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Vodafone Group PLC Interim / Quarterly Report 2008

Nov 12, 2008

5275_ffr_2008-11-12_4df2ad40-1444-4227-9d32-4fb534063528.zip

Interim / Quarterly Report

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6-K 1 a08-28156_16k.htm 6-K

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549

*Form 6-K*

*Report of Foreign Private Issuer*

*Pursuant to Rules 13a-16 or 15d-16 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934*

Dated November 12, 2008

Commission File Number: 001-10086

*VODAFONE GROUP PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY* (Translation of registrant’s name into English)

VODAFONE HOUSE, THE CONNECTION, NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, RG14 2FN, ENGLAND (Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F ü Form 40-F

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes No ü

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- .

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This Report on Form 6-K contains a news release issued by Vodafone Group Plc on, November 11 2008, entitled “ HALF-YEAR FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2008 ”

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VODAFONE GROUP PLC HALF-YEAR FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2008 Embargo: Not for publication before 07:00 hours 11 November 2008

*Key highlights (1) :*

| · | Group revenue of
£19.9 billion, an increase of 17.1% | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | – | Europe: revenue
up 14.3%, with outgoing voice usage up 11.6% |
| | – | EMAPA: revenue
growth of 25.7%, reflecting the acquisition in India |
| | – | Group data
revenue up 48.6% to £1.4 billion |
| · | Group adjusted
operating profit up by 10.5% to £5.8 billion | |
| | – | Group EBITDA
increased by 10.3% to £7.2 billion |
| | – | Verizon Wireless
operating profit up 14.9% driven by 12.2% revenue growth (2) |
| · | Free cash flow
excluding licence and spectrum payments of £3.1 billion, up 15.9% | |
| | – | European capital
intensity of 8.4% (3) |
| | – | Net cash flow
from operations of £6.1 billion |
| · | Adjusted
effective tax rate of 26.5% in first half; full year rate expected to be
similar | |
| · | Adjusted earnings
per share up by 17.1% to 7.52 pence. Basic earnings per share of 4.04 pence | |

*Revised dividend policy:*

| · | The Board has
adopted a progressive dividend policy |
| --- | --- |
| · | Interim dividend
up by 3.2% to 2.57 pence per share |

*Updated outlook:*

| · | Free cash flow
outlook increased notwithstanding lower underlying trading expectations |
| --- | --- |
| · | Revenue range of
£38.8 billion to £39.7 billion, adjusted operating profit of £11.0 billion to
£11.5 billion and free cash flow of £5.2 billion to £5.7 billion |

*Vittorio Colao, Chief Executive, commented:*

“Vodafone has again delivered strong cash generation and we have raised free cash flow guidance despite the reduction in underlying expectations for trading. Our updated strategy reflects the changing economic and market conditions and it will drive execution with a continuing focus on free cash flow. We will improve operational performance through customer value enhancement and cost efficiency, supported by a £1 billion cost reduction programme. We will pursue growth opportunities in total communications, specifically mobile data, enterprise and broadband. In our emerging markets, the priority will be execution and we intend to further strengthen capital discipline. Vodafone has the right assets and strategy to ensure continuing leadership of the industry and to deliver attractive returns to shareholders.”

| (1) | See page 4
for Group financial highlights, page 33 for use of non-GAAP financial
information and page 41 for definition of terms. |
| --- | --- |
| (2) | Growth rates based
on amounts in local currency. |
| (3) | Including common
functions. |

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S STATEMENT

The first half results reflect a solid overall performance in a challenging operating and a weaker macro economic environment.

Group revenue increased by 17.1% to £19.9 billion, substantially due to foreign currency benefits, with organic growth of 0.9%. The Group is increasingly focused on cash flow generation. Free cash flow excluding licence and spectrum payments increased by 15.9% to £3.1 billion, with foreign currency again a key driver as well as lower tax payments, offsetting the lower dividends received from SFR.

Europe revenue increased by 14.3% to £14.5 billion. Revenue fell by 1.1% on an organic basis, with ongoing price pressure on core voice and messaging services largely compensated by continued strong data growth. EBITDA margins declined by two percentage points, in line with our expectations, driven by higher customer costs and investment in fixed line services. Italy and Germany continue to execute well and Spain has stabilised in the second quarter. We underperformed recently in the UK but have put in place appropriate actions. Capital intensity for the total of Europe and common functions was kept stable compared to last year at 8.4%. Europe operating free cash flow remained solid at £3.6 billion.

In EMAPA, revenue grew by 25.7% to £5.4 billion driven by the India acquisition last year. On a pro forma basis, revenue grew by 14.4%. Organic growth was 8.8%, with strong growth in Vodacom and Egypt offset by a weaker performance in Turkey. EMAPA operating free cash flow excluding licence and spectrum payments was stable at £0.5 billion, after investing £0.6 billion in India. India revenue grew by 41% on a like for like basis, with a 5.6 percentage point reduction in the EBITDA margin driven largely by pricing pressures, the impact from IT outsourcing and initial launch costs in new circles. We continue to invest significantly in the network in India to drive customer growth and scale in this low penetration market. We have had to reduce the carrying value of Turkey by £1.7 billion to reflect higher, market driven, discount rates, together with the effects of a tougher competitive environment. Our turnaround in Turkey is taking longer than we anticipated and we are focusing on completing our network optimisation and improving distribution as priorities.

Adjusted operating profit increased by 10.5% to £5.8 billion reflecting foreign currency benefits and strong growth in Verizon Wireless. Adjusted earnings per share increased by 17.1% to 7.52 pence, largely driven by foreign exchange benefits and a further reduction in tax rates.

*Strategy review*

In May 2006, we formulated a five point strategy which served us well for more than two years. We have broadly maintained or improved share against our largest or reference competitors in most of our markets and delivered on our key cost targets. We have increased the share of revenue from non-core mobile services from 10% to 15% and we also successfully increased our exposure to higher growth markets. Our dividend policy resulted in an average annual increase of 11% in dividends and our capital structure policy has proved right for the business, particularly in the current market context.

However, a number of challenges have evolved. Elasticity on core voice and messaging services remains below one, competitive and regulatory pressures continue to be strong, and recently we have not met our expectations in some markets. We are clearly entering into a more difficult macro economic environment. These factors led the Board to conclude that we should review whether the strategy established in May 2006 remained appropriate for the current environment.

The fundamentals of Vodafone and our industry continue to be attractive; the sector leaders continue to be able to generate strong cash flow. In terms of revenue prospects, whilst prices are likely to continue to decrease in Europe, the scope for usage growth remains significant, as demonstrated in markets such as the US and India. Mobile data is also proving to be in high demand: effective communications drive productivity benefits, meaning businesses and individuals need more, not less, of our services. A greater range of data devices and portable computers, at increasingly lower costs, are enlarging the addressable market. On the cash cost side, only about a third of our operating costs are fixed, and about a quarter depend on growth in voice minutes and data traffic. We controlled these costs well over the last two years. The remaining component of costs, some 40%, is market driven, providing significant scope for us to adapt in the event of greater economic pressures. Overall, our current European capital intensity of around 10% of revenue already contains a component of investment for growth.

Vodafone has three key attributes which strongly differentiate us from our competitors: firstly, our scale in technology with which we continue to drive network and IT savings through consolidation and centralisation of core activities; secondly, our strong presence in the enterprise market, in large corporates as well as in small and medium sized businesses, as a consequence of the consistently high quality of our products and services; and finally, our brand, especially in consumer pull markets.

Our strategy will now be focused on four key objectives: drive operational performance, pursue growth opportunities in total communications, execute in emerging markets and strengthen capital discipline.

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We will drive operational performance through customer value enhancement, rather than revenue stimulation, and cost efficiency. Value enhancement involves maximising the value of our existing customer relationships, not just the revenue. We will shift our approach away from unit pricing and unit based tariffs to propositions that deliver much more value to our customers in return for greater commitment, incremental penetration of the account or more balanced commercial costs. This will require a more disciplined approach to commercial costs to ensure our investment is focused on those customers with higher lifetime value. In essence, we are confident that by targeting our offers, we can deliver more value to our customers and have a better financial outcome for Vodafone. Customer value enhancement replaces revenue stimulation.

Cost efficiency requires us to continue to deliver scale benefits through optimisation of operating and capital expenditure. We have a significant number of cost programmes across the Group which we expect to reduce current operating costs by approximately £1 billion per annum by the 2011 financial year to offset the pressures from cost inflation and the competitive environment and to enable investment in revenue growth opportunities. As a result, on a like for like basis, we are targeting broadly stable operating costs in Europe and for operating costs to grow at a lower rate than revenue in EMAPA between the 2008 and 2011 financial years. Capital intensity is expected to be at or below 10% over this period in Europe and to trend to European levels in EMAPA over the longer term.

On growth opportunities, the three target areas are Mobile data, Enterprise and Broadband. We have already made significant progress on mobile data, with annualised revenue of £2.8 billion, but the opportunity remains significant with the penetration of data devices still relatively low in Europe and almost nil in emerging markets. In enterprise, we have a strong position in core mobile services and we have built a solid presence in 18 months in multi-national accounts through Vodafone Global Enterprise. Our strategy is to leverage this strength to expand our offerings into the broader enterprise communications market locally, serving SoHo and SMEs with shared platforms and services, supported by our local sales forces. For broadband, we continue to adopt a market by market approach focused on the service, rather than the technology, and targeted at enterprise and high value consumers as a priority.

We are already represented in most of the key emerging markets where significant growth is expected in the coming years. Our principal focus now will be on execution in these markets, in particular in India, Turkey and our African footprint following our recent agreement to acquire control of Vodacom. We will also seek to maximise the mobile data opportunity. There are few potential large new markets of interest to us and we will be cautious and selective on future expansion.

The final objective is capital discipline. We remain committed to our low single A rating target, which we consider to be appropriate in the current environment, and comfortable with our liquidity position. Our focus is on free cash flow generation and ensuring appropriate investment in our existing businesses. We see increasing dividends as the primary reward to shareholders. Given our credit rating and the current level of cash flow and dividends, this leaves limited debt capacity.

We see in-market consolidation as a positive for our industry and we would support consolidation. As previously mentioned, our focus is principally on our existing emerging markets rather than expansion and any significant acquisition would likely need to be funded through portfolio disposals. We remain focused on value creation for our non-controlled assets. Verizon Wireless is one of the leading assets in an attractive market and we are increasingly co-operating on terminals, enterprise and future technology to deliver further value for the Group.

The Board has reviewed the present dividend policy in the light of recent foreign exchange rate volatility, the impact of amortisation of acquired intangible assets and the current economic environment and has concluded that it should instead adopt a progressive policy, where dividend growth reflects the underlying trading and cash performance of the Group. Accordingly, the interim dividend for the current financial year will be increased by 3.2% to 2.57 pence per share.

For the current year, we have updated our outlook to reflect the environment we are operating in and beneficial changes in foreign exchange rates. The Group is now expecting a slight increase in the level of free cash flow generation notwithstanding a reduction in underlying expectations for revenue and adjusted operating profit.

Our updated strategy repositions us appropriately in the current environment. We need to improve execution in our existing businesses and deliver on our cost targets. We will pursue growth in total communications and focus on our existing emerging markets, with only selective and cautious footprint expansion. Finally, we must strengthen our approach to capital discipline. Our priority is free cash flow generation and we will continue to target £5 billion to £6 billion of free cash flow per annum, excluding licence and spectrum payments and any potential CFC tax settlement.

We have the right assets and the right strategy to ensure Vodafone continues to be an industry leading player and deliver attractive returns to shareholders.

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*GROUP FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS*

Page 2008 — £m 2007 — £m Change % — Reported Organic
Financial information (1)
Revenue 23 19,902 16,994 17.1 0.9
Operating profit 23 4,071 5,208 (21.8 )
Profit before taxation 23 3,314 4,560 (27.3 )
Profit for the period 23 2,169 3,327 (34.8 )
Basic earnings per share
(pence) 23 4.04p 6.22p (35.0 )
Capitalised fixed asset
additions (2) 34 2,380 1,982 20.1
Net cash flow from operating
activities 18,29 6,065 4,860 24.8
Performance reporting (1) (3) — Group EBITDA 6 7,243 6,565 10.3 (3.2)
Adjusted operating profit 6,36 5,771 5,223 10.5 (1.0)
Adjusted profit before tax 8,36 5,288 4,701 12.5
Adjusted effective tax rate 8 26.5% 30.1%
Adjusted
profit for the period attributable to equity shareholders 8,36 3,985 3,397 17.3
Adjusted
basic earnings per share (pence) 8,36 7.52p 6.42p 17.1
Free
cash flow excluding licence and spectrum payments 18 3,101 2,675 15.9
Free cash flow (4) 18 2,429 2,661 (8.7 )
Net debt (2) 19 27,715 23,253 19.2

This Half-Year Financial Report contains certain information on the Group’s results and cash flows that have been derived from amounts calculated in accordance with IFRS but are not themselves IFRS measures. They should not be viewed in isolation as alternatives to the equivalent IFRS measure and should be read in conjunction with the equivalent IFRS measure. Further disclosures are provided under “Use of non-GAAP financial information” on page 33.

Notes:

| (1) | Amounts presented at 30 September or for the six
months then ended. |
| --- | --- |
| (2) | See page 41 for definition of terms. |
| (3) | Where applicable, these measures are stated excluding
non-operating income of associates, impairment losses and other income and
expense, amounts in relation to equity put rights and similar arrangements
(see note 2 in investing income and financing costs on page 7) and
certain foreign exchange differences. See page 33 for use of non-GAAP
financial information. |
| (4) | Includes licence and spectrum payments of £672 million
(2007: £14 million), of which £647 million relates to Vodafone Qatar. |

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*OUTLOOK FOR THE 2009 FINANCIAL YEAR*

Please see page 33 for use of non-GAAP financial information, page 41 for definition of terms and page 42 for forward-looking statements.

outlook (1) Operational Acquisitions Foreign — exchange (2) Updated — outlook (3)
£ billion £ billion £ billion £ billion £ billion
Revenue Around 39.8 (1.0 ) 0.2 0.3 38.8 to 39.7
Adjusted operating profit 11.0 to 11.5 (0.4 ) – 0.4 11.0 to 11.5
Capitalised fixed asset additions 5.3 to 5.8 (0.2 ) 0.1 – 5.2 to 5.7
Free cash flow (4) 5.1 to 5.6 0.1 (0.1 ) 0.1 5.2 to 5.7
Notes:
(1) On 22 July 2008, the Group updated its original
expectations, indicating revenue was expected to be around the lower end of
the quoted £39.8 billion to £40.7 billion range.
(2) The Group’s outlook update reflects current expectations
for average foreign exchange rates for the second half of the 2009 financial
year of approximately £1:€1.26 (full year average of €1.26; originally €1.30)
and £1:US$1.67 (full year average of US$1.80; originally US$1.96). A
substantial majority of the Group’s revenue, adjusted operating profit,
capitalised fixed asset additions and free cash flow is denominated in
currencies other than sterling, the Group’s reporting currency.
(3) The updated outlook includes the impact of the Group’s
acquisition of stakes in Ghana, Qatar and Poland and by SFR of Neuf Cegetel.
The outlook does not reflect the additional 15% stake in Vodacom, as this is
not expected to be material in the 2009 financial year, or Verizon Wireless’
pending acquisition of Alltel.
(4) Excludes spectrum and licence payments, but includes
estimated payments in respect of long standing tax issues.

