Vodafone Sells Japanese Unit

NEWBURY, U.K. -- Vodafone Group today announces an agreement to sell its 97.68% interest in Vodafone Japan toSoftBank. The sale values Vodafone Japan at an Enterprise Value of approximately ¥1.8 trillion(£8.9 billion) of which £6.8 billion will be received in cash on closing. Subsequently, Vodafone willdistribute £6 billion of cash to shareholders.

Arun Sarin, Chief Executive of Vodafone, commented:

"I am pleased to announce this transaction which represents a good outcome for Vodafone. It is atan attractive price, will result in a £6 billion distribution of capital to shareholders and is enhancingto adjusted earnings per share.

The Board has arrived at the decision to withdraw our capital from the Japanese market based onseveral key criteria.

It has become increasingly clear that the greatest operational benefits come from strong local andregional scale. We seek to deploy capital only where we can generate superior returns for ourshareholders in markets that offer a strong local position.In the case of Japan, we have been making progress on the turnaround in recent months. Howevergiven the relative competitive position of the business, the reduced prospects for superior longterm returns and a good offer from SoftBank, the Board took the decision to sell.

I would like to pay tribute to the management and employees of Vodafone Japan. They have madeconsiderable progress in turning the business around. I am pleased that with the on-goingrelationship with SoftBank, one of the leading telecommunications and media companies in Japan,we will continue to benefit from insights in the Japanese market”.

Vodafone Group plc (NYSE: VOD)

SoftBank Corp.