Re: Partnership Agreement

Vodafone Group Plc
07 January 2003

7 January 2003



VODAFONE WELCOMES AUSTRIA, CROATIA AND SLOVENIA TO ITS MOBILE COMMUNITY



Vodafone today announces it has signed a group wide  Partner Network Agreement
with mobilkom austria group to introduce Vodafone's global services into
Austria, Croatia and Slovenia.



mobilkom austria group, Telekom Austria's mobile subisidiary, comprises the
Austrian market leader mobilkom austria, the Croatian operator VIPnet, and the
Slovenian operator Si.mobil, and has 4.26 million customers across its
territories.  mobilkom austria group is a high quality partner for Vodafone,
leading the Central Eastern Europe region in terms of product development and
customer service.



Following today's announcement, Vodafone's portfolio of global services,
supported by its global brand communication, will be available in seven
countries outside the 28 countries world wide where Vodafone has a direct equity
stake: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Kuwait and Slovenia.



Under the terms of the agreement, Vodafone and mobilkom austria group will
co-operate in the development and marketing of global services. mobilkom austria
group companies will promote Vodafone's global services under dual brand logos
in the respective countries.  During the first half of 2003, mobilkom austria
group will begin to introduce Vodafone global services, namely, Vodafone
Eurocall, Assisted Roaming, Virtual Home Environment, Pre-paid Roaming, Pre-paid
Roaming Top Ups and GPRS Roaming.  Vodafone customers will then be able to use
their Vodafone services when travelling in Austria, Croatia and Slovenia
including their Vodafone live! and Vodafone Mobile Office services.



The use of the dual brand logos 'A1 Vodafone', 'VIP Vodafone', and 'Si.mobil
Vodafone' for the marketing of the partnership will ensure that Vodafone
customers recognise mobilkom austria group's operators in Austria, Croatia and
Slovenia as trusted Vodafone partners.  mobilkom austria group's customers will
be able to access Vodafone's roaming services across its global service
footprint, supported by Vodafone branding.

Thomas Geitner, Chief Executive, Global Products and Services, Vodafone, said:



'Vodafone's Partner Network strategy represents an increasingly significant
development in the delivery of Vodafone's mobile services.  By partnering with
leading mobile operators such as mobilkom austria group, Vodafone is able to
market its portfolio of global services in new territories, extend its brand
reach into new markets and create additional revenue without equity investment.



'Vodafone has gained an excellent partner in Central Eastern Europe.  mobilkom
austria group and Vodafone are ideal partners for the development of mobile
services in the region, with mobilkom austria group offering a great
geographical fit with Vodafone, as well as high quality product innovation and
customer service.



'Our co-operation means that Vodafone customers will be able to seamlessly use
Vodafone services in Austria, Croatia and Slovenia and mobilkom austria group
customers will be able to access Vodafone services across our global service
footprint. The Vodafone brand will be introduced into new territories and the
co-operation will create additional sources of revenue for both Vodafone and
mobilkom austria group.



'Having signed Partner Network Agreements with three European operators and MTC
in Kuwait within a year, the co-operation with mobilkom austria group
demonstrates the continuing success of Vodafone's Partner Network strategy and
the attractiveness of Vodafone's global brand and services.  Building on the
success of our current agreements, Vodafone will continue to pursue its Partner
Network strategy, so more of our customers can use their Vodafone services in an
increasing number of countries'.



                                    - ends -





For further information:
Vodafone Group
Tim Brown, Group Corporate Affairs Director
Melissa Stimpson, Head of Group Investor Relations
Bobby Leach, Head of Group Financial Media Relations
Darren Jones, Senior Investor Relations Manager
Jon Earl, Senior Group Communications Manager
Janine Young, Group Communications Manager
Tel:  [phone]



Tavistock Communications
Lulu Bridges / John West
Tel:  [phone]


mobilkom austria group facts


Operator            Country         Customers 9.02     Market share      2001 Revenues
mobilkom austria    Austria            2.94m              43%               €1.4bn
VIPnet              Croatia            1.02m              47%               €231m
Si.mobil            Slovenia           0.3m               22%               €54m




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