Operating conditions are expected to continue to be challenging in Europe given ongoing competitive and regulatory pressures and recent economic conditions in certain markets. Whilst the current economic environment is also impacting emerging markets, increasing market penetration is expected to continue to result in overall strong growth for the EMAPA region.

As a result of these factors, revenue is now expected to be in the range of £38.8 billion to £39.7 billion, with the lower operational performance being partially offset by foreign exchange movements and recent acquisitions.

Adjusted operating profit is still expected to be in the £11.0 billion to £11.5 billion range. Cost programmes and direct cost savings are expected to mitigate a significant proportion of the revenue shortfall, with foreign exchange benefits offsetting the balance.

The outlook ranges reflect updated assumptions for average foreign exchange rates for the 2009 financial year, which are beneficial compared to the original assumptions both for the euro and the US dollar, but given recent volatility are potentially subject to further material change. A one eurocent change in the sterling/euro exchange rate in the second half of the financial year would impact revenue by approximately £100 million and adjusted operating profit by approximately £30 million. A one US cent change in the sterling/US dollar exchange rate would impact adjusted operating profit by approximately £10 million.

Total depreciation and amortisation charges are still anticipated to be around £6.5 billion to £6.6 billion, higher than the 2008 financial year, primarily as a result of the ongoing investment in capital expenditure in India and the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates.

The Group now expects capitalised fixed asset additions to be in the range of £5.2 billion to £5.7 billion, slightly lower than previously envisaged, reflecting cost control as a consequence of lower expected revenue. Capital intensity for the total of the Europe region and common functions is still expected to be around 10%, with significant investment in growth being maintained in India.

Free cash flow excluding spectrum and licence payments is now expected to be in the range of £5.2 billion to £5.7 billion, higher than previously expected, with adverse operating cash flow offset by lower capital expenditure and tax payments and beneficial foreign exchange movements.

The adjusted effective tax rate percentage for the 2009 financial year and the medium term is expected to be similar to the half year rate of 26.5%, lower than previously expected and reflecting ongoing improvements in the Group’s internal capital structure and a lower weighted average statutory rate.

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*CONTENTS*

Page
Financial
results 6
Liquidity
and capital resources 18
Significant
transactions 20
Risk
factors 21
Responsibility
statement 22
Condensed
consolidated financial statements 23
Use of
non-GAAP financial information 33
Additional
investor information and key performance indicators 34
Other
information (including forward-looking statements) 41

*FINANCIAL RESULTS*

*GROUP RESULTS (1)*

Six months ended
Common 30 September
Europe EMAPA Functions Eliminations 2008 2007 % change
£m £m £m £m £m £m £ Organic
Voice revenue 9,147 4,121 – (1 ) 13,267 11,781
Messaging revenue 1,734 437 – – 2,171 1,888
Data revenue 1,145 246 – – 1,391 936
Fixed line revenue 1,199 38 – – 1,237 802
Other service revenue 429 217 – (72 ) 574 480
Total service revenue 13,654 5,059 – (73 ) 18,640 15,887 17.3 0.9
Other revenue 826 349 93 (6 ) 1,262 1,107
Total revenue 14,480 5,408 93 (79 ) 19,902 16,994 17.1 0.9
Direct costs (3,291 ) (1,574 ) (4 ) 73 (4,796 ) (3,908 )
Customer costs (3,960 ) (1,207 ) (116 ) – (5,283 ) (4,426 )
Operating expenses (1,988 ) (925 ) 327 6 (2,580 ) (2,095 )
EBITDA 5,241 1,702 300 – 7,243 6,565 10.3 (3.2 )
Depreciation and amortisation:
Acquired
intangibles (45 ) (346 ) – – (391 ) (327 )
Purchased
licence (454 ) (36 ) – – (490 ) (449 )
Other (1,575 ) (698 ) (110 ) – (2,383 ) (2,009 )
Share of result in associates 296 1,496 – – 1,792 1,443
Adjusted operating profit 3,463 2,118 190 – 5,771 5,223 10.5 (1.0 )
Impairment
loss (1,700 ) –
Other income and expense – (15 )
Operating profit 4,071 5,208

Note:

(1) The Group revised its presentation of revenue and costs during the period. Further details of this change are provided under the heading “Change in presentation” on page 41.

*Revenue*

Revenue increased by 17.1% to £19.9 billion, with the net impact of acquisitions and disposals, principally the acquisition of Vodafone Essar, contributing 3.7 percentage points and favourable exchange rates, mainly due to the movement in the sterling/euro exchange rate, contributing 12.5 percentage points to revenue growth. Including India and Tele2 in Italy and Spain, revenue growth was 2.6%, assuming constant exchange rates and the Group owned the businesses for the whole of the previous year.

Europe achieved revenue growth of 14.3%, but fell by 1.1% on an organic basis for the six months ended 30 September 2008. Strong organic data revenue growth, primarily driven by increased penetration of mobile PC connectivity devices, was more than offset by declines in mobile voice revenue following continued competitive pressures and regulatory reductions of termination and roaming rates.

EMAPA revenue increased by 25.7%, or 8.8% on an organic basis, for the six months ended 30 September 2008, with 8.4% organic growth for the second quarter. The customer base rose by 12.8 million to 131.9 million at 30 September 2008. India in particular performed well, contributing revenue growth of 41%, assuming the Group

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owned the business for the whole of the previous year. The organic growth rate in the region was lower than in the previous year as a result of increased competition in key markets as they mature and due to the inclusion of Turkey in the organic calculations for the first time.

*Operating profit*

Operating profit decreased to £4.1 billion, compared to £5.2 billion for the same period in the prior year, due to the growth in adjusted operating profit, offset by an impairment loss of £1.7 billion in relation to Vodafone Turkey.

Adjusted operating profit increased by 10.5% to £5.8 billion, but decreased by 1.0% on an organic basis. Favourable exchange rates, predominantly the sterling/euro exchange rate, contributed 11.9 percentage points, whilst acquisitions and disposals reduced adjusted operating profit growth by 0.4 percentage points.

In Europe, adjusted operating profit grew by 5.9% to £3.5 billion, but declined by 7.7% on an organic basis. Europe’s EBITDA margin decreased from 38.2% to 36.2% when compared to the same period last year. The decrease in margin resulted principally from higher customer costs and the Group’s increasing focus on fixed line services, such as the businesses acquired from Tele2 in Italy and Spain.

Adjusted operating profit in EMAPA increased by 21.4%, or 14.9% on an organic basis, to £2.1 billion, mainly due to the continued rise in the customer base. The EBITDA margin in EMAPA fell by 1.7 percentage points to 31.5%, driven by the decline in the margin in India and Australia.

The Group’s share of the results of associates rose to £1.8 billion, largely due to the performance of Verizon Wireless, which increased by 20.6% in local currency.

*Investment income and financing costs*

| | Six months ended
30 September — 2008 | | 2007 | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | £m | | £m | |
| Investment income | 501 | | 382 | |
| Financing costs | (1,244 | ) | (1,280 | ) |
| | (743 | ) | (898 | ) |
| Analysed as: | | | | |
| Net
financing costs before dividends from investments | (370 | ) | (394 | ) |
| Potential
interest charges arising on settlement of outstanding tax issues | (221 | ) | (200 | ) |
| Dividends
from investments | 108 | | 72 | |
| | (483 | ) | (522 | ) |
| Foreign
exchange (1) | 86 | | (90 | ) |
| Equity put
rights and similar arrangements (2) | (346 | ) | (286 | ) |
| | (743 | ) | (898 | ) |

Notes:

(1) Comprises foreign exchange differences reflected in the income statement in relation to certain intercompany balances and the foreign exchange differences on financial instruments received as consideration in the disposal of Vodafone Japan to SoftBank in April 2006.

(2) Includes amounts in relation to put rights and similar arrangements held by minority interest holders in certain of the Group’s subsidiaries. The valuation of these financial liabilities is inherently unpredictable and changes in the fair value could have a material impact on the future results and financial position of Vodafone. The amount for the six months ended 30 September 2007 also includes a charge of £333 million representing the initial fair value of the put options granted over the Essar Group’s interest in Vodafone Essar, which was recorded as an expense. Further details of these options are provided on page 58 of the Group’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2008.

Net financing costs before dividends from investments decreased by 6.1% to £370 million, primarily due to favourable changes in the fair value of interest rate hedging instruments, partially offset by unfavourable exchange rate movements impacting the translation into sterling. The interest charge resulting from the 24.9% increase in average net debt was minimised due to changes in currency mix of debt and significantly lower interest rates for debt denominated in US dollars. At 30 September 2008, the provision for potential interest charges arising on settlement of outstanding tax issues was £1,826 million (31 March 2008: £1,577 million).

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*Taxation*

Six months ended 30 September — 2008 2007
£m £m
Income tax expense 1,145 1,233
Recognition of pre-acquisition
deferred tax asset – 15
Tax on adjustments to derive
adjusted profit before tax 129 19
Adjusted income tax expense 1,274 1,267
Share of associated undertakings’
tax 185 222
Adjusted income tax expense for
purposes of calculating adjusted tax rate 1,459 1,489
Profit before tax 3,314 4,560
Adjustments to derive adjusted
profit before tax (1) 1,974 141
Adjusted profit before tax 5,288 4,701
Add: Share of associated
undertakings’ tax and minority interest 216 250
Adjusted profit before tax for the
purpose of calculating adjusted effective tax rate 5,504 4,951
Adjusted effective tax
rate 26.5% 30.1%

Note:

(1) See earnings per share below.

The adjusted effective tax rate for the six months ended 30 September 2008 was 26.5% compared to 30.1% for the same period last year. The rate is lower than that of the prior year due to a lower weighted average statutory rate and structural benefits from the ongoing enhancement of the Group’s internal capital structure. The adjusted effective tax rate for the year ending 31 March 2009 is expected to be similar to the rate for the six months ended 30 September 2008.

*Earnings per share*

Adjusted earnings per share increased by 17.1% to 7.52 pence for the six months ended 30 September 2008, with substantially all of the increase arising from movements in exchange rates. Basic earnings per share decreased by 35.0% to 4.04 pence, primarily due to the impairment loss of £1.7 billion in relation to Vodafone Turkey.

Six months ended 30 September — 2008 2007
£m £m
Profit from continuing
operations attributable to equity shareholders 2,140 3,290
Adjustments:
Impairment
loss 1,700 –
Other
income and expense – 15
Non-operating
income and expense (1) 14 (250 )
Foreign
exchange (2) (86 ) 90
Equity put
rights and similar arrangements (2) 346 286
1,974 141
Tax on the
above items (129 ) (19 )
Recognition
of pre-acquisition deferred tax asset – (15 )
Adjusted profit from
continuing operations attributable to equity shareholders 3,985 3,397
million million
Weighted average number
of shares outstanding – basic 53,006 52,935
Weighted average number
of shares outstanding – diluted 53,205 53,116

Notes:

(1) The £250 million adjustment for the six months ended 30 September 2007 represents the profit on disposal of the Group’s 5.60% stake in Bharti Airtel.

(2) See notes 1 and 2 in investment income and financing costs on page 7.

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*EUROPE RESULTS (1)*

Germany — £m Italy — £m Spain — £m UK — £m Arcor — £m Other — £m Eliminations — £m Europe — £m £ Organic
Six months ended 30
September 2008
Voice revenue 2,014 1,721 1,997 1,638 8 1,814 (45 ) 9,147
Messaging revenue 364 392 208 472 1 298 (1 ) 1,734
Data revenue 365 182 186 226 – 186 – 1,145
Fixed line revenue 46 190 121 15 896 45 (114 ) 1,199
Other service revenue 94 75 158 125 – 148 (171 ) 429
Total service revenue 2,883 2,560 2,670 2,476 905 2,491 (331 ) 13,654 14.6 (1.0 )
Other revenue 125 92 218 238 16 145 (8 ) 826
Total revenue 3,008 2,652 2,888 2,714 921 2,636 (339 ) 14,480 14.3 (1.1 )
Direct costs (502 ) (602 ) (617 ) (801 ) (448 ) (633 ) 312 (3,291 )
Customer costs (2) (793 ) (485 ) (941 ) (911 ) (183 ) (666 ) 19 (3,960 )
Operating expenses (389 ) (375 ) (334 ) (372 ) (121 ) (405 ) 8 (1,988 )
EBITDA 1,324 1,190 996 630 169 932 – 5,241 8.4 (5.1 )
Depreciation and amortisation:
Acquired
intangibles – (27 ) (4 ) (9 ) – (5 ) – (45 )
Purchased
licence (199 ) (45 ) (3 ) (166 ) – (41 ) – (454 )
Other (359 ) (258 ) (270 ) (321 ) (65 ) (302 ) – (1,575 )
Share of result in associates – – – – – 296 – 296
Adjusted operating profit 766 860 719 134 104 880 – 3,463 5.9 (7.7 )
EBITDA margin 44.0% 44.9% 34.5% 23.2% 18.3% 35.4% 36.2%
Six months ended 30
September 2007
Voice revenue 1,823 1,521 1,766 1,776 – 1,591 (36 ) 8,441
Messaging revenue 348 317 181 433 – 248 – 1,527
Data revenue 254 114 156 173 – 120 – 817
Fixed line revenue 7 10 9 12 758 16 (32 ) 780
Other service revenue 83 63 139 109 – 129 (175 ) 348
Total service revenue 2,515 2,025 2,251 2,503 758 2,104 (243 ) 11,913
Other revenue 135 72 188 214 10 139 (2 ) 756
Total revenue 2,650 2,097 2,439 2,717 768 2,243 (245 ) 12,669
Direct costs (447 ) (437 ) (490 ) (781 ) (346 ) (548 ) 243 (2,806 )
Customer costs (2) (724 ) (332 ) (742 ) (851 ) (160 ) (535 ) 2 (3,342 )
Operating expenses (329 ) (292 ) (258 ) (351 ) (124 ) (333 ) – (1,687 )
EBITDA 1,150 1,036 949 734 138 827 – 4,834
Depreciation and amortisation:
Acquired
intangibles – – – (11 ) – (4 ) – (15 )
Purchased
licence (170 ) (39 ) (3 ) (166 ) – (35 ) – (413 )
Other (336 ) (221 ) (231 ) (314 ) (46 ) (250 ) – (1,398 )
Share of result in associates – – – – – 261 – 261
Adjusted operating profit 644 776 715 243 92 799 – 3,269
EBITDA margin 43.4% 49.4% 38.9% 27.0% 18.0% 36.9% 38.2%
% % % % % %
Change at constant
exchange rates
Voice revenue (5.4 ) (3.1 ) (3.2 ) (7.8 ) – (2.5 )
Messaging revenue (10.3 ) 5.9 (1.4 ) 9.0 – 2.8
Data revenue 22.5 36.8 1.6 30.6 – 33.8
Fixed line revenue 411.1 1,483.3 1,110.0 25.0 1.1 150.0
Other service revenue (1.1 ) 1.4 (3.7 ) 14.7 – (1.3 )
Total service revenue (1.8 ) 8.2 1.5 (1.1 ) 2.1 1.4
Other revenue (20.9 ) 8.2 – 11.2 45.5 (11.0 )
Total revenue (2.8 ) 8.2 1.4 (0.1 ) 2.7 0.6
Direct costs (3.8 ) 18.3 7.9 2.6 10.6 (1.1 )
Customer costs (6.3 ) 25.0 8.5 7.1 (1.6 ) 6.7
Operating expenses 1.3 9.3 11.0 6.0 (16.6 ) 4.1
EBITDA (1.4 ) (1.7 ) (10.1 ) (14.2 ) 5.0 (3.6 )
Depreciation and amortisation:
Acquired
intangibles – 2,600.0 – (18.2 ) – 25.0
Purchased
licence – – – – – –
Other (8.4 ) (0.4 ) – 2.2 20.4 (9.6 )
Share of result in associates – – – – – (3.0 )
Adjusted operating profit 1.9 (5.0 ) (13.9 ) (44.9 ) (2.8 ) (5.8 )
EBITDA margin movement (pps) 0.6 (4.5 ) (4.4 ) (3.8 ) 0.4 (1.5 )

Notes:

(1) The Group revised its presentation of revenue and costs during the period. Further details of this change are provided under the heading “Change in presentation” on page 41.

