Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 20-F

 

 

o

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

OR

 

þ

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended: March 31, 2015

 

OR

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

OR

 

o

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of event requiring this shell company report:                   

 

For the transition period from:                       to                    

 

Commission file number: 001-10086

 

VODAFONE GROUP PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

England

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Rosemary Martin (Group General Counsel and Company Secretary)

tel +44 (0) 1635 33251, fax +44 (0) 1635 580 857

 

Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Title of each class

  

Name of each exchange

on which registered

See Schedule A

  

See Schedule A

 

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

 

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

 



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None

 

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares of 20 20 / 21  US cents each

26,512,038,085

  

7% Cumulative Fixed Rate Shares of £1 each

50,000

  

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act

 

Yes   þ     No   o

 

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Yes   o     No   þ

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:

 

Yes   þ     No   o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

    Yes   o     No   o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

Large accelerated filer   þ

 

Accelerated filer   o

 

Non-accelerated filer   o

 

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

 

 

US GAAP   o

 

International Financial
Reporting  
þ

 

Other   o

 

 

Standards as issued by the

 

 

 

 

International Accounting

 

 

 

 

Standards Board

 

 

 

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow

 

Item 17   o     Item 18   o

 

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes   o     No   þ

 

 

 



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SCHEDULE A

 

 

Title of each class

  

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Ordinary shares of 20 20 / 21  US cents each

  

NASDAQ Global Select Market *

American Depositary Shares (evidenced by American Depositary Receipts) each representing ten ordinary shares

  

NASDAQ Global Select Market

Floating rate Notes due February 2016

  

New York Stock Exchange

5.625% Notes due February 2017

  

New York Stock Exchange

1.625% Notes due March 2017

  

New York Stock Exchange

1.25% Notes due September 2017

  

New York Stock Exchange

1.5% Notes due February 2018

  

New York Stock Exchange

4.625% Notes due July 2018

  

New York Stock Exchange

5.450% Notes due June 2019

  

New York Stock Exchange

4.375% Notes due March 2021

  

New York Stock Exchange

2.5% Notes due September 2022

  

New York Stock Exchange

2.95% Notes due February 2023

  

New York Stock Exchange

2.95% Notes due February 2023

  

New York Stock Exchange

7.875% Notes due February 2030

  

New York Stock Exchange

6.25% Notes due November 2032

  

New York Stock Exchange

6.15% Notes due February 2037

  

New York Stock Exchange

4.375% Notes due February 2043

  

New York Stock Exchange

 

*

Listed, not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of American Depositary Shares, pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

 

 



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Unifying Vodafone Group Plc Communications Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Vodafone Power to you

 


Table of Contents

 

Contents

 

Welcome to our

2015 report

 

 

 

 

 

The Overview, Strategy Review and Performance sections constitute the Strategic Report and these are based on an assessment of our performance using the key strategic areas as set out on page 14. Our financial disclosure is based on the Group’s operating companies.

 

Overview

 

Strategy Review

 

Performance

 

 

 

 

 

An introduction to the report covering who

 

A summary of the changing landscape

 

Commentary on the Group’s

we are, the Chairman’s reflections on the

 

we operate in, and how that has shaped our

 

operating performance.

year, notable events, and a snapshot of

 

strategy and financial position. Plus a review

 

38

Chief Financial Officer’s review

where and how we do business.

 

of performance against our goals and our

 

40

Operating results

01

Performance highlights

 

approach to running a sustainable business.

 

46

Financial position and resources

02

Chairman’s statement

 

14

Chief Executive’s strategic review

 

 

04

About us

 

18

Key performance indicators

 

 

06

Project Spring

 

22

Our strategy

 

 

08

Our business model

 

 

22

Consumer Europe

 

 

12

Market overview

 

 

24

Unified Communications

 

 

 

 

 

26

Consumer Emerging Markets

 

 

 

 

 

27

Enterprise

 

 

 

 

28

Our people

 

 

 

 

30

Sustainable business

 

 

 

 

32

Principal risk factors and uncertainties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Governance

 

Financials

 

Additional Information

 

 

 

 

 

We explain how we are organised, what

 

The statutory financial statements

 

Find out about our shares, information

the Board has focused on and how

 

of both the Group and the Company

 

on our history and development,

it has performed, our diversity practices,

 

and associated audit reports.

 

regulatory matters impacting our

how we communicate with our

 

93

Contents

 

business, an assessment of potential risks

shareholders and how our

 

94

Directors’ statement of responsibility

 

to the Company, and other statutory

Directors are rewarded.

 

96

Risk mitigation

 

financial information.

50

Chairman’s introduction

 

98

Report of independent registered public
accounting firm

 

186

Shareholder information

51

Our governance framework

 

 

194

History and development

52

Board of Directors

 

105

Consolidated financial statements and
financial commentary

 

195

Regulation

54

Executive Committee

 

 

202

Non-GAAP information

56

Board activities

 

180

This page is intentionally left blank

 

206

Form 20-F cross reference guide

58

Board evaluation, induction and training

 

 

 

 

209

Forward-looking statements

60

Board diversity

 

 

 

 

211

Definition of terms

62

Shareholder engagement

 

 

 

 

213

Selected financial data

63

Board committees

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.3

 

Exhibit 4.30

 

Exhibit 12

 

Exhibit 15.2

72

Compliance with the 2012 UK Corporate
Governance Code

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.9

 

Exhibit 7

 

Exhibit 13

 

Exhibit 15.3

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.29

 

Exhibit 8

 

Exhibit 15.1

 

Exhibit 15.4

74

Our US listing requirements

 

 

 

 

 

75

Directors’ remuneration

 

 

 

 

 

92

Directors’ report

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unless otherwise stated references to “year” or “2015” mean the financial year ended 31 March 2015, to “2014” or “previous year” mean the financial year ended 31 March 2014, and to the “fourth quarter” or “Q4” are to the quarter ended 31 March 2015. For other references please refer to page 48.

 

All amounts marked with an “*” represent organic growth, which excludes the impact of foreign currency movements, acquisitions and disposals and certain other items, see definition on page 212. Definitions of terms used throughout the report can be found on pages 211 and 212.

 

The terms “Vodafone”, the “Group”, “we”, “our” and “us” refer to the Company and, as applicable, its subsidiaries and/or interests in joint ventures and associates.

 

Website references are for information only and are not incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 20-F. This report is dated 19 May 2015.

 

This constitutes the annual report on Form 20-F of Vodafone Group Plc (the ‘Company’) in accordance with the requirements of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘SEC’) for the year ended 31 March 2015 and is dated 8 June 2015. This document contains certain information set out within the Company’s annual report in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’) and with those parts of the UK Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting under IFRS, dated 19 May 2015, as updated or supplemented if necessary. The content of the Group’s website (www.vodafone.com) should not be considered to form part of this annual report on Form 20-F.

 



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Perfo rmance highlights progress supported by Vodafone Italy for a full year and the acquisition of Ono. On an organic basis, capital expenditure and we have increased more than offset by a decline in Europe. February 2014), our acquisitions of Ono, Adjusted EBITDA increased by £0.8 billion mainly through Our operating profit, which is our profit for the reflecting ongoing revenue declines in Europe and the last year, which included an impairment loss of the impact of recent acquisitions and disposals, movements in foreign exchange partially offset by operating efficiencies. Page 38 Capital expenditure Dividends per share More on our strategy: 01 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information A year of continued increased investment Financial highlights This year saw strong growth in most of our emerging markets offset by a continued decline in Europe, though many European markets are showing signs of stabilisation. Our significant investment programme,Revenue Project Spring, has led to a sharp rise in our Revenue increased by 10.1% over the year, mostly due to the inclusion of our dividend per share.revenue declined by 0.8%* as strong growth in our emerging markets was Our results this year include a full year of Vodafone Italy (consolidated from£11.9bn £2.0bn Hellas Online and Cobra Automotive and Adjusted EBITDA Operating profit a full year of Kabel Deutschland.the inclusion of Vodafone Italy and the acquisition of Ono.year before interest and tax, was £2.0 billion. Organic movements in this report excludeOn an organic basis adjusted EBITDA declined by 6.9%*,This compares with an operating loss of £3.9 billion growth in operating expenses as a result of Project Spring,£6.6 billion. rates and certain other items. See page 212 for more information. More on financial performance:£9.2bn 11.22p Capital expenditure increased significantly duringWe have announced a final dividend per share the year as we progressed with our Project Spring of 7.62 pence, giving total dividends per share of investment programme and from the inclusion11.22 pence – a 2.0% increase year-on-year. of Italy and Ono. Strategic highlights We have made significant progress this year, expanding our 4G coverage and customer base in Europe, increasing take-up of 3G in emerging markets and further developing our fixed business.4G customers We now have over 20 million 4G customers across 18 markets, helping data traffic Page 14–27grow by 80% across the Group. 446m12m Mobile customers Fixed broadband customers We have grown our mobile customer base byWe have grown our fixed broadband base by 15 million over the year, with significant growth2.8 million over the year, through organic growth in our emerging markets.and the acquisitions of Ono and Hellas Online. 19m72% 3G customers in IndiaEuropean 4G population coverage We have grown our 3G customer base from 7 million We now have 72% 4G coverage compared with 46% to 19 million in India, supported by the expansiona year ago and will reach over 90% by next year. of our 3G coverage.

 


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Chair man’s statement A year of significant investment We have achieved a lot in the last year. We have made strong progress on our strategy, while making a significant contribution to the economies in which we operate and providing substantial returns to our shareholders. 30 years of mobile, but the future is unified communications This year we celebrated 30 years since the first mobile phone call was made in the UK. Today, Vodafone is an industry leader with 446 million customers, mobile operations in 26 countries and fixed broadband operations in 17 countries. Vodafone is bringing the benefits of the mobile and digital revolution to consumers and businesses across the world, from offering 4G services in 18 countries to providing services such as machine-to-machine (‘M2M’) technology and M-Pesa, the mobile payment service that provides financial freedom to millions of people. Today, I see two areas in which Vodafone can truly claim to be a leader: in our emerging markets operations, and in our services to the enterprise segment. In markets such as India and South Africa, and increasingly in Egypt and Turkey, we are building clear differentiation in network quality, the power of our brand, and the depth and breadth of our distribution. In enterprise, our international footprint and our investment in growth areas such as M2M and Cloud and Hosting services are making us a preferred partner to many major multinational businesses. However, in our core European mobile business, we have been under pressure for several years. Competition, regulation and the macroeconomic environment have all played a part, but in addition we have lacked clear differentiation in mobile, while also losing ground in some markets with the rapid adoption of unified communications. And this is where the future lies – in the provision of high quality voice, data, business and entertainment services across multiple technologies and screens, in the home, in the office and on the move. 02 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Over the last two years, our move into unified communications has taken significant steps forward, both through acquisition and organic investment. 25% of European service revenue now comes from fixed line services, and we have 12 million fixed broadband customers across the Group.On 4G we have more than doubled our footprint in Europe in the last 18 months, to 72% population coverage. In India, we now provide 3G services in over 90% of our target urban areas. Data traffic across the Group grew 80% during the year. These investments benefit businesses as much as consumers. Building on the Cable & Wireless Worldwide acquisition, which brought us global fibre infrastructure and points of presence in 62 countries, we are taking new services into new geographical areas to deepen customer relationships and grow revenue. Aligning management pay to value creation and customer perception Our remuneration policies continue to focus on rewarding long term value creation. The annual bonus this year was slightly higher than last year, reflecting improved performance against targets; but the failure to meet the three year threshold on free cash flow resulted in a zero pay-out on the long- term incentive plan. We have also made a number of changes to management incentives in recent years The Board continues to consider the ordinary dividend to be the core element of shareholder returns, and believes in a consistent dividend policy. This year we raised the dividend per share by 2.0%, and we intend to raise it annually hereafter. A major economic contributor We have always invested at a high level to ensure we are a leader in the quality of service we deliver to customers. With Project Spring we are reinforcing that position, not only in Europe but across many emerging markets too. However, macroeconomic decline in Europe, combined with the consequences of past regulatory policies, has brought about a sharp reduction in return on capital over recent years. This has been exacerbated by market structures which remain fragmented both between and within member states. This year, we published a report highlighting our overall economic impact across the 12 EU countries in which we operate. In 2013/14 Vodafone contributed €23.7 billion to the EU economy (measured in GVA or Gross Value Added). In addition, Vodafone: a provided employment for 170,000 people across its direct workforce and European supplier base, as of 31 March 2014; a paid €2.4 billion to EU governments in direct taxation, spectrum costs and other fees, and an additional €4.4 billion in indirect tax payments in 2013/14; and It will also be important for the Commission to pursue harmonisation of rules on spectrum, data protection, copyright and other areas, as well as to adopt a principles-based approach to the open internet to support future innovation and investment. Our economic impact in emerging markets is no less strongly felt, yet there too we face continued pressures from regulatory and fiscal intervention. In South Africa, for example, the significant mobile termination rate (‘MTR’) cuts of the last year had a material financial impact on our business. While India represents an excellent long term investment opportunity, the present regulatory challenges are hampering economic development. Spectrum auction structures combined with the piecemeal release of new spectrum, leaves less capital available for investment in bringing high quality services to more of the country, and this is exacerbated by other ongoing regulatory challenges. Changes to the Board In January, Stephen Pusey informed the Board of his intention to step down as Group CTO. His many achievements over eight years include the international expansion of Vodafone’s 3G services, the launch of 4G in 18 countries and the development of global IT, procurement and cyber security functions. More recently, he has led the Project Spring investment programme, and has also played a leading role in developing the Group’s convergence to limit total pay, such as the reduction of the maximum achievable pay-out on the long- term scheme and the payments made in lieu of pension contributions. This year we have made a significant change to the criteria for the annual bonus (‘GSTIP’) scheme. The substantial investments in networks need to be supported by a clear step up in the customer experience and satisfaction, and the Board wants this to be reflected in short term incentives. 40% of the total GSTIP assessment will now be based on Customer Appreciation measures. a since 2000, has paid EU governments a total of €20.8 billion for access to spectrum to roll out 3G and 4G networks across Europe. The new European Commission has identified as a priority the need to reboot Europe’s digital strategy. We encourage the Commission to prioritise measures intended to ensure fair and sustainable competition based on a level playing field for all companies. strategy. Stephen’s successor, Johan Wibergh, was previously Executive Vice President and Head of the Networks segment at Ericsson. During the year there were a number of changes to the non-executive team and these are set out in my Governance statement on page 50. /s/ Gerard Kleisterlee Gerard Kleisterlee Chairman

 


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About us We have come a long way 30 years ago, the first mobile phone call on our UK network was made. Since then we’ve grown from a UK mobile company to a multinational telecommunications leader. How have we become one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, creating one of the world’s most powerful brands in the process? By a relentless focus on providing high-quality services that allow our customers to get the most out of an increasingly connected world. The first mobile call The UK’s first-ever mobile phone call was made 30 years ago on the newly-launched Vodafone network. Michael Harrison, the son of former Vodafone Chairman Sir Ernest Harrison, was the first to test the system, calling his father at midnight on 1 January, 1985. 04 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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How we are changing In recent years we have successfully evolved our business to address new growth opportunities. We now do much more than mobile. We are unifying communications. 05 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information How we are changing Over the last few years we have seen a rapid transition in the telecoms industry, towards new areas of growth – data, emerging markets, unified communications and total communications services for enterprise customers. As a result we now do much more than provide mobile to 446 million customers. With 12 million fixed broadband users, 9 million TV customers, 22 million M2M connections, and 20 million M-Pesa mobile money users – we are unifying communications. and mobile services infrastructure Enterprise a single source for all including Vodafone One Net, Impact: percentage of service revenue from enterprise 25%27% 20122015 Drivers of change Actions a Mobility becoming strategica Invest in total a Companies wanting communications solutions communication services Cloud and Hosting, and M2M Consumer Emerging Markets Drivers of change Actions a Rapid population anda Increase 3G/4G network economic growthcapability a Growing demand for a Improve distribution data and lack of fixed a Expand M-Pesa a Higher demand for mobile money services Impact: percentage of customers from emerging markets 66%72% 20122015 Unified Communications Drivers of change Actions a Competitors offering fixed a Grow fixed access via and mobile bundles acquisition, investment a Fixed and mobileor wholesale arrangements technology convergence a Launch bundles with fixed Impact: percentage of service revenue from fixed line 8%20% 2012 2015 Consumer Europe Drivers of change Actions a Increasing smartphonea Vodafone Red plans with penetration generous data allowances a High speed 3G and a Provide content 4G technologya Invest in 4G networks Impact: percentage of customers in Europe using mobile data 35% 52% 2012 2015

 


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P roject Spring Driving network and service differentiation Project Spring is our two-year, £19 billion investment programme designed to place Vodafone at the forefront of growth in mobile data and the increasing trend towards the convergence of fixed and mobile services. We are now just over one year through the programme and are making great progress. Progress so far In Europe, we have increased 4G coverage to 72% and aim to get this to over 90% by next year. We have further modernised our network to improve voice and data quality, with 83% of our radio sites connected with high capacity backhaul and 81% with Single Radio Access Network (‘RAN’) technology. All this means a significantly improved experience for our customers, including more reliable connections, faster data speeds, greater coverage and fewer dropped calls. We now reach 28 million homes with our owned cable and fibre infrastructure as a result of acquisitions and fibre builds in Italy, Spain and Portugal. In our Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific (’AMAP’) region, we have increased 3G and 4G coverage (excluding India) to 82% and aim to grow this further next year. In India we now cover 90% of the population in targeted urban areas with 3G and aim to increase this to 95% by next year. More on Project Spring: Pages 22 to 27 Total build since September 20132 March 2014 March 2015 March 2016 target New 2G sites 7,000 33,000 47,000 New 3G sites 13,000 42,000 73,000 New 4G sites 7,000 35,000 77,000 New single RAN installations 20,000 73,000 106,000 New high capacity backhaul sites 17,000 63,000 87,000 88% of data sessions in Europe are now delivered at the speeds required to enjoy a high definition video experience Note: 1 Next-generation network (‘NGN’) technology, which includes fibre-to-the-home, cable and very-high-bit-rate digital subscriber lines from the cabinet or central office. Data shown to the nearest thousand. 06 2 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 European 4G population coverageOver 90% 72%2016 – target 46%2015 20%2014 2013 European households million passed with owned cable/fibre1 ailab 0 2013 2014 2015 30 28 20 19 10 Data av not le Total capital expenditure£ billion 0 2013 2014 2015 10.0 9.2 7.5 6.3 5.0 5.3 2.5

 


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Consumer Europe Unified Communications 4G population coverage, increased from 32% in September 2013 and is expected to increase to over 90% by March 2016 Homes reached in Europe with high-speed internet from our owned infrastructure We have over five million next-generation network (‘NGN’) broadband customers Dropped call rate, improved from 0.9% in September 2013 Page 24 Consumer Emerging Markets Enterprise 3G coverage in India (targeted urban areas), expected to increase to 95% by March 2016 Countries where we offer IP-VPN services Countries where we offer M2M services 3G/4G coverage across AMAP (excluding India), increasing to 84% by March 2016 07 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information More on Enterprise: Page 27 More on Consumer Emerging Markets: Page 22 More on Unified Communications: More on Consumer Europe: Page 22

 


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Our business model What we offer We provide a wide range of services including voice, messaging and data across mobile and fixed networks. Mobile Mobile services We provide a range of mobile services to our customers, enabling them to call, text, access the internet, stream music and watch videos wherever they are – at home, on the move or even abroad with our roaming services. Fixed 40% of our customers now use mobile data Mobile customers Active data users Notes: Our mobile assets We provide these services through our network of over 283,000 base station sites providing near nationwide voice coverage and extensive data coverage across Europe and extensive coverage across our AMAP region. 3 3 Note: 3 Excludes India. Fixed Fixed services We provide a range of fixed services in most of our major markets including voice, broadband and TV services to consumers and a wider range of services to our enterprise customers, including Cloud and Hosting and IP-VPN. We are also one of the world’s largest carrier services business, providing voice and data services to other operators using our network of cable and fibre assets across the world. Our fixed line assets We provide these services through a combination of owned and leased copper, cable and fibre assets. Our focus is on next-generation networks (fibre or cable) and we cover 28 million homes with our own infrastructure and 50 million homes including wholesale arrangements. We have over nine million TV customers across six markets 08 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 High-speed broadband coverage 50 million households passed with cable or fibre across Europe (owned or leased) Fixed broadband customers million 0 2013 2014 2015 15 12.0 10 9.2 6.9 5 Mobile network population coverage 72% 94% 100% 82% 97% Europe Europe EuropeAMAP AMAP 4G 3G 2G 3G/4G 2G Mobile customers (million) and active data users (%) 430.8445.8 0 2013 2014 2015 500 400 407.3 300 200 40% 36% 100 30% The services we provide Group service revenue 20151 Other2 4% 20% £38.5bn Mobile 76% 1 Excludes £3.7 billion of other revenue that mainly relates to the sale of equipment. 2 Other service revenue includes revenue from mobile virtual network operators (‘MVNOs’) and from our partner markets. We have over 283,000 base station sites across our markets Over 1.2 trillion minutes of voice calls carried over our network last year Over 290 billion text messages sent and received by our network last year 982 petabytes of data were sent across our mobile network alone last year, nearly double the amount handled in the previous year More on Strategy: Page 14

 


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Where we operate Our business is split across two geographic regions – Europe, and Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific (‘AMAP’), which includes our emerging markets. 66% 32% Our markets Partner markets Joint ventures and associates AMAP UK Italy Europe Our markets We provide mobile services in these 24 countries and fixed services in 17 of these. Together they account for 98% of our revenue. Joint ventures and associates We also provide mobile services in Australia and Kenya, taking our total markets to 26. We also part-own the tower company Indus Towers in India. Partner markets These are the 55 markets where we hold no equity interest but have partnership agreements with local mobile operators for them to use our products and services and in some cases our brand. 1 Note: Our main markets mobile market share3 revenue mobile customers fixed market share3 mobile market share3 revenue mobile customers fixed market share3 mobile market share3 revenue 68.5m Notes: 09 3 Vodafone estimates for the quarter ended 31 March 2015. 4 Source: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, December 2014. Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Germany £8.5bn 33% 30.9m 20% Italy £4.6bn 32% 25.2m 6% Vodacom Group £4.3bn 53% (South Africa) mobile customers UK £6.4bn 24% revenue mobile market share3 18.4m 4% mobile customers fixed market share3 Spain £3.7bn30% revenue mobile market share3 14.2m 11% mobile customers fixed market share3 India £4.3bn 23% revenue mobile market share4 183.8m mobile customers Our reach and scale Group revenue 2015 Europe AMAP Germany Vodacom AMAPIndia £42.2bn Other EuropeOther Spain Other (includes partner markets and common functions) 2% 1 Common functions includes revenue from services provided centrally or offered outside our operating company footprint, including some markets where we have a licensed network operation, for example offering IP-VPN services in Singapore. Europe We are the number one or two mobile operator in most of our countries with market shares ranging from around 20% to over 40%. We are typically smaller in fixed line, with market shares ranging from low single-digit up to 20%. Albania Malta# Czech Republic# Netherlands# Germany# Portugal# Greece# Romania# Hungary Spain# Ireland# UK# Italy# AMAP We are the number one or two mobile operator in most of our countries with market shares ranging from around 20% to over 50%. We have a small but growing s hare in fixed line. Australia (joint venture)New Zealand# Egypt# Qatar# Ghana# Turkey# India Vodacom Group# 2 Kenya (associate) Notes: # Fixed broadband markets. 2 Democratic Republic of Congo (‘DRC’), Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa and Tanzania.

