Acquisition of Stake

VODAFONE AIRTOUCH PLC
26 August 1999


    VODAFONE AIRTOUCH INCREASES OWNERSHIP STAKE IN ITALIAN CELLULAR        
                                                                              
                                   COMPANY                                    



Vodafone AirTouch Plc announced today that it has increased,  through

its  wholly  owned  subsidiary AirTouch (Europe) B.V.,  its  indirect

ownership  of  Omnitel  Pronto  Italia (OPI)  to  approximately  21.6

percent  from  17.8 percent by exercising an option. The  option  was

held  under  a previously existing agreement with other indirect  OPI

shareholders. Financial terms were not disclosed.



For further information contact:

Terry Barwick, Director of Corporate Communications
or
Melissa Stimpson, Senior Investor Relations Manager
Vodafone AirTouch Plc
Telephone: [phone]
or
Lulu Bridges
Tavistock Communications
Telephone: [phone]