(2) Customer costs include £2,652 million (2007: £2,263 million) of acquisition and retention costs and £1,308 million (2007: £1,079 million) of other customer costs.

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Revenue increased 14.3% for the six months ended 30 September 2008, but declined slightly by 1.1% on an organic basis, with the difference predominantly due to the impact of favourable exchange rate movements reflecting the 14.4% strengthening of the average sterling/euro rate, compared to the same period in the previous year, and the impact of businesses acquired from Tele2 in Italy and Spain. The competitive and regulatory environment in Europe remains challenging. Although new tariffs and promotions led to increased usage, they were more than offset by pricing pressures due to increased competition, lower termination rates and roaming regulation.

The organic decline in service revenue of 1.0% in the first half of the year compares to an increase of 1.9% in the second half of the prior financial year, principally reflecting tougher competitive and economic environments in Spain and the UK. Underlying trends in the first and second quarters were broadly similar after taking into account the timing of Easter and a VAT refund in the UK in the second quarter of the prior financial year.

The impact of acquisitions and foreign exchange movements on service revenue and revenue growth are shown below:

| | Organic — change | | Impact of
acquisitions — and disposal | Impact of — exchange rates | Reported — change | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | % | | Percentage points | Percentage points | % | |
| Service revenue | | | | | | |
| Germany | (1.8 | ) | – | 16.4 | 14.6 | |
| Italy | 0.9 | | 7.3 | 18.2 | 26.4 | |
| Spain | (2.4 | ) | 3.9 | 17.1 | 18.6 | |
| UK | (1.1 | ) | – | – | (1.1 | ) |
| Arcor | 2.1 | | – | 17.3 | 19.4 | |
| Other Europe | 0.8 | | 0.6 | 17.0 | 18.4 | |
| Europe | (1.0 | ) | 2.2 | 13.4 | 14.6 | |
| Revenue - Europe | (1.1 | ) | 2.0 | 13.4 | 14.3 | |

Voice revenue declined by 4.3% on an organic basis as a result of:

· outgoing voice revenue falling by 2.4% on an organic basis to £6.5 billion, with an 11.6% increase in outgoing usage stemming from both increased usage per customer and new customer additions being more than offset by a 12.6% reduction in the effective price per minute from increased competition;

· incoming voice revenue decreasing by 7.2% on an organic basis to £1.7 billion, reflecting regulatory driven termination rate cuts, partially offset by 4.0% growth in incoming voice usage; and

· roaming revenue declining by 11.8% on an organic basis to £0.7 billion, reflecting a fall in the average effective roaming rate per minute due to regulatory actions as well as the impact of the prior year UK VAT refund. These were partially offset by slowing growth in voice usage.

Messaging revenue grew by 1.4% at constant exchange rates. The growth rate slowed from the prior financial year following the high penetration of messaging promotions and options within bundled contracts.

Data revenue increased by 23.5% on an organic basis, with increased penetration of mobile PC connectivity devices, including the Vodafone Mobile Connect USB modem, as well as attractive tariff and commercial package offerings. Mobile email applications have also seen continued strong growth, while content downloads have slowed. The number of customers connected by handheld enterprise devices and mobile PC connectivity devices grew from 3.6 million at 30 September 2007 to 6.8 million at 30 September 2008.

Fixed line revenue decreased by 0.3% on an organic basis, principally due to declining revenue growth in Arcor’s legacy fixed voice services. Revenue growth from fixed broadband is subject to strong price pressure and a slowing economic environment, which outweighed the strong organic increase in the fixed broadband customer base to 3.9 million.

Other service revenue was up 9.7% on an organic basis, primarily due to continued growth in MVNOs.

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Adjusted operating profit grew by 5.9%, but declined by 7.7% on an organic basis, with the difference largely attributable to favourable exchange rate movements. The table below sets out the impact of acquisitions and exchange rate movements on EBITDA and adjusted operating profit:

| | Organic — change | | Impact of
acquisitions — and disposal | | Impact of — exchange rates | Reported — change | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | % | | Percentage points | | Percentage points | % | |
| EBITDA | | | | | | | |
| Germany | (1.6 | ) | 0.2 | | 16.5 | 15.1 | |
| Italy | (2.6 | ) | 0.9 | | 16.6 | 14.9 | |
| Spain | (9.3 | ) | (0.8 | ) | 15.1 | 5.0 | |
| UK | (14.2 | ) | – | | – | (14.2 | ) |
| Arcor | 5.0 | | – | | 17.5 | 22.5 | |
| Other Europe | (3.4 | ) | (0.2 | ) | 16.3 | 12.7 | |
| Europe | (5.1 | ) | – | | 13.5 | 8.4 | |
| Adjusted operating profit | | | | | | | |
| Germany | 1.6 | | 0.3 | | 17.0 | 18.9 | |
| Italy | (3.0 | ) | (2.0 | ) | 15.8 | 10.8 | |
| Spain | (11.2 | ) | (2.7 | ) | 14.5 | 0.6 | |
| UK | (44.9 | ) | – | | – | (44.9 | ) |
| Arcor | (2.8 | ) | – | | 15.8 | 13.0 | |
| Other Europe | (7.5 | ) | 1.7 | | 15.9 | 10.1 | |
| Europe | (7.7 | ) | (0.6 | ) | 14.2 | 5.9 | |

The organic decline in adjusted operating profit was primarily driven by the organic reduction in revenue coupled with an increase in customer costs.

· Direct costs decreased by 0.7% on an organic basis, with a higher percentage of outgoing traffic terminating on the Group’s network and the consequential benefit from lower termination rates mitigating the increase in volume of outgoing voice traffic terminating on networks of other operators.

· Customer costs grew by 3.0% on an organic basis, reflecting higher acquisition and retention costs following a change in the mix of gross additions from prepaid customers to higher value contract customers as well as a focus on retention of higher value contract customers.

· Operating expenses increased by 1.3% on an organic basis and remained broadly stable as a percentage of service revenue in comparison to the same period last year. Operating expenses benefited from a continued emphasis on cost control, particularly in technology from reduction of leased lines costs including migration to owned transmission, outsourcing activities, efficiencies in maintenance and data centre consolidation.

· Depreciation and amortisation remained stable on an organic basis in comparison with the same period last year.

Germany

Service revenue fell by 1.8% at constant exchange rates. The rate of decline in service revenue was lower than that in the prior year due to consumer fixed broadband growth and reduced rate of voice revenue declines, with increased on-network bundles. These tariffs led to some migration from messaging to voice revenue. Germany continued to experience price pressure in the prepaid market, with high levels of competition from resellers in particular, and in response Vodafone recently launched a simpler tariff portfolio. Data revenue growth remained strong at 22.5% at constant exchange rates, driven by performance of PC connectivity in the enterprise market segment.

At constant exchange rates, adjusted operating profit grew by 1.9%. The management focus on reducing costs led to a decrease in acquisition and retention costs, including reductions in the number of upgrades, increases in SIM-only contracts, improved equipment margins from higher selling prices for selected handsets and fewer promotions.

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Italy

Organic growth in service revenue was 0.9%. Revenue growth has normalised, with the impact of regulatory cancellations of top-up fees in February 2007 now being included in both periods. During the period, Vodafone launched a number of commercial initiatives to stimulate voice and messaging usage on the Vodafone network. Revenue growth has also benefited from the continued increase in both the consumer and enterprise contract customer base, as well as strong data revenue growth from increased penetration of PC connectivity and email devices. As part of the increased focus on offering customers integrated solutions, ‘Vodafone Station’ was launched in June 2008, which offers both fixed line services in the home as well as immediate broadband connectivity when leaving the Vodafone store.

Adjusted operating profit declined 3.0% on an organic basis. Customer costs increased through the continued focus on obtaining higher value contract consumer and enterprise customers, which have higher acquisition costs than prepaid. The resources required for the introduction of Vodafone At Home and Vodafone Office services also increased expenses during the period. Reported margin also declined due to the acquisition of Tele2 in December 2007.

Spain

On an organic basis, service revenue declined by 2.4% in line with the decrease reported in the first quarter of this financial year. Although the customer base continued to rise, with a strong focus on contract customers, revenue growth remains challenging in a highly competitive market where customer behaviour is changing with the macro economic environment. Within data revenue, growth of PC connectivity revenue offset the impact of the introduction of new pricing plans for mobile internet and data roaming, the decreasing number of content downloads and lower promotional activity compared to the same period last year.

On an organic basis, adjusted operating profit decreased by 11.2%. Vodafone’s focus on contract customers has led to higher acquisition and retention costs in an increasingly competitive market. Managing churn remains a key focus in the current economic environment. Direct costs also increased from the adverse impact of mandatory costs related to universal service obligations. Reported margin also declined due to the acquisition of Tele2 in December 2007.

UK

Service revenue fell by 1.1%, including a 1.2 percentage point impact from the inclusion of a VAT refund in the prior period. The year on year growth rate slowed in the second quarter compared with the prior quarter as a result of competitive downward pressures on voice and messaging tariffs, primarily due to increased bundle sizes, a lower effective roaming price per minute due to regulation and slower customer base growth. Data revenue continued to show strong growth, driven primarily by higher penetration of consumer mobile broadband and mobile internet bundles. Other service revenue rose during the period, reflecting the higher traffic volumes with MVNOs.

Adjusted operating profit decreased by £109 million to £134 million, including a £30 million VAT refund in the prior period. Interconnect costs increased primarily due to higher usage in messaging services and data roaming, partially offset by a decrease in voice services due to a lower effective cost per minute. Retention costs rose significantly due to the benefit arising from the introduction in 2006 of 18 month contracts, resulting in a lower proportion of the contract base receiving upgrades in the prior period. Operating expenses grew, primarily due to the impact of the sterling/euro exchange rate on intercompany charges billed in euros. Otherwise, operating expenses were broadly stable year on year.

Arcor

On 19 May 2008, the Group acquired a 26.4% interest in Arcor, following which the Group owns 100% of Arcor.

Service revenue rose by 2.1% at constant exchange rates. Growth slowed during the second quarter as a result of the impact of the highly competitive environment driving increased promotions and higher tariff migrations. The growth in service revenue reflected continued strength of fixed broadband consumer growth offset by declining revenue from legacy fixed voice services. Arcor’s own customer base increased to 2.5 million which, combined with Vodafone Germany’s 0.4 million customers, brought the German fixed broadband customer base to 2.9 million at 30 September 2008.

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Adjusted operating profit fell 2.8% at constant exchange rates. The larger fixed broadband customer base and increased access line fees caused direct costs to increase, partially offset by a decrease in operating expenses due to a €20 million (£16 million) VAT refund.

Other Europe

On an organic basis, service revenue rose by 0.8%. The Netherlands benefited from strong market share gains and customer base growth. Attractive voice promotions and higher penetration of PC connectivity devices contributed to the growth in Portugal. Growth was partially offset by a decline in Greece resulting from slowing customer base growth, mobile termination rate cuts and significant price reductions in the prepaid market segment.

Adjusted operating profit fell on an organic basis by 7.5%, reflecting a fall in Vodafone’s share in the results of associates, due to higher costs arising from the integration of Neuf Cegetel and SFR. In addition, Greece contributed to the decrease in operating profit due to the lower revenue in the period. This was partially offset by growth in Portugal due to general cost control at a time of increased take-up of fixed broadband.

Vivendi will report its third quarter results, including those of SFR, on 13 November 2008.

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*EMAPA RESULTS (1)*

Middle East
Eastern Africa Associates
Europe & Asia Pacific US Eliminations EMAPA % change
£m £m £m £m £m £m £ Organic
Six months ended 30
September 2008
Voice revenue 1,457 2,131 533 – 4,121
Messaging revenue 183 107 147 – 437
Data revenue 69 127 50 – 246
Fixed line revenue 10 9 19 – 38
Other service revenue 81 93 44 (1 ) 217
Total service revenue 1,800 2,467 793 (1 ) 5,059 25.7 8.2
Other revenue 72 167 110 – 349
Total revenue 1,872 2,634 903 (1 ) 5,408 25.7 8.8
Direct costs (559 ) (755 ) (261 ) 1 (1,574 )
Customer costs (2) (411 ) (469 ) (327 ) – (1,207 )
Operating expenses (288 ) (495 ) (142 ) – (925 )
EBITDA 614 915 173 – 1,702 19.2 8.0
Depreciation and amortisation:
Acquired
intangibles (124 ) (222 ) – – (346 )
Purchased
licence (12 ) (15 ) (9 ) – (36 )
Other (272 ) (312 ) (114 ) – (698 )
Share of result in associates – 16 – 1,480 – 1,496
Adjusted operating profit 206 382 50 1,480 – 2,118 21.4 14.9
EBITDA margin 32.8% 34.7% 19.2% 31.5%
Six months ended 30
September 2007
Voice revenue 1,200 1,664 476 – 3,340
Messaging revenue 150 88 123 – 361
Data revenue 46 48 25 – 119
Fixed line revenue 8 4 10 – 22
Other service revenue 69 77 37 – 183
Total service revenue 1,473 1,881 671 – 4,025
Other revenue 51 138 87 – 276
Total revenue 1,524 2,019 758 – 4,301
Direct costs (466 ) (530 ) (216 ) – (1,212 )
Customer costs (2) (339 ) (397 ) (254 ) – (990 )
Operating expenses (241 ) (316 ) (114 ) – (671 )
EBITDA 478 776 174 – 1,428
Depreciation and amortisation:
Acquired
intangibles (104 ) (208 ) – – (312 )
Purchased
licence (12 ) (16 ) (8 ) – (36 )
Other (191 ) (223 ) (103 ) – (517 )
Share of result in associates – 1 – 1,180 – 1,181
Adjusted operating profit 171 330 63 1,180 – 1,744
EBITDA margin 31.4% 38.4% 23.0% 33.2%
% % % %
Change at constant
exchange rates
Voice revenue 3.3 28.2 1.7
Messaging revenue 2.2 21.6 8.9
Data revenue 25.5 159.2 78.6
Fixed line revenue 11.1 125.0 90.0
Other service revenue (1.2 ) 16.3 7.3
Total service revenue 3.7 31.0 7.5
Other revenue 20.0 26.5 14.6
Total revenue 4.3 30.7 8.3
Direct costs 2.2 42.5 10.1
Customer costs 3.0 20.6 15.5
Operating expenses 2.1 57.6 13.6
EBITDA 8.3 17.0 (8.5 )
Depreciation and amortisation:
Acquired
intangibles 5.1 8.8 –
Purchased
licence 9.1 (16.7 ) –
Other 11.5 40.5 0.9
Share of result in associates – 1500.0 – 20.6
Adjusted operating profit 0.5 12.7 (25.4 ) 20.6
EBITDA margin movement (pps) 1.3 (4.1 ) (3.5 )
Notes:
(1) The Group revised its presentation of
revenue and costs during the period. Further details of this change are
provided under the heading “Change in presentation” on page 41.
(2) Customer costs include £731 million
(2007: £613 million) of acquisition and retention costs and £476 million (2007:
£377 million) of other customer costs.