 


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Our business model (continued) How we make money We invest in superior telecommunications networks so that we can sustain high levels of cash generation, reward shareholders and reinvest in the business – thus creating a virtuous circle of investment, revenue, strong cash conversion and reinvestment. Spectrum, network and IT infrastructure We use our spectrum licences to provide the radio frequencies needed to deliver communications services. We combine our base station sites and our expertise in network management to transmit signals for mobile services. Through our fixed broadband assets (cable, fibre and copper) and wholesale agreements with other operators, we provide broadband, voice and TV services. Our IT estate provides our data centres, customer relationship capability, customer billing services and online resources. We also have strong local market share positions – as we are typically the first or second largest mobile operator in each of our markets with a share of more than 20%. This provides in-market scale efficiencies to support our adjusted EBITDA margin, which in turn provides healthy cash flow. Reinvestment Our cash flow helps us to maintain a high level of investment to give our customers a superior network experience, which over time should enable us to secure a premium positioning in most of our markets. We also continue to participate in spectrum auctions to secure a strong portfolio of spectrum. Over the last three years we have committed £21 billion in capital investment in networks, IT and distribution, a further £4 billion on the renewal and acquisition of spectrum and £13 billion on acquiring new fixed line businesses. Revenue The majority of our revenue comes from selling mobile voice, text and data. Mobile users pay either monthly via fixed term contracts (typically up to two years in length) or prepay by topping up their airtime in advance of usage. Enterprise customers are typically on contracts that last between two to three years. Over 90% of our mobile customers are individual consumers and the rest are enterprise customers. A growing share of mobile revenue arises from monthly fees rather than metered access, which is much more vulnerable to competitive and economic pressures. Fixed customers typically pay via one to two year contracts, and as a result fixed revenue streams are more stable than mobile. Shareholder returns The cash generated from operations allows us to sustain generous shareholder returns while also investing in the future prosperity of the business. In the 2014 calendar year we were the fifth largest dividend payer in the FTSE 100. Over the last three years we have returned almost £13 billion to shareholders, in the form of ordinary dividends, excluding share buy backs and the Verizon Wireless Return of Value. In addition we have increased the dividend per share every year for more than 15 years. Cash flow Our track record of converting revenue into cash flow is strong – with some £11.2 billion generated over the last three years. We achieve this by operating efficient networks where we seek to minimise costs, thus supporting our gross margin. 10 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Beyond financial value – towards a sustainable business Our core business is founded on a powerful social good: we help millions of customers communicate, share, create, learn and grow, and the rapid expansion of our networks is having a profound impact on the way people manage their daily lives. Everyone we deal with, from our customers, shareholders, partners and suppliers, to our employees, regulators and NGOs, rightly expect everyone at Vodafone to act responsibly and with integrity at all times. The beliefs, aspirations and concerns of this diverse range of stakeholders consequently shape our performance and success, influencing the way we make decisions. We know that financial results alone are not enough: the societies and communities within which we operate want companies to focus on enhancing lives and livelihoods and overlooking that expectation would risk undermining our prospects for long-term value creation. More on Sustainable business: Page 30

 


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How we set ourselves apart We aim to differentiate ourselves from our competitors by offering a leading network, leveraging the benefits of our large scale, global reach and international brand; by our leading position in enterprise; and by training and developing the best people. Network quality We aim to have the best mobile network in each of our markets, combined with competitive fixed networks in our main markets. This means giving our customers broad coverage, a reliable connection, and increasing speeds and data capacity. The transition towards unified communications is changing how we reach customers and our fixed line businesses use door-to-door selling and more telesales than our other services. Our mobile money service M-Pesa, enables users to top up their airtime as well as providing access to financial services. Read more about M-Pesa on pages 26 and 30. Branding and marketing We communicate our services to customers through clear and effective branding and marketing. The strength of our brand is a major driver of purchasing decisions for consumers and enterprise customers alike. For example, in only 30 months, Vodafone Red, our globally branded pricing plan (providing bundles of unlimited voice, text and generous data allowances) has over 20 million customers. Customer service We have over 17,000 employees dedicated to providing customer service, supported by contractors and third parties. All call centres are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in all our European markets, and this is now being rolled out across our remaining markets outside Europe. In an increasingly digital age we also offer live webchat capability, and self-care, either via a handset, tablet or laptop, to enable customers to self-diagnose and resolve their own queries. Service design The mobile services we provide are carefully designed to meet the needs of targeted customer segments. For example, SIM-only plans which do not include a handset for customers focused on value, shared data plans for families, and bundles including generous data allowances, content, roaming, cloud storage and internet security for those wanting worry-free solutions. We can also design bespoke solutions to meet the needs of our business customers, whatever their size. The majority of our fixed revenue is from home and office broadband solutions, including TV and calls over a landline. The remainder arises from carrying other operators’ international traffic across sub-sea cable systems. Sales We sell our mobile services through a variety of distribution channels. Our shops comprise exclusive branded stores, distribution partners and third party retailers. Our branded stores enable customers to test our products and services before they buy, obtain advice from sales advisors, and top-up their price plans. Online channels, whether accessed through a mobile device or PC, are becoming much more important and we are upgrading our IT estate to meet this growing demand. Branded channels (including online and telesales) account for around 60% of new consumer contract customers and around 90% of contract renewals in Europe. Third party channels account for around 40% of acquisitions. Our large corporate customers are served by a direct sales team; small and medium-sized companies are managed through a network of around 2,000 indirect partners, and sole traders are serviced via our retail stores and telesales capabilities. Notes: 1 P3 communications. 2 2015 Brand Finance Global 500. 11 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Key differentiators: a We are both a multinational and a multicultural company, and our diverse workforce helps us better understand and meet the needs of our customers a We employ people from over 130 countries, with 24 nationalities among our Senior Leadership Team. For more information on our people see page 28 Key differentiators: a Vodafone is the UK’s most valuable brand with an attributed worth of US$27 billion2 Key differentiators: a We have over 16,000 exclusive branded shops across the globe a In India, we supplement our branded stores with 1.8 million small-scale outlets for top-ups, significantly more than our nearest competitor a In our established M-Pesa markets of Kenya and Tanzania we are the market leaders for mobile money services Key differentiators: a We are one of the world’s largest mobile operators with 283,000 base station sites a We have the best or co-best mobile data networks in 16 out of 20 markets1 a We have a leading holding of spectrum in most of our key markets a We own the largest cable companies in Germany and Spain a Project Spring, our £19 billion investment programme, aims to strengthen further our network and service differentiation Key differentiators: a We are typically either number one or number two in mobile enterprise in most of our markets a We have a comprehensive portfolio of total communication services including mobile, fixed, Cloud and Hosting, and M2M business solutions

 


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M arket overview The telecommunications industry today The telecommunications industry is a large one, generating around US$1.5 trillion of revenue annually, from seven billion mobile phone customers and one billion fixed line customers. The global mobile market Scale and structure The mobile industry has 7.2 billion users, generating around one trillion US dollars of annual service revenue every year. Around 60% of revenue comes from traditional calls. However, over the last few years the demand for mobile data services, such as watching videos and internet browsing on a smartphone, has accelerated, and today around 40% of revenue is from data, up from around 30% in 2011. The majority of mobile users, around 76%, are in emerging markets, such as India and Africa. This reflects the typical combination of large populations and the lack of fixed line infrastructure, which means that the mobile internet is often the only connection to the internet for people in these regions. It is estimated that in 2014 over half of the world’s mobile internet users came from emerging markets1. In contrast, the reported proportion of the population with a phone – or mobile penetration – tends to be high in mature markets (usually over 100%) – as some people have more than one device. Mobile penetration is usually lower in emerging markets, particularly in rural areas, due mainly to lower incomes and less network coverage. Growth The demand for mobile services continues to grow strongly. In the last three years the number of users increased by 20%. In 2011 global mobile penetration was only 87%, and by 2014 it had risen to 101%. The global fixed market The fixed communications market generates around US$500 billion of revenue annually. Over the last three years, revenue from voice services has declined as the demand for traditional fixed line calls has remained static at around one billion users. In contrast, revenue from fixed broadband or internet usage is growing with an estimated 690 million customers worldwide – an increase of 21% over the last three years. This growth has been spread across all forms of broadband – copper, cable and fibre – and within this, there is a growing preference for the high speed capability provided by cable and fibre. Most of the increase in users has been from emerging markets due to favourable growth drivers – young and expanding populations, faster economic growth, low but rising mobile penetration, and less fixed line infrastructure. The other key area of growth is data, which is being driven by increasing smartphone and tablet penetration, better mobile networks, and an increased choice of internet content and applications (‘apps’). Competition The mobile industry is highly competitive, with many alternative providers. In each country there are typically at least three to four mobile network operators (‘MNOs’) such as Vodafone. Across Europe there are more than 100 MNOs. In addition, there can be numerous mobile virtual network operators (‘MVNOs’) – suppliers that rent capacity from mobile operators to sell on to their customers. There is also competition from other communication providers using internet-based rather than cellular services such as WiFi calling or instant messaging. Regulation The mobile industry is heavily regulated by national and regional authorities. Regulators continue to lower mobile termination rates (‘MTRs’) which are the fees mobile companies charge for calls received from other companies’ networks, and to limit the amount that operators can charge for mobile roaming services. These two areas represent around 11% of service revenue for Vodafone. See page 195 for more on regulation. Revenue trends In an environment of intense competition and significant regulatory pressures, the average global price per minute of a mobile call has fallen by over a third in the last three years to five US cents2. However, with both more mobile phone users, and more usage of mobile services, global mobile revenue remains on a positive trend and expanded by 9% over the same period. 12 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Mobile phone penetration% by market3 0 World Germany UK India Kenya Mature markets Emerging markets 150 143 138 100 101 75 76 50 Mobile customers by market3 North America: 6% China: 19% Europe: 16% 7.3 Mature India: 13%(2013:Asia: 4% 6. South Emerging America: 10% Asia: 15% 12% Middle East: 5% 20 14: billion 8 billion) Africa: Telecommunications revenue3US$bn 02010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Fixed broadband Fixed voice Mobile 959 983 1,500 864 903 940 1,000 500 340 319 297 277 258 184 196 209 217 225

 


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Where the industry is heading The pace of change in the industry is expected to remain significant – the demand for data is accelerating, there is an ongoing shift towards fixed and mobile bundles, networks are improving, and the market environment is becoming more positive. Growing importance of The demand for bundled services has been a feature of the enterprise market for several years and is becoming more visible in the consumer market. We believe that this demand, combined with technological advances delivering easier connection of multiple data devices, will support strong data growth in the future. Therefore this will need to be managed by access to next-generation fixed networks, principally cable or fibre, to support increased speed and meet capacity requirements. Internet-based providers often offer “free calls and texts” services, so mobile operators increasingly sell unlimited voice and text bundles, and combine this with a fixed fee for data usage. While we expect the level of competition to remain robust, we have seen some encouraging signs of consolidation among European telecoms operators which is supportive of further investment. data, emerging markets and other new revenue areas Traditional revenue sources – mobile voice and texts – have reached maturity in a number of markets. Therefore, to deliver future growth opportunities, we are investing in newer revenue areas such as data. It is estimated that between 2014 and 2018 mobile data revenue will grow by 18%, compared to a 7% decline in voice revenue over the same period. The demand for data will continue to be driven by rising smartphone and tablet penetration and usage, and improvements in mobile network capability. Already 95% of the world’s total traffic on mobile networks is data. The data services most used are video streaming and internet browsing which require high speed networks. Therefore, operators are investing more in 4G in European markets and a combination of 4G and 3G in emerging markets to provide much faster data speeds. Emerging markets have significant potential for customer and revenue growth driven by rising populations, strong economic growth, lower mobile penetration and a lack of alternative fixed line infrastructure. By 2018 it is expected that there will be 1.5 billion new mobile users in emerging markets, taking their share of global users to 79%. Other new revenue streams are being pursued which extend the use of mobile beyond everyday communication. These include money transfers and payments using a handset, and M2M services such as smart metering and the location monitoring of vehicles, through a SIM card embedded in the vehicle. Improving business environment in Europe As Europe represents the majority of our revenue, the environment is important to us. The economic recession in Europe over the last few years has been a key driver of the declining revenue trends in the region for many operators. However, the return to GDP growth in 2014 bodes well for the future. The regulatory environment in Europe remains challenging, as a result of ongoing cuts to regulated revenues such as roaming and MTRs. The European Commission has recently announced a new Digital Single Market package of legislative measures. While this emphasises the need to improve the investment climate, it still needs to translate into specific legislative measures which – if rapidly adopted – would have a positive impact. Continued network innovation The pace of innovation and development in the networks is increasing. For example, 4G, which we only launched in 2010 already accounts for 30% of data traffic on Vodafone’s European networks. Standard 4G provides speeds of up to 150 Mbps, which is more than three times the highest 3G speeds. The next stage of 4G development is 4G+, which bonds together multiple spectrum blocks to provide typical peak speeds of up to 450 Mbps. High-Definition voice is another new mobile technology which provides customers with crystal clear call quality. In the fixed broadband sector operators are investing more in fibre which provides data speeds typically up to 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps, compared with up to 24 Mbps on copper broadband. Continued high level of competition The high level of competitive intensity in the communications industry is expected to continue between established MNOs, MVNOs, fixed operators and internet-based services providers. MVNOs and smaller mobile operators are often attractive to value seekers. However, the high level of investment in 4G and unified communications by larger MNOs, such as Vodafone, enables differentiation through higher network and service quality. Fixed operators often bundle their services with mobile, leading Vodafone to acquire fixed capability to bundle with mobile, through investment in fibre networks, acquisitions and wholesale agreements. Convergence of fixed and mobile into unified communications We expect a continued trend towards unified communications or bundled mobile, fixed and TV services so that customers can use data services wherever they are and on whatever device they want. Notes: 1 ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau. 2 Merrill Lynch. 3 Strategy analytics. 13 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Share of industry mobile users3 % 0 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Mature markets Emerging markets 100 76 77 78 78 79 80 60 40 20 24 23 22 22 21 Share of industry % mobile service revenue3 0 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Data/Text Voice 100 58 56 54 53 52 80 60 40 42 44 46 47 48 20

 


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C hief Executive’s strategic review Making substantial strategic progress It has been a year of continued progress, with increasing signs of stabilisation in a number of European markets and continued good growth in emerging markets. Our strategic investment in Project Spring and unified communications is delivering a clear improvement in our commercial performance. Communications Markets Demand for data is rapidly We want to become the leading 14 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 We expect these trends to shape our industry… More on Where the industry is heading: Page 13 As a result our strategy will focus on… 3 Consumer Europe Unified Consumer Emerging Enterprise accelerating. We are focused More and more businesses and It’s easy to conceive of Vodafone communications provider for on providing the best fixed consumers are seeking unified as a Europe-centric company,businesses across the world, and mobile data experience,communications – converged but an increasing amount large or small. We provide outstanding customer service fixed and mobile services –of our revenue now comes a range of services including and a range of worry-free price and we are adapting to meet from countries outside Europe,mobile, fixed, Cloud and Hosting plans and additional services.these demands.and most of this in fast-growingand M2M that are easy to use, emerging markets whereworry-free and cost-effective. demand for data is taking off. Supported by… Each of which is accelerated by… Project Spring Investing £19 billion in mobile and fixed networks, products, services and our retail platform Customer-focused and cost-efficient business model and operations An excellent network experience 2 4 1 Improving business environment in Europe High level of competition Strong demand from emerging markets Increasing demand for unified communications Growing importance of data and other new revenue areas

 


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Review of the year It has been a year of continued strong growth in most of our emerging markets, and signs of stabilisation in many European ones. A slight easing of aggressive price competition in some countries, combined with a clear inflection point in the growth of data usage, has underpinned our performance. In addition, the increased commercial investments which we began to make in the prior year have translated into an improved performance relative to our competitors in Europe, with revenue trends improving in each of the last three quarters. We have also made excellent progress on the core pillars of our strategy – data, unified communications and enterprise – for both European and emerging markets as I outline below. Across our markets we have witnessed an acceleration in consolidation both within the mobile sector and between fixed and mobile, as operators look to gain scale and position themselves to seize the opportunity to deliver customers an enhanced experience as demand for high speed data takes off. This mirrors our own important strategic moves with the acquisitions of Kabel Deutschland (‘KDG’) and Grupo Corporativo Ono, S.A. (‘Ono’), and our continued fixed infrastructure build in a number of markets. In our core European markets, we are increasingly positioning Vodafone as a top tier, fully integrated provider of high speed fixed and mobile communications to consumers and businesses. 15 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Continues on next page…

 


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Chief Executive’s strategic review (continued) Project Spring First communicated in detail in November 2013, Project Spring is our two-year, £19 billion investment programme designed to place Vodafone at the forefront of the growth in mobile data and the increasing trend towards the convergence of fixed and mobile services. The key elements of the Spring infrastructure build are: These investments have already seen the customer experience improve significantly, with 88% of customers’ data sessions in Europe now at 3 Mbps or better (the level required to watch uninterrupted high-definition video), and dropped call rates in Europe falling by 34%. In emerging markets, the data story is equally positive. In India, for example, we already have 19 million 3G customers (up from 7 million a year ago), smartphone penetration in urban areas is already 44%, and 3G data usage per customer is at similar levels to Europe. For many, their first experience of the internet will be on mobile, given the lack of fixed line infrastructure. Our rapid roll-out of 3G networks this year is generating a rapid payback, with 3G browsing revenues growing at 140% during the year. Data We have witnessed exceptional demand for data this year, whether 4G in Europe or 3G in emerging markets, with data growth totalling 80% for the full year, and accelerating every quarter in Europe. As video and music services proliferate, and data coverage widens and becomes more consistent, customers are increasingly using their smartphones and tablets for entertainment, work and social interaction. We now provide 4G services in 18 countries, with a further four countries launched during the year. Our 4G customer base has quadrupled to 20.2 million. While progress has been rapid, still only 13% of our European customer base is on 4G, providing us with a very substantial opportunity for future growth. With quicker network response times, better in-building penetration and higher peak speeds, 4G is stimulating significant growth in data, with usage typically doubling when customers migrate from 3G to 4G. In addition, our successful commercial approach of bundling content packages with 4G in a number of European markets is boosting data consumption further, and enabling us to introduce larger data bundles to customers. Our ability to translate this strong data demand into revenue growth will be a key driver of our financial performance in the years ahead. Unified communications We are well on the way to becoming a full service, integrated operator in our main markets. Through organic investment and acquisition, we now cover 28 million households (and thousands of businesses) across Europe with our own fibre or cable infrastructure. In addition, we can reach a further 22 million households by accessing the incumbent operators’ networks. In the 2015 financial year, 25% of our service revenue in Europe came from fixed line, compared to just 10% five years ago. We now have 11.3 million broadband customers and 9.1 million TV customers in Europe. During the year we completed the acquisition of Ono, Spain’s number one cable operator covering seven million homes. We made strong progress on the integration of both Ono and KDG in Germany, combining our fixed and mobile networks and beginning to migrate Vodafone broadband customers to our new infrastructure. We are also demonstrating strong commercial momentum. We increased our European broadband customer base by over 850,000 (excluding acquisitions) during the year, with revenue trends improving through the year. In the coming weeks, we will launch our consumer broadband proposition in the UK, with TV to follow later in 2015, and as a result will be offering integrated fixed and mobile services in all of our major European markets. We have made significant progress on all of these elements during the year, and are on track to hit our key March 2016 targets. Highlights of our progress include: 16 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 extending our European 4G footprint to 72% population coverage, up from 32% in September 2013; adding a further 33,000 2G and 42,000 3G sites, to deepen our existing coverage and improve voice reliability; reaching 90% of the population in targeted urban areas with 3G in India; and covering an additional 3.9 million homes across Europe with our own fibre. building 4G to over 90% of the population in our European markets and 3G to up to 95% of the population in targeted areas of India; modernising our mobile network, with high speed backhaul giving us the capacity to provide a consistently good network experience to our customers; making calls more reliable – still the number one priority for most customers; upgrading our retail presence, to offer customers modern shops focused on service as well as sales; increasing our next-generation fixed line infrastructure in Spain, Italy and Portugal; and enhancing our suite of Enterprise products and services, and taking them into new geographical areas.

