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 3 February,  2011

 

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): 8

 


 

This Report on Form 6-K contains a news release issued by Vodafone Group Plc on, 3 February 2011, entitled “Interim Management Statement for the Quarter ended 31 December 2010”

 


 

INTERIM MANAGEMENT STATEMENT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED

31 DECEMBER 2010

 

Further improvements in revenue growth

 

·                  Group service revenue +2.5%(*), fifth sequential quarter of improvement - both regions delivered faster growth rates

 

·                  Strong service revenue growth in India +16.7%(*), Turkey +31.7%(*), the UK +7.0%(*) and Vodacom +5.6%(*). Excluding termination rate cuts, growth was solid in Germany at +2.3%(*) (headline +1.1%(*)). Performance was stable in Italy with revenue growth of -1.4%(*). Conditions remain challenging in Spain at -7.4%(*)

 

·                  Verizon Wireless service revenue +7.0%(*); strong customer and data growth. iPhone from February 2011

 

·     Underlying free cash flow generation remains strong

 

·                  Outlook confirmed, with adjusted operating profit now expected to be towards the upper end of the £11.8 -£12.2 billion range before the impact of the Verizon Wireless iPhone launch

 

 

 

Quarter ended

 

Change year on year

 

 

Change compared to Q2

 

 

 

31 December 2010

 

Reported

 

Organic

 

 

Organic

 

 

 

£m

 

%

 

%

 

pps

 

Group revenue

 

11,894

 

+3.0

 

+3.5

 

+0.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group service revenue

 

10,960

 

+2.1

 

+2.5

 

+0.2

 

Europe

 

7,657

 

(3.5

)

+0.2

 

+0.1

 

Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific

 

3,210

 

+18.1

 

+9.3

 

+0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditure

 

1,545

 

+14.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free cash flow

 

1,086

 

(39.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

Progress against strategic priorities

 

·                  Data: revenue +27.2%(*) led by higher smartphone penetration and data attach rates in Europe

 

·                  European data pricing: tiered plans launched in eight markets. New smartphone roaming plans launched in November

 

·                  Enterprise: improved trend with Europe service revenue +1.3%(*) and Vodafone Global Enterprise revenue up approximately 6%(*)

 

·                  Total communications: fixed line revenue +4.7%(*), with fixed broadband customers +11.7%(*)

 

·                  Shareholder returns: £1.1 billion of £2.8 billion share buy-back executed by the end of the quarter

 

Vittorio Colao, Chief Executive, commented

 

“This is the fifth successive quarter of service revenue growth improvement, with strong results from India, Turkey, the UK and Vodacom. In addition, Verizon Wireless continues to show strong momentum. Our performance has been driven by the effective execution of our strategy to strengthen our businesses and deliver growth, particularly in data services and emerging markets.”

 

 

 

Note:

(*)   All amounts in this document marked with an “(*)” represent organic growth which presents performance on a comparable basis, both in terms of merger and acquisition activity and foreign exchange rates.

 


 

OPERATING REVIEW

 

Group overview

 

Group revenue increased by 3.5%(*) to £11.9 billion and Group service revenue increased by 2.5%(*) to £11.0 billion. This represents a further improvement on the previous quarter with both regions delivering improved service revenue growth.

 

Europe service revenue growth continued to be positive at 0.2%(*), a 0.1 percentage point improvement on the previous quarter. We delivered strong service revenue growth in the UK at 7.0%(*) and Turkey at 31.7%(*). In Germany, where we benefited from the introduction of the iPhone in October, service revenue grew 2.3%(*) after adjusting for the impact of termination rate cuts, with mobile service revenue up 3.6% on the same basis. Spain continued to see declining organic service revenue growth as a result of the challenging economic environment and an increasingly competitive market. In Italy the rate of organic service revenue decline was broadly unchanged, however, we continue to react in this increasingly competitive market. Our southern European markets continue to be impacted by weak economic environments.

 

The Group changed its organisational structure on 1 October 2010(1). On the basis of the previous structure, service revenue growth in Europe was -0.9%(*) for the quarter compared to -0.8%(*) in the previous quarter.

 

In Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific service revenue grew 9.3%(*), a 0.3 percentage point improvement on the previous quarter. Organic service revenue growth in India and Vodacom was ahead of the previous quarter with improvements driven by strong net customer additions of 8.7 million and 2.2 million respectively, strong usage trends and continued growth from data services.