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Revenue increased by 25.7%, or by 8.8% on an organic basis. Adjusted operating profit grew by 21.4%, or 14.9% on an organic basis. The difference between reported and organic growth was due to favourable exchange rate movements and merger and acquisition activity, primarily the positive impact of the acquisition of Vodafone Essar last year.

The impact of acquisitions, disposal and foreign exchange movements on service revenue, revenue, EBITDA and adjusted operating profit are shown below:

Organic — change Impact of acquisitions — and disposal (1) Impact of — exchange rates Reported — change
% Percentage points Percentage points %
Service revenue
Eastern
Europe 3.7 – 18.5 22.2
Middle
East, Africa & Asia 15.8 15.2 0.2 31.2
Pacific 7.5 – 10.7 18.2
EMAPA 8.2 7.9 9.6 25.7
Revenue – EMAPA 8.8 7.7 9.2 25.7
EBITDA
Eastern
Europe 8.3 – 20.2 28.5
Middle
East, Africa & Asia 14.0 3.0 0.9 17.9
Pacific (8.5 ) – 7.9 (0.6 )
EMAPA 8.0 2.7 8.5 19.2
Adjusted operating profit
Eastern
Europe 0.5 – 20.0 20.5
Middle
East, Africa & Asia 11.5 1.2 3.1 15.8
Pacific (25.4 ) – 4.8 (20.6 )
EMAPA 14.9 0.2 6.3 21.4
Note:
(1) Impact of acquisitions and disposal
includes the impact of the change in consolidation status of Safaricom from a
joint venture to an associate in May 2008 following completion of the share
allocation for the public offering of 25% of Safaricom’s shares previously
held by the Government of Kenya.

The organic growth in revenue and adjusted operating profit was driven predominantly by the 16.0% organic increase in the average customer base of the region.

Eastern Europe

Service revenue rose by 3.7% and adjusted operating profit grew by 0.5%, both on an organic basis, with the performance in Romania being the main driver. The organic growth rates for the period were adversely impacted by the inclusion of Turkey in the organic calculation for the first time due to tough competitive and regulatory conditions in the market.

Romania

Service revenue grew by 7.4% at constant exchange rates, to £465 million. The average customer base rose by 12.3% and usage increased by 11.8% due to successful initiatives focusing on enterprise and contract customers, such as the Vodafone Complet package bundling a number of services for a flat fee, to offset strong competition in prepaid. This led to a positive impact on the contract customer mix and more than offset the impact of effective price per minute decreases. Romania recorded a strong rise in mobile PC connectivity devices and data revenue, resulting from successful data promotions and flexible access offers.

Adjusted operating profit increased by 5.2% at constant exchange rates to £101 million. Aggressive market competition and the anticipation of the impact of mobile number portability from October 2008 led to increased acquisition costs per customer, while other customer costs increased, primarily due to the continued trend towards direct distribution channels. As mobile penetration increased, the value per incremental customer decreased. Continued network development to support 3G data offerings and improve network coverage in rural areas led to higher depreciation and amortisation during the period.

Turkey

At constant exchange rates, service revenue increased by 0.5% to £607 million, with a year on year decline in the second quarter of 2.1%. Termination rate cuts during the half-year period impacted service revenue growth by 6.4

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percentage points. Although the average customer base rose by 16.0%, the total customer base at 30 September was 0.3% lower than at 30 June 2008. The market was dominated by prepaid customers using multiple SIM cards to optimise use between networks, which led to falls in usage per customer and activity levels. Strong pricing and top-up campaigns by competitors and the fact that the Muslim festival of Ramadan, a period of traditional low customer activity, fell fully in the period and reduced revenue growth, particularly in the second quarter.

Adjusted operating profit declined by £17 million to £1 million. Direct costs benefited from termination rate cuts during the period. These benefits were offset by increases in other direct costs, as subscriber taxes grew in line with the rise in the customer base. Customer costs reflected the decline in customer additions in comparison to the prior period. Operating expenses grew, reflecting higher personnel costs due to business expansion and higher costs from the expansion of the network, which also impacted depreciation and amortisation.

The Turkish government is expected to auction 3G licences in November 2008.

Middle East, Africa and Asia

On an organic basis, service revenue grew by 15.8% and adjusted operating profit increased by 11.5%, both reflecting an increase in the organic average customer base.

Egypt

Service revenue grew by 17.5% at constant exchange rates to £550 million. The average customer base rose by 38.9% and usage per customer increased. These movements were partly offset by a fall in the effective price per minute reflecting increased competition and lower priced offerings in the marketplace. Data revenue, a small but growing revenue stream in Egypt, was higher following the launch of the Vodafone Mobile Connect USB modem and Vodafone Mobile Internet.

Adjusted operating profit rose by 9.8% at constant exchange rates to £190 million, with the growth in revenue more than offsetting an increase in costs. Direct costs increased as a result of the rise in prepaid airtime commissions and the timing of the launch of 3G in the Egypt market, with licensing costs only reflected in part of the prior period. The timing of the 3G launch in May 2007 and higher capital expenditure in the prior year impacted depreciation and amortisation. Customer costs grew in line with the increase in the average customer base.

Vodacom

At constant exchange rates, service revenue rose by 14.5% to £728 million, reflecting the 7.9% increase in the average customer base which took the Group’s share of Vodacom’s customers to 17.8 million. Usage per customer grew as a result of the Yebo4less tariff in South Africa which includes location and time based discounts. Strong growth in data revenue was driven by the increased penetration of mobile PC connectivity devices, as the absence of fixed line alternatives makes mobile data a more attractive offering. Data revenue also benefited from the launch of South Africa’s first high speed uplink packet access (‘HSUPA’) and the launch of Vodafone M-Pesa/Vodafone Money Transfer service in Tanzania.

Adjusted operating profit rose by 12.9% at constant exchange rates to £175 million. The growth in revenue more than offset the increasing cost base, which benefited from lower growth in customer costs as the South African market matures. The cost base was impacted by an increase in operating expenses due to continued expansion, investment in enterprise customers and high wage inflation.

India

Vodafone Essar, which was acquired in May 2007, achieved revenue of £1,178 million, growing by 41%, assuming the Group owned the business for the whole of both periods. Growth on this basis in the second quarter was 36% compared with 46% in the first quarter, with around five percentage points of the decline in growth rate being a result of market driven cuts and the balance attributable to a higher revenue base in the second quarter of the prior period. Net customer additions were 10.5 million, bringing the closing customer base to 54.6 million, an increase of 53.2% in comparison to the same date last year, and was achieved despite the increasingly competitive environment. Customer penetration in the Indian mobile market reached 27% at 30 September 2008.

Adjusted operating profit was £7 million. Customer costs increased at a lower rate than revenue, benefiting from economies of scale. Licensing costs increased as discounts received from the regulator in some service areas have

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been terminated. Network expansion continued, with an average of 2,000 base stations constructed per month during the period, including in new service areas, while site sharing increased and the joint venture, Indus Towers, launched and steadily increased its operations.

The Indian Government is expected to auction 3G spectrum during the current financial year.

Pacific

On an organic basis, service revenue grew by 7.5%. In Australia, the main drivers were the rise in the average customer base and the positive impact of the improving contract customer mix. In New Zealand, increased penetration of mobile PC connectivity devices and the 68.7% rise in the fixed broadband customer base led to the increase in service revenue.

On an organic basis, adjusted operating profit declined by 25.4%, predominantly due to the performance in Australia, where an increase in loss provision for a prepaid recharge vendor, higher customer costs reflecting increased competition and higher handset subsidies more than offset the revenue growth. This was partially offset by an increase in adjusted operating profit in New Zealand, where the increase in revenue was achieved on a stable cost base.

Associates

Six months ended 30 September
2008 2007 % change
£m £m £ $
Share of result of
associates
Operating profit 1,632 1,366 19.5 14.9
Interest (28 ) (65 ) (56.9 ) (57.8 )
Tax (1) (93 ) (92 ) 1.1 (3.7 )
Minority interest (31 ) (29 ) 6.9 5.3
1,480 1,180 25.4 20.6
Verizon Wireless (100%
basis)
Total revenue (£m) 12,877 11,042
EBITDA margin 38.8% 39.1%
Closing customers (‘000) 70,808 63,699
Average monthly ARPU ($) 54.6 54.1
Blended churn 14.7% 15.1%
Messaging and data as a percentage
of service revenue 23.7% 18.4%
Note:
(1) The Group’s share of the tax
attributable to Verizon Wireless relates only to the corporate entities held
by the Verizon Wireless partnership and certain state taxes which are levied
on the partnership. The tax attributable to the Group’s share of the
partnership’s pre-tax profit is included within the Group tax charge.

Verizon Wireless, the Group’s associated undertaking in the US, produced another period of strong organic customer growth, with 2.9 million net customer additions, bringing its customer base to 70.8 million. This was achieved in a market where penetration reached an estimated 90% at 30 September 2008. Concentration on the high value contract segment and low customer churn driven by market leading customer loyalty led to the increase.

Service revenue growth was 11.9% at constant exchange rates, driven by the expanding customer base and a 0.9% increase in ARPU. Non-voice revenue continued to increase strongly, predominantly as a result of growth in data card, email and messaging services. Verizon Wireless continued to lay the foundations for future revenue growth through the expansion of an enhanced wireless broadband service which now covers a population of 260 million.

The EBITDA margin remained strong, decreasing marginally for the period due to increased demand for high-end data devices.

Verizon Wireless completed the acquisition of Rural Cellular Corporation during the period, adding 0.7m customers. On 5 June 2008, Verizon Wireless agreed to acquire Alltel Corporation for $28.1 billion in cash and assumed debt. The transaction is expected to complete by 31 December 2008.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

*CASH FLOWS AND FUNDING*

Six months ended 30 September
2008 2007
£m £m %
Net cash inflow from
operating activities 6,065 4,860 24.8
Taxation 1,079 1,487
Purchase of intangible fixed assets (1,099 ) (320 )
Purchase of property, plant and
equipment (2,475 ) (1,902 )
Disposal of property, plant and
equipment 61 13
Operating free cash flow 3,631 4,138 (12.3 )
Taxation (1,079 ) (1,487 )
Dividends received from associated
undertakings (1) 232 476
Dividends paid to minority
shareholders in subsidiary undertakings (78 ) (66 )
Dividends received from investments 108 72
Interest received 166 240
Interest paid (551 ) (712 )
Free cash flow 2,429 2,661 (8.7 )
Qatar licence payment 647 –
Other licence and spectrum payments 25 14
Free cash flow excluding
licence and spectrum payments 3,101 2,675 15.9
Acquisitions and disposals (2) (782 ) (5,973 )
Amounts received from minority
interests (3) 624 –
Put options over minority interests 77 (2,431 )
Equity dividends paid (2,671 ) (2,334 )
Purchase of treasury shares (963 ) –
Foreign exchange and other (1,282 ) (127 )
Net debt increase (2,568 ) (8,204 )
Opening net debt (25,147 ) (15,049 )
Closing net debt (27,715 ) (23,253 ) 19.2
Notes:
(1) Six months ended 30
September 2008 includes £nil (2007: £272 million) from the Group’s
interest in SFR and £226 million (2007: £199 million) from the Group’s interest
in Verizon Wireless.
(2) Six months ended 30
September 2008 includes net cash and cash equivalents paid of £779
million (2007: £4,724 million) and assumed debt of £3 million (2007:
£1,249 million), excluding liabilities related to put options over minority
interests, which are shown separately.
(3) Includes £591 million in relation
to Vodafone Qatar.

Free cash flow excluding licence and spectrum payments increased by 15.9% to £3,101 million as the increased cash generated by operations more than offset higher capital expenditure, and taxation and interest payments were lower than in the same period last year. Free cash flow was lower, primarily due to a £647 million payment representing 60% of the licence in Qatar, of which £530 million was funded by Vodafone Qatar’s other shareholders.

Cash generated by operations increased by £797 million to £7,144 million, with approximately 70% generated in the Europe region. Capital expenditure excluding licence and spectrum payments increased by £694 million, primarily due to network expansion in India and Turkey. EMAPA funded the increase in its capital expenditure through cash generated by operations.

Payments for taxation decreased by £408 million, primarily due to lower settlements, a lower weighted average statutory tax rate and structural benefits following enhancements to the Group’s internal capital structure. Dividends received from associated undertakings fell by 51.3% to £232 million as the Group agreed to an estimated €500 million reduction in dividend payments over a three year period following SFR’s decision to purchase Neuf Cegetel.

Net interest payments decreased 18.4% to £385 million, primarily due to favourable changes in the fair value of interest rate hedging instruments, partially offset by unfavourable exchange rate movements impacting the translation into sterling. The interest charge resulting from the 24.9% increase in average net debt was minimised due to changes in currency mix of and significantly lower interest rates for debt denominated in US dollars.

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An analysis of net debt is as follows:

30 September — 2008 31 March — 2008
£m £m
Cash and
cash equivalents (as presented in the consolidated cash flow statement) 1,071 1,652
Bank
overdrafts 63 47
Cash and
cash equivalents (as presented in the consolidated balance sheet) 1,134 1,699
Short term
borrowings
Bonds (2,547 ) (1,930 )
Commercial
paper (1) (2,326 ) (1,443 )
Bank loans (609 ) (806 )
Other short
term borrowings (301 ) (353 )
(5,783 ) (4,532 )
Long term
borrowings
Put options
over minority interests (2,587 ) (2,625 )
Bonds,
loans and other long term borrowings (2) (21,078 ) (20,037 )
(23,665 ) (22,662 )
Trade and other
receivables (3) 869 892
Trade and
other payables (3) (270 ) (544 )
(28,849 ) (26,846 )
Net debt (27,715 ) (25,147 )

Notes:

| (1) | At 30 September 2008, $547 million was drawn under
the US commercial paper programme and amounts of €2,156 million, £285
million, $33 million and £12 million equivalent of other currencies were
drawn under the euro commercial paper programme. |
| --- | --- |
| (2) | At 30 September 2008, £3,948 million related to
drawn facilities, including £1,368 million for a JPY term loan and £1,357
million for loans within the Indian corporate structure. |
| (3) | Represents mark to market adjustments on derivative
financial instruments which are included as a component of trade and other
receivables and trade and other payables. |

The Group’s credit ratings enable it to have access to a range of debt finance, including commercial paper, bonds and committed bank facilities. The following table sets out the Group’s committed bank facilities:

30 September
2008
Maturity £m
Undrawn facilities
$5.0 billion
committed Revolving Credit Facility provided by 33 banks (1) June 2012 2,823
$4.1 billion
committed Revolving Credit Facility provided by 22 banks (1) July 2011 2,312
Other committed
credit facilities Various 294
Total undrawn
committed facilities 5,429

Note:

(1) Both facilities support US and euro commercial paper programmes of up to $15 billion and £5 billion, respectively.

The Group’s £2,326 million of commercial paper maturing within one year is covered 2.3 times by these undrawn Revolving Credit Facilities. In addition, the Group has historically generated significant amounts of free cash flow, which can be allocated to pay dividends, repay maturing borrowings and pay for discretionary spending. The Group currently expects to continue generating significant amounts of free cash flow.