 


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Enterprise Services to business comprise around 27% of our Group service revenue, and 32% in Europe. Vodafone has a strong position in mobile enterprise, leveraging our trusted brand and network reliability. We are increasingly using this strong platform to win more international business and move more deeply into fixed line, which is a rapidly growing trend within Enterprise as well. Half of all new proposal requests in Vodafone Global Enterprise (‘VGE’) ask for converged solutions, and fixed is now 25% of Enterprise service revenue. At the same time, through Project Spring, we are investing in strategic growth areas such as Cloud and Hosting and M2M, which promise to be significant growth drivers in the future. VGE, which provides services to our biggest international customers, achieved revenue growth of 1.8%*, as multi-national corporations continued their trend of seeking a single provider of services across borders. In M2M, we increased the number of connections to 21.5 million from 16.1 million last year, and acquired Cobra Automotive, a provider of value-added security and telematics services to the automotive industry. M2M revenue grew 24.7%*. Unified communications continues to be a rapidly growing trend within Enterprise. Vodafone One Net, our cloud-based integrated fixed/mobile service, now has 3.9 million users across 11 markets – up 13% year-on-year. Outlook There are strong reasons for optimism over the future of the telecoms industry and Vodafone’s position within it. We are leading the way in increasing investment, which will significantly enhance the quality of service to customers. Ongoing consolidation in the sector will lead to fewer, healthier companies, and competition increasingly based on service differentiation rather than price alone. On the regulatory front, headwinds in Europe are easing, although India continues to introduce new measures that will limit growth in the short term. The coming year will be another very important one for execution, as we complete the Project Spring build programme and continue the integration of KDG and Ono. At the same time, we will take further measures to stabilise average revenue per user (‘ARPU’) as usage continues to grow strongly.Our priority is to ensure that we give customers – whether individuals or businesses, mobile or fixed – the best possible service. This is not just about providing the best coverage and connectivity, but also about making everything about being a Vodafone customer easier, clearer and more reliable. Signing a contract, adding more services, understanding or challenging a bill, seeking help and advice online, over the phone or in one of our shops: we aim to improve every aspect of the customer relationship with Vodafone. By the end of the coming financial year we expect that the clear improvements in network performance delivered by Project Spring, combined with a more consistent customer service experience, will begin to be reflected in stronger customer satisfaction. This in turn should reduce churn and, combined with continued strong growth in data usage, stabilise ARPU. Although cash flow will continue to be depressed in the coming year given the high levels of investment, our intention to continue to grow dividends per share annually demonstrates our confidence in strong future cash flow generation.  /s/ Vittorio Colao Vittorio Colao Chief Executive Dividend per share  pence Growth in dividend per share We increased the dividend per share by 2.0% this year and we intend to grow this annually 2013 2014 2015

 


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Key performance indicators Monitoring our strategic progress We track our performance against strategic, financial and operational key performance indicators (‘KPIs’) which we judge to be the best indicators of how we are doing. Pages 22 and 23 18 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Emerging markets active data users2 million Data is a huge opportunity in our emerging markets and we are increasing our data coverage across them all. Around half our customers still only experience data on 2G so a key goal for us is to increase the number of customers using 3G and 4G. 2013 2014 2015 Our active data customer base continues to grow significantly with nearly 20 million added in the year, half of which were in India. More and more of our data users are now using 3G, with 19 million 3G customers in India alone. We also currently offer 4G services in South Africa, Kenya, Lesotho and Qatar and expect this to expand in the future. 114.2 94.6 68.2 Achieved 3 Europe fixed 2 broadband customers million As we expand our broadband coverage we are successfully growing our broadband base. 2013 2014 2015 The total number of customers has been boosted by the acquisitions of Kabel Deutschland (added 2.1 million) in the 2014 financial year and Ono (added 1.6 million) and Hellas Online (added 0.5 million) during this year. In addition to this, we added 853,000 customers over the year across Europe and expect to continue to grow our base next year and beyond. 11.3 8.5 6.1 Achieved Europe NGN coverage 2 (owned assets) million homes passed As part of our evolution to a unified communications provider, we are expanding our high-speed broadband coverage through a combination of cable and fibre assets, through both acquisitions and self-building programmes. not 2013 2014 2015 We now cover 28 million homes across Europe with owned infrastructure, equivalent to 19% of our European footprint. We expect this total to increase next year as we continue our building programmes. The total coverage increases to 50 million (35% of households) when including our wholesale access deals. Data available 28 19 Achieved Europe average 1 smartphone data usage1 MB A key goal of our strategy in Europe is to get customers to use more data as this should, with successful monetisation, support revenue growth in the years ahead. 2013 2014 2015 The average smartphone usage has doubled over the last two years, helped by our worry-free Red plans and the uptake of 4G and content packages. We expect this average to continue to increase next year and beyond. More on data usage: 755 473 345 Achieved Europe 4G coverage 1 % Expanding our 4G coverage is a key objective of Project Spring as it provides customers with a better experience and stimulates higher data usage and improved monetisation. 2013 2014 2015 We have now reached 72% coverage across our European markets and expect this to be over 90% by March 2016. 72 46 20 Achieved Europe 4G customers 1 million We previously reported smartphone penetration as a KPI, which is now 52% and above our 50% target for the year. While this metric remains crucial, we are increasingly focused on ensuring as many our customers experience data on 4G. 2013 2014 2015 We increased the number of 4G customers by 12.6 million in the year and we expect this number to grow significantly in the coming year as the majority of new contract connections are now on 4G. 0.5 15.9 3.3 Achieved

 


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Measuring financial performance We use four main metrics to track our financial performance. Financial indicators Our financial performance this year saw strong performances across our emerging markets offset by continued weakness across many of our European businesses, reflected in our service revenue and adjusted EBITDA performance. Despite these pressures, and during a period of significant investment through Project Spring, we met our financial guidance for both adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow and increased our dividend per share. Our results this year include a full year of Vodafone Italy (consolidated from February 2014) and our acquisitions of Ono, Hellas Online and Cobra Automotive. More on Financial performance: Page 38 Page 39 to better align to our strategy and changing Spring. We have also expanded the scope importance of unified communications and disposal of our interest in Verizon Wireless the results of that through our financials. 19 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Changes to KPIs this year We have updated our KPIs this year business model. For our strategic KPIs, we have changed the focus of European mobile towards 4G and increasing data usage to better reflect the investments we are making with Project of our strategic KPIs to address the growing the growth of data in emerging markets. With the financial KPIs, we have moved to an absolute measure of adjusted EBITDA rather than margin and have removed adjusted operating profit, following the in the 2014 financial year. We have also removed mobile market share as a KPI as our focus is on improving our customer experience and we monitor Dividend per share pence The ordinary dividend remains the primary method of shareholder return and we have an outstanding record of growth here. We intended to increase the dividend per share annually. 2013 2014 2015 We increased our dividend per share to 11.22 pence in the year. Our intention remains to grow the dividend per share annually. 11.00 11.22 10.19 Achieved Free cash flow3 £ billion Cash generation is key to delivering strong shareholder returns. Our free cash flow will be depressed during the period of Project Spring as we increase our capital expenditure by around half. Our guidance was for positive free cash flow in the year. 2013 2014 2015 Free cash flow fell by £3.3 billion over the year, with the £2.9 billion increase in capital expenditure not offset by the free cash flow contribution from Vodafone Italy and Ono. On a guidance basis, free cash flow was £1.3 billion, in line with the guidance range. More on free cash flow and financial year guidance: Page 39 5.7 4.4 1.1 Achieved Adjusted EBITDA3 £ billion Growth in adjusted EBITDA supports our overall profitability and free cash flow which helps fund investment and shareholder returns. Our guidance was for adjusted EBITDA of £11.3 billion to £11.9 billion in the year, excluding the results of Ono. 2013 2014 2015 Reported adjusted EBITDA of £11.9 billion increased mainly due to the inclusion of Italy and Ono. On an organic basis, adjusted EBITDA decreased by 6.9%*, reflecting the ongoing competitive pressures in Europe and the increased operating costs as a result of Project Spring. On a guidance basis, adjusted EBITDA was £11.7 billion, in line with the guidance range. More on adjusted EBITDA and financial year guidance: 11.9 11.5 11.1 Achieved Organic service revenue growth3 % Growth in the top line demonstrates our ability to grow our customer base and stabilise or increase ARPU. We aim to return to service revenue growth. 2013 2014 2015 We were unable to grow our organic service revenue this year, mainly as a result of continued pressures in many European markets. We did, however, see continued improvements in the growth trends throughout the year, with positive growth in the final quarter of the year. -0.1 -2.6 -1.6 More work to do

 


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Key performance indicators (continued) performance 20 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Measuring operational We track our operational performance against three key metrics that cover the experience we offer our customers and the engagement and diversity of our employees. maternity policy in the year. Pages 28 and 29 Notes: 1 Based on Android and iPhone devices. 2 Emerging markets comprise DRC, Egypt, Ghana, India, Lesotho, Mozambique, Qatar, South Africa, Tanzania and Turkey. 3 Financials for 2013 and 2014 are shown on the current statutory basis, including the results of the Group’s joint ventures using the equity accounting basis. Free cash flow excludes restructuring costs in all periods. out of 13 KPIs achieved versus 9 out of 12 in 2014 More on rewards for performance in the Remuneration report: Paying for performance The incentive plans used to reward the performance of our Directors and our senior managers, with some local variances, include measures linked to our key performance indicators. The annual bonus (‘GSTIP’) pay-out for the 2015 financial year was dependent upon our performance across three financial measures (service revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted free cash flow) and one strategic measure (Competitive Performance assessment), with each having an equal 25% weighting. The Competitive Performance assessment was based on a market-by-market assessment of measures including NPS performance and relative revenue market share. We are making two changes for the year ahead to underline the importance of providing the best possible customer experience. We will rebalance the weightings of the performance measures with 60% being equally split across the financial measures and 40% weighted to the strategic measures. In light of this increase in weighting the Competitive Performance assessment will be replaced by Customer Appreciation KPIs which will continue to include an assessment of NPS and we will add in Brand Consideration along with other customer measures. Pages 75 to 91 Percentage of women in senior management % Diversity increases the range of skills and styles in our business and increased female representation across our senior management (top c.1,600 employees) is one measure of diversity. Our goal is simple, to increase the proportion each year. 2013 2014 2015 We have not made progress on this metric this year, with the proportion falling slightly. To help improve gender diversity further, we launched a new More on Our people: 24 23 22 More work to do Consumer mobile net promoter score out of 21 markets We use net promoter scores (‘NPS’) to measure the extent to which our customers would recommend us to friends and family. We aim to increase or maintain the number of markets where we are ranked number one by NPS. 2013 2014 2015 This year we increased the number of markets where we are ranked number one and our goal is to continue to increase this number every year. We are now ranked first or joint first in mobile in four of our top six markets (Italy, Spain, India and South Africa) while we lag behind in the UK and Germany. 11 9 8 Achieved Employee engagement index The employee engagement score measures employees’ level of engagement – a combination of pride, loyalty and motivation. Our goal here is to retain our top quartile position. 201320142015 Our employee engagement score remains broadly stable and we retained a top quartile position. More on Our people: Pages 28 and 29 78 77 77 Achieved

 


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impact in the EU 21 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Measuring our economic Our substantial operations and investments in Europe have a positive impact on the EU economy as a whole, with our digital networks and services enabling businesses to enhance productivity and competitiveness, while helping public institutions enhance efficiency in delivering public services. For every €1 we add to the EU economy directly, we generate just under another €1 indirectly, through the purchase of goods and services from suppliers. Better productivity We provide jobs and the potential for a high skills career path for our 54,000 employees in Europe. Our employees are 40% more productive than the average across the telecommunications sectors in the 12 EU countries in which we operate1. For every full time equivalent Vodafone job we generate an average of 2.2 full time employment opportunities among our European suppliers. For more information see our EU Economic Impact report online at vodafone.com/policy. Note: 1 KPMG analysis based on data from Eurostat.

 


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O ur strategy Consumer Europe While voice and messaging remain crucial to our customers, the demand for data continues to grow, both through mobile and through fixed. This growth provides a great opportunity for Vodafone and for our customers as we work towards providing the best data experience to more and more customers. 1 41% of service revenue from consumers in Europe Growing data penetration Voice and messaging remain crucial to all of our customers and we have improved voice quality dramatically, with only around 1 in 170 calls dropped on average compared with 1 in 110 in September 2013. However, the rise of smartphones and other connected devices is leading more and more of our customers to use data on the move. Already over half of our customers use data, with 52% smartphone penetration across our base, and we have a great opportunity to extend this further. To help data reach more and more people we provide low-priced entry level plans with small allowances, and combine these with affordable handsets, such as our Vodafone branded devices. During the year, we sold over 3.4 million Vodafone branded smartphones across Europe. We have 15.9 million 4G customers across Europe, compared to only 3.3 million a year ago. 4G is driving an increase in data usage, both in absolute and per-user terms. On average our 4G customers use twice as much data as our 3G customers and that has helped average smartphone usage increase from 473MB to 755MB during the year. This is supported by the large increase in video streaming, which now accounts for 48% of data traffic. Bundling content with our 4G plans is also helping to increase data usage, as discussed on page 23. Monetising increased usage As customers use more and more data it is important that we monetise this. Higher usage has helped drive higher revenues per customer in some markets, especially in the UK where 4G data usage trends are particularly strong. In some markets, average revenue per user (‘ARPU’) has continued to fall as the benefit of increased data usage has not offset the fall in market prices. 4G driving increased usage The arrival of 4G in Europe has had a significant impact – both on our business and on the experience our customers enjoy. 4G is attractive because it offers much faster speeds and a more reliable experience, enabling customers to watch videos, stream music and enjoy the internet better than ever before. data usage1 22 Note: 1 Based on 3G to 4G cohort analysis Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Roamers registered million on “Daily offer” 0 2013 2014 2015 30 20 20.0 14.2 10 3.0 Video as a % of data traffic % 0 2013 2014 2015 60 48 40 37 37 20 3G vs. 4G average monthly GB 0 Netherlands Spain 2.0 1.9 1.5 1.6 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.5 European smartphone penetration % 30 2013 2014 2015 60 50 52 45 40 38 Context More and more of our customers are using data, increasingly on 4G Average smartphone data usage is accelerating, increasing 60% over the year Customers want simplicity and worry-free bills We are now a major fixed broadband and TV provider Where we are going We are encouraging more customers to switch to data and to use more data We are expanding our 4G network to over 90% population coverage by March 2016 We continue to enable worry-free usage through our Vodafone Red and roaming plans We are stimulating data usage through bundling content We are increasingly providing mobile and fixed services together We are improving the experience we offer customers through modernising our stores and investing in better customer service Project Spring achievements Taking 4G coverage to 72% Reducing dropped calls to 0.6% Increasing average smartphone data usage to 755MB Modernising around 3,250 retail stores

 


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Expanding our worry-free propositions A crucial part of our strategy to encourage greater data usage is to remove the concern many customers have about using data. The main way we have done this is through our Vodafone Red plans. Vodafone Red offers unlimited calls and texts with generous data allowances – letting our customers use their phones without worrying about their bill. We now have 16.4 million Red customers across all our European markets, improving customer satisfaction and reducing the level of customers deciding to leave us. We have extended worry-free usage even further for some customers with integrated European roaming, Secure Net (our mobile security software) and cloud storage offered with many high-value plans. Vodafone Red also helps protect our business against over-the-top voice and messaging services that let customers use their data allowance rather than their voice and messaging allowances. We now have 62% of our mobile service revenue in Europe coming from customers’ committed bundles, up from 58% a year ago. Expanding worry-free roaming We have continued to take the concern out of roaming for our customers with our daily offer, which allows customers to take their home tariff abroad for a small fee. We now have 20 million customers who have registered for this offer compared with 14 million a year ago, accounting for 33% of consumer roamers. We now also offer 4G roaming in all our 4G markets, letting our customers enjoy 4G abroad in up to 54 countries. Customers using our daily offer typically use their phone more and generate higher roaming ARPU than those on standard tariffs. Our unified communications strategy is discussed in detail on the next two pages. Customer experience While our strategy across Europe is focused on providing a great data experience, it is important that we work on our everyday interactions with customers. As part of Project Spring we are upgrading around 8,000 of our stores to enhance the experience we offer customers. We have upgraded around 3,250 so far. We are also upgrading our customer service, with 24/7 telephone support available in all markets and significant increases in the use of our mobile and online based care products. We now have 12.5 million ‘My Vodafone App’ users who can check their balance and usage, and access help and support, wherever they are. A major fixed operator The story is not just about mobile data. As a result of recent acquisitions and our organic strategy, we now have 11.3 million fixed broadband customers and 9.1 million TV customers across Europe. As we become a larger fixed operator, we are increasingly providing customers with both mobile and fixed services. Consumers increasingly want one plan that includes their fixed, mobile and TV packages and we are making progress towards providing this across our markets. 23 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Bundling content encouraging data usage We have also increased average data usage by offering customers content packages as part of their price plans. We include services such as Netflix, Spotify and Napster within selected plans across eight European markets. Customers who sign up to these content packages typically use at least twice as much data as similar customers who do not have bundled content. Mobile customers with bundled price plans in Europe

 


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Our strategy (continued) U nified Communications Our customers increasingly expect to connect to friends, information and entertainment wherever they are, irrespective of the underlying technology. We are growing our next-generation fixed capability to meet their needs. 20% of service revenue from fixed services What is unified communications? More and more customers are consuming bundled fixed and mobile services which often provide better value for money, and increasingly, one single bill and one single point of contact. To meet this evolving demand requires seamless high speed connectivity through the integration of multiple technologies such as 3G, 4G, WiFi, cable and fibre – which we call “unified communications”. During the year our competitors launched new convergent offers in several key European markets and we started to respond with our own offers. Therefore, it is critical for us to continue to develop fixed broadband services alongside our established mobile assets so that we can compete in this growing segment. Our fixed strategy Our goal is to secure access to high speed fixed broadband infrastructure in all our major European markets. We will continue to do this either through building our own fibre, wholesaling (renting) from incumbent fixed operators or acquisitions. We decide which approach to adopt on a market-by-market basis, taking into account the cost of building our own fibre, the economics of the wholesale terms on offer, the speed of market development, and the availability of good quality businesses to acquire. We have made good progress on our strategy. During the year we completed the purchase of two fixed companies – Ono, Spain’s largest cable company, and Hellas Online, a leading provider of fixed telecom services in Greece. We are progressing well on the building of our own fibre networks in Italy, Spain and Portugal, with preparations underway in Ireland. The market opportunity We are well established in mobile, with a market share in Europe of over 20%. In the fixed market, where we are building our presence, our share is currently around 10%, giving us a real opportunity to grow in this space. The bundling of fixed and mobile services has been a feature of the enterprise market for several years and it is becoming increasingly important for consumers too. In a number of key European markets, a large share of households already take combined fixed and mobile bundles – including 50% in Spain and 25% in Portugal – and we see clear signs of this expanding to other countries. 24 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Fixed broadband and million TV customers 0 2013 2014 2015 Fixed broadband customers TV customers 15 12.1 10 9.1 9.2 8.3 6.9 5 0.2 Fixed service revenue % percentage of total service revenue 0 2013 2014 2015 20 20 15 16 12 10 5 Context Customers increasingly want access to their content – photos, videos, music, internet – wherever they are, and on whatever device they are using – phone, tablet, laptop or TV screen Customers are agnostic about using fixed or mobile networks – the most important requirement is a reliable connection We are seeing a growing demand for both combined fixed and mobile bundles and pay TV and broadband packages The growing demand for data requires a strong backhaul network with high speed fixed fibre or microwave capability linked to the mobile radio network Where we are going We expect fixed revenue to become more important to us over time as we aim to increase our market share We aim to increase the number of fixed broadband users We expect to pass more households with high speed fibre or cable We aim to have the best in class converged services including TV and all services on one single bill Project Spring achievements Increasing our next-generation fixed line infrastructure to 28 million households Increasing fixed broadband customers to 12 million Providing five million customers with high speed fibre or cable broadband 2

 


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In the coming weeks we will launch residential broadband services in the UK, using the infrastructure acquired with Cable & Wireless Worldwide (‘CWW’). Over 2,200 mobile base station sites in the UK have been connected to the CWW network, which significantly increases both the amount and speed of data we can carry. We remain on track to achieve the financial synergy targets we set when we acquired CWW. We have made good progress on the integration of both Ono in Spain and KDG in Germany, combining our fixed and mobile networks and beginning to migrate Vodafone broadband customers to our new infrastructure. For example, in Germany we have created one national backbone and 70% of all traffic has already been migrated onto a single network. Read more about the integration process on page 39. In emerging markets we are also building high speed fibre capability to serve targeted urban areas. In South Africa we have launched fibre to business services and begun to trial fibre to the home. In India we laid around 16,000 kilometres of fibre to business areas during the year taking the total to nearly 150,000 kilometres. Our subsidiary, Vodacom, is awaiting regulatory approval to acquire Neotel, the second largest provider of fixed telecommunications services in South Africa. According to external estimates1 an increasing number of households in Europe take bundles of pay TV and broadband packages. To ensure we can offer the best in class unified communications solutions we also provide TV services. We already have nine million TV customers in six markets through wholesale arrangements, and we aim to expand this to several new markets this year. During the year our fixed broadband base in Europe increased by nearly 2.8 million (including acquisitions) to 11.3 million making us one of the largest providers of fixed broadband services in Europe. The number of customers taking our high speed fibre or cable broadband increased to five million. Our ambition is to expand our broadband coverage further. Our converged solution for business customers, Vodafone One Net, combines fixed and mobile services and a full suite of cloud-based unified communications and collaboration services in one easy to use package. During the year we expanded the service to more markets and the number of users increased by 400,000 to 3.9 million. Our fixed broadband assets and performance The successful execution of our strategy has given us a strong unified communications footprint in Europe. We now pass 28 million households with our own high speed fixed fibre or cable infrastructure. In addition, we can reach a further 22 million households via wholesale agreements with fixed operators. This strategy is supporting good commercial performance. Note: 1 Analysys Mason. 25 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Ono acquisition We spent €7.2 billion (£5.8 billion) during the year acquiring Ono in Spain, a leading provider of telecommunications services including fixed telephony, broadband, pay-TV, and mobile services. Ono has the largest cable network in Spain with 7.4 million homes passed (around 40% of Spanish households). It serves 1.9 million customers and is the market leader in ultrafast broadband, offering superior speeds in excess of 200 Mbps. In April 2015 we launched our fully converged offer, Vodafone One, which utilises the best of Vodafone and Ono to give customers in Spain the next-generation converged service with the fastest 4G mobile network, landline (fixed), internet and TV.