 

At Verizon Wireless, service revenue grew by 7.0%(*) driven by good net customer growth and higher data revenue led by smartphone sales. On 11 January 2011 Verizon Wireless announced that it would begin to sell the iPhone from 10 February 2011.

 

Data revenue continues to drive our growth strategy, with growth of 27.2%(*) resulting from strong smartphone and mobile connectivity sales. On an annualised basis the Group’s data revenue has grown to over £5 billion, exceeding messaging revenue for the first time ever. Enterprise revenue growth increased to 1.3%(*) in Europe, compared to 0.2%(*) in the previous quarter, with good performance in Italy, the UK and in Germany reflecting several significant enterprise client wins. Fixed line revenue grew by 4.7%(*) driven by positive net customer additions taking the fixed broadband customer base to 6.0 million.

 

Capital expenditure was £1.5 billion, 14.5% higher than the same quarter last year mainly as a result of timing issues. Year to date, capital expenditure increased by 0.7%. The key drivers were India, where import restrictions were lifted and deployment of the 3G network has begun, continued network enhancement in Turkey, investment in Vodacom’s South African mobile data network and continued capital expenditure in Europe to maintain superior network quality.

 

Free cash flow before licence and spectrum payments and one-off tax related payments was £1.1 billion, lower than last year due primarily to working capital movements as the Group took advantage of early settlement terms in December. Cumulative free cash flow generation to 31 December of £4.6 billion is consistent with our expectations for free cash flow guidance for the year.

 

Net debt at 31 December 2010 was £30.3 billion, slightly lower than at 30 September 2010, as free cash flow generation and the initial proceeds from the sale of the Group’s SoftBank interests broadly offset £1.0 billion of shares bought back under the share buy-back programme and one-off tax related payments in the UK, India and China during the quarter.

 

 

 

Note:

(*)       All amounts in this document marked with an “(*)” represent organic growth which presents performance on a comparable basis, both in terms of merger and acquisition activity and foreign exchange rates.

 


 

OPERATING REVIEW

 

Guidance for the 2011 financial year(2)(3)

 

In the third quarter, overall trading was consistent with our expectations underlying financial guidance for the current financial year. We continue to expect a full year EBITDA margin decline at a substantially lower rate than that experienced in the 2010 financial year.

 

We now expect adjusted operating profit to be towards the upper end of the £11.8 - 12.2 billion range that we communicated in November. This is before taking into account the impact of the Verizon Wireless iPhone launch, which we will separately identify when we release our preliminary results in May.

 

Free cash flow is still expected to be in excess of £6.5 billion and we intend to maintain capital expenditure at a similar level to the 2010 financial year, adjusted for foreign exchange rate movements, as we continue to invest to support the quality of our networks.

 

Summary

 

This fifth sequential improvement in Vodafone’s quarterly service revenue growth rate has been delivered through effective commercial execution across the Group’s regions and demonstrates the successful implementation of the Group’s strategy to strengthen its businesses and to deliver growth from data services and emerging markets in particular.

 

We are now focused on implementing our updated strategy to deliver sustainable revenue growth and stabilising EBITDA margins over the medium-term. This, together with our pursuit of liquidity and value from the Group’s non-controlled investments, is expected to drive enhanced free cash flow and returns for shareholders.

 

 

 

Notes:

(1)     See “Change in segments” on page 10.

(2)     The guidance ranges for the 2011 financial year set out on page 37 of the Group’s 2010 annual report and the updated guidance for the 2011 financial year set out on page 7 of the Group’s 2010/11 H1 results and strategy update included full year foreign exchange rate assumptions of £1:€1.15 and £1:US$1.50. The actual rates experienced during the nine months ended 31 December 2010 were £1:€1.18 and £1:US$1.54. On a full year basis a 1% change in the euro / sterling exchange rate would impact adjusted operating profit by approximately £70 million and free cash flow by approximately £60 million and a 1% change in the dollar / sterling exchange rate would impact adjusted operating profit by approximately £45 million.

(3)     The Group’s guidance does not include the impact of licence and spectrum purchases, material one-off tax related payments and settlements, and restructuring costs and assumes no material change to the current structure of the Group.