The Group has a €30 billion Euro Medium Term Note (‘EMTN’) programme and a US shelf programme which are used to meet medium to long term funding requirements. In the six months ended 30 September 2008, the following bonds were issued:

Date bond issued Maturity of bond Currency Amount million US shelf programme or EMTN Programme
10 April 2008 10 April 2015 JPY 3,000 EMTN Programme
3 June 2008 3 June 2013 CZK 534 EMTN Programme
18 June 2008 18 June 2010 EUR 1,250 EMTN Programme
13 May 2008 29 November 2012 EUR 250 EMTN Programme

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At 30 September 2008, the Group had bonds outstanding with a nominal value of £17,483 million (31 March 2008: £17,143 million). Information on the maturities of the Group’s outstanding bonds is included in the table above and on pages 117 to 119 of the Group’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2008.

Consistent with the development of its strategy, the Group targets low single A long term credit ratings, with its current credit ratings being P-2/F2/A-2 short term and Baa1 stable/A- stable/A- stable long term from Moody’s, Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s, respectively. Credit ratings are not a recommendation to purchase, hold or sell securities, in as much as ratings do not comment on market price or suitability for a particular investor, and are subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organisation. Each rating should be evaluated independently.

*TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURNS*

*Dividends*

The Company provides returns to shareholders through dividends. The Company has historically paid dividends semi-annually, with a regular interim dividend in respect of the first six months of the financial year payable in February and a final dividend payable in August. The directors expect that the Company will continue to pay dividends semi-annually.

The Board has reviewed the present dividend policy in the light of recent foreign exchange rate volatility, the impact of amortisation of acquired intangible assets and the current economic environment and has concluded that it should instead adopt a progressive policy, where dividend growth reflects the underlying trading and cash performance of the Group.

Accordingly, the directors have announced an interim dividend of 2.57 pence per share, representing a 3.2% increase over last year’s interim dividend.

The ex-dividend date is 19 November 2008 for ordinary shareholders, the record date for the interim dividend is 21 November 2008 and the dividend is payable on 6 February 2009.

*Other returns*

Between 23 July 2008 and 18 September 2008, the Group purchased 736 million of its own shares for an aggregate consideration of £1.0 billion.

*OPTION AGREEMENTS AND SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS*

The Group is party to a number of option agreements which could result in it being required to pay cash to maintain or increase its equity interests in its operations in the US and India. Details of these agreements are available on page 58 of the Group’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2008.

*SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS*

The Group invested a net £779 million (1) in acquisition and disposal activities, including the purchase and disposal of investments, in the six months ended 30 September 2008. An analysis of the significant transactions is shown below.

| Acquisition of additional 26.4%
stake in Arcor | £m (1) — 366 | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Acquisition of 70% of Ghana
Telecommunications Company Limited | 485 | |
| Other net acquisitions and
disposals, including investments | (72 | ) |
| | 779 | |

Note:

(1) Amounts are shown net of cash and cash equivalents acquired or disposed.

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Qatar licences

During the period, Vodafone Qatar paid QAR 4,630 million (£647 million), representing 60% of the cost of the mobile licence won in auction in December 2007.

Vodafone Qatar is obligated under the terms of its mobile licence to offer shares consisting of 40% of its equity interests to Qatari citizens through an initial public offering on the Doha securities market. Vodafone Qatar is awaiting approval from the Qatar Financial Markets Authority to proceed with the public offering. Following the public offering, a holding company established by Vodafone (owning 51%) and the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development (‘Qatar Foundation’) (owning 49%) is expected to own 45% of Vodafone Qatar’s equity securities, with the remaining 15% expected to be owned by Qatari institutional investors.

Accordingly, the Group expects its effective equity interest in Vodafone Qatar to be 22.95% following the public offering. The Group accounts for Vodafone Qatar as a subsidiary and will continue to do so after the public offering, as Vodafone will continue to exercise control over the company’s significant financial and operating decisions.

The balance of the licence payment is to be paid following completion of the public offering. The Group could be required to fund up to a maximum of QAR 435 million (£67 million) of the remaining licence cost, with the precise amount, if any, dependent on the success of the public offering. The remainder of the licence cost will be funded by the Qatar Foundation and the other shareholders in Vodafone Qatar. Services are expected to be launched under the Vodafone brand by the end of the 2009 financial year.

In September 2008, a consortium comprising Vodafone and Qatar Foundation (‘the Consortium’) was announced as the winning applicant for the second fixed licence in Qatar. The Consortium is undertaking the process to complete the pre-licence grant requirements, including payment of a licence fee of QAR 10 million (£1.5 million).

*RISK FACTORS*

There are a number of risk factors and uncertainties that could have a significant effect on the Group’s financial performance including:

| · | the level of competition in the
markets in which it and its interests operate which may affect the Group’s
revenue and market share; |
| --- | --- |
| · | decisions and changes in the
Group’s regulatory environment; |
| · | the non achievement of expected
benefits from cost reduction initiatives and from business acquisitions; |
| · | expected benefits from investment
in networks, licences and new technology may not be realised; |
| · | delays in the development of
handsets and network compatibility and components may hinder the deployment
of new technologies; |
| · | geographic expansion may increase
the Group’s exposure to unpredictable economic, political and legal risks; |
| · | the Group’s strategic objectives
may be impeded by the fact that it does not have a controlling interest in
some of its ventures; |
| · | the Group’s business may be
adversely affected by the non-supply of equipment and support services by a
major supplier; |
| · | the Group may experience a decline
in revenue or profitability notwithstanding its efforts to increase revenue
from the introduction of new services; and |
| · | the Group’s business and its
ability to retain customers and attract new customers may be impaired by
actual or perceived health risks associated with the transmission of radio
waves from mobile telephones, transmitters and associated equipment. |

In addition to the above, the Group is exposed to financial risks arising from external factors, including the movements in foreign exchange rates, interest rates and other factors such as long term economic growth rates, all of which may impact the Group’s financial performance. Non-financial risks that could have a significant effect on the Group’s financial performance for the six months ending 31 March 2009 and which are outside the Group’s

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control include the willingness and ability of third parties, including regulators, tax raising authorities and commercial partners, to engage and reach agreement on open matters.

Any of the above and/or changes in assumptions underlying the carrying value of certain Group assets could result in asset impairments.

Further information in relation to these risk factors and uncertainties can be found on pages 52 to 53 of the Group’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2008 which can be found on www.vodafone.com.

*RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT*

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

· the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, “Interim Financial Reporting”; and

· the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R and DTR 4.2.8R.

Neither the Company nor the directors accept any liability to any person in relation to the Half-Year Financial Report except to the extent that such liability could arise under English law. Accordingly, any liability to a person who has demonstrated reliance on any untrue or misleading statement or omission shall be determined in accordance with section 90A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

By Order of the Board

Stephen Scott

Secretary

11 November 2008

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*CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS*

*CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT*

| | | Six months
ended 30 September | | | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | 2008 | | 2007 | |
| | Note | £m | | £m | |
| Revenue | 2 | 19,902 | | 16,994 | |
| Cost of sales | | (12,414 | ) | (10,212 | ) |
| Gross profit | | 7,488 | | 6,782 | |
| Selling and distribution expenses | | (1,349 | ) | (1,152 | ) |
| Administrative expenses | | (2,160 | ) | (1,850 | ) |
| Share of result in associated
undertakings | | 1,792 | | 1,443 | |
| Impairment loss | 3 | (1,700 | ) | – | |
| Other income and expense | | – | | (15 | ) |
| Operating profit | 2 | 4,071 | | 5,208 | |
| Non-operating income and expense | | (14 | ) | 250 | |
| Investment income | | 501 | | 382 | |
| Financing costs | | (1,244 | ) | (1,280 | ) |
| Profit before
taxation | | 3,314 | | 4,560 | |
| Income tax expense | 4 | (1,145 | ) | (1,233 | ) |
| Profit for the
period | | 2,169 | | 3,327 | |
| Attributable to: | | | | | |
| – Equity shareholders | | 2,140 | | 3,290 | |
| – Minority interests | | 29 | | 37 | |
| | | 2,169 | | 3,327 | |
| Earnings per share | | | | | |
| – Basic | 5 | 4.04p | | 6.22p | |
| – Diluted | 5 | 4.02p | | 6.19p | |

*CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE*

Six months ended 30 September — 2008 2007
£m £m
(Losses)/gains on revaluation of
available-for-sale investments, net of tax (1,743 ) 2,568
Exchange differences on translation
of foreign operations, net of tax 1,605 705
Net actuarial (losses)/gains on
defined benefit pension schemes, net of tax (49 ) 53
Revaluation gain 97 –
Foreign exchange gains transferred
to the income statement (3 ) (7 )
Fair value gains transferred to the
income statement – (570 )
Net (loss)/gain
recognised directly in equity (93 ) 2,749
Profit for the period 2,169 3,327
Total recognised
income and expense relating to the period 2,076 6,076
Attributable to:
– Equity shareholders 1,989 6,096
– Minority interests 87 (20 )
2,076 6,076

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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*CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS*

*CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET*

30 September — 2008 31 March — 2008
£m £m
Non-current assets
Goodwill 49,873 51,336
Other intangible assets 19,479 18,995
Property, plant and equipment 16,687 16,735
Investments in associated
undertakings 26,651 22,545
Other investments 6,170 7,367
Deferred tax assets 825 436
Post employment benefits 32 65
Trade and other receivables 1,289 1,067
121,006 118,546
Current assets
Inventory 471 417
Taxation recoverable 37 57
Trade and other receivables 6,687 6,551
Cash and cash equivalents 1,134 1,699
8,329 8,724
Total assets 129,335 127,270
Equity
Called up share capital 4,152 4,182
Share premium account 43,005 42,934
Own shares held (8,093 ) (7,856 )
Additional paid-in capital 100,145 100,151
Capital redemption reserve 10,102 10,054
Accumulated other recognised income
and expense 10,407 10,558
Retained losses (83,346 ) (81,980 )
Total equity
shareholders’ funds 76,372 78,043
Minority interests 1,685 1,168
Put options over minority interests (2,712 ) (2,740 )
Total minority
interests (1,027 ) (1,572 )
Total equity 75,345 76,471
Non-current liabilities
Long term borrowings 23,665 22,662
Deferred tax liabilities 5,728 5,109
Post employment benefits 128 104
Provisions 339 306
Trade and other payables 575 645
30,435 28,826
Current
liabilities
Short term borrowings 5,783 4,532
Current taxation liabilities 5,363 5,123
Provisions 313 356
Trade and other payables 12,096 11,962
23,555 21,973
Total equity and
liabilities 129,335 127,270

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

2008 2007
Note £m £m
Net
cash flows from operating activities 7 6,065 4,860
Cash flow from
investing activities
Purchase of interests in subsidiary undertakings and
joint ventures, net
of cash acquired 8 (909 ) (5,475 )
Purchase of intangible assets (1,099 ) (320 )
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (2,475 ) (1,902 )
Purchase of investments (102 ) (30 )
Disposal of interests in subsidiaries, net of cash
disposed 4 –
Disposal of interests in associated undertakings 25 –
Disposal of property, plant and equipment 61 13
Disposal of investments 203 781
Dividends received from associated undertakings 232 476
Dividends received from investments 108 72
Interest received 166 240
Net cash flows
from investing activities (3,786 ) (6,145 )
Cash
flow from financing activities
Issue of ordinary share capital and reissue of
treasury shares 18 170
Net movement in short term borrowings 339 (104 )
Proceeds from issue of long term borrowings 2,454 1,119
Repayment of borrowings (2,032 ) (1,271 )
Purchase of treasury shares (963 ) –
B share capital redemption (15 ) (4 )
Equity dividends paid (2,671 ) (2,334 )
Dividends paid to minority shareholders (78 ) (66 )
Interest paid (551 ) (712 )
Amounts received from minority shareholders 624 –
Net cash flow from
financing activities (2,875 ) (3,202 )
Net
cash flow (596 ) (4,487 )
Cash
and cash equivalents at beginning of the period 1,652 7,458
Exchange gains/(losses) on cash and cash equivalents 15 (98 )
Cash and cash
equivalents at end of the period 1,071 2,873

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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*NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS*

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2008

*1 Basis of preparation*

The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the six months ended 30 September 2008:

· were prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 “Interim Financial Reporting” (‘IAS 34’) and thereby International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’), both as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’) and as adopted by the European Union (‘EU’);

· are presented on a condensed basis as permitted by IAS 34 and therefore do not include all disclosures that would otherwise be required in a full set of financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the 2008 Annual Report;

· except as disclosed below, apply the same accounting policies, presentation and methods of calculation as those followed in the preparation of the Group’s annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2008;

· include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented; and

· do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 240 of the Companies Act 1985 and were approved by the Board of directors on 11 November 2008.

The information relating to the year ended 31 March 2008 is an extract from the published Annual Report for that year, which has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies, and on which the Auditors’ Report was unqualified and did not contain statements under section 237(2) or 237(3) of the UK Companies Act 1985.

The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could vary from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.

Change in accounting policy

During the period, the Group changed its accounting policy with respect to the acquisition of minority interests in subsidiaries. The Group now applies the economic entity method, under which such transactions are accounted for as transactions between shareholders and there is no remeasurement to fair value of net assets acquired that were previously attributable to minority shareholders. Prior to this change in policy, the Group applied the parent company method to such transactions, and assets previously attributable to minority interest, including goodwill and other acquired intangible assets, were remeasured to fair value at the date of acquisition.

The Group believes the new policy is preferable as it more closely aligns the accounting for these transactions with the treatment of minority interest as a component of equity and will aid comparability.

The impact of this voluntary change in accounting policy on the financial statements is primarily to reduce goodwill and acquired intangible assets and related income statement amounts arising on such transactions. This change did not result in a material impact on the current half-year period or any periods included within this Half-Year Financial Report.

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*NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS*

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2008

*2 Segmental and other analyses*

The Group has a single group of related services and products, being the supply of communications services and products.

Six months ended — 30 September 2008 Segment Common Intra- — region Regional Inter- — region Group Adjusted — operating
revenue functions revenue revenue revenue revenue profit
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m
Germany 3,008 (74 ) 2,934 (7 ) 2,927 766
Italy 2,652 (22 ) 2,630 (3 ) 2,627 860
Spain 2,888 (58 ) 2,830 (2 ) 2,828 719
UK 2,714 (24 ) 2,690 (6 ) 2,684 134
Arcor 921 (122 ) 799 (1 ) 798 104
Other
Europe 2,636 (39 ) 2,597 (3 ) 2,594 880
Europe 14,819 (339 ) 14,480 (22 ) 14,458 3,463
Eastern
Europe 1,872 – 1,872 (28 ) 1,844 206
Middle
East, Africa & Asia 2,634 (1 ) 2,633 (16 ) 2,617 382
Pacific 903 – 903 (7 ) 896 50
Associates –
US – – – – – 1,480
EMAPA 5,409 (1 ) 5,408 (51 ) 5,357 2,118
Common
functions – 93 – 93 (6 ) 87 190
20,228 93 (340 ) 19,981 (79 ) 19,902 5,771
Six months ended
30 September 2007
Germany 2,650 (63 ) 2,587 (5 ) 2,582 644
Italy 2,097 (21 ) 2,076 (3 ) 2,073 776
Spain 2,439 (62 ) 2,377 (3 ) 2,374 715
UK 2,717 (25 ) 2,692 (5 ) 2,687 243
Arcor 768 (32 ) 736 – 736 92
Other
Europe 2,243 (42 ) 2,201 (3 ) 2,198 799
Europe 12,914 (245 ) 12,669 (19 ) 12,650 3,269
Eastern
Europe 1,524 – 1,524 (21 ) 1,503 171
Middle
East, Africa & Asia 2,019 – 2,019 (6 ) 2,013 330
Pacific 758 – 758 (5 ) 753 63
Associates –
US – – – – – 1,180
EMAPA 4,301 – 4,301 (32 ) 4,269 1,744
Common
functions – 80 – 80 (5 ) 75 210
17,215 80 (245 ) 17,050 (56 ) 16,994 5,223

A reconciliation of adjusted operating profit to operating profit is shown below. For a reconciliation of operating profit to profit before taxation, see the Consolidated Income Statement on page 23.