 


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Our strategy (continued) Consu mer Emerging Markets Today, fast growing emerging markets in Asia and Africa generate a third of our revenue. We believe that these markets provide a significant future growth opportunity, driven by rising wealth, expanding populations and growing demand for mobile services. Increasing our network quality We are delivering strong growth in emerging markets, reflected in a 7% rise in customers over the year to 321 million, representing 72% of the total. However, mobile penetration is still less than 100%, compared with nearly 140% in Europe, so we expect to see a lot more growth going forward. To support and drive this growth opportunity we have made significant progress on upgrading and further extending our mobile network, with 24,000 2G and 30,000 3G radio sites added in AMAP since Project Spring commenced. As an example of progress, our 3G coverage in targeted urban areas across India is now 90%, and customers are experiencing a 44% gain in download speeds. In addition we have launched 4G networks in four emerging markets and in selected countries we also provide even faster fixed fibre services to urban areas. Driving the data opportunity Data usage in emerging markets is expanding rapidly (doubling in the year) due to the growth in customers, the expanding network and the greater range and affordability of handsets. During the year we made good progress. We increased the number of data users by 21% to 114 million, which is two thirds of the total across the Company; we trebled the number of 3G data users in India to 19 million; Vodacom delivered a 16% increase in active data users to 26 million or 39% of total customers; and smartphone penetration in Turkey rose to 46% from 34% last year. Enhancing customer experience We have a significant distribution footprint in emerging markets with 10,000 branded or franchised stores. We have modernised nearly 1,300 of these stores and are targeting to reach around 2,300 by 2016. In India we have the largest footprint of 1.8 million recharge outlets, significantly more than our nearest competitor. In South Africa we introduced webchat, so customers can resolve their queries online, and enhanced the MyVodacom app for smartphones, which allows customers to view their account balance or top up their account, with new features such as data top-ups. To ensure we provide value for money in our emerging markets we offer targeted price plans based on customers’ usage patterns, and in South Africa we reduced prepaid prices by 18%, leading to a significant uplift in usage. M-Pesa: increasing access to mobile financial services Our mobile money transfer and payment service, M-Pesa, enables people who have access to a mobile phone, but limited or no access to a bank account, to send and receive money, purchase goods, pay bills, and in some markets save money and receive short-term loans. M-Pesa is available in nine countries via a network of 273,000 agents. We now have 19.9 million active M-Pesa customers, an increase of 18% over last year. It represents around 20% of the service revenue and over half of the mobile customer base in established M-Pesa markets such as Kenya and Tanzania. During the year we launched our first international money transfer corridor between Tanzania and Kenya; we also relaunched M-Pesa in South Africa and completed the national roll-out in India. Context aaOur emerging markets are India, South Africa, Turkey, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Qatar, Tanzania and several other southern African countries aaThese markets are growing quickly – reflected in a 20% growth in customers to 321 million in just three years aaThe demand for mobile data in emerging markets is growing rapidly – with data volumes doubling this year aaThere is strong demand for mobile money services as many people in these markets have little or no access to banking services Where we are going aaWe are increasing and upgrading our base station sites to improve network coverage and quality aaWe are managing the growing demand for data through the deployment of high speed mobile networks and fibre based services to enterprise customers aaWe are continuing to invest in market leading distribution and value for money offers aaWe are enhancing our leading mobile money service, M-Pesa, by increasing the range of mobile financial services it provides 3 Project Spring achievements aaExtending our AMAP 3G/4G footprint (excluding India) to 82% population coverage (2016 target 84%) aaGrowing 3G coverage in targeted urban areas in India to 90% (2016 target 95%) aaTaking 4G to Kenya, Lesotho and Qatar, with more emerging markets to follow aaIncreasing M-Pesa to 19.9 million users 23% of service revenue from consumers in emerging markets (and a further 6% from enterprise customers) Mobile customers in million emerging markets 275.3 2013 2014 2015 302.4 321.4 0 300 200 100 400 Data users in emerging markets million 68.2 2013 2014 2015 94.6 114.2 0 80 40 120 26 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 

 


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Ente rprise As businesses increasingly look for more than just mobile services, and make mobility a central part of their strategies, we are becoming a leading total communications provider. Our portfolio includes a range of mobile, fixed, unified communications, Cloud and Hosting and M2M services. 4 of service revenue from Enterprise Context a Businesses of every size are facing the same challenges and opportunities as the boundary between mobile and fixed communications and IT blurs a They and their employees expect to be confidently connected to people, customers, data and applications wherever they are and whenever they want Where we are going a We are building a comprehensive total communications portfolio, rooted in our core strength in mobile a Our strategy is focused around three market segments – small and medium-sized enterprises, large and multinational corporates and carriers a Investment is concentrated on three high-growth markets – unified communications, Cloud and Hosting and M2M Project Spring achievements a Extending our global IP-VPN footprint to 62 countries via 256 points of presence a Launching our Cloud and Hosting services in Germany Moving to Total Communications While the majority of our revenue comes from mobile, we are increasingly moving to total communications – providing many services beyond mobile. Vodafone One Net, our flagship converged fixed and mobile communications offer, is available for both large and multinational companies and for small and medium-sized companies. Vodafone’s IP-VPN network provides private Wide Area Network capability to connect our customers’ sites, assets and people together securely. The Vodafone IP-VPN network is extensive, connecting 62 countries directly. We also offer national fixed networks in many countries around the world. The majority of our Enterprise business is managed in our country operations, with the remainder managed by units that operate across geographies (VGE, M2M and Cloud and Hosting). These account for 26% of all Enterprise service revenue. Vodafone Global Enterprise Vodafone Global Enterprise (‘VGE’) delivers Total Communications services to around 1,700 of the world’s largest multinational companies in over 100 countries. VGE simplifies operations for our customers by providing them with a single account and service team, a single multi-country contract, single pricing structures and a single portfolio of products and services. These are underpinned by our fully integrated fixed and mobile networks, cloud-based hosting platforms, M2M capability and other business services. Fixed as a percentage of % enterprise service revenue M2M M2M is driving the “Internet of Things” by connecting people, places and things to the Internet, turning them into intelligent assets that communicate. Our M2M business serves customers globally, across all sectors, with a focus on the high growth areas of automotive, utilities and consumer electronics. We have expanded the number of connections to 21.5 million from 16.2 million a year ago. In August 2014 we acquired Cobra Automotive to move up the M2M value chain in the automotive industry and create a world leading “Connected Car” services provider. Cloud and Hosting By combining our secure mobile and fixed connectivity strength with our Cloud and Hosting services, we help organisations move their data and applications to the Cloud and transform the way they do business, reducing costs and increasing flexibility. Our Cloud and Hosting business serves more than 1,200 public sector and enterprise customers globally using our 18 data centres in the UK, Ireland, Germany and Africa, complemented by a partner network of data centre facilities. Carrier Services Our Carrier Services division manages the commercial relationships with around 1,000 communication service providers globally and offers a broad portfolio of fixed and mobile connectivity and other services. We are the world’s largest international voice carrier and one of the world’s largest investors in submarine cables that reach more than 100 countries. Split of enterprise service % revenue 2015 VGE/M2M a Securing a US mobile virtual network operator partner a Expanding our M2M footprint to a further four markets 0 30 25 23 20 10 12 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 2013 2014 2015 /Cloud and Hosting 26% Managed in our country operations 74% 27

 


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Our people During the year we employed an average of 101,4431 people and had 105,970 employees as of March 2015, as well as 25,267 contractors. The number of people in our business increased during the year following our acquisitions of Ono in Spain, Cobra Automotive in Italy and Hellas Online in Greece, plus the purchase of over 130 Phones 4u stores in the UK. The following sections highlight our progress in the key areas behind our people strategy. Increasing employee engagement For our strategy to work we need our employees to believe in us. Every year all our employees are invited to participate in a global survey which allows us to measure engagement levels, compare ourselves with other large companies and help us identify ways to improve how we do things. Our employee engagement index measures how committed our employees are, their desire to continue working for us and their willingness to recommend Vodafone as an employer. The index remained stable this year at 77 points, still in the top quartile. Our employee turnover rate, measuring the rate at which employees leave us, increased to 18% reflecting the increased level of acquisitions and integration in the business. We provide information to our employees in a variety of ways, including our intranet sites, email, text and video messages, as well as through individual teams. We also provide online platforms for employees to feedback their comments. Valuing diversity We believe that a diverse workforce helps us achieve our goals by helping us better understand and meet the needs of our customers. We are both a multinational and a multicultural company and employ people from 130 countries, with 24 nationalities in our Senior Leadership Team (our top 224 managers). Gender diversity is a key goal for us. At the end of the year we employed 67,657 men (64%) and 38,313 women (36%). We have seen a slight decrease in the proportion of women in senior management (top c.1,600 managers), now 23% compared with 24% a year ago, while the proportion in our Senior Leadership Team has remained stable at 22%. To help push our progress in gender diversity, we launched a new maternity policy in March 2015 that provides mandatory minimum maternity benefits as standard across all our markets, including 16 weeks’ full pay followed by full pay for a 30-hour week for the first six months after employees return to work. We believe this will help redress the gender balance in our business. We believe in treating all employees equally and offer equal opportunities in all aspects of employment and advancement regardless of race, nationality, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, religion or political beliefs. This year’s people survey showed that 88% of employees believe that Vodafone treats people fairly. Improving our customer focus All of our employees are expected to work in the “The Vodafone Way”. This is about ensuring that we work with speed, simplicity and trust so that we can be customer-obsessed at all times. We have run development workshops for all our senior management for the fourth consecutive year and will hold further workshops in the coming year. Training our people We want people to grow their careers at Vodafone and develop the skills and talent needed to grow our business. We do this through formal training, on the job experience and regular coaching from managers. We have global training academies for key areas such as marketing, technology, enterprise sales, retail, finance and supply chain. Nationalities in top senior % leadership roles Women in senior management % The people behind our business Our people are behind every aspect of our strategy so it is important that we attract, develop and retain exceptional people so we can always deliver the best experience for our customers. Average number of employees 91,272 2013 2014 2015 92,812 101,443 0 90,000 60,000 30,000 120,000 Employee engagement index 78 2013 2014 2015 77 77 0 75 50 25 100 Employee turnover rates % 16 2013 2014 2015 15 18 0 15 10 5 20 26 2013 2014 2015 24 24 0 10 20 30 22 2013 2014 2015 24 23 0 10 20 30 Employees by location % Italy 6% Vodacom 7% Germany 14% UK 16% India 18% Other 34% Spain 5% 28 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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During the year we trained around 18,000 people in our Technology Academy, around 13,000 people in our Retail Academy and over 8,000 in our Enterprise Sales Academy. Next year we will introduce a Customer Experience Academy to help transform our customer service. Developing future leaders We conduct regular talent reviews to identify high-potential future leaders and accelerate the progress of high-potential managers through our “Inspire” programme, which offers development and executive coaching and may include an assignment to another Vodafone market or function. Our “Discover” programme for graduates accelerates the careers of high performing graduates, with over 600 people recruited onto this programme during the year. We also have an international assignment programme, “Columbus” which gives recent “Discover” graduates an international assignment. Recognising performance We maintained our approach of rewarding people based on their performance, potential and contribution to our success. We benchmark roles regularly to ensure competitive, fair remuneration in every country in which we operate. We also offer competitive retirement and other benefit provisions which vary depending on conditions and practices in local markets. Global short-term incentive plans are offered to a large percentage of employees and global long-term incentive plans are offered to our senior managers. Our incentive arrangements are subject to company performance measures, comprising both financial and strategic metrics, and individual performance measures. This ensures that variable pay is demonstrably linked to both company and individual performance, and that poor performance is not rewarded. Note: 1 Employee numbers are shown on a full time employee basis. A statutory view is provided on page 157. An ownership mentality is also a cornerstone of our reward programme and senior executives are expected to build up and maintain a significant holding of Vodafone shares. Simplifying and improving our business We continue to move transactional and back office activities to our shared service centres in Egypt, India, Hungary and Romania, with 16,800 employees and contractors in these centres, compared with 13,300 a year ago. These centres allow us to standardise many of our support functions and deliver a more consistent and improved experience to our customers. These centres also support our cost reduction goal as we benefit from lower labour costs. Doing what’s right We have a “Code of Conduct” that sets out our business principles and what we expect from employees to ensure they protect themselves as well as the Company’s reputation and assets. We communicate these through our “Doing What’s Right” campaign which covers topics including health and safety, anti-bribery, privacy, security and competition law to ensure that people know what’s expected of them and managers know what is expected of their teams. Around 7,500 employees integrated in Germany and Spain this year Creating a safe place to work We know from experience that failing to follow basic health and safety standards can lead to our employees, the people we work with and the people exposed to our activities being seriously injured or killed. We believe that accidents and injuries are preventable and we do our utmost to prevent them by promoting a culture where safety is an integral part of every business decision across the Group. Our “Absolute Rules” help employees follow best practice for safety and we focus on our top five risks: road safety, working with electricity, working at height, working with underground cables and working with contractors (where we have less control over safety). The safety culture in Vodafone continues to improve with the results of our latest people survey showing that 91% of employees believe that our “Absolute Rules” are taken seriously compared with 89% last year. Despite these measures, we greatly regret to report that ten people died while undertaking work on behalf of Vodafone last year. Vehicle-related incidents involving subcontractors in emerging markets remain our main cause of fatalities and we continue to implement safe driving programmes in all of our markets. Integrating our acquisitions As we develop our business towards unified communications we need to combine with the companies we acquire and ensure that all of our employees have the new skills that we increasingly need, such as cable engineering and door-to-door selling. During the year we integrated around 5,000 Kabel Deutschland employees in Germany and around 2,500 Ono employees in Spain as well as employees from our acquisitions of Cobra Automotive in Italy, Hellas Online in Greece and our purchase of over 130 stores from Phones 4u in the UK. When we acquire a company we look to include all new employees within Vodafone as soon as possible. Just two months after the acquisition of Ono, all their employees had the same tools as Vodafone employees and within six months we had moved all of Ono’s headquarter employees into Vodafone’s main offices in Spain so we all sit under one roof. Within eight months we had combined the management structure so we are now truly one organisation. 29 Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Susta inable business Sustainable business Our significant global footprint combined with the power of our communications technology can help transform people’s lives. This enables us to align our business growth with our goal to be a sustainable business. Communications technology is acknowledged to be transformative in improving people’s lives and livelihoods, as well as driving economic growth and development. Estimates show that a 10% increase in mobile penetration in emerging markets leads to a 4.2% rise in long-term productivity1. Vodafone contributes to the socio-economic development of our customers by using technology to tackle some of the most pressing challenges faced by society today, with significant contributions in the areas of education and skills development, access to financial services and resource efficiency. How we achieve our goals is critical to the long-term success of the business. Our approach is driven by a commitment to operate in an ethical and responsible manner in all we do. This report highlights our progress in four critical areas. Saving energy and reducing our carbon footprint Though we continue to extend the reach of our network to more customers, who are using ever-increasing amounts of data, our own carbon footprint has remained relatively stable, despite significant acquisitions. The efficiency of our operations has greatly improved, with emissions per base station at 9.9 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (‘CO2e’), 33% lower than in 2007. Our total carbon emissions in 2015 were 2.8 million tonnes of CO2e, an increase on 2014 due to newly acquired operations and the expansion of our network. We remain committed to reduce our energy consumption as far as possible, through energy efficiency measures and renewable investments. As a market leader in M2M solutions, we have a great opportunity to help our enterprise customers to cut their carbon emissions, while delivering them significant cost savings. Real-time tracking of vehicles, for example, helps fleet managers revise routes, saving fuel and emissions. By March 2015, we had approximately nine million active M2M connections with carbon reducing potential in the smart metering, fleet management and automotive sectors. We estimate that we delivered savings of 3.5 million tonnes of CO2e for our customers from our M2M products and services, call conferencing and cloud and hosting solutions, in 2015 – almost a million tonnes higher than our total emissions. We are now working towards a new goal for our carbon footprint: within three years we aim to enable our customers to reduce their carbon emissions by twice the amount of carbon we generate through our own activities. Financial inclusion M-Pesa continues to evolve beyond a traditional money transfer service. It now enables people to save and borrow money, receive salaries and benefits, send and receive money from overseas, and pay for goods and services, regardless of whether they have a bank account. Launched two years ago in Kenya, Lipa Na M-Pesa enables customers to make cash-free payments for goods and services on a day-to-day basis, whether they are paying a supplier, or shopping in a retail environment, with over £80 million worth of transactions enacted just in March 2015. Our M-Pesa international money transfer service continues to expand and it is now possible for people to send and receive money between Kenya and Tanzania. Providing senders of cross-border money transfers with more choice gives our customers a cheaper, more convenient way to send and receive money. Vodafone Foundation: mobilising the community, mobilising social change We believe that our communications technologies can help to address some of the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges and thus improve people’s lives. To achieve this, the Vodafone Foundation invests in projects in the communities within the countries in which Vodafone operates, and is the centre of a network of global and local social investment programmes. The total amount donated to the Vodafone Foundations in 2015 was £48.2 million. Since its inception, Vodafone has donated over £520 million to the charitable programmes led by our Foundations. Notes: 1 Deloitte and the GSMA. 2 Calculated using local market actual or estimated data sourced from invoices, purchasing requisitions, direct data measurement and estimations. Carbon emissions calculated in line with DEFRA guidance. For full methodology see our Sustainability Report 2015. KDG and Ono data included for 2015 only. Carbon emissions2 millions of tonnes CO2e Tonnes of carbon emissions per base station 9.5 14.7 2007 2013 2014 2015 9.7 9.9 0 5 10 15 2.36 2013 2014 2015 2.55 2.80 0 2 1 3 Scope 1 (direct greenhouse gas (‘GHG’) emissions) Scope 2 (indirect GHG emissions) 30 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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M-Pesa is at the heart of many of our transformational solutions in other areas, particularly in agriculture and health. A new collaboration with the National Rural Health Mission and Rural Employment Guarantee uses M-Pesa to disburse government benefits in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand in India. In Tanzania, our collaboration with the Commercial Bank of Africa, enables M-Pesa customers to access interest-bearing savings accounts and small loans. We are also rolling out a mobile solution to enable Anglo American, an international mining company, to engage directly with local communities on a monthly basis, in order to gain real-time feedback on the impact of their operations. During 2014, Vodafone chaired the Telecommunications Industry Dialogue on Freedom and Privacy of Expression, which continues to work in collaboration with the Global Network Initiative (‘GNI’) to address the issues of privacy and freedom of expression as they relate to the telecommunications sector. Wherever we operate, we work to ensure that we do not infringe human rights through our operations or business relationships. We continue to work with our suppliers and others in our industry to raise ethical, labour and environmental standards in our supply chain. We now enable some of our suppliers’ workers to give direct, anonymous feedback on their working conditions, using their mobile phones, in collaboration with Good World Solutions. Responses to the surveys are aggregated anonymously and provided directly to Vodafone and the supplier to identify areas for improvement. Privacy and human rights The amount of data and personal information transmitted over our networks continues to increase. Our commitment to protecting that information and respecting our customers’ right to privacy and freedom of expression remains critical in retaining their trust. We are one of the first communications operators in the world to provide a country-by-country analysis of demands received for access to our customers’ data by law enforcement authorities, through the publication of our Law Enforcement Disclosure report. This report explains our principles and approach, as well as the policies and processes we follow when responding to demands from government agencies and authorities. It also sets out the framework within which we believe governments should act. For more information see vodafone.com/sustainability. Enhancing our enterprise customers’ sustainability efforts Our enterprise customers expect us to support their commitment to operate in a sustainable way. In the 2015 financial year, over £1.5 billion worth of commercial bids and contracts included a sustainability performance assessment. We are piloting and scaling mobile solutions through the agriculture value chain with three of our largest enterprise customers. Together, we are exploring how mobile money and data, and M-Pesa specifically, can help to mobilise distribution channels and create jobs, as well as how it can improve the efficiency and affordability of water distribution in rural India. Our Instant Network Schools programme to digital educational content and the internet via benefitted over 26,000 children been established in Kenya, DRC and South Sudan, 31 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Instant Classroom launched During 2015 the Vodafone Foundation launched Instant Classroom, a digital “school in a box” that can be set up in a matter of minutes, helping to give children and young people in some of the world’s largest and most poorly resourced refugee camps the opportunity to continue their education. The Instant Classroom is shipped in a case which is equipped with a laptop, 25 tablets pre-loaded with educational software, a projector, a speaker and a hotspot modem with 3G connectivity. The Instant Classroom was developed to support the continued roll-out of the Vodafone Foundation’s Instant Network Schools programme in partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. These ‘schools’ are solar powered centres which provide access tablets. So far, 16 Instant Network Schools have in Kenya, DRC and South Sudan have benefiting over 26,000 children and 500 teachers. Over the next two years the Instant Network Schools programme will be extended to support additional schools in refugee camps in Kenya, DRC and Tanzania with the aim of reaching 60,000 students. JustTextGiving JustTextGiving by Vodafone is the headline programme of the Vodafone Foundation in the UK. It enables individuals and charities to collect donations via text and is available to all mobile customers on any UK network. Donors simply use a unique code to send donations via text and 100% of the amount donated goes to the UK registered charity. JustTextGiving is now being used by around 207,900 fundraisers and 21,600 charities and has helped raise more than £27 million since its inception in May 2011.