 


 

OPERATING REVIEW

 

Europe

 

Revenue declined by 1.9% reflecting a 3.8 percentage point impact from unfavourable foreign exchange rate movements. On an organic basis service revenue increased by 0.2%(*) reflecting continued growth in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Turkey which more than offset the declines in the Group’s southern and other central European markets. Strong growth in data revenue of 22.7%(*) offset lower voice revenue driven by the weak economic environment as well as continued market and regulatory pressure.

 

Revenue

 

Quarter ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 December

 

 

 

 

Change

 

 

 

2010 

 

2009 

 

 

Reported

 

Organic

 

 

 

£m

 

£m

 

 

%

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Germany

 

1,915

 

1,991

 

 

(3.8

)

1.1

 

Italy

 

1,378

 

1,470

 

 

(6.3

)

(1.4

)

Spain

 

1,170

 

1,328

 

 

(11.9

)

(7.4

)

UK

 

1,260

 

1,177

 

 

7.0

 

7.0

 

Other Europe(1)

 

1,990

 

2,023

 

 

(1.6

)

1.2

 

Eliminations

 

(56

)

(57

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service revenue(1)

 

7,657

 

7,932

 

 

(3.5

)

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other revenue

 

602

 

489

 

 

23.1

 

27.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue(1)

 

8,259

 

8,421

 

 

(1.9

)

1.8

 

Note:

(1)   The Group revised its segment structure on 1 October 2010. See “Change in segments” on page 10.

 

Germany

 

Service revenue grew by 1.1%(*) driven by strong data revenue growth of 28.5%(*), which benefited from investment to drive smartphone and Superflat Internet tariff penetration, growth in enterprise revenue supported by contract wins and continued improvement in messaging trends. The growth rate slowed compared to the previous quarter due to the impact of a termination rate cut effective from 1 December 2010, ongoing competition and a decline in fixed line revenue as customers optimised their tariffs. The long-term evolution (“LTE”) network launched commercially on 1 December 2010.

 

Italy

 

Service revenue declined by 1.4%(*), in line with the previous quarter reflecting continued economic weakness and price competition. Strong growth in data revenue of 21.7%(*) was supported by continued investment to improve the quality and coverage of the network and by the relaunch of commercial offers and promotions which contributed to a further increase in smartphone penetration. Enterprise revenue continued to grow, driven by an increase in the customer base. Growth in fixed line revenue of 8.9%(*) resulted from strong net customer additions as the closing fixed broadband customer base increased to 1.6 million on a 100% basis.

 

Spain

 

Service revenue declined by 7.4%(*) driven by continued economic weakness, including high unemployment and increased price competition. Customer investment and new integrated tariffs led to a 4.1% increase in the average contract customer base which partially offset the negative price pressures. Strong data revenue growth of 11.9%(*) was driven by the impact of an increase in smartphones sold with data bundles.

 

UK

 

Service revenue grew by 7.0%(*) driven by 29.5%(*) growth in data revenue due to the higher penetration of smartphones and data bundles. This growth was also supported by strong net contract customer additions and improved ARPU, which more than offset continued competitive pressures and weaker prepaid revenue.

 


 

OPERATING REVIEW

 

 

Other Europe

 

Service revenue increased by 1.2%(*) as growth in Hungary, the Netherlands and Turkey more than offset a weaker performance in the rest of the region, particularly in Greece, which continued to be impacted by the challenging economic environment and intense competitive factors.

 

In Turkey service revenue grew by 31.7%(*), despite a 52% cut in termination rates effective from 1 April 2010, driven by strong growth in the contract customer base and data revenue which benefited from improved brand awareness, innovative tariffs and continued network enhancement. In the Netherlands service revenue increased by 6.1%(*) due to a higher customer base and strong data and messaging growth.

 


 

OPERATING REVIEW

 

Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific

 

Revenue increased by 17.6% reflecting a 9.0 percentage point benefit from foreign exchange rate movements. On an organic basis service revenue increased by 9.3%(*) with strong performances in both India and Vodacom. The growth was driven by strong net customer additions in key markets and continued growth from data services.