2008 2007
£m £m
Adjusted
operating profit 5,771 5,223
Impairment
loss (1,700) –
Other items – (15 )
Operating
profit 4,071 5,208

27

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*NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS*

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2008

*3 I mpairment loss*

The carrying value of goodwill of the Group’s operations in Turkey, an operating segment included within the Eastern European reportable segment, has been impaired by £1,700 million following a test for impairment triggered by adverse movements in the discount rate and adverse performance against previous plans. The local competitive environment has intensified resulting in lower expectations for customer market share and revenue per user, leading to reduced expectations for EBITDA and capital expenditure.

The impairment loss was based on a value in use calculation using a pre-tax risk adjusted discount rate of 18.6% and was recognised in the income statement as a separate line item within operating profit. The recoverable amount of the Group’s operations in Turkey equals its reported carrying value at 30 September 2008 and consequently, any adverse change in a key assumption underpinning the value in use calculation may cause a further impairment loss to be recognised.

*4 T axation*

2008 2007
£m £m
United
Kingdom corporation tax (income)/expense at 28% (2007: 30%):
Current
year 23 –
Adjustments
in respect of prior years – (65 )
Overseas
corporation tax:
Current
year 1,211 1,393
Adjustments
in respect of prior years 27 (3 )
Total
current tax expense 1,261 1,325
Deferred
tax:
United
Kingdom deferred tax (81 ) (66 )
Overseas
deferred tax (35 ) (26 )
Deferred
tax benefit (116 ) (92 )
Total
income tax expense 1,145 1,233

*5 E arnings per share*

2008 2007
million million
Weighted average number of shares for basic earnings
per share 53,006 52,935
Dilutive potential shares: restricted shares and
share options 199 181
Weighted average number of shares for diluted
earnings per share 53,205 53,116
£m £m
Earnings for basic and diluted earnings per share 2,140 3,290

*6 E quity dividends on ordinary shares*

2008 2007
£m £m
Declared during the period:
Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2008: 5.02
pence per share
(2007: 4.41 pence per share) 2,667 2,331
Proposed after the balance sheet date
and not recognised as a liability:
Interim dividend for the year ending 31 March 2009:
2.57 pence per
share (2008: 2.49 pence per share) 1,348 1,322

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*NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS* FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2008

*7 Net cash flows from operating activities*

2008 2007
£m £m
Profit for the
period 2,169 3,327
Adjustments:
Share-based
payment 65 54
Depreciation
and amortisation 3,239 2,755
Loss
on disposal of property, plant and equipment 25 30
Share
of result in associated undertakings (1,792 ) (1,443 )
Impairment
losses 1,700 –
Other
income and expense – 15
Non-operating
income and expense 14 (250 )
Investment
income (501 ) (382 )
Financing
costs 1,244 1,280
Income
tax expense 1,145 1,233
Increase
in inventory (49 ) (106 )
Increase
in trade and other receivables (49 ) (288 )
(Decrease)/increase
in trade and other payables (66 ) 122
Cash generated by
operations 7,144 6,347
Tax paid (1,079 ) (1,487 )
6,065 4,860

*8 Acquisitions*

The aggregate cash consideration in respect of purchases of interests in subsidiary undertakings and joint ventures, net of cash acquired, is as follows:

30 September 2008
£m
Cash
consideration paid:
Ghana
Telecommunications Limited (‘Ghana Telecom’) 485
Acquisition
of 26.4% interest in Arcor from minority shareholders (1) 366
Other
acquisitions completed during the period 39
Acquisitions
completed in previous periods 24
914
Cash
acquired (5 )
909

Note:

(1) This acquisition has been accounted for as a transaction between shareholders. Accordingly, the difference between the cash consideration paid and the carrying value of net assets attributable to minority interests has been accounted for as a charge to retained losses.

Total goodwill acquired was £431 million and included £409 million in relation to Ghana Telecom and £22 million in relation to other acquisitions completed during the period. In addition, amendments to provisional purchase price allocations on acquisitions completed in previous periods resulted in a reduction in goodwill of £50 million.

*Ghana Telecom*

On 17 August 2008, the Group completed the acquisition of 70% of Ghana Telecom for cash consideration of £485 million, all of which was paid during the period. The initial purchase price allocation has been determined to be provisional pending the completion of the final valuation of the fair value of net assets acquired.

The goodwill is attributable to the expected profitability of the acquired business and the synergies expected to arise after the Group’s acquisition of Ghana Telecom. The results of the acquired entity have been consolidated in the income statement from the date of acquisition. From the date of acquisition, the acquired entity reduced the profit attributable to equity shareholders of the Group by £14 million.

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*NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS* FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2008

Book value Fair value — adjustments Fair value
£m £m £m
Net assets
acquired:
Identifiable
intangible assets (1) – 136 136
Property,
plant and equipment 140 – 140
Inventory 11 – 11
Trade and
other receivables 32 – 32
Current
taxation liabilities (1 ) – (1 )
Deferred
tax liabilities (10 ) (34 ) (44 )
Trade and
other payables (98 ) – (98 )
74 102 176
Minority
interests (100 )
Goodwill 409
Total
consideration (including £2 million of directly attributable costs) 485

Note:

(1) Identifiable intangible assets of £136 million consist of licences and spectrum fees of £112 million and other intangible assets of £24 million.

The following unaudited pro forma summary presents the Group as if Ghana Telecom had been acquired on 1 April 2008. The pro forma amounts include the results of Ghana Telecom, amortisation of the acquired intangible assets recognised on acquisition and interest expense on the increase in net debt as a result of the acquisition. The pro forma amounts do not include any possible synergies from the acquisition of Ghana Telecom. The pro forma information is provided for comparative purposes only and does not necessarily reflect the actual results that would have occurred, nor is it necessarily indicative of future results of operations of the combined companies.

Six months ended
30 September 2008
£m
Revenue 19,954
Profit for the
period 2,141
Profit
attributable to equity shareholders 2,118
Pence per share
Basic earnings per
share 4.00
Diluted earnings
per share 3.98

*Other*

During the six months to 30 September 2008, the Group completed a number of smaller acquisitions for aggregate cash consideration of £39 million, gross of £5 million cash and cash equivalents acquired. All of the net cash consideration was paid during the year. The aggregate fair values of goodwill, identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquired operations were £22 million, £22 million and £5 million, respectively.

*9 Related party transactions*

The Group’s related parties are its joint ventures, associated undertakings, pension schemes, directors and members of the Executive Committee.

Related party transactions with the Group’s joint ventures and associated undertakings primarily comprise fees for the use of Vodafone products and services, including network airtime and access charges and cash pooling arrangements.

No related party transactions have been entered into during the period which might reasonably affect any decisions made by the users of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, except as disclosed below. Transactions between the Company and its joint ventures are not material to the extent that they have not been eliminated through proportionate consolidation or disclosed below.

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*NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS* FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2008

2008 2007
£m £m
Transactions
with associated undertakings:
Sales of
goods and services 102 113
Purchases
of goods and services 115 130
Net
interest receivable from/(payable to) joint ventures 8 (20 )
30 September 31 March
2008 2008
£m £m
Amounts
owed by joint ventures 379 127

In the six months ended 30 September 2008 the Group made contributions to defined benefit pension schemes of £40 million (six months ended 30 September 2007: £31 million). Amounts of dividends received from associated undertakings are included in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement.

Compensation paid to the Company’s Board of directors and members of the Executive Committee will be disclosed in the Group’s Annual Report for the year ending 31 March 2009.

*10 Commitments and contingent liabilities*

There have been no material changes to the Group’s commitments or contingent liabilities during the period.

*11 Other matters*

Seasonality or cyclicality of interim operations

The Group’s financial results have not, historically, been subject to significant seasonal trends.

Issuances and repayment of debt and purchase of equity securities

See “Cash flows and funding” on pages 18 to 20 for details of issuances and repayment of debt, and purchases of the Group’s own shares.

Events after the balance sheet date

On 29 October 2008, the Group announced it had agreed to acquire an additional 4.8% stake in Polkomtel S.A. for cash consideration of €176 million (£141 million) plus accrued interest at closing. The acquisition will increase Vodafone’s stake in Polkomtel from 19.6% to 24.4% and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of the 2008 calendar year.

On 6 November 2008, the Group agreed to acquire an additional 15% stake in Vodacom Group (Proprietary) Limited (‘Vodacom Group’) from Telkom SA Limited (‘Telkom’) for cash consideration of ZAR22.5 billion (£1.4 billion) less the pro rata consolidated attributable net debt of Vodacom Group of approximately ZAR1.55 billion (£0.1 billion). The transaction will increase Vodafone’s shareholding in Vodacom Group from 50% to 65%. The transaction is expected to complete during the first half of the 2009 calendar year following which Vodacom Group will be accounted for as a subsidiary undertaking.

The acquisition is subject to, among other conditions, approval by 75% of Telkom’s shareholders and is interconditional upon Vodacom Group being listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Telkom demerging the remaining 35% of Vodacom Group to Telkom’s shareholders. Telkom’s two largest shareholders, the Government of South Africa and the Public Investment Corporation Limited, owning a combined 58%, have irrevocably committed to vote in favour of the transaction and will become significant shareholders in Vodacom Group following the completion of the transaction. The transaction is also subject to customary competition authority and regulatory approvals.

Vodacom Group is the leading mobile network operator in South Africa, with a market share of 55%, and holds a portfolio of growing operations in Tanzania, Lesotho, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique.

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*INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT BY DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP TO VODAFONE GROUP PLC*

*Introduction*

We have been engaged by the Company to review the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in the Half-Year Financial Report for the six months ended 30 September 2008 which comprise the consolidated income statement, the consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated statement of recognised income and expense, the consolidated cash flow statement and related notes 1 to 11. We have read the other information contained in the Half-Year Financial Report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 issued by the Auditing Practices Board. Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to them in an independent review report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company, for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.

*Directors’ responsibilities*

The Half-Year Financial Report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the Half-Year Financial Report in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom’s Financial Services Authority.

The annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union. As disclosed in note 1, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Half-Year Financial Report have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, “Interim Financial Reporting” (‘IAS 34’) as adopted by the European Union and as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

*Our responsibility*

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in the Half-Year Financial Report based on our review.

*Scope of review*

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, “Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity” issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

*Conclusions*

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the European Union and as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom’s Financial Services Authority.

*Deloitte & Touche LLP*

Chartered Accountants

London, United Kingdom

11 November 2008

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*USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION*

In the discussion of the Group’s reported financial position, operating results and cash flows, information is presented to provide readers with additional financial information that is regularly reviewed by management. However, this additional information presented is not uniformly defined by all companies, including those in the Group’s industry. Accordingly, it may not be comparable with similarly titled measures and disclosures by other companies. Additionally, certain information presented is derived from amounts calculated in accordance with IFRS but is not itself an expressly permitted GAAP measure. Such non-GAAP measures should not be viewed in isolation or as an alternative to the equivalent GAAP measure.

A summary of certain non-GAAP measures included in this results announcement, together with details where additional information and reconciliation to the nearest equivalent GAAP measure can be found, is shown below.

| | | Location in this
results |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | | announcement of
reconciliation |
| Non-GAAP measure | Equivalent GAAP
measure | and further
information |
| EBITDA | Operating profit | Group results on page 6 |
| Adjusted operating
profit | Operating profit | Group results on page 6 |
| Adjusted profit
before tax | Profit before tax | Taxation on page 8 |
| Adjusted effective
tax rate | Income tax expense
as a | Taxation on page 8 |
| | percentage of
profit before taxation | |
| Adjusted profit
attributable to | Profit
attributable to equity | Earnings per share
on page 8 |
| equity
shareholders | shareholders | |
| Operating free
cash flow | Net cash flows
from operating | Cash flows and
funding beginning |
| | activities | on page 18 |
| Free cash flow | Net cash flows
from operating | Cash flows and
funding beginning |
| | activities | on page 18 |
| Free cash flow
excluding licence | Net cash flows
from operating | Cash flows and
funding beginning |
| and spectrum
payments | activities | on page 18 |

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COMMAND=ROTATED_TABLE WIDTH="150%"

*ADDITIONAL INVESTOR INFORMATION AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS REGIONAL ANALYSIS*

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER

Revenue — 2008 2007 EBITDA — 2008 2007 Adjusted operating profit/(loss) — 2008 2007 Capitalised fixed asset additions — 2008 2007 Operating free cash flow (1) — 2008 2007
£m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m
EUROPE
Germany 3,008 2,650 1,324 1,150 766 644 176 167 1,147 1,114
Italy 2,652 2,097 1,190 1,036 860 776 235 145 850 837
Spain 2,888 2,439 996 949 719 715 226 194 616 595
UK 2,714 2,717 630 734 134 243 164 216 391 430
Arcor 921 768 169 138 104 92 113 94 37 1
Other
Europe
Greece 642 599 215 210 116 130 77 66 107 159
Netherlands 790 628 242 214 149 141 47 41 188 139
Portugal 605 502 233 186 158 122 57 42 114 87
Other (2) 599 514 242 217 457 406 31 30 202 159
2,636 2,243 932 827 880 799 212 179 611 544
Intra-region
revenue (339) (245) – – – – – – – –
Total Europe 14,480 12,669 5,241 4,834 3,463 3,269 1,126 995 3,652 3,521
EMAPA
Eastern
Europe
Romania 488 405 224 195 101 86 75 57 150 149
Turkey 629 558 123 102 1 18 127 97 72 (73)
Other (3) 755 561 267 181 104 67 69 70 175 139
1,872 1,524 614 478 206 171 271 224 397 215
Middle East, Africa and Asia
Egypt 577 443 281 223 190 158 76 114 185 146
India (4) 1,178 723 335 246 7 (18) 592 389 (219) 20
Vodacom 829 768 289 269 175 164 100 62 164 125
Other 50 85 10 38 10 26 13 37 (28) 9
2,634 2,019 915 776 382 330 781 602 102 300
Pacific 903 758 173 174 50 63 107 91 3 30
Associates - US – – – – 1,480 1,180 – – – –
Intra-region
revenue (1) – – – – – – – – –
Total EMAPA 5,408 4,301 1,702 1,428 2,118 1,744 1,159 917 502 545
Common
functions 93 80 300 303 190 210 95 70 149 86
Inter-region revenue (79) (56) – – – – – – – –
Total Group 19,902 16,994 7,243 6,565 5,771 5,223 2,380 1,982 4,303 4,152
Qatar licence payment (647) –
Other licence and spectrum payments (25) (14)
Operating free cash flow 3,631 4,138

Notes:

(1) Excluding licence and spectrum payments.

(2) Includes elimination of £6 million (2007: £5 million) of intercompany revenue between operating companies within the Other Europe segment.

(3) Includes elimination of £3 million (2007: £nil million) of intercompany revenue between operating companies within the Eastern Europe segment.

(4) Presents the results of Vodafone Essar from 8 May 2007, being the acquisition date.

See page 33 for use of non-GAAP financial information and page 41 for definition of terms.