 


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P rincipal risk factors and uncertainties Identifying our risks We have a clear framework for identifying and managing risk, both at an operational and strategic level. Our risk identification process has been designed to be responsive to the ever-changing environments in which we operate.Our risk management approach Vodafone recognises that effective risk management is critical to enable us to meet our strategic objectives. The Board has overall responsibility for the Group’s risk management and internal controls system. The Audit and Risk Committee, under delegation from the Board, monitors the nature and extent of risk exposure against risk appetite for our principal risks. Details of the activities of the Audit and Risk Committee are set out on pages 63 to 68 of this report. At an operational level, risks are reviewed and managed by the Executive Committee and through its delegated sub-committee, the Risk and Compliance Committee. Details of the activities of the Risk and Compliance Committee are set out on page 71 of this report. Identifying our principal risks Vodafone identifies its principal risks through annual ‘bottom up’ and ‘top down’ exercises. The bottom up exercise is conducted by each majority-owned subsidiary company in 25 markets, together with three major central companies responsible for shared service centres, roaming and enterprise services. Each of these 28 entities identifies their top ten risks together with their tolerance for these risks. The top down exercise includes interviews with around 30 senior executives. The output from the aggregated results of the top down and bottom up exercises produces a list of principal risks that are reviewed and agreed by the Executive Committee, prior to review by the Audit and Risk Committee. Each principal risk is assigned to a senior executive who is responsible for managing the risk and reporting on progress to the Executive Committee. Our principal risks Vodafone’s principal risks are relatively similar to those reported last year, although with some movement on the relative ranking of these risks and two new risks added: (i) major Enterprise contracts and (ii) superior customer experience. The risks are each classified as financial, operational, compliance, strategic or reputational. Vodafone’s decentralised operations and global scale reduces the impact of many of its operational risks. Board/Audit& RiskCommittee a Overall responsibility for Group’s risk management and internal controls system a Monitors nature and extent of risk exposure against risk appetite for principal risks Top down Group level Risk & Compliance Committee (sub-committee of the Executive Committee) a Decides on principal risks a Determines risk appetite a Decides risk response for risks that exceed tolerance a Monitors risk management a Sets cultural tone Risk and Compliance Director a Responsible for global risk management framework a Monitors Group level risks, controls and actions a Supports the Executive Committee in monitoring risk exposure versus appetite a Manages global risk community a Aligns risks to assurance Group risk owners a Identify relevant controls a Manage global remediation programmes a Report on progress to Risk and Compliance Director Internal audit Supports Group/ local audit committees in reviewing the effectiveness LocalChiefExecutives a Set local objectives and risk appetite in line with Group guidance of the risk Bottom &ExecutiveCommittee a Overall responsibility for culture, local risk management and controls management up Entity Operational level framework level 32 a Local risk owners – key functional owner for a principal local or global risk, responsible for local programme to measure, manage, monitor and report on the risk a Local risk coordinators – main point of contact in each market on risk, help to coordinate all activities including enterprise risk management exercise and reporting to the local Chief Executive on overall risk management a Local audit committees – track remedial actions for principal risks in market

 


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1. Malicious attack on the network/IT infrastructure A successful cyber-attack on our network could result in us not being able to deliver service to our customers, resulting in serious damage to our reputation, consequential customer and revenue loss and the risk of financial penalties. 2. Customer data misuse or leakage Our networks carry and store large volumes of confidential personal and business voice traffic and data. Failure to protect or correctly use this data could result in unintentional loss of, or unauthorised access to, customer data. This could adversely affect our reputation and potentially lead to legal action. 33 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Risk description Operational risk Risk description Operational risk

 


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Principal risk factors and uncertainties (continued) 3. Adverse political pressure We face a range of political pressures that could potentially lead to adverse legislation or regulation for the business. For example, increased financial pressures on governments may lead them to target foreign investors for further licence fees, directly impacting profitability. Furthermore, changes in local or international tax rules, for example prompted by the OECD’s emerging recommendations on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (a global initiative to improve the fairness and integrity of tax systems), or new challenges by tax or competition authorities, may expose us to significant additional tax liabilities or impact the carrying value of our deferred tax assets, which would affect the results of the business. We face competition from providers who have the ability to sell converged services (combinations of fixed line, broadband, public Wi-Fi, TV and mobile) on their existing infrastructure which we either cannot replicate or cannot provide at a similar price point potentially leading to higher customer churn and/or significant downward pressure on our prices. Our own convergence strategy may be compromised if we are unable to obtain regulated or equivalent access to infrastructure and content, or acquire, rent or build the right assets, or if we are unable to integrate effectively those businesses we do acquire into our existing operations. 34 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Strategic risk 4. Convergence Risk description Risk description External risk

 


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5. EMF related health risks Concerns have been expressed that electromagnetic signals emitted by mobile telephone handsets and base stations may pose health risks. Authorities including the World Health Organization (‘WHO’) agree there is no evidence that convinces experts that exposure to radio frequency fields from mobile devices and base stations operated within guideline limits has any adverse health effects. A change to this view could result in a range of impacts from a change to national legislation, to a major reduction in mobile phone usage or to major litigation. We have a number of high-value, ongoing contracts with corporate customers, including some government agencies and departments. Successful delivery is dependent on complex technologies deployed across multiple geographies, as well as relative stability in the requirements, strategies or businesses of our customers, Failure to deliver these enterprise services may lead to a reduction in our expected revenue and could impact our credibility to deliver on large, complex deals. 35 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Operational risk 6. Major Enterprise contracts Risk description Risk description Reputational risk

 


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Principal risk factors and uncertainties (continued) 7. Unstable economic conditions Economic conditions in many of the markets we operate in, especially in Europe, remain unstable while many markets continue to stagnate or show nominal levels of growth. These conditions have resulted in lower levels of disposable income and may result in significantly lower revenues as customers give up their mobile phones or move to cheaper tariffs. There is also a possibility of unstable economic conditions impacting on currency exchange rates in countries where the Group has operations, with potential adverse implications for our profitability and the value of our financial and non-financial assets. The development of messaging and voice applications which make use of the internet as a substitute for some of our more traditional services erode our revenue. Reduced demand for our core services of voice and messaging, and the development of services by “over the top” (OTT) competition, could significantly impact on our future profitability. A limited number of suppliers of operating systems, terminals, IT and network infrastructure, could lead to commercial exploitation and subsequent increased costs of maintaining and extending our networks. 36 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Strategic risk 8. Disadvantaged by existing and emerging technology players Risk description Risk description External risk

 


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Operational risk 9. Superior customer experience Risk description We operate in highly competitive markets and failure to deliver a differentiated and superior experience to our customers in store, online and on the phone, could diminish our brand and reputation, and leave us vulnerable to aggressive pricing from competitors and potentially a weakened relationship with our customers. Operational risk 10. Network/IT infrastructure failure Risk description We are dependent on the continued operation of our networks. Multiple network or IT infrastructure failures (caused by non-malicious means including end of life failure, natural disasters and weather-related failures) may result in voice, video or data transmissions being significantly interrupted. This could result in serious damage to our reputation, a consequential customer and revenue loss and the risk of financial penalties. 37

 


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C hief Financial Officer’s review Our financial performance The increased commercial investments we began to make in the prior year have translated into better performance with revenue trends improving in each of the last three quarters. My priorities When I became CFO last April, I highlighted three clear priorities which I believe will have a significant impact on our future financial performance: the execution of Project Spring according to the financial plan; the integration of acquisitions, most notably KDG and Ono; and a continued focus on cost efficiency. On all three, we are on track to deliver, but there is still much more to do. Our results are reviewed in more detail on pages 40 to 48 of this report, but overall I am satisfied that we have made important progress in stabilising the financial performance of the business. Project Spring execution Our £19 billion, two-year investment programme began in earnest early in 2014. From both a logistical and financial perspective, we believe this is the biggest and most intensive programme ever undertaken by any telecoms operator. Vittorio has covered many aspects of the execution in his review on page 16, demonstrating the clear progress we have made to date. I am satisfied overall with deployment against plan. We are a little ahead on our network rollout in AMAP, particularly India, and we are in line in Europe, with a couple of exceptions. Our 4G build and network modernisation in the UK is slightly behind schedule, hampered by the complexity of site access and planning restrictions. In Italy, our fibre to the cabinet (‘FTTC’) roll-out started late, as a result of negotiations with other operators in the market which were eventually aborted. However, we are now making very rapid progress. Capital spend is on target, with total capex for the year of £9.2 billion – up 46% year-on-year. Cash flow generation was, as expected, depressed by the level of spending. I remain very confident that, once Project Spring is completed, we will return to a more normal level of capital intensity and generate strong and growing cash flows. 38 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Acquisition integration We commenced integration of KDG in April 2014 and of Ono in August 2014. In total we expect to generate combined annual cost and capex synergies of approximately €540 million in the 2018 financial year, mainly from migrating fixed and mobile customers onto our own infrastructure and combining backhaul and core networks. In terms of standalone business performance, KDG has continued to grow strongly and even showed some acceleration through the year, supported by firm pricing and improved subscriber growth. Ono’s performance has been a little below expectations, with ARPU coming under more pressure than anticipated as a result of aggressive pricing at the premium end of the market. The teams have made solid progress on all aspects of integration. In Germany, we have started to connect Vodafone base station sites to KDG fibre backhaul, and have migrated 77,000 customers to date off our DSL platform (on which we pay high monthly fees) onto KDG’s cable infrastructure. 70% of IP traffic has now been combined, and we have launched our combined fixed/mobile proposition, “All in One”. In Spain, we have so far connected over 500 mobile base station sites to Ono’s fibre to save on backhaul costs. We also signed an agreement with Telefónica, the host of Ono’s MVNO, to accelerate the migration of traffic to our own network. We are launching a truly integrated, single-billed, fixed/mobile proposition this summer. Cost efficiency Progress on costs was good this year, with operating costs in Europe flat in organic terms, despite the cost growth driven by the Project Spring network roll-out. Savings came from further development of our shared services platform, increased centralised procurement, headcount reductions and other efficiencies. Looking ahead, for a relatively lean organisation such as Vodafone, a pure focus on “cost cutting” can be an over-simplistic approach that could compromise the quality of service we provide to customers, which would clearly be self-defeating. Instead, we are looking at cost in two ways which can make a significant long term difference to our overall efficiency. First, we are focusing on productivity improvements – doing the same things better at a lower cost, by developing cross-functional programmes and benchmarking more forensically between different parts of the business. In some cases, this will require us to invest more in the short term – for example, in new, standardised IT systems – to deliver transformational efficiencies longer term. Second, we are embedding a stronger cost-conscious culture at an individual level throughout the business, including personal objectives on efficiency targets for senior management incentives. Both of these elements will be underpinned by more granular and consistent cost and productivity reporting across markets and functions. We have instigated a programme called “Fit for Growth” to encompass both of these objectives, and to develop an organisation with improved competitiveness and agility for the long term. Performance against 2015 financial year guidance Based on guidance foreign exchange rates, our adjusted EBITDA was £11.7 billion, within our guidance range of £11.3 billion to £11.9 billion set in May 2014, and our range of £11.6 billion to £11.9 billion set in November 2014. On the same basis our free cash flow was £1.3 billion, in line with our guidance of positive free cash flow. Looking ahead The key goals for the year ahead are to build on the improving commercial execution evident last year, and to complete the second half of the Project Spring programme as successfully as the first half. We expect adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of £11.5 billion to £12.0 billion1, with further tight control on costs and good progress on the integration of our cable acquisitions. We expect free cash flow to be positive1 even after the second year of elevated Project Spring capex, giving us confidence that we will return to a dividend that is comfortably covered by free cash flow when capex returns to more normal levels in future years. /s/ Nick Read Nick Read Chief Financial Officer Adjusted EBITDA £ billion Free cash flow and £ billion ordinary dividends paid Note: 1 Guidance for the 2016 financial year is based on our current assessment of the global macroeconomic outlook and assumes foreign exchange rates of £1:€1.37, £1:INR 95.2, £1:ZAR 18.1. It excludes the impact of licences and spectrum purchases, material one-off tax-related payments, restructuring costs and any fundamental structural changes to the eurozone. It also assumes 0 no material change to the current structure of the Group. 11.1 2013 2014 2015 4.4 2013 2014 2015 Free cash flow Dividend

 


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O perating results Group1 Our financial performance This section presents our operating performance, providing commentary on how the revenue and the adjusted EBITDA performance of the Group and its operating segments within the Europe and AMAP regions, together with Common Functions, have developed over the last year. See pages 175 to 179 for commentary on the 2014 financial year. The results in this section are presented on a statutory basis, in accordance with IFRS accounting principles, as this is assessed as being the most insightful presentation and is how the Group’s operating performance is reviewed by management. Revenue 28,071 13,482 754 (80) 42,227 38,346 10.1 (0.8) 9.4 (1.6) Service revenue 25,972 12,035 569 (79) 38,497 35,190 Other revenue 2,099 1,447 185 (1) 3,730 3,156 Adjusted EBITDA 7,924 4,097 (106) – 11,915 11,084 7.5 (6.9) Adjusted operating profit 1,763 1,813 (69) – 3,507 4,310 (18.6) (24.1) Adjustments for: Impairment loss Restructuring costs Amortisation of acquired customer bases and brand intangible assets Other income and expense – (6,600) (157) (355) (1,269) (551) (114) (717) Operating profit/(loss) Non-operating income and expense Net financing costs Income tax credit 1,967 (3,913) (19) (149) (853) (1,208) 4,765 16,582 Profit for the financial year from continuing operations Profit for the financial year from discontinued operations 5,860 11,312 57 48,108 Profit for the financial year 5,917 59,420 Notes: 1 2015 results reflect average foreign exchange rates of £1:€1.28, £1:INR 98.51 and £1:ZAR 17.82. 2 Common Functions primarily represent the results of the partner markets and the net result of unallocated central Group costs. Revenue Group revenue increased by 10.1% to £42.2 billion and service revenue increased 9.4% to £38.5 billion. Reported growth rates reflect the acquisitions of KDG in October 2013 and of Ono in July 2014, as well as the consolidation of Italy after we increased our ownership to 100% in February 2014. In Europe, organic service revenue declined by 4.7%* as growing demand for 4G and data services continues to be offset by challenging competitive and macroeconomic pressures and the impact of MTR cuts. In AMAP, organic service revenue increased by 5.8%* driven by continued growth in India, Turkey, Ghana, Qatar and Egypt, partially offset by declines in Vodacom and New Zealand. Adjusted EBITDA Group adjusted EBITDA rose 7.5% to £11.9 billion, with organic adjusted EBITDA down 6.9%*, mainly affected by revenue declines in Europe. The Group adjusted EBITDA margin fell 0.7 percentage points to 28.2%, or 1.8* percentage points on an organic basis. This reflects ongoing revenue declines in Europe and the growth in operating expenses as a result of Project Spring, partially offset by operating efficiencies. H2 adjusted EBITDA fell 3.6%*, with the improved trend supported by the better revenue performance and continued good cost control. Operating profit Adjusted operating profit excludes certain income and expenses that we have identified separately to allow their effect on the results of the Group to be assessed (see page 202). The items that are included in operating profit but are excluded from adjusted operating profit are discussed below. No impairment losses were recognised in the current financial year (2014: £6,600 million). Further detail is provided in note 4 to the Group’s consolidated financial statements. Restructuring costs of £157 million (2014: £355 million) have been incurred to improve future business performance and reduce costs. 40

 


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Taxation Amortisation of intangible assets in relation to customer bases and brands are recognised under accounting rules after we acquire businesses and amounted to £1,269 million (2014: £551 million). Amortisation charges increased in the year as a result of the acquisitions of KDG, Vodafone Italy and Ono. Other income and expense decreased by £0.6 billion due to the inclusion in the prior year of £0.7 billion loss arising from our acquisition of a controlling interest in Vodafone Italy. Including the above items, operating profit increased to £2.0 billion from a £3.9 billion loss primarily as a result of the £6.6 billion impairment charge in the year ended 31 March 2014. 2015 £m 2014 £m The recognition of the additional deferred tax assets for the year ended 31 March 2015 includes an additional £3,341 million deferred tax asset in respect of the Group’s historical tax losses in Luxembourg recognised as a consequence of the financing arrangements for the acquisition of Ono and an additional asset in the year of £2,127 million arising from the revaluation of investments based upon the local GAAP financial statements. The recognition of the additional deferred tax assets for the year ended 31 March 2014 includes the recognition of additional deferred tax assets in respect of the Group’s historical tax losses in Germany of £1,916 million and Luxembourg of £17,402 million. Net financing costs 2015 £m 2014 £m Net financing costs includes £526 million of foreign exchange gains (2014: £21 million gain), £134 million of mark-to-market losses (2014: £118 million gain) and in the prior year, a £99 million loss on US bond redemption. Excluding these items, net financing costs decreased by 7.4% primarily due to the impact of lower average net debt levels following the disposal of the Group’s investment in Verizon Wireless and the acquisition of Ono. 2015 £m 2014 £m The statutory effective tax rate for the year ended 31 March 2015 was (440.4)% compared to (33.4)% in the prior period. The difference is primarily due to the absence of the gain on our disposal of Verizon Wireless which did not result in any tax consequences and the effect of the recognition of deferred tax assets in Luxembourg. 41 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Total tax (credit)/expense (4,822) (14,873) Profit before tax Continuing operations 1,095 (5,270) Discontinued operations – 49,817 Total profit before tax 1,095 44,547 Effective tax rate -440.4% -33.4% Investment income 883 346 Financing costs (1,736) (1,554) Net financing costs (853) (1,208) Income tax expense: Continuing operations before recognition of deferred tax 703 2,736 Discontinued operations (57) 1,709 Total income tax expense 646 4,445 Recognition of additional deferred tax – continuing operations (5,468) (19,318) Total tax (credit)/expense (4,822) (14,873)

 


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Operating results (continued) Discontinued operations On 2 September 2013 the Group announced it had reached an agreement with Verizon Communications Inc. to dispose of its US group whose principal asset was its 45% interest in VZW. The Group ceased recognising its share of results in VZW on 2 September 2013, and classified its investment as a held for sale asset and the results as a discontinued operation. The transaction completed on 21 February 2014. Earnings per share Adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations, which excludes the results and related tax charge of the Group’s former investment in Verizon Wireless in the prior year and the recognition of deferred tax assets in both years, was 5.55 pence, a decrease of 27.8% year-on-year, reflecting the Group’s lower adjusted operating profit. Basic earnings per share decreased to 21.75 pence (2014: 223.84 pence) due to the prior year impact of the disposal of the Group’s investment in Verizon Wireless and the recognition of a higher deferred tax asset in the prior year compared to the current year, as described above, both of which have been excluded from adjusted earnings per share. 2015 £m 2014 £m Million Million 42 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Weighted average number of shares outstanding – basic 26,489 26,472 Weighted average number of shares outstanding – diluted 26,629 26,682 Profit attributable to owners of the parent 5,761 59,254 Adjustments: Impairment loss – 6,600 Amortisation of acquired customer base and brand intangible assets 1,269 551 Restructuring costs 157 355 Other income and expense 114 717 Non-operating income and expense 19 149 Investment income and financing costs (see net financing costs on page 41) (437) 78 1,122 8,450 Taxation (5,334) (17,511) Discontinued operations (57) (48,108) Non-controlling interests (21) (50) Adjusted profit attributable to owners of the parent 1,471 2,035

 


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Europe % change Germany £m Italy £m UK £m Spain Other Europe Eliminations £m Europe £m 2014 £m £m £m £ Organic Germany Service revenue decreased 3.2%* excluding KDG. Q4 service revenue was down 3.1%*. Mobile service revenue fell 3.5%*, mainly as a result of price reductions in the prior year continuing to penetrate the consumer customer base. The contract customer base grew, supported by a stronger commercial performance as we look to increase our focus on direct, branded channels, falling churn and the ongoing substantial investment in network infrastructure. We increased our 4G coverage to 77% of the population and significantly improved voice coverage and reliability, as evidenced in independent tests. At the end of the period we had 5.0 million 4G customers. Fixed service revenue excluding KDG fell 2.1%*, reflecting ongoing declines in our Vodafone DSL customer base, in part from migrations to KDG cable infrastructure. The rate of decline eased during the year (H1 -2.9%*; H2 -1.2%*), with an improving rate of gross customer additions and increasing demand for high speed broadband (‘VDSL’), as well as stronger growth in carrier services. KDG maintained its strong rate of growth, contributing £1,492 million to service revenue and £676 million to adjusted EBITDA, and adding 0.4 million broadband customers (excluding migrations from Vodafone DSL) during the year. The integration of KDG has continued, including the launch of a combined fixed/mobile proposition in H2. Adjusted EBITDA declined 10.9%*, with a 3.1* percentage point decline in adjusted EBITDA margin, driven by lower service revenue and a higher level of customer investment year-on-year, partially compensated by a year-on-year reduction in operating expenses. Revenue increased 15.9%. M&A activity, including KDG, Ono and the consolidation of Vodafone Italy, contributed a 26.6 percentage point positive impact, while foreign exchange movements contributed a 6.5 percentage point negative impact. On an organic basis, service revenue declined 4.7%*, driven primarily by price competition and the impact of MTR cuts. Adjusted EBITDA increased 16.2%, including a 35.5 percentage point positive impact from M&A activity and a 7.0 percentage point negative impact from foreign exchange movements. On an organic basis adjusted EBITDA declined 12.3%*, reflecting the weak organic revenue trend. Organic change % Other activity1 pps Foreign exchange pps Reported change % Revenue – Europe (4.2) 26.6 (6.5) 15.9 Service revenue Germany Italy UK Spain Other Europe (3.2) (9.7) (1.2) (10.5) (2.1) 11.9 921.0 1.4 22.5 0.8 (7.5) (126.1) – (7.6) (7.3) 1.2 785.2 0.2 4.4 (8.6) E=urope (4.7)26.1 (6.4)15.0 Adjusted EBITDA Germany Italy UK Spain Other Europe Europe (10.9) (15.2) (12.5) (29.5) (2.8) (12.3) 17.2 883.2 8.4 36.3 0.5 35.5 (7.3) (123.5) – (7.3) (7.0) (7.0) (1.0) 744.5 (4.1) (0.5) (9.3) 16.2 Italy Service revenue declined 9.7%*. Trends in both mobile and fixed line improved in H2, and Q4 service revenue declined 3.7%*. Mobile service revenue fell 12.1%* as a result of a decline in the prepaid customer base and lower ARPU following last year’s price cuts. We took a number of measures to stabilise ARPU during the year, and in Q4, consumer prepaid ARPU was up 6% year-on-year. We also began to take a more active stance on stabilising the customer base in the second half of the year, in what remains a very competitive market. Enterprise performed strongly, returning to growth in H2. We now have 4G coverage of 84%, and 2.8 million 4G customers at 31 March 2015. Fixed service revenue was up 4.5%*. Broadband revenue continued to grow and we added 134,000 broadband customers over the year, but overall growth was partially offset by an ongoing decline in fixed voice usage. We accelerated our fibre roll-out plans in H2, and by March 2015 we had installed more than 5,000 cabinets. Adjusted EBITDA declined 15.2%*, with a 2.6* percentage point decline in adjusted EBITDA margin. The decline in service revenue was partially offset by continued strong cost control, with operating expenses down 3.1%* and customer investment down 3.0%*. Europe adjusted operating profit (40.2) 20.4 (4.6) (24.4) Note: 1 “Other activity” includes the impact of M&A activity. Refer to “Organic growth” on page 203 for further detail. 43 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Year ended 31 March 2015 Revenue 8,467 4,641 6,414 3,664 5,007 (122) 28,071 24,222 15.9 (4.2) Service revenue 7,829 4,116 6,109 3,371 4,664 (117) 25,972 22,592 15.0 (4.7) Other revenue 638 525 305 293 343 (5) 2,099 1,630 Adjusted EBITDA 2,670 1,537 1,360 783 1,574 – 7,924 6,821 16.2 (12.3) Adjusted operating profit 541 647 413 531 – 1,763 2,333 (24.4) (40.2) Adjusted EBITDA margin 31.5% 33.1% 21.2% 21.4% 31.4% 28.2% 28.2%

 


