Vodafone Group PLC
8 February 2001
VODAFONE SUBMITS INDICATIVE PROPOSAL TO CABLE & WIRELESS OPTUS
Proposed combination of mobile businesses
of Vodafone Pacific and CWO
Vodafone Group Plc ('Vodafone') announces today that its
subsidiary Vodafone Pacific Limited ('Vodafone Pacific') has
submitted an indicative proposal to acquire Cable & Wireless
Optus Limited ('CWO'), in order to combine its own mobile
business with that of CWO. CWO, which operates in Australia,
comprises three core businesses: mobile; data and business
services; and consumer and multimedia.
As a key part of Vodafone Pacific's proposal it has entered
into a detailed memorandum of understanding with Hutchison
Telecommunications (Australia) Limited ('Hutchison') which
could facilitate the emergence of Hutchison as a significant
third national mobile operator in Australia. A detailed
submission regarding the proposed arrangements with Hutchison
is being made to the Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission ('ACCC').
Vodafone Pacific's proposal involves the merger of its mobile
operations with those of CWO to create a new enlarged
Australian listed mobile group. The proposal will not involve
the issue of any shares in Vodafone Group Plc and will be
funded primarily by the issue of Vodafone Pacific shares.
Vodafone Pacific's proposal is subject to a number of
conditions including completion of due diligence and a
satisfactory conclusion to discussions with the ACCC.
Implementation of Vodafone Pacific's proposal will require the
simultaneous disposal of the other business units of CWO to
third parties.
Vodafone Pacific's proposal has been submitted to CWO as part
of CWO's previously announced process to review strategic
options for the company. Discussions between Vodafone Pacific
and CWO remain at an early stage and there can be no assurance
that any agreement will be reached. No further announcements
should be expected for a number of weeks.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Vodafone Group Plc
Tim Brown, Group Corporate Affairs Director
Melissa Stimpson, Head of Group Investor Relations
Jon Earl, Investor Relations Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 33251
Tavistock Communications
Lulu Bridges
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7600 2288
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