 

Revenue

 

Quarter ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31 December

 

 

 

 

Change

 

 

 

2010 

 

2009 

 

 

Reported

 

Organic

 

 

 

£m

 

£m

 

 

%

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

India

 

963

 

767

 

 

25.6

 

16.7

 

Vodacom(2)

 

1,293

 

1,111

 

 

16.4

 

5.6

 

Other Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific(1)

 

955

 

839

 

 

13.8

 

6.5

 

Eliminations

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service revenue(1)

 

3,210

 

2,717

 

 

18.1

 

9.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other revenue

 

281

 

252

 

 

11.5

 

5.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue(1)

 

3,491

 

2,969

 

 

17.6

 

9.0

 

Note:

(1)  The Group revised its segment structure on 1 October 2010. See “Change in segments” on page 10.

 

India

 

Service revenue grew by 16.7%(*) including a 1.1 percentage point(*) benefit from Indus Towers, the Group’s network sharing joint venture. Growth was driven by an 8.7 million increase in net customer additions during the quarter and strong mobile voice usage, partially offset by a fall in mobile voice pricing due to strong competition in the market.

 

Following the purchase of 3G spectrum in nine telecom circles in May 2010, the development of the 3G network is currently underway with commercial launch planned during the quarter ended 31 March 2011.

 

Vodacom

 

Service revenue grew by 4.6%(*)(2) driven primarily by South Africa. Strong data revenue growth in South Africa offset a decline in voice revenue caused by a termination rate cut effective from 1 March 2010. Further termination rate cuts are expected on 1 March 2011. Successful commercial activity, particularly in off-peak periods, drove higher voice usage during the quarter and net customer additions returned to pre-registration levels at 1.4 million. Data revenue growth was driven by a 54.6%(*) increase in data usage due to strong growth in connect cards and smartphones.

 

In Vodacom’s operations outside South Africa service revenue grew by 14.0%(*) driven by strong performance in Tanzania and Mozambique, despite being impacted by challenging trading conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Gateway operations.

 

Other Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific

 

Service revenue grew by 6.5%(*) with growth across all markets including a return to organic service revenue growth in Egypt. In Egypt service revenue grew by 1.3%(*), a 2.1 percentage point(*) improvement on the previous quarter, driven by customer growth and continued strong data performance. In Qatar the customer base reached 711,000 by the end of the quarter, with 43% of the population now actively using Vodafone services. In Ghana service revenue growth was driven by 212,000 net customer additions during the quarter supported by competitive tariffs and improved brand awareness.

 

Vodafone Hutchison Australia reported service revenue growth for the quarter of 10.3%(*), driven by increased data usage and contract customer growth. Integration milestones continue to be met with a store refit program underway, all retail stores now selling Vodafone services and the selection of network vendors completed for core, transmission, and managed services.

 

Note:

(2) Vodacom’s service revenue grew by 5.6%(*)Excluding the impact of reclassifications between non-service revenue and service revenue during the quarter, service revenue grew by 4.6%(*).

 


 

OPERATING REVIEW

 

Non-controlled interests

 

Verizon Wireless

 

In the United States Verizon Wireless reported 1.0 million net mobile customer additions during the quarter bringing the closing mobile customer base to 94.1 million, up 3.2% compared to the same quarter in the previous year. Service revenue growth of 7.0%(*) was driven by the expanding customer base and robust data revenue growth primarily derived from an increase in the penetration of smartphones.

 

On 5 December 2010 Verizon Wireless launched its LTE network, initially available to over a third of the US population, with the aim of covering its existing 3G footprint by the end of 2013. On 11 January 2011 Verizon Wireless announced that it will be offering a CDMA (code division multiple access) version of the iPhone 4 available from 10 February 2011.

 

Other transactions and developments

 

Indian tax case

 

Vodafone International Holdings B.V. (“VIHBV”) believes that it has no liability for Indian withholding taxes on the Hutchison transaction in 2007 and continued to take actions to defend itself vigorously in the period. On 22 October 2010 the Indian tax authorities quantified the alleged tax liability and issued a demand for payment of INR 112.2 billion (£1.6 billion) tax and interest. On 15 November 2010 VIHBV was asked to make a deposit with the Supreme Court of INR 25 billion (£350 million) and provide a guarantee for INR 85 billion (£1.25 billion). The Supreme Court will now hear the appeal on the issue of jurisdiction on 19 July 2011. In addition, separate proceedings being taken against VIHBV to seek to treat it as an agent of Hutchison in respect of its alleged tax on the same transaction are now subject to appeal in the Bombay High Court where further actions of the Indian Tax authority are currently stayed and a hearing is scheduled for 8 February 2011. Vodafone Essar Limited’s case also continues to be stayed pending the outcome of the VIHBV Supreme Court hearing. VIHBV considers that neither it nor any other member of the Group is liable for such withholding tax or is liable to be made an agent of Hutchison.