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Operating results (continued) UK Service revenue fell 1.2%* as a good performance in consumer mobile was offset by a decline in fixed line. The UK returned to service revenue growth in H2. Q4 service revenue was up 0.6%*. Mobile service revenue grew 0.5%*. Consumer contract service revenue grew strongly, supported by customer growth and a successful commercial strategy bundling content with 4G. Enterprise mobile revenue returned to growth in H2, as a result of growing data demand. During the year we acquired 139 stores from the administrator of Phones 4U, taking our total portfolio to over 500 and accelerating our direct distribution strategy. 4G coverage reached 63% at 31 March 2015 (or 71% based on the OFCOM definition), and we had 3.0 million 4G customers at the year end. Fixed service revenue declined 5.8%*, excluding the one-off benefit of a settlement with another network operator in Q4. Underlying performance improved from -10.4%* in H1 to -1.3%* in H2, driven by a strong pick-up in carrier services revenue and improving enterprise pipeline conversion. We plan to launch our consumer fibre broadband proposition in the coming weeks. Adjusted EBITDA declined 12.5%*, with a 2.5* percentage point decline in adjusted EBITDA margin due mainly to a reclassification of some central costs to the UK business. Reported adjusted EBITDA benefited from one-off settlements with two network operators. Adjusted EBITDA declined 29.5%* year-on-year, with a 5.0* percentage point decline in adjusted EBITDA margin. The margin was impacted by falling mobile service revenue and growth in lower margin fixed line revenue, partially offset by lower direct costs and operating expenses, and the change in the commercial model described above. Other Europe Service revenue declined 2.1%* due to price competition, the generally weak macroeconomic environment and MTR cuts. Again, we saw a recovery in H2, with Q3 service revenue -1.0%* and Q4 service revenue -0.8%*. Hungary grew by 8.6%* for the full year, the Netherlands and Czech Republic returned to growth in H2, and Greece and Ireland showed a clear improvement in trends over the year. In the Netherlands, we have nationwide 4G coverage, and the return to growth has been driven by continued contract customer growth, stabilising ARPU and growth in fixed revenue. In Portugal, we continue to see a decline in mobile service revenue driven by convergence pricing pressure reflecting a prolonged period of intense competition, partially offset by strong fixed revenue growth. We now reach 1.6 million homes with fibre, including our network sharing deal with Portugal Telecom. In Ireland, 4G coverage has reached 87%, and we have begun trials on our FTTH roll-out, with a commercial launch planned for later in 2015. In Greece, the steady recovery in revenue trends through the year stalled in Q4 as a result of the worsening macroeconomic conditions. The integration of Hellas Online is continuing in line with expectations. Adjusted EBITDA declined 2.8%*, with a 0.1* percentage point increase in adjusted EBITDA margin, as the impact of lower service revenue was largely offset by strong cost control. Spain Service revenue declined 10.5%* excluding Ono, as growth in fixed line continued to be offset by price pressure in mobile and converged services. Q4 service revenue growth was -7.8%*. Ono Q4 local currency revenue growth was -1.9% excluding wholesale. Mobile service revenue fell 12.7%*, although there was some improvement in H2 with the contract customer base stabilising year-on-year. However, ARPU continued to be under pressure throughout the year as a result of aggressive convergence offers. During H2, we saw an increase in the take-up of handset financing arrangements as a result of a change in the commercial model. We reduced handset subsidies in Q4 and introduced bigger data allowances at slightly higher price points. Our 4G network roll-out has now reached 75% population coverage, and we had 2.9 million 4G customers at March 2015. We continue to lead the market in net promoter scores (‘NPS’) in both consumer and enterprise. Fixed service revenue rose 8.7%* excluding Ono, supported by consistently strong broadband net additions. Since its acquisition in July 2014, Ono contributed £698 million to service revenue and £267 million to adjusted EBITDA. Including our joint fibre network build with Orange, we now reach 8.5 million premises with fibre. We have made good progress with the integration of Ono, and launched in April 2015 a fully converged service, “Vodafone One”, a new ultra high-speed fixed broadband service with Ono Fibre, home landline, 4G mobile telephony and Vodafone TV. 44 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific % change India £m Vodacom £m Other AMAP £m Eliminations £m AMAP £m 2014 £m £ Organic Revenue grew 0.1% as a result of a 7.4 percentage point adverse impact from foreign exchange movements, particularly with regards to the Indian rupee, South African rand and the Turkish lira. On an organic basis service revenue was up 5.8%* driven by a growth in the customer base, increased voice usage, strong demand for data and continued good commercial execution. Overall growth was offset by MTR cuts, particularly in South Africa. Excluding MTRs, organic growth was 7.1%. Adjusted EBITDA declined 1.2%, including a 7.1 percentage point adverse impact from foreign exchange movements. On an organic basis, adjusted EBITDA grew 5.8%* driven by growth in India, Turkey, Qatar and gypt, offset by Vodacom and New Zealand. E= In March 2015 we successfully bid for spectrum in 12 telecom circles for a total cost of INR 258.1 billion (£2.78 billion). This included spectrum in all six of our 900MHz circles due for extension in December 2015. We also successfully bid for new 3G spectrum in seven circles, allowing us to address 88% of our revenue base with 3G services. We have continued to expand our M-Pesa mobile money transfer service, and now have 89,000 agents, with a nationwide presence. At March 2015 we had 3.1 million registered customers and 378,000 active users. Our strategy is to focus on building scale on specific migratory corridors. Adjusted EBITDA grew 16.3%*, with a 0.9* percentage point improvement in adjusted EBITDA margin as economies of scale from growing service revenue were partly offset by the increase in operating costs related to the Project Spring network build and higher acquisition costs. Organic Other Foreign Reported change activity1 exchange change % pps pps % Revenue – AMAP 7.0 0.5 (7.4) 0.1 Service revenue India Vodacom Other AMAP AMAP 12.6 (1.0) 5.5 5.8 – – 1.7 0.6 (2.9) (8.8) (9.2) (7.2) 9.7 (9.8) (2.0) (0.8) Vodacom Vodacom Group service revenue declined 1.0%*, as the negative impact of MTR cuts and a more competitive environment in South Africa offset growth in Vodacom’s operations outside South Africa. Q4 service revenue was -0.2%*, reflecting some easing of competition in South Africa. In South Africa, organic service revenue declined -2.7%*. Excluding the impact of MTR cuts, service revenue grew 1.4%*. Strong growth in smartphone penetration and data adoption drove 23.4% growth in local currency data revenue, although this was offset by aggressive voice price competition. We have increased our 3G footprint to 96% population coverage and 4G to 35% coverage as part of the Project Spring programme, with 81% of sites now connected to high capacity backhaul. During the year we began to trial our first fibre to the business services, and fibre to the home. The regulatory authorities continue to review our proposed acquisition of Neotel, a fibre-based fixed line operator. Service revenue growth in Vodacom’s operations outside South Africa was 4.8%*, driven by customer base growth, data take-up and M-Pesa, Active M-Pesa customers totalled 5.6 million, with M-Pesa now representing 23% of service revenue in Tanzania. Vodacom Group adjusted EBITDA fell 2.1%*, with a 1.1* percentage point decline in adjusted EBITDA margin. The significant negative impact of MTR cuts on the adjusted EBITDA margin was substantially offset by good cost control. Adjusted EBITDA India Vodacom Other AMAP AMAP 16.3 (2.1) 6.6 5.8 – – 0.3 0.1 (3.4) (8.9) (7.3) (7.1) 12.9 (11.0) (0.4) (1.2) AMAP adjusted operating profit – –(6.9)(6.9) Note: 1 “Other activity” includes the impact of M&A activity. Refer to “Organic growth” on page 203 for further detail. India Service revenue increased 12.6%*, driven by continued customer base growth, an acceleration in 3G data uptake and stable voice pricing. Q4 service revenue grew 12.1%*. We added 17.2 million mobile customers during the year, taking the total to 183.8 million. Voice yields were relatively flat after a period of improvement, but we saw a decline in average minutes of use in H2 as competition increased in some circles. Customer demand for data services has been very strong. Total data usage grew 86% year-on-year, with the active data customer base increasing 23% to 64 million. Within this, the 3G customer base increased to over 19 million, reflecting the significant investment in our 3G network build. During the year we added 12,585 new 3G sites, taking the total to over 35,000 and our coverage of target urban areas to 90%. 3G internet revenue rose 140%. 45 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Year ended 31 March 2015 Revenue 4,324 4,341 4,828 (11) 13,482 13,473 0.1 7.0 Service revenue 4,306 3,489 4,251 (11) 12,035 12,130 (0.8) 5.8 Other revenue 18 852 577 – 1,447 1,343 Adjusted EBITDA 1,28 11,527 1,289 – 4,097 4,145 (1.2) 5.8 Adjusted operating profit 4571,030 326 – 1,813 1,947 (6.9) – Adjusted EBITDA margin 29.6% 35.2% 26.7% 30.4% 30.8%

 


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Operating results (continued) Fina ncial position and resources Consolidated statement of financial position The consolidated statement of financial position is set out on page 106. Details on the major movements of both our assets and liabilities in the year are set out below: Assets Goodwill and other intangible assets Our total intangible assets decreased to £43.5 billion from £46.7 billion. The increase primarily arose as a result of £2.6 billion additions as a result of the Group’s acquisitions, primarily Ono, and other additions of £2.3 billion, including £0.5 billion of spectrum acquired in India, Italy, Greece, Hungary and New Zealand. This was offset by a reduction of £3.6 billion as a result of unfavourable movements in foreign exchange rates and £4.5 billion of amortisation. Property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment increased to £26.6 billion from £22.9 billion, principally as a result of £7.4 billion of additions and £3.4 billion arising from Group acquisitions. This was partially offset by £5.0 billion of depreciation charges and £1.9 billion of adverse foreign exchange movements. Other non-current assets Other non-current assets increased by £5.1 billion to £32.6 billion, mainly due to a £3.2 billion increase in recognised deferred tax assets, primarily in respect of tax losses in Luxembourg (see note 6 for details) and a £1.5 billion increase in the value of derivative financial instruments. Total equity and liabilities Total equity Total equity decreased by £4.0 billion to £67.7 billion mainly due to the total comprehensive expense for the year of £0.8 billion and dividends paid to equity shareholders and non-controlling interests of £3.2 billion. Borrowings Total borrowings increased to £35.1 billion from £29.2 billion, primarily as the result of an increase in the level of commercial paper to £5.1 billion (2014: £1.0 billion). A net debt reconciliation is provided on page 47. Other current liabilities Other current liabilities decreased to £16.3 billion (2014: £17.3 billion). Trade payables at 31 March 2015 were equivalent to 35 days (2014: 40 days) outstanding, calculated by reference to the amount owed to suppliers as a proportion of the amounts invoiced by suppliers during the year. It is our policy to agree terms of transactions, including payment terms, with suppliers and it is our normal practice that payment is made accordingly. 46 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Other AMAP Service revenue increased 5.5%*, with growth in Turkey, Egypt, Qatar and Ghana partially offset by a decline in New Zealand. Service revenue in Turkey was up 9.4%*, reflecting continued strong growth in consumer contract and enterprise revenue, including higher ARPU and data usage, partly offset by a 1.8 percentage point negative impact from voice and SMS MTR cuts. In Egypt, service revenue grew 2.8%* as a result of an increase in data and voice usage and a more stable economic environment. In New Zealand, service revenue was down 2.6%* as a result of aggressive competition, but the contract mobile base grew 4.6% year-on-year and the fixed base benefited from continued uptake of VDSL, TV and unlimited broadband. Service revenue in Ghana grew 18.9%* driven by growth in customers, voice bundles and data. Total revenue growth in Qatar was 16.0%*, but slowed in H2 due to significantly increased price competition. Adjusted EBITDA grew 6.6%* with a 0.4* percentage point decline in adjusted EBITDA margin. Associates Vodafone Hutchison Australia (‘VHA’), in which Vodafone owns a 50% stake, continued its good recovery, returning to local currency service revenue growth in Q4 as a result of improving trends in both customer numbers and ARPU, supported by significant network enhancements. Safaricom, Vodafone’s 40% associate which is the number one mobile operator in Kenya, saw local currency service revenue growth of 12.9% for the year, with local currency adjusted EBITDA up 16.8%. The total value of deposits, customer transfers, withdrawals and other payments handled through the M-Pesa system grew 26% to KES 4,181 billion in the 2015 financial year. Indus Towers, the Indian towers company in which Vodafone has a 42% interest, achieved local currency revenue growth of 4.3%. Indus owns 116,000 towers, with a tenancy ratio of 2.19x. Our shares of Indus Towers’ adjusted EBITDA and adjusted operating profit were £285 million and £19 million respectively.

 


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Contractual obligations and commitments A summary of our principal contractual financial obligations and commitments is shown below. Liquidity and capital resources Our liquidity and working capital may be affected by a material decrease in cash flow due to a number of factors as outlined in “Principal risk factors and uncertainties” on pages 32 to 37. We do not use non-consolidated special purpose entities as a source of liquidity or for other financing purposes. In addition to the commentary on the Group’s consolidated statement of cash flows below, further disclosure in relation to the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk can be found in “Borrowings”, “Liquidity and capital resources” and “Capital and financial risk management” in notes 21, 22 and 23 respectively to the consolidated financial statements. Cash flows A reconciliation of cash generated by operations to free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure used by management shown on pages 202 and Payments due by period £m Contractual obligations and commitments1 Total < 1 year 1–3 years 3–5 years >5 years Borrowings2 Operating lease commitments3 Capital commitments3,4 Purchase commitments5 40,373 13,366 7,297 4,859 14,851 6,378 1,339 1,627 1,205 2,207 4,957 2,769 322 426 1,440 8,302 4,064 3,692 234 312 Total 60,010 21,538 12,938 6,724 18,810 Notes: 1 This table includes commitments in respect of options over interests in Group businesses held by non-controlling shareholders (see “Potential cash outflows from option agreements and similar arrangements” on page 150) and obligations to pay dividends to non-controlling shareholders (see “Dividends from associates and to non-controlling shareholders” on page 151). The table excludes current and deferred tax liabilities and obligations under post employment benefit schemes, details of which are provided in notes 6 “Taxation” and 26 “Post employment benefits” respectively. The table also excludes the contractual obligations of associates and joint ventures. See note 21 “Borrowings”. See note 29 “Commitments”. Primarily related to spectrum and network infrastructure. Primarily related to device purchase obligations. 203. The reconciliation to net debt is shown below. 2015 £m 2014 £m 2 3 4 5 Dividends We provide returns to shareholders through equity dividends and historically have generally paid dividends in February and August in each year. The Directors expect that we will continue to pay dividends semi-annually. The £2.9 billion equity dividend in the current year comprises £2.0 billion in relation to the final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2014 and £0.9 billion for the interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2015. This has decreased from total dividends of £5.1 billion in the prior year following the “6 for 11” share consolidation effective from 24 February 2014. The interim dividend of 3.60 pence per share announced by the Directors in November 2014 represented an 2.0% increase over last year’s interim dividend. The Directors are proposing a final dividend of 7.62 pence per share. Total dividends for the year increased by 2.0 % to 11.22 pence per share. At 31 March 2015, Vodafone Group Plc had profits available for distribution of approximately £20 billion. Further disclosures in relation to profits available for distribution are set out on page 184. 47 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Adjusted EBITDA 11,915 11,084 Working capital (883) 1,181 Other 88 92 Cash generated by operations (excluding restructuring and other costs)1 11,120 12,357 Cash capital expenditure (8,435) (5,857) Capital expenditure (9,197) (6,313) Working capital movement in respect of capital expenditure 762 456 Disposal of property, plant and equipment 178 79 Operating free cash flow1 2,863 6,579 Taxation (758) (3,449) Dividends received from associates and investments 224 2,842 Dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders in subsidiaries (247) (264) Interest received and paid (994) (1,315) Free cash flow1 1,088 4,393 Licence and spectrum payments (443) (862) Acquisitions and disposals (7,040) 27,372 Equity dividends paid (2,927) (5,076) Special dividend – (14,291) Purchase of treasury shares – (1,033) Foreign exchange 895 2,423 Income dividend from Verizon Wireless – 2,065 Other2 (144) (3,337) Net debt (increase)/decrease (8,571) 11,654 Opening net debt (13,700) (25,354) Closing net debt (22,271) (13,700)

 


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Financial position and resources (continued) Notes: 1 Cash generated by operations, operating free cash flow and free cash flow have been redefined to exclude restructuring costs for the year ended 31 March 2015 of £336 million (2014: £210 million). Cash generated by operations for the year ended 31 March 2015 also excludes £387 million of other movements including a £365 million UK pensions contribution payment and £116 million of KDG incentive scheme payments in respect of liabilities assumed on acquisition. See also note 2 below. 2 Other amounts for the year ended 31 March 2015 include £336 million of restructuring costs (2014: £210 million), a £365 million UK pensions contribution payment, £359 million of Verizon Wireless tax distributions received after the completion of the disposal, £328 million of interest paid on the settlement of the Piramal option, £116 million of KDG incentive scheme payments in respect of liabilities assumed on acquisition, £176 million tax refund (2014: £2,372 tax payment) relating to the rationalisation and reorganisation of our non-US assets prior to the disposal of our stake in Verizon Wireless and a £100 million (2014: £100 million) payment in respect of the Group’s historical UK tax settlement. Other amounts for the year ended 31 March 2014 also includes a £1,387 million outflow relating to payment obligations in connection with the purchase of licences and spectrum, principally in India. Cash generated by operations Cash generated by operations excluding restructuring costs decreased 10.0% to £11.1 billion, primarily driven by working capital movements which more than offset the higher adjusted EBITDA. Capital expenditure Capital expenditure increased £2.9 billion to £9.2 billion primarily driven by investments in the Group’s networks as a result of Project Spring. Taxation Payments for taxation decreased 78.0% to £0.8 billion primarily as a result of the Group’s disposal of its 45% interest in Verizon Wireless. Dividends received from associates and investments Dividends received from associates and investments, decreased by £2.6 billion to £0.2 billion principally as a result of the disposal of our interests in Verizon Wireless in the prior year. Dividends received from associates and investments excludes £0.4 billion of tax distributions from Verizon Wireless received in the 2015 financial year after the completion of the disposal (included in other cash flows) and the £2.1 billion prior year income dividend from Verizon Wireless . Free cash flow Free cash flow decreased to £1.1 billion compared to £4.4 billion in the prior year as lower payments for taxation were offset by higher cash capital expenditure and lower dividends received from associates and investments. Licence and spectrum payments Cash payments for licences and spectrum totalled £0.4 billion in respect of the renewal and acquisition of spectrum in India, Italy, Greece, Hungary and New Zealand. Acquisitions and disposals During the year, we made a £2,945 million payment in relation to the acquisition of the entire share capital of Ono plus £2,858 million of associated net debt acquired, a £131 million payment in relation to the acquisition of the entire share capital of Cobra plus £40 million of associated debt acquired and a £563 million payment in relation to the acquisition of the remaining non-controlling interests in Vodafone India Limited. Further details on the assets and liabilities acquired are outlined in note 28 ”Acquisitions and disposals”. In the prior year we disposed of our US Group whose principal asset was its 45% interest in Verizon Wireless for consideration which included net cash proceeds of £34.9 billion. Equity dividends paid Equity dividends paid during the year decreased by 42% following the “6 for 11” share consolidation effective from 24 February 2014. References to “Q4” are to the quarter ended 31 March 2015 unless otherwise stated. References to the “second half of the year” are to the six months ended 31 March 2015 unless otherwise stated. References to the “year” or “financial year” are to the financial year ended 31 March 2015 and references to the “prior financial year” are to the financial year ended 31 March 2014 unless otherwise stated. References to the “2015 financial year”, “2016 financial year”, “2017 financial year”, “2018 financial year” and the “2020 financial year” are to the financial years ending 31 March 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020, respectively. Special dividend In the prior year, B share payments formed part of the return of value to shareholders following the disposal of the Group’s interest in Verizon Wireless. Purchase of treasury shares Prior year cash payments of £1.0 billion relate to the completion of a £1.5 billion share buyback programme that commenced following the receipt of a US$3.8 billion (£2.4 billion) income dividend from VZW in December 2012. Foreign exchange A foreign exchange gain of £0.9 billion was recognised on net debt due to favourable exchange rate movements resulting primarily from the weakening of the euro and the Indian rupee against pounds sterling. Section 219 SEC filings of interest Vodafone Group Plc (‘Vodafone’) does not have any subsidiaries, other equity investments, assets, facilities or employees located in Iran, and Vodafone has made no capital investment in Iran. To the best of its knowledge, no U.S. persons, including any U.S. affiliates of Vodafone, are involved in the activities described below. Except as specified below, to the best of Vodafone’s knowledge, neither it, its subsidiaries, nor its affiliates have engaged in any conduct needing to be disclosed under Section 13(r) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Roaming and interconnect Vodafone has wholesale roaming and interconnect arrangements with mobile and fixed line operators in Iran. Vodafone has, or has had, relationships with telecommunications operators in Iran in connection with such roaming and interconnect arrangements, some of which it believes are or may be government controlled entities. The approximate total gross revenues attributable to the arrangements mentioned above for the financial year ended 31 March 2015 were £336,000. EPEG Project On 27 July 2012, Vodafone acquired Cable & Wireless Worldwide Plc (‘CWW’), which (through a subsidiary) is a member of a consortium made up of Telecommunication Infrastructure Company of Iran (‘TIC’) (an entity controlled by the government of Iran), Rostelecom and Omantel, that is building a high speed cable network from a landing point in Oman, to Germany. Each member of the consortium is responsible for funding, building and maintaining its section of the cable, with CWW owning and being responsible for the segment from the Ukrainian border with Russia to Frankfurt, Germany. No capacity sales have been made on this high speed cable network yet; consequently there are no EPEG revenues or profits associated with the EPEG project. Vodafone intends to continue its involvement in the EPEG Project. Intellectual Property Vodafone, through one of its subsidiaries, also makes some insignificant payments to Iran in order to register certain domain names, register and renew certain trademarks, and protect its brand globally an expects to continue to do so in the future. Vodafone paid annual registration fees of £48 to IRNIC for the registration of three domain names. Vodafone did not make any payments to Iran in order to register or renew any of its trade marks during the fiscal year ended 31 March 2015. This year’s report contains a strategic report on pages 1 to 48, which includes an analysis of our performance and position, a review of the business during the year, and outlines the principal risks and uncertainties we face. The strategic report was approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer. References to “calendar Q3 2015” are to the quarter ended 30 September 2015, unless otherwise stated. All amounts marked in this document with an “*” represent organic growth which presents performance on a comparable basis, both in terms of merger and acquisition activity and movements in foreign exchange. See page 202 “Non-GAAP information” for further details. /s/ Vittorio Colao Vittorio Colao Chief Executive /s/ Nick Read Nick Read Chief Financial Officer 19 May 2015

 


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49 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Governance The governance framework, including the role and effectiveness of the Board and the alignment of the interests of management with long term value creation. 50 Chairman’s introduction 51 Our governance framework 52 Board of Directors 54 Executive Committee 56 Board activities 58 Board evaluation, induction and training 60 Board diversity 62 Shareholder engagement 63 Board committees 72 Compliance with the 2012 UK Corporate Governance Code 74 Our US listing requirements 75 Directors’ remuneration 92 Directors’ report

 


