Offer for Vodafone-Panafon

Vodafone Group Plc 01 December 2003 1 December 2003 For Immediate Release - Not for release or distribution in the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan VODAFONE TO INITIATE OFFER FOR OUTSTANDING SHARES IN VODAFONE-PANAFON Following the completion of the purchase from Intracom S.A. of a 9.433% stake in Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic Telecommunications Company S.A. ('Panafon'), Vodafone Group Plc ('Vodafone') today announces its decision to launch a public offer for the remaining outstanding shares which it does not already own directly or indirectly (the 'Shares') in Panafon (the 'Offer'). Vodafone directly or indirectly owns approximately 406 million shares in Panafon, representing 74.795 per cent. of the shares and votes in Panafon. The key terms of the proposed Offer are: * The offer price will be EUR 6.18 in cash for each validly tendered Share to be satisfied from Vodafone's existing cash resources. * The offer price represents a premium of approximately 6.9 per cent. compared to Panafon's volume-weighted average closing share price (EUR 5.78) during the 12 months prior to 28 November 2003, being the last business day prior to Vodafone informing the Hellenic Capital Market Commission ('CMC') of its decision to launch the Offer. * The Offer will not be subject to the satisfaction of any conditions. * Vodafone intends to purchase Shares on the Athens Exchange ('ATHEX') at prices of up to EUR 6.18 from 3 December 2003. * Subject to reaching 95% or more of the total voting rights in Panafon, Vodafone intends to seek the delisting of Panafon shares from ATHEX and the London Stock Exchange in accordance with applicable regulations. The Offer is consistent with Vodafone's stated strategy of selectively increasing its stakes in existing operations where opportunities arise for the creation of enhanced shareholder value. An information circular in Greek (the 'Information Circular') detailing the Offer has been submitted to the CMC for approval. The Information Circular will be made available for distribution to the holders of Shares following its approval by the CMC at which time the acceptance period will begin. Details in connection with the distribution of the approved Information Circular and the determination of the acceptance period will be announced in the Official List of ATHEX and the Greek, UK and German press. Alpha Bank is acting as Tender Agent on behalf of Vodafone in relation to the Offer. - ends - For further information: Vodafone Group Tim Brown Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310 Investor Relations Melissa Stimpson Darren Jones Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310 Media Relations Bobby Leach Ben Padovan Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310 Goldman Sachs International Simon Dingemans Tel: +44 (0) 20 7774 1000 The Offer will not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan, and copies of this document and any future related materials are not being and may not be mailed or otherwise distributed or sent in or into the United States of America, Canada, Australia or Japan. The Offer will furthermore not be directed to persons whose participation in the offering requires that further offer documents are issued or that registration or other measures are taken, other than those required under Greek law. No document relating to the Offer may be distributed in or into any country where such distribution or offering requires any of the aforementioned measures to be taken or would be in conflict with any law or regulation of such a country. Goldman Sachs International is acting as financial adviser for Vodafone Group Plc and no one else in connection with the Offer and will not be responsible to anyone other than Vodafone Group Plc for providing the protections afforded to clients of Goldman Sachs International or for providing advice in relation to the Offer. This announcement has been issued by Vodafone Group Plc and is the sole responsibility of Vodafone Group Plc and has been approved solely for the purposes of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by Goldman Sachs International. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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