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*REGIONAL RESULTS*

FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER

Group (1)
Quarter
ended Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended
30
June 30
September 30 June 30 September 30 June 30 September
2008 2008 2007 2007 % change % change
£m £m £m £m £ Organic £ Organic
Total
revenue 9,828 10,074 8,253 8,741 19.1 1.7 15.2 0.1
Voice revenue 6,587 6,680 5,736 6,045 14.8 (1.1 ) 10.5 (2.5 )
Messaging revenue 1,067 1,104 927 961 15.1 2.5 14.9 2.5
Data revenue 664 727 440 496 50.9 29.4 46.6 25.1
Fixed line revenue 613 624 402 400 52.5 (0.6 ) 56.0 1.6
Other service revenue 271 303 208 272 30.3 16.9 11.4 0.3
Service
revenue 9,202 9,438 7,713 8,174 19.3 1.6 15.5 0.2
Europe (1)
Quarter
ended Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended
30
June 30
September 30 June 30 September 30 June 30 September
2008 2008 2007 2007 % change % change
£m £m £m £m £ Organic £ Organic
Total
revenue 7,183 7,297 6,219 6,450 15.5 (0.2 ) 13.1 (2.0 )
Voice revenue 4,560 4,587 4,177 4,264 9.2 (3.6 ) 7.6 (5.0 )
Messaging revenue 855 879 745 782 14.8 2.2 12.4 0.7
Data revenue 552 593 388 429 42.3 25.5 38.2 21.8
Fixed line revenue 598 601 391 389 52.9 (1.2 ) 54.5 0.5
Other service revenue 203 226 149 199 36.2 20.8 13.6 1.3
Service
revenue 6,768 6,886 5,850 6,063 15.7 (0.2 ) 13.6 (1.8 )
Quarter
ended Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended
30
June 30
September 30 June 30 September 30 June 30 September
2008 2008 2007 2007 % change % change
£m £m £m £m £ Organic £ Organic
Service
revenue
Germany 1,419 1,464 1,238 1,277 14.6 (1.9 ) 14.6 (1.8 )
Italy 1,268 1,292 1,005 1,020 26.2 0.6 26.7 1.3
Spain 1,314 1,356 1,110 1,141 18.4 (2.5 ) 18.8 (2.2 )
UK 1,234 1,242 1,209 1,294 2.1 2.1 (4.0 ) (4.0 )
Arcor 453 452 375 383 20.8 3.0 18.0 1.3
Other 1,228 1,263 1,028 1,076 19.5 1.7 17.4 (0.1 )
Eliminations (148 ) (183 ) (115 ) (128 )
6,768 6,886 5,850 6,063 15.7 (0.2 ) 13.6 (1.8 )
EMAPA (1)
Quarter
ended Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended
30
June 30
September 30 June 30 September 30 June 30 September
2008 2008 2007 2007 % change % change
£m £m £m £m £ Organic £ Organic
Total
revenue 2,637 2,771 2,021 2,280 30.5 9.2 21.5 8.4
Voice revenue 2,027 2,094 1,559 1,781 30.0 7.2 17.6 5.7
Messaging revenue 212 225 182 179 16.5 4.3 25.7 10.8
Data revenue 112 134 52 67 115.4 66.0 100.0 49.3
Fixed line revenue 15 23 11 11 36.4 25.0 109.1 63.6
Other service revenue 102 115 82 101 24.4 7.9 13.9 –
Service
revenue 2,468 2,591 1,886 2,139 30.9 8.7 21.1 7.8
Quarter
ended Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended
30
June 30
September 30 June 30 September 30 June 30 September
2008 2008 2007 2007 % change % change
£m £m £m £m £ Organic £ Organic
Service
revenue
Eastern Europe 861 939 714 759 20.6 4.5 23.7 3.1
Middle East, Africa
& Asia 1,209 1,258 837 1,044 44.4 16.5 20.5 15.1
Pacific 399 394 335 336 19.1 7.3 17.3 7.7
Eliminations (1 ) – – –
2,468 2,591 1,886 2,139 30.9 8.7 21.1 7.8

Note:

(1) The Group revised its presentation of revenue during the period. Further details of this change are provided under the heading “Change in presentation” on page 41.

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*RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EARNINGS* FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER

Reported — £m Adjustments — £m Adjusted — £m
30 September 2008
Operating profit 4,071 1,700 (1) 5,771
Non-operating income and expense (14 ) 14 (2) –
Investment income and financing costs (743 ) 260 (3) (483 )
Profit before taxation 3,314 1,974 5,288
Income tax expense (1,145 ) (129 ) (4) (1,274 )
Profit for the period 2,169 1,845 4,014
Attributable to:
– Equity shareholders 2,140 1,845 3,985
– Minority interests 29 – 29
Basic earnings per
share from continuing operations 4.04 p 7.52 p

Notes:

(1) Adjustment relates to the £1,700 million impairment loss for Vodafone Turkey.

(2) Consists of a £14 million adjustment in relation to disposal of available for sale investments.

(3) Includes a £346 million adjustment in relation to equity put rights and similar arrangements (see note 2 in investment income and financing costs on page 7), offset by £86 million adjustment in relation to foreign exchange on certain intercompany balances and on financial instruments received as consideration in the disposal of Vodafone Japan to SoftBank, which completed in April 2006.

(4) Represents a £129 million adjustment relating to tax on the adjustments used to derive adjusted profit before tax.

Reported — £m Adjustments — £m Adjusted — £m
30 September 2007
Operating profit 5,208 15 (1) 5,223
Non-operating income and expense 250 (250 ) (2) –
Investment income and financing costs (898 ) 376 (3) (522 )
Profit before taxation 4,560 141 4,701
Income tax expense (1,233 ) (34 ) (4) (1,267 )
Profit for the period 3,327 107 3,434
Attributable to:
– Equity shareholders 3,290 107 3,397
– Minority interests 37 – 37
Basic earnings per
share from continuing operations 6.22 p 6.42 p

Notes:

(1) Consists of a £15 million adjustment relating to other income and expense.

(2) Adjustment relates to the profit on disposal of a stake in Bharti Airtel.

(3) Includes a £286 million adjustment in relation to equity put rights and similar arrangements (see note 2 in investment income and financing costs on page 7), and a £90 million adjustment in relation to foreign exchange on certain intercompany balances and on financial instruments received as consideration in the disposal of Vodafone Japan to SoftBank, which completed in April 2006.

(4) Represents a £15 million adjustment relating to the recognition of a pre-acquisition deferred tax asset and a £19 million adjustment relating to tax on the adjustments used to derive adjusted profit before tax.

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*KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESSES*

*MOBILE CUSTOMERS (1) – 1 APRIL 2008 TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2008*

| | QUARTER
TO 30 JUNE 2008 — AT 1 APR | NET | OTHER | AT 30 JUNE | QUARTER
TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2008 — NET | OTHER | AT 30
SEP | |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | 2008 | ADDITIONS | MOVEMENTS (2) | 2008 | ADDITIONS | MOVEMENTS (2) | 2008 | |
| COUNTRY
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | PREPAID (3) |
| Europe | | | | | | | | |
| Germany | 34,412 | 883 | – | 35,295 | 896 | – | 36,191 | 56.7% |
| Italy | 23,068 | (12) | – | 23,056 | 143 | – | 23,199 | 89.3% |
| Spain | 16,039 | 171 | – | 16,210 | 176 | – | 16,386 | 40.8% |
| UK | 18,537 | (27) | – | 18,510 | 207 | – | 18,717 | 58.8% |
| | 92,056 | 1,015 | – | 93,071 | 1,422 | – | 94,493 | 64.2% |
| Other Europe | | | | | | | | |
| Albania | 1,130 | 26 | – | 1,156 | 59 | – | 1,215 | 93.7% |
| Greece | 5,460 | 82 | – | 5,542 | 79 | – | 5,621 | 68.4% |
| Ireland | 2,264 | (17) | – | 2,247 | (16) | – | 2,231 | 70.2% |
| Malta | 200 | (1) | – | 199 | 7 | – | 206 | 86.4% |
| Netherlands | 4,252 | 108 | – | 4,360 | 103 | – | 4,463 | 42.3% |
| Portugal | 5,209 | 58 | – | 5,267 | 183 | – | 5,450 | 78.2% |
| | 18,515 | 256 | – | 18,771 | 415 | – | 19,186 | 67.1% |
| Europe | 110,571 | 1,271 | – | 111,842 | 1,837 | – | 113,679 | 64.7% |
| EMAPA | | | | | | | | |
| Eastern Europe | | | | | | | | |
| Czech Republic | 2,698 | 53 | – | 2,751 | 77 | – | 2,828 | 48.8% |
| Romania | 8,921 | 335 | – | 9,256 | 260 | – | 9,516 | 63.3% |
| Hungary | 2,340 | 54 | – | 2,394 | 53 | – | 2,447 | 54.9% |
| Turkey | 16,935 | 474 | – | 17,409 | (46) | – | 17,363 | 88.8% |
| Poland | 2,653 | (11) | – | 2,642 | 108 | – | 2,750 | 54.4% |
| | 33,547 | 905 | – | 34,452 | 452 | – | 34,904 | 68.9% |
| Middle East,
Africa & Asia | | | | | | | | |
| Egypt | 14,073 | 1,129 | – | 15,202 | 1,189 | – | 16,391 | 96.0% |
| Ghana | – | – | – | – | 42 | 1,629 | 1,671 | 99.4% |
| Kenya | 4,092 | 241 | (4,333) | – | – | – | – | – |
| South Africa (4) | 16,998 | 283 | – | 17,281 | 563 | – | 17,844 | 88.6% |
| India | 44,126 | 5,069 | – | 49,195 | 5,430 | – | 54,625 | 91.5% |
| | 79,289 | 6,722 | (4,333) | 81,678 | 7,224 | 1,629 | 90,531 | 92.1% |
| Pacific | | | | | | | | |
| Australia | 3,690 | 50 | – | 3,740 | (10) | – | 3,730 | 68.3% |
| New Zealand | 2,366 | 35 | – | 2,401 | 26 | – | 2,427 | 72.5% |
| Fiji | 223 | 74 | – | 297 | 43 | – | 340 | 97.2% |
| | 6,279 | 159 | – | 6,438 | 59 | – | 6,497 | 72.8% |
| EMAPA | 119,115 | 7,786 | (4,333) | 122,568 | 7,735 | 1,629 | 131,932 | 85.1% |
| Group | 229,686 | 9,057 | (4,333) | 234,410 | 9,572 | 1,629 | 245,611 | 76.7% |
| Reconciliation to
proportionate | | | | | | | | |
| Minority interests in
above | (23,050) | (2,305) | 542 | (24,813) | (2,500) | (497) | (27,810) | |
| Associates and
investments | | | | | | | | |
| United States | 30,230 | 656 | 21 | 30,907 | 665 | 292 | 31,864 | 5.4% |
| Other | 23,620 | 1,107 | 3,791 | 28,518 | 1,336 | – | 29,854 | 96.8% |
| | 53,850 | 1,763 | 3,812 | 59,425 | 2,001 | 292 | 61,718 | |
| Proportionate (5) | 260,486 | 8,515 | 21 | 269,022 | 9,073 | 1,424 | 279,519 | 83.0% |
| Europe | 118,843 | 1,277 | – | 120,120 | 1,819 | – | 121,939 | 64.7% |
| EMAPA | 141,643 | 7,238 | 21 | 148,902 | 7,254 | 1,424 | 157,580 | 85.9% |

Notes:

(1) Group customers are presented on a controlled (fully consolidated) and jointly controlled (proportionately consolidated) basis in accordance with the Group’s current segments.

(2) Other movements principally relate to Kenya being accounted for as an associate from 28 May 2008 following the allocation of shares in its public offering and the acquisition of Ghana Telecom on 15 August 2008.

(3) Prepaid customer percentages are calculated on a venture basis. At 30 September 2008, there were 897.5 million venture customers.

(4) South Africa refers to the Group’s interests in Vodacom Group (Pty) Limited and its subsidiaries, including those located outside of South Africa.

(5) Proportionate customers are based on equity interests as at 30 September 2008. The calculation of proportionate customers for Vodafone Essar also assumes the exercise of call options that could increase the Group’s equity interest from 51.58% to 66.98%. These call options can only be exercised in accordance with Indian law prevailing at the time of exercise.

37

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*KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESSES*

*MOBILE CUSTOMER CHURN*

COUNTRY ANNUALISED CHURN INFORMATION IN THE QUARTER TO — 31 DEC 2006 31 MAR 2007 30 JUN 2007 30 SEP 2007 31 DEC 2007 31 MAR 2008 30 JUN 2008 30 SEP 2008
Germany (1) Total 20.1% 24.2% 20.7% 20.8% 20.1% 22.6% 21.0% 18.9%
Contract 15.7% 14.9% 14.0% 14.7% 14.5% 15.1% 16.0% 15.6%
Prepaid 23.9% 31.9% 26.4% 26.0% 24.7% 28.5% 24.9% 21.5%
Italy Total 19.4% 20.6% 18.1% 25.0% 24.1% 27.5% 27.1% 30.3%
Contract 14.8% 14.1% 15.9% 14.7% 17.5% 18.1% 17.6% 15.8%
Prepaid 19.8% 21.2% 18.3% 25.9% 24.8% 28.4% 28.2% 32.0%
Spain Total 23.4% 24.7% 22.4% 24.5% 23.6% 24.1% 23.6% 24.3%
Contract 15.3% 16.6% 14.8% 14.6% 15.2% 16.6% 16.4% 16.1%
Prepaid 32.8% 34.5% 31.7% 37.2% 34.6% 34.3% 33.6% 36.0%
UK Total 35.4% 29.8% 34.1% 35.5% 34.7% 35.7% 39.3% 38.5%
Contract 17.9% 17.4% 15.9% 15.3% 15.6% 17.3% 18.0% 17.5%
Prepaid 47.0% 37.9% 46.0% 48.8% 47.4% 47.8% 53.7% 52.9%

Note:

(1) The customer churn for Germany in the quarter ended 31 December 2006 benefited from a regulatory driven change in the prepaid disconnection policy, which reduced disconnections by 291,000 in the quarter. The underlying prepaid customer churn, excluding this change, was 31.1% and total churn was 24.0%.

*3G DEVICES (1)*

QUARTER TO 30 JUNE 2008 — AT 1 APR NET AT 30 JUNE QUARTER TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2008 — NET AT 30 SEP
COUNTRY
(in thousands) 2008 ADDITIONS 2008 ADDITIONS 2008
Germany 5,836 547 6,383 585 6,968
Italy 5,905 326 6,231 484 6,715
Spain 5,264 546 5,810 691 6,501
UK 3,632 473 4,105 546 4,651
Other Europe 3,555 334 3,889 312 4,201
Europe 24,192 2,226 26,418 2,618 29,036
EMAPA 2,868 572 3,440 578 4,018
Group 27,060 2,798 29,858 3,196 33,054
Consumer
devices 23,473 2,076 25,549 2,403 27,952
Enterprise
devices 3,587 722 4,309 793 5,102
Group 27,060 2,798 29,858 3,196 33,054

Note:

(1) 3G devices only include those in the Group’s subsidiary and joint venture undertakings. At 30 September 2008, there were an additional 4.5 million (30 June 2008: 4.2 million, 1 April 2008: 4.0 million) registered Vodafone live! with 3G and Vodafone Mobile Connect data card venture customers in the Group’s associated undertakings.