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C hairman’s introduction How we work is as important as what we do Good corporate governance provides the foundation for long-term value creation and is therefore a core focus for your Board. Dear shareholder The Board’s primary role is to exercise objective and informed judgement in determining the strategy of the Group, having the best team in place to execute and closely monitor business performance and maintain a framework of prudent and effective controls to mitigate risk. Two critical factors determine the extent to which the Board is equipped to fulfil those duties and obligations successfully: a a diverse and deep range of skills and experiences around the boardroom table which, taken together, are both complementary and highly relevant in the context of Vodafone’s strategic opportunities and challenges; and Your Board believes that diversity, in the boardroom and throughout the executive, is a key component of business success. I am pleased to report that with effect from the date of our annual general meeting this year we will have achieved our aspiration that women should hold 25% of Board roles. Vodafone has a rigorous approach to the assessment and management of risk which is coupled with clear policies and standards that define the actions and behaviours expected from everyone who works with us. A commitment to operating with integrity is central to the Group’s culture; an overview of our Code of Conduct on page 92 provides an insight into how that commitment is embedded within our decision- making processes. a processes to ensure that all of the Directors develop a good understanding of the Group’s operations and external environment and are therefore well-placed to take informed decisions. We will continue to develop the Directors’ understanding of market dynamics in a complex and ever-changing sector. That intention is supported by the findings of an internal evaluation during the year, The committee reports, beginning with the Audit and Risk Committee report, can be found on pages 63 to 71. Further detailed information on how the Group complied with the 2012 UK Corporate Governance Code during the year is set out on pages 72 and 73. We comply with the corporate governance statement requirements pursuant to the FCA’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules by virtue of the information included in this “Governance” section of the Annual Report together with information contained in the “Shareholder information” section on pages 186 to 193 . During the period under review, there were a number of changes to the Board. In January 2015, we announced that our Group Technology Officer, Stephen Pusey, intended to retire with effect from the annual general meeting on 28 July 2015. Stephen has played a pivotal role in developing the networks and services that will drive Vodafone’s growth for years to come and leaves with our thanks and best wishes. Sir Crispin Davis joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director in July 2014 followed by Dame Clara Furse in September. In December, it was announced that Omid Kordestani intended to stand down from the Board with effect from the end of 2014. In April 2015, we welcomed Dr Mathias Döpfner to the Board. We also announced the appointment of Philip Yea as the Senior Independent Director with effect from the date of the annual general meeting, replacing Luc Vandevelde who will stand down from the Board on that date. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Luc for his many years of service to Vodafone and also express our gratitude to Omid for his contribution. set out on page 58. In this year’s report and in light of the number of Board changes outlined above, on page 59 we also provide an overview of the approach taken to provide Directors with a comprehensive induction and training programme. Vodafone is undergoing a significant strategic transformation as the data revolution gathers pace worldwide. Your Board will continue to ensure the Group has the leadership and insights necessary to achieve its ambitions. /s/ Gerard Kleisterlee Gerard Kleisterlee Chairman 19 May 2015 50

 


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Ou r governance framework organised 51 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information How we are We have a strong and effective governance system throughout the Group. Responsibility for good governance lies with your Board. Responsible for the overall conduct of the Group’s business and: a is accountable to shareholders for the proper conduct of Pages 56 and 57 Risk Committee Committee and Governance Group’s financial results overall remuneration policy recommendations regarding and performance of theimplementation of that policy composition, succession Page 71 Executive Committee a Focuses on strategy implementation, financial and competitive performance, commercial and technological developments, succession planning, organisational development More on: Audit and Remuneration Nominations a Provides effectivea Sets, reviews and Committee governance over the recommends the Group’s a Evaluates and makes a Reviews the activity and strategy and reviews the Board and committee internal audit function and and strategy planning and diversity external auditor a Oversees matters relating to a Reviews the integrity, corporate governance adequacy and effectiveness of the Group’s system of internal control and risk management More on: More on: More on: Pages 63 to 68 Page 70 Pages 69 and 70 Chief Executive Vittorio Colao a Manages the business and implements strategy and policy a Chairs Executive Committee Board a is responsible for the long-term success of the Company; a sets the Group strategy; a appoints senior management; a is responsible for ensuring the effectiveness of and reporting on our system of corporate governance; and the business. More on: Schedule of matters reserved for the Board The Board has a formal schedule of matters reserved for its decision and these include: a Group strategy and long-term plans; a appointment of senior management; a major capital projects, acquisitions or divestments; a annual budget and operating plan; a Group financial structure, including tax and treasury; a approval of annual and half-year financial results and shareholder communications; and a approval and oversight of the system of internal control and risk management. Chairman Gerard Kleisterlee a Is responsible for leadership of the Board a Sets the Board’s agenda a Meets regularly with the Chief Executive and other key executives to stay informed

 


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Bo ard of Directors Experienced, effective and diverse leadership Our business is led by our Board of Directors (‘the Board’). Biographical details of the Directors and senior management as at 19 May 2015 are as follows (with further information available at vodafone.com/board). Gerard Kleisterlee Chairman Vittorio Colao Chief Executive – Executive Director Nick Read Chief Financial Officer – Executive Director Tenure: 4 years Nationality: Dutch Tenure: 8 years Nationality: Italian Tenure: 1 year Nationality: British Skills and experience: Gerard has extensive experience of senior leadership of global businesses both in the developed and emerging markets. He brings to the Group a deep understanding of the consumer electronics, technology and lifestyle industries gained from his career with Philips Electronics spanning over 30 years and continues to use this experience to oversee the development of Vodafone’s strategy and the effectiveness of its operations as a total communications company. Other current appointments: a Royal Dutch Shell – non-executive director and member of the audit committee a IBEX Global Solutions plc – non-executive director a ASML – member of supervisory board Board Committees: Nominations and Governance (Chairman) Skills and experience: With over 20 years’ experience working in the telecoms industry, Vittorio has extensive leadership skills developed both within Vodafone and the wider industry and is widely recognised as an outstanding leader in the telecoms sector. Other current appointments: a Bocconi University, Italy – international advisory board member a European Round Table of Industrialists – steering committee member a McKinsey & Company – international advisory board member a Oxford Martin School – advisory council member Board Committees: None Skills and experience Nick combines strong operational leadership with a detailed understanding of the industry and its challenges and opportunities. Nick has wide-ranging experience in senior finance roles both at Vodafone and other multi-national companies including United Business Media plc and Federal Express Worldwide . Other current appointments: None Board Committees: None Stephen Pusey Chief Technology Officer – Executive Director Sir Crispin Davis Non-Executive Director Dr Mathias Döpfner Non-Executive Director Tenure: 5 years Nationality: British Tenure: <1 year Nationality: British Tenure: <1 year Nationality: German Skills and experience: With longstanding international experience within the telecoms industry including previous positions at British Telecom and a 23 year career at Nortel Networks Corporation, Stephen contributes a wealth of knowledge of both wireline and wireless industries and extensive understanding of business applications and solutions. Other current appointments: a Centrica plc – non-executive director Board Committees: None Skills and experience: Sir Crispin has broad-ranging experience as a business leader within international content and technology markets from his roles as Chief Executive of Reed Elsevier and the digital agency Aegis Group plc and group managing director of Guinness PLC (now Diageo plc). He was knighted in 2004 for services to publishing and information He brings a strong commercial perspective to Board discussions. Other current appointments: a Oxford University-trustee and member of the university board a CVC Capital Partners – adviser Board Committees: Audit and Risk Skills and experience: Mathias brings wide-ranging experience within the global digital media industry to his role. Having led his business, Axel Springer SE, through a highly successful transition into digital and international markets, he will be able to provide a digital perspective to the Board’s strategy. Other current appointments: a Axel Springer SE – chairman and chief executive officer a Time Warner and Warner Music Group – member of the board of directors a American Academy, American Jewish Committee and the European Publishers Council – holds honorary offices a St John’s College , University of Cambridge – member Board Committees: None 52 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Dame Clara Furse Non-Executive Director Valerie Gooding cbe Non-Executive Director Renee James Non-Executive Director Tenure: <1 year Nationality: British and Canadian Tenure: 1 year Nationality: British Tenure: 4 years Nationality: American Skills and experience: Dame Clara brings to the Board a deep understanding of international capital markets, regulation, services industries and business transformation developed from her previous roles as Chief Executive of the London Stock Exchange Group plc and Credit Lyonnais Rouse Ltd. Her financial proficiency is highly valued as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee. In 2008 she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Other current appointments: Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee – member Nomura Holdings Inc – non-executive director Amadeus Holding IT SA – non-executive director Board Committees: Audit and Risk Committee Skills and experience: Valerie brings wealth of international business experience obtained at companies with high levels of customer service including British Airways and BUPA which, together with her focus on leadership and talent, is greatly valuable to Board discussions. Other current appointments: Premier Farnell plc – non-executive chairman TUI AG – non-executive director English National Ballet – trustee Historic Royal Palaces – trustee Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew – trustee The LTA Trust – chairman Board Committees: Remuneration Skills and experience: Renee brings comprehensive knowledge of the high technology sector developed from her longstanding career at Intel Corporation where she was appointed President. Her extensive experience of international management and the development and implementation of corporate strategy is an asset to the Board and Remuneration Committee. Other current appointments: Intel Corporation – President US President’s National Security Advisory Committee – vice chair C200 – member Board Committees: Remuneration Samuel Jonah Non-Executive Director Nick Land Non-Executive Director Luc Vandevelde Senior Independent Director Tenure: 6 years Nationality: Ghanaian Tenure: 8 years Nationality: British Tenure: 11 years Nationality: Belgian Skills and experience: After career spanning 36 years at Ernst & Young where Nick was Managing Partner, he brings strong financial expertise and experience of dealing with major corporations in many parts of the world to his role as Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee. Other current appointments: Alliance Boots GmbH – non-executive director Ashmore Group plc – senior independent director BBA Aviation plc – senior independent director Farnham Castle – chairman of the board of trustees Financial Reporting Council – non-executive director The Vodafone Foundation – chairman of the board of trustees Dentons UKMEA LLP – adviser Silicon Valley Bank, London – adviser Board Committees: Audit and Risk (Chairman) Skills and experience: Luc has deep expertise leading international consumer businesses and has particular skills in finance, management and marketing, developed through his past directorships held at Société Générale, Carrefour S.A and Marks and Spencer Group. He has served on the Board for 11 years and his resulting knowledge of the Company has been significant benefit to the Board and its committees. Other current appointments: Majid Al Futtaim Ventures LLC – chairman Board Committees: Nominations and Governance Remuneration (Chairman) Skills and experience: Samuel brings experience and understanding of business operations in emerging markets, particularly Africa. Previously Executive President of AngloGold Ashanti Ltd and member of the Advisory Council of the President of the African Development Bank, he is able to provide an international, commercial perspective to Board discussions. An Honorary Knighthood was conferred on him by Her Majesty the Queen in 2003 and in 2006 he was awarded Ghana’s highest national award, the Companion of the Order of the Star. Other current appointments: Presidents of Togo and Nigeria – adviser Iron Mineral Benefication Services – non-executive deputy chairman Jonah Capital (Pty) Limited – executive chairman Metropolitan Insurance Company Limited – chairman The Investment Climate Facility – member of trustee board Board Committees: Remuneration Philip Yea Non-Executive Director Tenure: 9 years Nationality: British Skills and experience: Philip’s experience as chief financial officer of Diageo plc and in the private equity industry at Investcorp and 3i Group plc, together with his knowledge of the Vodafone Group, makes him valued member of the Board. Philip’s financial expertise is an asset to his role as member of the Audit and Risk Committee. Other current appointments: Aberdeen Asian Smaller Companies Investment Trust PLC – non-executive director Rocket Internet SE – member of the supervisory board bwin.party digital entertainment plc – chairman British Heart Foundation – chairman of the trustees The Francis Crick Institute – director of the trustee board Board Committees: Nominations and Governance Audit and Risk 53 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Attendance at scheduled meetings of the Board in the 2015 financial year Director Attendance Gerard Kleisterlee7/7 Vittorio Colao7/7 Stephen Pusey 7/7 Nick Read 7/7 Sir Crispin Davis(Appointed to the Board on 27 July 2014)5/6 Dame Clara Furse (Appointed to the Board on 1 September 2014)5/5 Valerie Gooding 7/7 Renee James7/7 Alan Jebson(Stepped down from the Board on 29 July 2014)2/2 Samuel Jonah7/7 Omid Kordestani(Stepped down from the Board on 31 December 2014)5/5 Nick Land 7/7 Anne Lauvergeon(Stepped down from the Board on 29 July 2014)0/2 Luc Vandevelde 7/7 Tony Watson(Stepped down from the Board on 29 July 2014)2/2 P hilip Yea 7/7

 


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Ex ecutive Committee The people powering our strategy Chaired by Vittorio Colao, this committee focuses on our strategy, technological and commercial developments, programme execution, financial and competitive performance, succession planning, organisational development and Group-wide policies. The Executive Committee includes the Executive Directors, details of whom are shown on page 52, and the senior managers who are listed below. From left to right: Warren Finegold; Matthew Kirk; Serpil Timuray; Nick Read; Philipp Humm; Vittorio Colao; Nick Jeffery; Paolo Bertoluzzo; Ronald Schellekens; Rosemary Martin; Stephen Pusey More on the Executive Committee: Page 71 54 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Paolo Bertoluzzo Group Chief Commercial and Operations Officer Warren Finegold Group Strategy and Business Development Director Philipp Humm Regional CEO Europe Tenure: 2 years Nationality: German Tenure: 2 years Nationality: Italian Tenure: 9 years Nationality: British Career history: Vodafone Group Plc – chief executive officer, northern and central Europe (2012–2013) T-Mobile USA – president and chief executive officer (2010–2012) T-Mobile International – chief regional officer Europe; executive committee member (2009–2010) T-Mobile Germany – chief executive officer; chief sales officer (2005–2008) Entrepreneur (2002–2005) Amazon – managing director, Germany and France; vice president Europe (2000–2002) Tengelmann (German grocery retailer) – executive board member and chief executive officer of Plus (food-discounter) (1992–1999) McKinsey & Company (1986–1992) Career history: Vodafone Group Plc –chief executive officer, southern Europe (2012–2013) Vodafone Italy – chief executive officer; chief operating officer; chief commercial officer; consumer division director (2006–2013) Vodacom – board member (2010–2012) Omnitel Pronto Italia S.p.A. (became Vodafone Italy) – various senior roles including strategy & business development director and commercial director (1999–2005) Bain & Company – manager (1995–1999) Monitor Company – consultant (1991–1994) Career history: UBS Investment Bank – managing director and head of its technology team in Europe (1995–2006) Goldman Sachs International – executive director, holding positions in New York and London (1985–1995) Hill Samuel & Co. Limited – corporate finance executive (1981–1985) Nick Jeffery Group Enterprise Director Matthew Kirk Group External Affairs Director Rosemary Martin Group General Counsel and Company Secretary Tenure: 2 years Nationality: British Tenure: 6 years Nationality: British Career history: Cable & Wireless Worldwide – chief executive (2012–2013) Vodafone Global Enterprise – chief executive (2006–2012) Vodafone Group Plc – marketing director (2004–2006) Ciena – senior vice president (2003–2004) Microfone – founder (2002–2003) Cable & Wireless plc (Mercury Communications) – led UK and international markets business units (1991–2002) Career history: Vodafone Group Plc – group director of external relationships (2006–2009) British Ambassador to Finland (2002–2006) Member of the British Diplomatic Service for more than 20 years Tenure: 5 years Nationality: British Career history: Practical Law Group – chief executive officer (2008) Reuters Group Plc – group general counsel and company secretary (2003–2008), company secretary (1999–2003), deputy company secretary (1997–1999) Rowe & Maw – partner (1990–1997) Ronald Schellekens Group Human Resources Director Serpil Timuray Regional CEO, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific Johan Wibergh Group Technology Officer Designate Tenure: 6 years Nationality: Dutch Tenure: < 1 year Nationality: Swedish Career history: Royal Dutch Shell Plc – HR executive vice president for global downstream business (2003–2008) PepsiCo – various international senior human resources roles in England, South Africa, Switzerland and Spain (1994–2003) AT&T Network Systems – human resources roles in the Netherlands and Poland (1986–1994) Tenure: 1 year Nationality: Turkish Career history: Appointed to the Executive Committee on 1 May 2015 Ericsson – executive vice president and head of business unit networks (2008–2015) Ericsson – president and head of market unit for Brazil (2006–2008), for Nordic & Baltics (2005–2006). Various senior roles (1996–2005) Bull AB – Head of Systems Integration Unit (1992–1996) Diab Data AB – SW Developer and R&D Manager of Datacom Products (1987–1991) Career history: Vodafone Turkey – chief executive officer (2009–2013) Danone Turkey – chief executive officer (2002–2008) Danone Turkey – executive committee member and marketing and sales director (1999–2002) Proctor & Gamble Turkey – several marketing positions ultimately becoming executive committee member (1991–1999) 55 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information

 


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Bo ard activities Key areas of focus for your Board Board activities are structured to assist the Board in achieving its goal to support and advise executive management on the delivery of the Group’s strategy within a transparent governance framework. 56 More on Project Spring: Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Project Spring We have made strong progress on Project Spring, which is designed to accelerate further our network and service differentiation. We have substantially increased European 4G population coverage, passed many more homes with our own fibre or cable next-generation networks, and significantly developed our suite of Enterprise products and services. Pages 6 and 7 KDG We commenced integration of KDG in April 2014 and have made solid progress. We have started to connect Vodafone base stations to KDG fibre backhaul, migrated broadband customers from Vodafone’s broadband onto KDG’s cable infrastructure, and launched our bundled fixed and mobile bundle product. More on KDG integration: Page 39 Board activities in the 2015 financial year Set out below are the key areas which the Board focused on during the year. as we moved ahead in our strategyin the Group’s markets and on the Group’s strategy, both organic and inorganic, in light in Spain and Kabel Deutschland in Germany of this strategy. be developed; Strategy development The Board: Last year was a year of change for Vodafonea had a strategy day including presentations from executives about developments to become a total telecoms provider. of these developments; We acquired the cable companies Onoa received presentations from local management in Spain and Germany on Ono and and disposed of our interest in Verizon Kabel Deutschland and our plans in respect of them; Wireless. We also began our Project Spring received a presentation on the acquisition reviews that had been undertaken for programme, investing in the quality the earlier acquisitions of Cable & Wireless Worldwide in the UK and Telstraclear of our networks. in New Zealand; The 2015 financial year was a year in which was updated at each Board meeting on the implementation of Project Spring; the Board monitored our execution considered the Group’s portfolio of assets and whether, and how, these should a considered the Group’s requirements for spectrum as and when opportunities became available; a had a presentation on the Vodafone brand and how it is being developed and managed; and a received a digital strategy presentation.

 


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Performance Governance At the relevant times throughout the year the Board dealt with corporate governance matters, including: People The Board reviewed the Company’s people management, including succession planning, talent, progress on diversity and the results of the People Survey. Other reports from the business The Board also received the following reports from the business: a At each Board meeting there was a report from the Chief Executive (including topics such as updates on the Enterprise business) and also from the Chief Financial Officer (including topics such as financial performance, treasury matters, acquisition reviews and insurance) a the appointment of new Directors; a the annual budget and three year plan; a the Annual Report including disclosures within the financial statements and the external audit process; a At each Board meeting the Board received information on the performance of the Group with network, customer satisfaction and quarterly market share metrics being regularly provided a business development report; a quarterly market share trends; a bond issuance; a External Affairs report; a changes to the treasury policy and dealing mandate; a EMF report; a During the course of the year the Board met with all the Executive Committee members and with each of the chief executives of Vodafone Germany, Vodafone UK, Vodafone Spain, Vodafone Italy, Vodafone Hungary, Vodafone Greece and Vodafone’s Enterprise business to consider performance and future plans of the businesses a renewal of the Group’s insurance arrangements; a Vodafone Foundation; and a teach-in on fixed access technologies. a assessment of risks and internal controls; a reports on compliance and litigation; a reports on health & safety and EMF; a the Board effectiveness review; and a reviews of the Board and committees’ composition and terms of reference. 57 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Board’s visit to Delhi, India In February 2015, Analjit Singh, Vodafone India’s Chairman, and Marten Pieters, Vodafone India’s Chief Executive at the time, hosted a visit by the Board to Vodafone India in Delhi. The Board visited shops and other distribution outlets and heard from Vodafone India’s executive team about Vodafone India’s business and operations. Two respected speakers, Suhel Seth of Counselage, India and Uday Kotak, executive vice chairman and managing director of Kotak Mahindra Bank, provided commentary on India’s political and economic context. Evening receptions provided opportunities for the Board to meet with Indian leaders and to hear about the work of the Vodafone India Foundation. During the visit, the Board held Board, Remuneration Committee and Nominations and Governance Committee meetings and a strategy day.

 


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Bo ard evaluation, induction and training Evaluating our performance and keeping up-to-date The Board recognises that it continually needs to monitor and improve its performance. This is achieved through annual performance evaluation, full induction of new Board members and ongoing Board development activities. Chairman and the chairman of each of the to discuss the reports. The Directors were things: strategic oversight; priorities for effectiveness of the Board’s engagement internal control; Board dynamics and the Recommendations for the 2016 financial year Director led the review of the performance to develop its understanding of the future challenges and trends in Vodafone’s sector, a specific self assessment questionnaire. increase its focus on customers’ experience and it should continue to monitor assessment also included input from in the financial year ahead. senior management 58 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Board Evaluation Board effectiveness is reviewed by an external performance evaluation every three years, and will be externally conducted again in 2016. An internal performance evaluation was carried out this year, with the assistance of Lintstock Limited (‘Lintstock’), a London-based corporate advisory firm, which has no other connection with Vodafone. This year’s process2014 financial year evaluation a Each Director completed a confidential online questionnaire, designed by Lintstock and the Company Secretary a Lintstock prepared a report based on the completed questionnaires for the Board committees a The Chairman then held one-to-one interviews with each of the Directors asked for their views on, amongst other change; Board composition and expertise; with shareholders; risk management and induction process for new Directors a The Chairman reviewed the Directors’ contributions and the Senior Independent of the ChairmanThis year’s findings included that the Board’s dynamic was good. It should continue a Each Board committee undertookespecially convergence, technology trends and the regulatory environment. It should The Audit and Risk Committeemanagement’s success in delivering operational strategic objectives. the external auditor and relevant The Board will continue to review its procedures, its effectiveness and development a The Chairman of each Board committee gave feedback on the evaluation of their committee to their committees and to the Board at its meeting in March 2015 a The Chairman discussed Lintstock’s report on the performance evaluation with the Nominations and Governance Committee, and with the Board at its meeting in March 2015 Recommendations Actions taken in 2015 financial year Diversity Diversity had improved and it should The aspiration of 25% women Board continue on that path. members was achieved in March 2015. Appointments to the Board The process for appointing Directors The process for Director recruitment has needed to be accelerated. been improved and three new Directors have been appointed during the year. Information flow Board arrangements and information flows During the year quarterly reports on were generally satisfactory, but more focusmarket share were provided to Directors could be given on market information and and the Chief Executive discussed the changing regulatory and competitive changes in the regulatory and competitive environment. Some further refinement of environment, when relevant, during his the presentation of performance metricsregular reports at each Board meeting. was agreed. Performance metrics were refined in line with the recommendation.