 

SoftBank

 

On 9 November 2010 Vodafone agreed to sell to SoftBank Corp. of Japan (“SoftBank”) its interests in loan notes issued by SoftBank Mobile Corp. and preferred stock and share acquisition rights issued by BB Mobile Corp. (both subsidiaries of SoftBank Corp.), which were originally received as part of the proceeds from the sale of Vodafone Japan in 2006, for a total consideration of ¥412.5 billion (£3.1 billion).

 

The consideration is receivable in two tranches: ¥212.5 billion (£1.6 billion) was received in December 2010 and the remaining ¥200 billion (£1.5 billion) is expected to be received in April 2012.

 

The securities had a carrying value of ¥341 billion (£2.6 billion) at 30 September 2010.

 


 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Service revenue – quarter ended 31 December

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Africa, Middle East and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group(1)(2)

 

 

 

Europe (2)

 

 

 

Asia Pacific (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voice revenue

 

6,943

 

7,138

 

4,521

 

4,980

 

2,345

 

2,071

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Messaging revenue

 

1,319

 

1,261

 

1,074

 

1,051

 

226

 

199

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data revenue

 

1,327

 

1,053

 

985

 

836

 

335

 

212

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed line revenue

 

879

 

862

 

774

 

780

 

104

 

82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other service revenue

 

492

 

420

 

303

 

285

 

200

 

153

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service revenue

 

10,960

 

10,734

 

7,657

 

7,932

 

3,210

 

2,717

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Africa, Middle East and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group

 

 

 

Europe

 

 

 

Asia Pacific

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported

 

Organic

 

Reported

 

Organic

 

Reported

 

Organic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voice revenue

 

(2.7

)

(2.7

)

(9.2

)

(5.7

)

13.2

 

4.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Messaging revenue

 

4.6

 

5.9

 

2.2

 

5.6

 

13.6

 

2.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data revenue

 

26.0

 

27.2

 

17.8

 

22.7

 

58.0

 

46.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed line revenue

 

2.0

 

4.7

 

(0.8

)

2.7

 

26.8

 

22.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other service revenue

 

17.1

 

16.9

 

6.3

 

9.7

 

30.7

 

24.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service revenue

 

2.1

 

2.5

 

(3.5

)

0.2

 

18.1

 

9.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Germany

 

 

 

Italy

 

 

 

Spain

 

 

 

UK

 

 

 

India

 

 

 

Vodacom

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

£m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voice revenue

 

879

 

994

 

818

 

923

 

825

 

967

 

645

 

648

 

761

 

630

 

938

 

858

 

Messaging revenue

 

208

 

201

 

223

 

233

 

89

 

107

 

297

 

267

 

47

 

28

 

64

 

69

 

Data revenue

 

322

 

264

 

156

 

135

 

130

 

122

 

195

 

150

 

64

 

42

 

166

 

96

 

Fixed line revenue

 

466

 

499

 

145

 

141

 

77

 

81

 

8

 

8

 

2

 

 

57

 

42

 

Other service revenue

 

40

 

33

 

36

 

38

 

49

 

51

 

115

 

104

 

89

 

67

 

68

 

46

 

Service revenue

 

1,915

 

1,991

 

1,378

 

1,470

 

1,170

 

1,328

 

1,260

 

1,177

 

963

 

767

 

1,293

 

1,111

 

 

Notes:

(1)     The sum of the regional amounts may not be equal to Group totals due to Common Functions, non-controlled interests and intercompany eliminations.

(2)     The Group revised its segment structure on 1 October 2010. See “Change in segments” on page 10.

