Vodafone to receive £2.8 billion dividend from Verizon wireless in January 2012

Vodafone today announces that the Board of Verizon Wireless has approved the payment of a $10 billion (£6.1 billion) dividend. As a 45% shareholder in Verizon Wireless, Vodafone’s share of the dividend will be $4.5 billion (£2.8 billion). The dividend is due to be paid on 31 January 2012.

The Board of Vodafone therefore intends to pay a special dividend of £2.0 billion, equivalent to 4.0 pence per share, to Vodafone shareholders in February 2012. Details of the dividend timetable will be communicated with Vodafone’s interim results on 8 November 2011. The balance of the proceeds will be retained to reduce net debt.

Vittorio Colao, Chief Executive of Vodafone, commented:

“Our long term partnership in Verizon’s strong and successful wireless business has seen the value of our investment increase significantly over recent years. The dividend from Verizon Wireless allows us not only to reward our own shareholders with an immediate and sizeable cash return, but also to continue to reinvest in our business to improve our customers’ experience, further strengthen our competitive position and create additional value for shareholders.”

For further information:
Vodafone Group
Investor Relations
Tel: +44 (0) 7919 990 230

Media Relations
Tel: +44 (0) 7770 330 112 / +44 (0) 7717 663 366

About Vodafone
Vodafone is one of the world's largest mobile communications companies by revenue with approximately 382 million customers in its controlled and jointly controlled markets as at 30 June 2011. Vodafone currently has equity interests in over 30 countries across five continents and more than 40 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com.