Our company history

The Vodafone story so far

Vodafone was responsible for the UK's first mobile call, just after midnight on 1 January 1985. Within 15 years, we were the largest company in Europe – and the largest of our kind anywhere in the world.

Ours is a story of investment, innovation and award-winning customer service. Click on the tabs for decade-by-decade highlights of our pioneering achievements.

2010

• Vodafone UK wins Best Network in the Mobile News and Mobile awards
• Vodafone UK ranges the Apple iPhone
• Vodafone One Net - the business solution that merges mobile and landline numbers – reaches one million customers
• Vodafone VIP launched. The new reward scheme provides access for customers to a range of high-profile national events

2009

• A major expansion programme brings the number of Vodafone retail stores to 400
• The Vodafone Foundation launches the UK World of Difference programme – giving 500 people the chance to get paid to work for charity
• Vodafone signs an exclusive agreement with Twitter, allowing customers to send updates and receive notifications by text
• Vodafone Sure Signal launched – a unique device to improve the mobile phone signal inside customers' homes

2008

• Vodafone UK is the first European network operator to offer Dell's Inspiron Mini 9 ultra-mobile device with built-in broadband connectivity
• The first ever touchscreen BlackBerry® smartphone – The BlackBerry Storm 9500 – is announced. It's built exclusively for Vodafone.

2007

• Vodafone launches Secure Remote Access, providing data security for remote and flexible workers
• We announce plans to build a state-of-the-art 850-seat customer services centre in Stoke on Trent

2006

• The Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G broadband (HSDPA) data card is launched, offering faster data speeds on laptops
• The number of Vodafone live! customers with 3G reaches 10 million

2005

• We launch Stop the Clock for Pay monthly and Pay as you go customers. This gives customers an hour’s talk in the evenings and weekends for the price of three minutes
• We launch Vodafone Simply – giving customers new, easy-to-use voice and text services
• Vodafone introduces Passport – a new voice roaming price plan
• Vodafone wins Mobile Retailer’s National Retailer of the Year award

2004

• We launch Content Control – which bars younger customers from accessing adult material
• Vodafone launches its first 3G service in Europe with the Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G/GPRS data card for corporate customers. It gives access to office applications at ten times the speed of GPRS
• Vodafone live! with 3G is launched in 13 markets – giving customers access to a range of services including video calling and video streaming

2003

• Vodafone UK launches Speaking Phone for blind and visually impaired customers
• Vodafone live! attracts one million customers in its first six months
• Orange, Telefonica Moviles, T-Mobile and Vodafone form a new association to drive inter-operable mobile payments

2002

• Vodafone trials a global mobile payment system in the UK, Italy and Germany
• Vodafone launches the first European GPRS roaming service
• The Vodafone Group Foundation is launched
• Vodafone launches Vodafone live! and Mobile Office
• Arun Sarin succeeds Sir Christopher Gent as Chief Executive of Vodafone Group Plc

2001

• The first 3G voice call is made over Vodafone’s initial 3G network of 30 radio base stations in the Thames Valley
• Vodafone introduces instant messaging to its network
• Vodafone becomes to the first network to offer Pay monthly customers the ability to roam
• GPRS is launched nationwide, providing an ‘always on’ connectivity
• Find and Seek with Vizzavi UK allows customers to find their way via WAP

2000

• The acquisition of Mannesmann AG almost doubles the size of the Vodafone Group – making it the world’s largest mobile telecommunications company
• The Vodafone Mobile Connect USB modem is launched
• Vizzavi – a 50/50 joint venture between Vodafone AirTouch and VivendiNet – delivers a multi-access branded Internet portal for Europe
• Vodafone acquires the largest available 3G licence in the UK
• WAP gateway is opened, offering customers access to internet-style information
• Vodafone UK and Microsoft announce a joint project to bring Microsoft Outlook functionality to wireless mobile devices

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 its five-millionth UK customer

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 Pay monthly 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 text messaging 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 de-merge, 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

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 recognised 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