 


 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Mobile customers – quarter ended 31 December 2010(1)(2)

 

 

(in thousands) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Country 

 

1 October
2010

 

Net
additions

 

Other
movements

 

31 December
2010  

 

 

Prepaid

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Germany

 

35,693

 

983

 

 

36,676

 

 

 

56.1%

 

Italy

 

23,591

 

(78

)

 

23,513

 

 

 

85.1%

 

Spain

 

17,107

 

377

 

 

17,484

 

 

 

38.7%

 

UK

 

18,976

 

195

 

 

19,171

 

 

 

50.8%

 

 

 

95,367

 

1,477

 

 

96,844

 

 

 

60.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Europe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Albania

 

1,701

 

(26

)

 

1,675

 

 

 

93.6%

 

Czech Republic

 

3,118

 

56

 

 

3,174

 

 

 

45.8%

 

Greece

 

4,957

 

(822

)

 

4,135

 

 

 

60.4%

 

Hungary

 

2,611

 

75

 

 

2,686

 

 

 

54.2%

 

Ireland

 

2,183

 

34

 

 

2,217

 

 

 

67.2%

 

Malta

 

253

 

3

 

 

256

 

 

 

84.2%

 

Netherlands

 

4,851

 

85

 

 

4,936

 

 

 

38.5%

 

Portugal

 

6,060

 

64

 

 

6,124

 

 

 

81.0%

 

Romania

 

9,839

 

(35

)

 

9,804

 

 

 

62.1%

 

Turkey

 

16,528

 

147

 

 

16,675

 

 

 

75.3%

 

 

 

52,101

 

(419

)

 

51,682

 

 

 

66.2%

 

Europe

 

147,468

 

1,058

 

 

148,526

 

 

 

62.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

India(3)

 

115,553

 

8,702

 

 

124,255

 

 

 

95.0%

 

Vodacom(4)

 

39,378

 

2,212

 

 

41,590

 

 

 

87.7%

 

 

 

154,931

 

10,914

 

 

165,845

 

 

 

93.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australia

 

3,580

 

37

 

 

3,617

 

 

 

43.9%

 

Egypt

 

28,199

 

3,072

 

 

31,271

 

 

 

96.2%

 

Fiji(5)

 

341

 

(10

)

(34

)

297

 

 

 

95.5%

 

Ghana

 

2,568

 

212

 

 

2,780

 

 

 

99.4%

 

New Zealand

 

2,444

 

21

 

 

2,465

 

 

 

68.4%

 

Qatar

 

601

 

110

 

 

711

 

 

 

95.2%

 

 

 

37,733

 

3,442

 

(34

)

41,141

 

 

 

86.4%

 

Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific

 

192,664

 

14,356

 

(34

)

206,986

 

 

 

91.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-controlled interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poland

 

3,341

 

10

 

 

3,351

 

 

 

47.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group

 

343,473

 

15,424

 

(34

)

358,863

 

 

 

78.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to proportionate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group

 

343,473

 

15,424

 

(34

)

358,863

 

 

 

 

 

Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries

 

(69,186

)

(5,326

)

 

(74,512

)

 

 

 

 

Associates(5)

 

57,676

 

914

 

17

 

58,607

 

 

 

27.1%

 

Proportionate

 

331,963

 

11,012

 

(17

)

342,958

 

 

 

65.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Europe

 

147,461

 

1,059

 

 

148,520

 

 

 

62.5%

 

Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific

 

130,171

 

9,324

 

(34

)

139,461

 

 

 

92.3%

 

Non-controlled interests

 

54,331

 

629

 

17

 

54,977

 

 

 

19.5%

 

 

Notes:

(1)

Group customers represent subsidiaries on a 100% basis and joint ventures (being Italy, Poland, Australia and Fiji) based on the Group’s equity interests. Proportionate customers are based on the Group’s equity interests in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates. Further details of the Group’s equity interests are provided in notes 12 to 14 of the consolidated financial statements included within the Group’s 2010 annual report.

(2)

The Group revised its segment structure on 1 October 2010. See “Change in segments” on page 10.

(3)

Proportionate customers are based on equity interests at 31 December 2010. However, the calculation of proportionate customers for India also assumes the exercise of call options that could increase the Group’s aggregate direct and indirect equity interest from 59.93% to 66.98%. These call options can only be exercised in accordance with Indian law prevailing at the time of exercise.

(4)

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

(5)

Other movements relate to the acquisition of nine markets by one of Verizon Wireless’s minority interest holdings and disconnections resulting from a change in legislation relating to the registration of prepaid SIM’s in Fiji.