38

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*KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESSES*

*MOBILE VOICE USAGE VOLUMES*

TOTAL VOICE MINUTES (1) IN THE QUARTER TO — 31 DEC 31 MAR 30 JUN 30 SEP 31 DEC 31 MAR 30 JUN 30 SEP
COUNTRY (in millions) 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008
Europe
Germany 8,650 9,230 9,897 10,263 10,827 11,023 11,507 11,522
Italy 8,256 8,439 8,932 9,051 9,651 9,813 10,094 10,010
Spain 7,655 8,248 8,530 8,886 8,800 8,815 9,226 9,059
UK 8,160 8,790 8,963 9,112 9,434 9,508 9,650 9,597
Albania 160 167 196 215 188 179 189 222
Greece 2,113 1,985 2,168 2,282 2,244 2,262 2,395 2,443
Ireland 1,462 1,420 1,490 1,517 1,543 1,551 1,719 1,619
Malta 50 48 55 64 59 57 62 70
Netherlands 1,868 1,900 2,006 1,899 2,036 2,077 2,260 2,108
Portugal 1,586 1,612 1,657 1,836 1,764 1,763 1,839 2,049
Europe 39,960 41,839 43,894 45,125 46,546 47,048 48,941 48,699
EMAPA
Eastern Europe
Czech Republic 919 916 985 998 1,075 1,067 1,140 1,129
Hungary 1,030 1,030 1,110 1,149 1,206 1,224 1,284 1,287
Romania (2) 2,231 2,339 2,540 2,726 2,778 2,754 2,910 2,976
Turkey 5,781 6,224 6,583 6,551 6,157 6,155 6,876 7,028
Joint Venture 717 681 769 819 855 930 935 1,037
10,678 11,190 11,987 12,243 12,071 12,130 13,145 13,457
Middle East,
Africa & Asia
Egypt 3,670 4,156 4,794 5,591 5,878 6,398 7,112 7,810
Ghana (3) – – – – – – – 427
India (4) – – 22,277 37,337 41,571 48,766 54,816 59,606
Joint Ventures (5)(6) 6,638 5,781 3,016 4,854 4,613 4,652 4,500 3,430
10,308 9,937 30,087 47,782 52,062 59,816 66,428 71,273
Pacific
Australia 2,238 2,222 2,179 2,252 2,422 2,402 2,417 2,402
New Zealand 672 771 793 834 888 904 928 951
Joint Venture 34 32 38 42 47 44 52 92
2,944 3,025 3,010 3,128 3,357 3,350 3,397 3,445
EMAPA 23,930 24,152 45,084 63,153 67,490 75,296 82,970 88,175
Group 63,890 65,991 88,978 108,278 114,036 122,344 131,911 136,874

Notes:

| (1) | The
total voice minute information presented in the table above represents
network minutes, or the volume of minutes handled by each local network, and
includes incoming, outgoing and visitor calls. The voice minute information
in respect of Germany and New Zealand reflects billed minutes, under which
calls are rounded up to the nearest minute under certain tariffs. |
| --- | --- |
| (2) | During
the quarter ended 31 December 2006, Romania restated usage volumes for
all quarters in the prior year. Previous volumes were billed minutes and this
has now been restated to network minutes. |
| (3) | Ghana
Telecom is included from 15 August 2008 following the completion of its
acquisition. |
| (4) | Vodafone
Essar is included from 8 May 2007 and usage for the year has been
rephased following the further integration of its operations into the Group. |
| (5) | With
effect from the quarter ended 30 September 2007, joint venture minutes
within the Middle East, Africa & Asia area include the Group’s share
of minutes for Vodacom Group (Pty) Limited and its subsidiaries, including
those located outside of South Africa. |
| (6) | With
effect from 28 May 2008, joint venture minutes within the Middle East,
Africa & Asia area exclude the Group’s share of minutes for
Safaricom as it is accounted for as an associate following the allocation of
shares in its public offering. |

39

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*KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS - MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUSINESSES*

*AVERAGE MONTHLY MOBILE REVENUE PER USER IN THE QUARTER*

31 DEC 31 MAR 30 JUN 30 SEP 31 DEC 31 MAR 30 JUN 30 SEP
COUNTRY 2006 2007 2007 2007 2007 2008 2008 2008
Europe:
Germany Total 20.9 19.3 19.4 19.4 17.9 16.9 17.0 16.8
(EUR) Contract 36.7 34.7 34.9 35.3 33.1 32.0 32.4 32.4
Prepaid 7.0 6.1 6.2 6.1 5.5 5.0 4.8 4.6
Italy Total 25.6 23.3 23.1 22.6 21.6 20.8 21.3 21.7
(EUR) Contract 71.1 69.5 69.8 65.2 65.4 62.1 60.6 56.5
Prepaid 21.5 19.1 18.8 18.6 17.2 16.4 16.8 17.4
Spain Total 35.1 33.6 36.1 36.4 34.1 32.6 32.6 33.3
(EUR) Contract 51.3 48.9 52.0 51.7 48.0 45.4 45.4 45.9
Prepaid 16.0 15.0 16.4 16.5 15.5 14.9 14.4 14.6
UK Total 23.5 22.5 22.9 23.9 22.5 21.6 22.0 22.0
(GBP) Contract 43.7 43.4 43.5 45.8 42.2 41.2 41.2 40.5
Prepaid 9.5 8.6 8.9 9.0 9.0 8.4 8.6 8.8
Albania Total 2,080 1,860 1,837 2,011 1,773 1,701 1,764 1,941
(ALL) Contract 16,329 14,612 14,403 14,733 11,781 9,049 9,456 9,632
Prepaid 1,605 1,419 1,366 1,497 1,308 1,258 1,261 1,422
Greece Total 27.5 24.6 25.4 26.1 22.7 21.5 22.0 22.7
(EUR) Contract 61.6 56.5 60.0 62.0 53.4 49.7 51.2 52.9
Prepaid 11.4 10.1 10.2 10.4 8.9 8.4 8.4 8.6
Ireland Total 45.6 44.6 45.4 45.1 43.9 41.6 41.7 42.5
(EUR) Contract 94.5 92.5 94.3 94.1 89.4 85.8 85.4 83.2
Prepaid 27.9 27.2 27.1 26.6 26.3 24.1 23.7 25.2
Malta (1) Total 30.9 29.3 34.0 37.6 29.7 26.2 30.2 33.3
(EUR) Contract 93.7 90.7 93.8 95.9 87.2 74.2 75.9 74.4
Prepaid 23.9 22.3 27.0 31.0 23.1 20.4 24.1 27.2
Netherlands Total 31.7 36.1 37.6 38.5 35.9 35.4 36.9 35.6
(EUR) Contract 52.0 57.8 59.7 59.6 55.8 55.0 57.3 55.1
Prepaid 9.8 9.8 10.6 10.8 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.3
Portugal Total 22.4 21.7 22.0 23.4 22.1 21.2 21.4 21.6
(EUR) Contract 57.8 54.2 54.9 59.0 54.2 50.9 51.5 51.4
Prepaid 13.2 13.2 13.2 14.0 13.4 13.0 12.9 13.2
EMAPA Subsidiaries:
Australia Total 54.0 51.3 50.5 49.5 53.2 52.5 48.7 49.0
(AUD) Contract 98.8 97.1 96.2 93.6 96.8 90.7 88.4 84.1
Prepaid 37.2 34.1 33.0 32.0 35.2 35.7 31.5 32.6
Czech Republic Total 658 613 635 619 618 581 604 606
(CZK) Contract 946 897 916 889 891 844 869 870
Prepaid 331 295 320 320 319 296 316 321
Egypt Total 79.4 75.0 75.0 71.0 66.2 63.2 62.1 61.5
(EGP) Contract 289.9 295.8 308.8 304.5 281.2 286.7 293.5 292.9
Prepaid 61.4 59.1 60.4 58.2 55.6 52.6 51.4 51.3
Ghana Total N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 5.9
(GHS) Contract N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.0
Prepaid N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 6.0
Hungary Total 5,171 4,749 4,935 4,994 4,846 4,270 4,418 4,527
(HUF) Contract 8,529 7,847 8,010 7,832 7,484 6,639 6,931 7,065
Prepaid 3,250 2,839 2,873 2,930 2,801 2,362 2,379 2,426
India Total N/A N/A N/A 361 349 350 332 305
(INR) Contract N/A N/A N/A 886 899 910 904 871
Prepaid N/A N/A N/A 291 283 287 272 250
New Zealand Total 49.1 47.6 44.8 47.1 49.2 48.1 44.8 44.6
(NZD) Contract 128.9 122.8 117.2 118.7 120.3 115.7 107.9 106.1
Prepaid 23.7 23.4 21.4 22.0 23.7 23.3 21.6 21.1
Romania (2) Total 10.7 9.5 10.8 10.9 10.8 9.7 10.3 10.4
(EUR) Contract 21.5 19.1 21.9 22.4 22.3 19.6 21.2 21.2
Prepaid 5.0 4.3 4.7 4.6 4.5 4.0 3.8 3.9
Turkey Total 14.4 14.4 15.7 16.3 14.6 13.2 13.6 14.2
(TRY) Contract 28.2 28.7 29.2 29.8 28.7 27.4 27.3 28.6
Prepaid 12.9 12.9 14.1 14.7 12.9 11.4 11.8 12.3

Notes:

| (1) | Malta
adopted the euro from 1 January 2008. Historical ARPU numbers have been
translated at the 1 January 2008 Maltese lira/euro exchange rate. |
| --- | --- |
| (2) | On
1 October 2007, Romania rebased all of its tariffs and changed its
functional currency from US dollars to euros. Historical ARPU numbers have
been translated at the 1 October 2007 US$/euro exchange rate. |

40

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*OTHER INFORMATION*

| 1) | Copies of this
document are available from the Company’s registered office: |
| --- | --- |
| | Vodafone House |
| | The Connection |
| | Newbury |
| | Berkshire |
| | RG14 2FN |
| 2) | This Half-Year
Financial Report will be available on the Vodafone Group Plc website,
www.vodafone.com, from 11 November 2008. |

For further information:
Vodafone Group Plc
Investor Relations Media Relations
Telephone: +44 (0) 1635 664447 Telephone: +44 (0) 1635 664444

Vodafone, Vodafone Mobile Connect, Vodafone Office, Vodafone At Home, Vodafone live!, Vodafone M-Pesa, Vodafone Money Transfer, Vodafone Station, Vodafone Complet and Vodacom are trademarks of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

*Copyright © Vodafone Group 2008*

*DEFINITION OF TERMS*

Term Definition
ARPU Service revenue excluding fixed line
revenue, fixed advertising revenue and revenue related to business managed
services divided by average customers.
Organic growth The percentage movements in organic
growth are presented to reflect operating performance on a comparable basis,
both in terms of percentage of entity ownership, and exchange rate movements.

For definitions of other terms please refer to page 155 of the Group’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2008.

*CHANGE IN PRESENTATION*

During the period, the Group revised its presentation of revenue and costs.

Visitor revenue and revenue from Mobile Virtual Network Operators, or MVNOs, are now reported in the line ‘other service revenue’. This revenue was previously reported within each of the lines for voice, messaging and data revenue. Visitor revenue represents the amounts received by a Vodafone operating company when customers of another operator, including those of other Vodafone companies, roam onto its network. Visitor revenue previously reported within data revenue will continue to be included in the measurement of total communications initiatives. All periods are presented on the revised basis.

In the revised presentation of costs,

| · | direct costs include amounts
previously reported as interconnect costs and other direct costs, except for
expenses related to ongoing commissions; |
| --- | --- |
| · | customer costs include amounts
previously reported within acquisition costs and retention costs, as well as
expenses related to ongoing commissions, marketing, customer care and sales
and distribution; and |
| · | operating expenses are now comprised
primarily of network and IT related expenditure, support costs from HR and
finance and certain intercompany items. |

All periods are presented on the revised basis.

41

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*OTHER INFORMATION*

*FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS*

This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to the Group’s financial condition, results of operations and businesses and certain of the Group’s plans and objectives.

In particular, such forward-looking statements include statements with respect to expectations regarding the Group’s financial condition or results of operations contained within the Chief Executive’s Statement on pages 2 and 3 and the Outlook for the 2009 Financial Year on page 5 of this document, and expectations for the Group’s future performance generally; expectations regarding the operating environment and market conditions and trends, including customer mix and usage, competitive pressures and price trends; intentions and expectations regarding the development and launch of products, services and technologies introduced by Vodafone or by Vodafone in conjunction with third parties; anticipated benefits to the Group from cost reduction or efficiency programmes; growth in customers and usage; growth in mobile data, enterprise and broadband; growth in emerging markets, especially India, Turkey and Africa; expectations regarding foreign exchange rates and interest rates; expectations regarding revenue, adjusted operating profit, capitalised fixed asset additions, free cash flows, costs, tax payments and tax rates; expectations regarding capital intensity, capital expenditures and depreciation and amortisation charges; expectations regarding liquidity and capitalisation; expectations regarding the integration or performance of current and future investments, associates, joint ventures and newly acquired businesses; the rate of dividend growth by the Group or its existing investments; and the impact of regulatory and legal proceedings involving Vodafone and of scheduled or potential regulatory changes.

Forward-looking statements are sometimes, but not always, identified by their use of a date in the future or such words as “anticipates”, “aims”, “could”, “may”, “should”, “expects”, “believes”, “intends”, “plans” or “targets”. By their nature, forward-looking statements are inherently predictive, speculative and involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following: changes in economic or political conditions in markets served by operations of the Group that would adversely affect the level of demand for mobile services; greater than anticipated competitive activity, from both existing competitors and new market entrants, which could require changes to the Group’s pricing models, lead to customer churn or make it more difficult to acquire new customers; the impact of investment in network capacity and the deployment of new technologies, or the rapid obsolescence of existing technology; higher than expected costs or capital expenditures; slower than expected customer growth and reduced customer retention; changes in the spending patterns of new and existing customers and the possibility that new products and services will not be commercially accepted or perform according to expectations; the Group’s ability to renew or obtain necessary licences; the Group’s ability to achieve cost savings; the Group’s ability to execute its strategy in mobile data, enterprise and broadband and in emerging markets; changes in foreign exchange rates or interest rates; the ability to realise benefits from entering into partnerships for developing data and internet services and entering into service franchising and brand licensing; unfavourable consequences of acquisitions or disposals; changes in the regulatory framework in which the Group operates, including possible action by regulators in markets in which the Group operates or by the EU to regulate rates the Group is permitted to charge; the impact of legal or other proceedings against the Group or other companies in the mobile telecommunications industry; loss of suppliers or disruption of supply chains; the Group’s ability to satisfy working capital and other requirements through access to, bank facilities, funding in the capital markets and operations; changes in statutory tax rates or profit mix which might impact the weighted average tax rate; changes in tax legislation or final resolution of open tax issues which might impact the Group’s tax payments or effective tax rate; and changes in exchange rates, including particularly the exchange rate of pounds sterling to the euro and the US dollar.

Furthermore, a review of the reasons why actual results and developments may differ materially from the expectations disclosed or implied within forward-looking statements can be found under “Principal Risk Factors and Uncertainties” in Vodafone Group Plc’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2008. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or any member of the Group or any persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the factors referred to above. No assurances can be given that the forward-looking statements in this document will be realised. Neither Vodafone nor any of its affiliates intends to update these forward-looking statements.

42

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.

VODAFONE GROUP
PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
(Registrant)
Dated: November 12, 2008 By: /s/ S R SCOTT
Name: Stephen R. Scott
Title: Group General Counsel and
Company Secretary

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