989• Paknet is formed as a joint venture between Racal Telecom and Cable & Wireless.
1988• Racal Telecomms Plc floats on the London and New York Stock Exchanges.
1987• Vodafone is recognized as the largest mobile network in the world.
• Vodata is created as the ‘voice and data’ business to develop and market Vodafone Recall, the voicemail service.
• Vodapage is launched, providing a paging network that covers 80% of the UK population.
1985• The Vodafone analogue network is the first cellular network to launch in the UK, and the first call is made from St Katherine’s Dock in London to Newbury on 1 January 1985.
1982• The Racal Electronics Group wins its bid for the private sector UK Cellular licence. It sets up the Racal Telecomms Division and names the new network ‘Vodafone’ to reflect the provision of voice and data services over mobile phones. Based in Newbury, the company has less than 50 employees, all in one building
1999• Vodafone AirTouch Plc is created as a result of a successful merger between Vodafone Group Plc and AirTouch Communications Inc.
• On 5 January Vodafone connects the five millionth customer in the UK.
1997• Chris Gent succeeds Sir Gerald Whent as Chief Executive Officer of Vodafone Group Plc.
1996• Vodafone is the first network operator in the UK to launch a Pre-Pay analogue package.
• Per second billing on the digital network is introduced, as well as options to buy ‘bundled’ minutes and make off-peak local calls to landlines.
1994• Vodata is the first network operator in the UK to launch data, fax and SMS services over the digital network.
• Vodafone joins the Globalstar consortium to develop and launch a Low Earth Orbiting Satellite mobile phone service.
1993• Vodafone Group International is formed to acquire licences and supervise overseas interests.
• Vodafone opens its first High Street store.
1992• Vodafone and Telecom Finland sign the world's first international GSM roaming agreement.
1991• Racal and Vodafone demerge. and the Vodafone Group is listed as an independent company on the London and New York Stock Exchanges.
• Vodafone and Telecom Finland make the world’s first international roaming call.
• Vodafone launches its digital (GSM) mobile phone service – the first in the UK
2006
• The number of Vodafone live! customers with 3G reaches 10 million.
2005
• Vodafone Simply is launched, giving customers new, easy-to-use voice and text services.
• Vodafone introduces Passport, a new voice roaming price plan.
2004
• Vodafone launches its first 3G service in Europe with the Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G/GPRS data card.• Vodafone live! with 3G is launched in 13 markets.
2003
• Vodafone live! attracts 1 million customers in its first six months.
• Orange, Telefonica Moviles, T-Mobile, and Vodafone form a new association to drive interoperable mobile payments.
2002
• Vodafone trials its global mobile payment system in the UK, Italy and Germany.
• Vodafone launches the first commercial European GPRS roaming service.
• The Vodafone Group Foundation is launched. The Group and its subsidiaries plan to contribute £20 million to community programmes, guided by the Group Social Investment Policy.
• Vodafone launches Vodafone live! and Mobile Office, two new consumer and business propositions.
• Arun Sarin is selected to succeed Sir Christopher Gent as Chief Executive of Vodafone Group Plc.
2001
• Vodafone introduces instant messaging to its networks.
• Vodafone makes the world’s first 3G roaming call between Spain and Japan.
2000
• The acquisition of Mannesmann AG almost doubles the size of the Vodafone Group making it the largest mobile telecommunications company and one of the top ten companies, by market capitalization, in the world.
• Vizzavi is launched, a 50/50 joint venture between Vodafone AirTouch and VivendiNet to deliver a multi-access branded Internet portal for Europe.
• Vodafone acquires the largest available 3G licence in the UK. In parallel with the development of 3G, Vodafone announces its intention to offer GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) to UK corporate customers.
• The Globalstar satellite communications service is launched in the UK.

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