 


 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Annualised mobile customer churn – quarter ended 31 December 2010

 

Country

 

Contract

 

Prepaid

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Germany

 

19.6%

 

30.7%

 

25.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italy

 

23.6%

 

31.9%

 

30.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spain

 

19.9%

 

35.4%

 

25.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UK

 

16.8%

 

54.3%

 

35.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

India

 

21.1%

 

48.1%

 

46.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vodacom

 

10.1%

 

43.9%

 

39.7%

 

 

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Notes

 

1.

Vodafone, the Vodafone logo and Vodacom are trade marks of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trade marks of their respective owners.

2.

All growth rates reflect a comparison to the quarter ended 31 December 2009 unless otherwise stated.

3.

References to the “second quarter”, “previous quarter” or “Q2” are to the quarter ended 30 September 2010 unless otherwise stated. References to “this quarter” are to the quarter ended 31 December 2010 unless otherwise stated.

4.

All amounts marked with an “(*)” represent organic growth which presents performance on a comparable basis, both in terms of merger and acquisition activity and foreign exchange rates. All relevant calculations of organic growth include Vodacom at the current level of ownership and exclude all results of the Group’s business in Australia.

5.

Reported growth is based on amounts in pounds sterling as determined under IFRS.

6.

Vodacom refers to the Group’s interest in Vodacom Group Limited (‘Vodacom’) in South Africa and its subsidiaries, including its operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Mozambique and Tanzania. It also includes its Gateway services and business network solutions subsidiaries.

7.

Quarterly historical information including service revenue, customers, churn, voice usage and ARPU is provided in a spreadsheet available at www.vodafone.com/investor.

 

Change in segments

 

On 9 September 2010 the Group announced a new organisation structure, effective from 1 October 2010, to enable continued improvement in the delivery of the Group’s strategic goals. Two operating regions were created. The Europe region now consists of all existing controlled business in Europe plus the Group’s interests in Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Turkey. The Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific region includes the Group’s interests in Egypt, India, Ghana, Kenya, Qatar and Vodacom as well as Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Non-controlled interests, which includes Verizon Wireless, SFR and Polkomtel, will no longer be held within the regional structures. All periods are presented on the revised basis.

 

On the basis of the previous organisational structure, organic service revenue growth this quarter for Europe, Africa and Central Europe and Asia Pacific and Middle East regions would have been a decline of 0.9%(*), an increase of 6.8%(*) and an increase of 12.4%(*) respectively, compared to a decline of 0.8%(*), an increase of 5.8%(*) and an increase of 12.2% (*) respectively in the second quarter.

 


 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

 

Forward-looking statements

 

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 which are subject to risks and uncertainties because they relate to future events. In particular, such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements with respect to: Vodafone’s expectations as to levels of capital expenditure for the current fiscal year; the anticipated impact of foreign exchange rate movements on the Group’s results for the current fiscal year; the Group’s expectations regarding its financial and operating performance for the current fiscal year, including revenue, adjusted operating profit, free cash flow, EBITDA margins and returns to shareholders; the impact of reduced mobile termination rates; the development of the 3G network in India; expectations regarding the integration of Vodafone Hutchinson Australia; and expectations regarding market trends including price trends. 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, Vodafone’s ability to realise anticipated cost savings, the impact of legal or other proceedings, continued growth in the market for mobile services and general economic conditions.

 

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 by referring to the information contained under the heading “Forward-looking statements” in our half-year financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2010 and “Principal risk factors and uncertainties” in our Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2010. The half-year financial report and the annual report can be found on the Group’s website (www.vodafone.com). 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 interim management statement will be realised. Except as otherwise stated herein and as may be required to comply with applicable law and regulations, Vodafone does not intend to update these forward-looking statements and does not undertake any obligation to do so.

 

 

For further information:

 

Vodafone Group Plc

 

Investor Relations

Media Relations

Telephone: +44 7919 990230

Telephone: +44 1635 664 444

 

 

Copyright © Vodafone Group 2011

 

-ends-

 


 

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: 3 February, 2011

By:

/s/ R E S MARTIN

 

 

Name: Rosemary E S Martin

 

 

Title: Group General Counsel and Company Secretary