 


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Board Induction The Chairman is responsible for ensuring that each Director receives an induction on joining the Board and receives the training he or she requires, tailored to their specific requirements. This year, an induction programme was provided for Nick Read, our new Chief Financial Officer. Valerie Gooding, Dame Clara Furse and Sir Crispin Davis were also inducted into the Board. Valerie Gooding’s induction had been mostly completed during the 2014 financial year but she continued her introductory visits during the 2015 financial year. During the induction process new Non-Executive Directors meet with each of the Executive Committee members to hear about the aspects of Vodafone’s business for which they are responsible. They also meet with the Chief Executive of Vodafone UK and, when practicable, with at least one other local market chief executive. The Directors being inducted also meet with the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, Group Audit Director and Group Risk and Compliance Director. Briefings are provided by a law firm for those Directors who are not already familiar with the laws and regulations affecting listed companies. Keeping up-to-date Keeping up-to-date with key business developments is essential for the Directors to maintain and enhance their effectiveness. As part of the Board’s review of its effectiveness in 2015, the Directors assessed whether they had enough opportunities for training and development. The Board is confident that all its members have the knowledge, ability and experience to perform the functions required of a director of a listed company. This is achieved by: a receiving presentations from executives in our business on matters of significance. This year the Board had training sessions on topics that are increasingly relevant for Vodafone as it executes its strategy, namely on fixed access technologies, content and Vodafone’s digital strategy; a financial plans, including budgets and forecasts are regularly discussed at Board meetings; a the Directors have the opportunity to learn the views of major investors at planned investor relations events throughout the year; a visits to different parts of the Group. Details of the Board’s visit to Delhi in India is set out on page 57; and a regular updates on the Group’s businesses and the regulatory and industry specific environments in which we operate, by way of written briefings and meetings with senior executives and, where appropriate, external sources. 59 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information

 


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B oard diversity Maintaining the right balance We recognise that diversity is the key foundation for introducing different perspectives into Board debate and for better anticipating the risks and opportunities in building a long term, sustainable business. Board diversity We launched the Board diversity policy in 2011 with the intention of ensuring that diversity, in its broadest sense, remains a central feature of the Board and that it extends beyond the boardroom and permeates all levels of the organisation. Since the launch, the Board has made positive steps in broadening the diversity not just of the Board, but of our senior management. 25% female presence on the Board We have made good progress refreshing the Board over the last four years, which has resulted in an increase in the proportion of female Directors on the Board, to 25% in March this year. Mathias Döpfner has since joined the Board, reducing this percentage, though this level will be exceeded when Luc Vandevelde and Stephen Pusey step down from the Board at the annual general meeting in July. We remain committed to at least maintaining this level of female presence in the medium term, whilst ensuring that diversity in its broadest sense remains a central feature of the Board. That said, the Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee will continue to recommend appointments to the Board based on merit and uses the annual evaluation process to consider objectively the Board’s composition and effectiveness including an assessment of the Board’s diversity including gender. The Board remains committed to strengthening the pipeline of senior female executives within the business and endorses the Group’s “Recruiting and Managing People” policy, one of the objectives of which is to “attract and develop a highly qualified and diverse workforce and ensure that all selection decisions are based on merit”. Strengthening the pipeline of executive talent Strengthening the pipeline of executive talent in the Company has remained a key focus during the year. We are continuing to learn and build on existing programmes while introducing new initiatives to build, broaden and develop the significant talent which exists across the business. Details of key initiatives include: Other initiatives taking place within the Company which promote gender and other forms of diversity During the year, the business has continued to embrace all forms of diversity with the introduction or continuation of a number of initiatives. a Launching a new global maternity policy that sets the standard on benefits for our female employees in 30 countries. More on this initiative on page 61 a an executive succession planning update is provided to the Nominations and Governance Committee annually, mapping successional candidates and opportunities; a Launching a Mobile Gender Equality steering committee chaired by Serpil Timuray, an Executive Committee member, to accelerate the focus on gender balance and the work we do with our female customers, the work we do in communities and with our colleagues a disclosing our gender diversity targets and progress against these as part of the European Roundtable Table of Industrialists’ voluntary targets initiative and using our membership to identify senior female employees suitable to serve on non-executive boards of other companies; a Using a gender toolkit to enable a consistent approach to improving gender diversity across all markets a providing senior Vodafone women with the opportunity to learn about life as a non-executive director through our sponsorship of the Professional Boards Forum; and a Running inclusive leadership workshops for our most senior leaders to highlight the business benefits of diversity and encourage them to act as role models to promote diversity and inclusion across Vodafone a senior management mentoring and coaching schemes. a With employees working in many countries worldwide, it is our goal to operate as one company while keeping our local roots. 24 nationalities are represented in our top management team and 44% of our senior leaders have completed an international assignment. In the 2015 financial year, we focused on improving our employees’ cultural awareness. We launched the Vodafone Cultural Navigator, an online tool to help employees understand different cultural preferences so they can work successfully with colleagues and customers around the world Best practice executive search The Board continues to support the principles of the Executive Search Firms Voluntary Code of Conduct on gender diversity, demonstrated by remaining committed to engaging only executive search firms which are signatories to this code. We continued to work with Korn Ferry during the year. Korn Ferry also provide some of the middle and senior recruitment solutions across some of our footprint. 60 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Board diversity At 31 March 2015 Building the pipeline for Board diversity 23% 38% 38% 77% 8% Telecoms Female 50% 25% goods 61 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Setting the standard in maternity benefits for women globally In 2015, we launched a global maternity policy that sets a worldwide minimum level of maternity pay for women in 30 countries. Vodafone is one of the first companies to do this. From Africa to the Middle East, women at all levels of our organisation will be entitled to at least 16 weeks of fully paid maternity leave and full pay for a 30-hour week for the first six months after they return to work. Our policy will make a big difference to around 1,000 female Vodafone employees each year, especially those who work in countries where there is little or no legislation to support them after having a baby. This will be good for our business too. KPMG estimates that global businesses could save around US$19 billion annually by providing 16 weeks of fully paid maternity leave, because it helps cut recruitment costs and retains valuable knowledge and experience within the business. Sector experience of Board Media 16% Finance Technology Consumer 25% Gender of total employees 36% Male 64% Geographic representation of Board Italian Ghanaian Dutch Canadian British Belgian American Gender of senior management (top c.1600 employees) Female Male Tenure of Non-Executive Directors 7+ years 0–3 years 4–6 years 24% Gender of Board Female 25% Male 75%

 


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S hareholder engagement our shareholders with our shareholders and our roadshows have asked us this year activities. We also respond to daily queries presentation of financial results is given before a section of our website which is dedicated question the Board during the meeting. We hold meetings with major institutional dividend cover; com/investor. Our registrars, Computershare, a fixed broadband and TV strategy; a performance outlook; and financial analysts to discuss the business of our American Depositary Receipts (‘ADR’) by the appropriate mix of Board Directors and to answer shareholder and ADR holder Chief Executive, Executive Committee emerging markets; holdings such as dividend payments and Relations team. Institutional investors also investor. 62 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Communicating with We are committed to communicating our strategy and activities clearly to all our shareholders. How we communicate Our annual general meeting What our shareholders We maintained an active dialogue with our Our annual general meeting is attended by our Common topics raised by our institutional shareholders throughout the year through Board and Executive Committee and is open and individual shareholders include: a planned programme of investor relationsto all our shareholders to attend. A summarya 4G and data; from shareholders and analysts through the Chairman deals with the formal businessa administration of shareholding; our Investor Relations team and have of the meeting. All shareholders present cana cash flow, capital expenditure, debt and to shareholders and analysts: vodafone. and BNY Mellon (as custodians investors, individual shareholder groups programme) also have a team of people performance and strategy. These are attended a Project Spring strategy; queries in relation to technical aspects of their senior management including our Chairman, a regulation in Europe and shareholding balances. members, senior leaders and the Investora shareholder returns; All of our financial results presentations meet with the Chairman to discuss matters a spectrum renewal costs; and are available on our website at vodafone.com/of governance. a the Verizon Wireless transaction. Our investor calendar Set out below is a calendar of our investor events attended by senior management throughout the year. and Turkey a London, New York, Boston, Edinburgh, Statement published Netherlands roadshows Statement published Stockholm and Helsinki roadshows May 2014 September 2014 December 2014 a Preliminary Results published a Several investor conferences in London a Investor conference in London a London, New York, Boston, Toronto and a Investor meetings in Spain, Italy a New York, Montreal and Edinburgh roadshows and Germany Toronto roadshows a Investor meeting in Italy a Investor event in Tanzania a Chairman’s meeting with investors June 2014 October 2014 January 2015 a Annual Report published a M2M webinara Investor conference in Madrid a Switzerland, Netherlands and a Investor meeting in Ireland a Italy roadshow Frankfurt roadshow a Investor conference in London November 2014 February 2015 a Investor meetings in Spain, Germany a Half-year results published a Q3 Interim Management a Chairman’s London roadshow Paris, Frankfurt, Switzerland and a US west coast roadshow July 2014 a Investor conference in Barcelona March 2015 a Q1 Interim Management a US east coast, Asia, Copenhagen, a Annual general meeting in London a Investor conference in London a Investor field trip to India

 


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B oard committees The 2015 financial year has seen the accounting and reporting together with the environment and system of internal controls to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP following the Committee will work with the Board under include providing advice to the Board on the of the principal risks facing the Group, system and its effectiveness and providing been assessed in order to make the new, The membership of the Committee changed Yea, in place of Anne Lauvergeon, Alan Jebson were appointed after a rigorous process expertise required to provide an effective level of the Committee are Non-Executive Directors I continue to be designated as the financial of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the item, on the activity of the Committee and 63 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Overview Committee’s activity directed towards the integrity of the Group’s financial related external audit, the Group’s control including the work of internal audit and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance process and the Group’s management of risk and compliance related activities. During the year we also welcomed three new members onto the Committee, as a result of Director retirements, and were actively involved in the transition of the Group’s statutory audit their appointment at the 2014 AGM. Looking forward to the 2016 financial year, its expanded terms of reference, which now assessment, management and mitigation monitoring the Group’s risk management advice on how the Group’s prospects have longer term, viability statement. Membership substantially in the year with the appointment of Dame Clara Furse, Sir Crispin Davis and Philip and Anthony Watson, all of whom retired from the Board at the 2014 AGM. The new members to ensure the Committee has the necessary range of financial experience and commercial of challenge to management. All the members of the Company. Given my experience, expert on the Committee for the purposes UK Corporate Governance Code. How the Committee operates The Committee met four times during the year as part of its standard schedule of meetings. No supplementary meetings were necessary in the year. For the next financial year we have resolved to increase the standard number of meetings to five to ensure we have adequate time to meet our increased responsibilities particularly in relation to risk management. Meetings of the Committee generally take place just prior to a Board meeting to maximise the efficiency of interaction with the Board and I report to the Board, as a separate agenda matters of particular relevance to the Board in the conduct of its work. Audit and Risk Committee “The Committee has continued to focus its work on the Group’s financial reporting, financial control and risk management and compliance processes.” Membership Chairman and financial expert (pictured right): Nick Land Independent Non-Executive Director Sir Crispin Davis Independent Non-Executive Director Dame Clara Furse Independent Non-Executive Director Philip Yea Independent Non-Executive Director Responsibilities: The Board has approved terms of reference for the Committee which are available at vodafone.com/governance. These provided the framework for the Committee’s work in the year and can be summarised into five primary sets of activities. These are oversight of the: a appropriateness of the Group’s external financial reporting; a relationship with and performance of, the external auditor; a Group’s system of internal control including the work of the internal audit function; a Group’s system of risk management; and a Group’s system of compliance activities. Following the publication of the revised UK Corporate Governance Code, which will be adopted in the 2016 financial year, the Board has approved amendments to the Committee’s terms of reference to include: a providing advice to the Board on the assessment performed of the principal risks facing the Group including their management and mitigation; a monitoring the Group’s risk management system and reviewing its effectiveness; and a providing advice to the Board on the form and basis underlying the longer term viability statement and going concern statement to be contained in future Annual Reports. Attendance at scheduled meetings Director Attendance Nick Land 4/4 Dame Clara Furse (member from September 2014)3/3 Philip Yea (member from September 2014)3/3 Sir Crispin Davis(member from September 2014)2/3 Alan Jebson(Stepped down from the Board in July 2014)1/1 Anne Lauvergeon(Stepped down from the Board in July 2014)0/1 Anthony Watson(Stepped down from the Board in July 2014)1/1 Key objective: The provision of effective governance over the appropriateness of the Group’s financial reporting including the adequacy of related disclosures, the performance of both the internal audit function and the external auditor and oversight over the Group’s systems of internal control, business risks and related compliance activities.

 


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Board committees (continued) In addition to more recurring activities driven by the Group’s external financial reporting calendar and related regulatory obligations, the Committee conducts a rolling programme of “in-depth review” sessions where the Group’s senior management provide briefings on key issues and developments including in relation to aspects of risk management. These reviews help us to understand more fully the context and challenges of their business operations and thereby ensure the Committee’s time is used most effectively. A summary of the reviews undertaken during the year are set out within “Monitoring the Group’s risk management system and its effectiveness” below. The external auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, is invited to each meeting together with the Chief Executive, the Chief Financial Officer, the Group Financial Controller, the Group Financial Reporting Director, the Group Audit Director, the Group Risk and Compliance Director, and the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary. The Committee the Group’s senior management and the external auditor. This confirmed that the Committee remained effective at meeting its objectives. Main activities of the Committee during the year I have set out below a summary of the major activities of the Committee in the year. Appropriateness of Group’s external financial reporting The Committee’s primary responsibility in relation to the Group’s financial reporting is to review with both management and the external auditor the appropriateness of the half-year and annual financial statements concentrating on, amongst other matters: a the quality and acceptability of accounting policies and practices; a material areas in which significant judgements have been applied or where significant issues have been discussed with the external auditor; Accounting policies and practices The Committee received reporting from management in relation to the identification of significant accounting policies including the proposed disclosure of these in the 2015 Annual Report. Following this assessment and discussions with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP the Committee was satisfied with these judgements and related disclosure which is set out on pages 109 to 113 of this Annual Report. We have included detail in relation to IFRS 15 “Revenue from contracts with customers” which is likely to have a very substantial effect on the Group’s accounting when it is adopted, which is now likely to be in the 2019 financial year. Further, the Committee discussed with management and subsequently approved the critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty outlined in note 1 “Basis of preparation” to the consolidated financial statements. Significant judgements and issues The significant areas of focus considered also regularly meets separately with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Chief Financial Officer and the Group Audit Director without others being present. We believe that the activities of the Committee during the last year have enabled us to gain a good understanding of the culture of the organisation, the risks and challenges faced and the adequacy and timeliness of the actions being taken to address them. Similar to last year, I, together with the Committee’s secretary, conducted an internal review of effectiveness of the Committee a the clarity of the disclosures and compliance with financial reporting standards and relevant financial and governance reporting requirements; a any correspondence from regulators in relation to our financial reporting; and a whether the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, business model and strategy. by the Committee in relation to the 2015 accounts, and how these were addressed, are outlined below. We have discussed these with the external auditor during the year. involving the members of the Committee, 64

 


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The Committee received reports of work performed by management in relation to the maintenance and development of these controls during the year together with the results of related reviews performed by Internal Audit. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP included these key business controls on their audit scope and reported to the Committee the results of their audit testing in these areas. 65 Revenue recognition The timing of revenue recognition, the recognition of revenue on a gross or net basis, the treatment of discounts, incentives and commissions and the accounting for multi-element arrangements are complex areas of accounting. See note 1 “Basis of preparation” for more detail. In addition there is heightened risk in relation to the accounting for revenue as a result of the inherent complexity in the underlying billing and related IT systems. An in-depth review of revenue accounting was undertaken by the Committee during the year. Management outlined the Group’s approach to revenue recognition, particularly for more complex enterprise transactions. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP shared their approach to the audit of revenue, as part of their presentation of the detailed audit plan. This identified the primary risks attaching to the audit of revenue to be (a) the controls over the underlying accuracy of rating by billing systems and (b) presumed fraud risk. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP reported on the results of their work in relation to the revenue accounting cycle as part of their Committee reporting from their half-year review and the year end audit. Goodwill impairment testing This is an area of focus for the Committee given the materiality of the Group’s goodwill balances (£22.5 billion at 31 March 2015) and the inherent subjectivity in impairment testing. The judgements in relation to goodwill impairment continue to relate primarily to the assumptions underlying the calculation of the value in use of the business, being: a the achievability of the long-term business plan; and a the macroeconomic and related modelling assumptions underlying the valuation process. See note 4 “Impairment losses” for further detail. The Committee received detailed reporting from management and challenged the appropriateness of the assumptions made including: a the consistent application of management’s methodology; a the achievability of the business plans; a assumptions in relation to terminal growth in the businesses at the end of the plan period; and a discount rates. A separate in-depth review on setting discount rates for impairment purposes was also conducted in the year. This remains an area of audit focus and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP provided detailed reporting on these matters to the Committee including sensitivity testing. Liability provisioning The Group is subject to a range of claims and legal actions from a number of sources including competitors, regulators, customers, suppliers, and on occasion fellow shareholders in Group subsidiaries. The level of provisioning for contingent and other liabilities is an issue where management and legal judgements are important and accordingly an area of Committee focus. The Committee received a presentation from the Group’s General Counsel and the Director of Litigation in both November 2014 and May 2015 on management’s assessment of the most significant claims. As this is an area of audit focus PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP also reviews these claims and relevant legal advice received by the Group, to form a view on the appropriateness of the level of provisioning that is shared with the Committee. Acquisitions and disposals The Group made one significant business acquisition during the year being the purchase of Ono in Spain. This gave rise to a number of complex accounting and disclosure requirements particularly in relation to the valuation of acquired tangible and intangible assets. See note 28 “Acquisitions and disposals” for further details. Management outlined the key accounting and disclosure impacts in relation to this transaction. The Committee received detailed reporting from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on their assessment of the accounting and disclosures made by management in both the half-year and annual financial statements. IT controls in relation to privileged user access The Group’s IT infrastructure platform hosts a number of financial reporting related applications. In the 2014 financial year, an issue was identified in respect of privileged user access controls within part of the IT infrastructure platform which could have had an adverse impact on certain of the Group’s controls and financial systems. Management has implemented new controls in the year to provide assurance over access to these systems. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP tested these controls as part of their audit approach and confirmed they were operating effectively. Key business controls The Group has continued to concentrate resources on key business controls to ensure a robust system of internal control. During the year this work has included particular focus over controls over general ledger accounts given the inherent risks and the high volume of related processing, and user access to the Group’s core ERP system. This work was also responsive to both the identification of a number of weaknesses and potential improvements to these processes identified by Group Internal Audit.

 


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Board committees (continued) Overseeing the relationship with and performance of, the external auditor Appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP As a result of the tender performed in the 2014 financial year, shareholders approved the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Group’s external auditor at the 2014 AGM. Throughout the year the Committee oversaw and helped facilitate a smooth transition from the former auditor. It was a key objective of the Committee to ensure that the new statutory auditor became fully familiar with all aspects of the Group that were relevant to the external audit process as part of their audit planning. Key to this was a formal “shadowing” by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP of Deloitte LLP through the 31 March 2014 year end audit process at our major operating companies and at Group. This included attendance at Group Audit and Risk Committee meetings before their formal appointment. This was supplemented by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP performing detailed audit planning activities at all the Group’s material operating locations throughout the late spring and summer and a review of Deloitte LLP audit files at major locations. Following this work we received from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP a detailed audit plan for the 2015 financial year identifying their audit scope, planning materiality and their assessment of key risks. The PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP audit plan for the 2015 financial year was a key output of the transition process and was rigorously reviewed by the Committee. Looking forward, the Committee has recommended to the Board the re-appointment of the external auditor under the current external audit contract for the 2016 financial year. The Directors will be proposing the reappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP at the AGM in July 2015. The Committee will continue to review the auditor appointment and the need to tender the audit, ensuring the Group’s compliance with the UK Corporate Governance Code and the reforms of the audit market by the UK Competition and Markets Authority and the European Union. In November 2013, having considered the changes to the UK Corporate Governance Code and the notes on best practice issued by the Financial Reporting Council, the Audit Committee decided to put the audit for the 2015 financial year out to tender. The Committee concluded the process in February 2014 and recommended to the Board that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP be appointed as the Group’s statutory Regulators and our financial reporting The Group received an enquiry letter from the UK Financial Reporting Review Panel (the ‘FRRP’) in relation to its 31 March 2014 Annual Report during the year. The Committee was involved at all stages of the process, reviewing all correspondence between the Company and the Panel. All matters have been fully addressed and the enquiry is now closed. As a result the Group has agreed to make additional disclosure particularly around the judgements in relation to the recognition of deferred tax assets which is reflected in this Annual Report. Whether the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, business model and strategy. As part of the Committee’s assessment of the Annual Report to allow onward reporting to the Board, it draws on the work of the Group’s Disclosure Committee and has discussions with senior management. The processes and controls that underpin our consideration include ensuring that: auditor. Accordingly, the engagement of Deloitte LLP was not renewed in 2014. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP became the Group’s external auditor following completion of the audit of the Vodafone Group Plc financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2014 and the audit of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of 31 March 2014. Shareholders approved the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Group’s external auditor at the 2014 AGM. During the two years prior to 31 March 2015, (i) Deloitte LLP has not issued any reports on the financial statements of the Group or on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting that contained an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were the auditors’ reports of Deloitte LLP qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles, (ii) there has not been any disagreement over any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to Deloitte LLP‘s satisfaction would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its auditors’ reports, or any “reportable event” as described in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form 20-F. Further in the two years prior to 31 March 2015 we have not consulted with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP regarding either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered with respect to the consolidated financial statements of the Group; or (ii) any matter that was the subject of a disagreement as that term is used in Item 16F(a)(1)(iv) of Form 20-F or a “reportable event” as described in Item 16F(a)(1)(v) of Form 20-F. Audit risk The audit risk identification process is considered a key factor in the overall effectiveness of the external audit process. For the 2015 financial year, the key risks identified were a combination of those identified in the 2014 financial year, one new specific risk arising from the Group’s ongoing organic investment programme, Project Spring and one new risk in relation to the revenue accounting process, as follows: Previously identified risks a senior managers providing the content for the Annual Report are fully briefed on the fair, balanced and understandable requirement; a a dedicated core team of senior managers is responsible for the overall co-ordination of content submissions, verification and detailed review and challenge; a confirmation from senior management within the business that they consider the content in respect of their area of responsibility to be fair, balanced and understandable; and a the Disclosure Committee’s review and assessment of the Annual Report as a whole. We also received an early draft of the Annual Report to enable timely review and comment. These processes allowed us to provide positive assurance to the Board to assist them in making the statement required by the UK Corporate Governance Code. The Committee is committed to continuous improvement in the effectiveness and clarity of the Group’s corporate reporting and has provided support to management to adopt initiatives by regulatory bodies which would enhance our reporting. a Carrying value of goodwill a Provisioning for current tax liabilities a Recognition and recoverability of deferred tax assets a Provisioning for legal and regulatory claims a Accounting for significant acquisitions and disposals 66 a Revenue recognition Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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New specific risks For certain specific permitted services, the Committee has pre-approved that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP can be engaged by management, subject to the policies set out above, and subject to specified fee limits for individual engagements, and fee limits for each type of specific service. For all other services or those permitted services that exceed the specified fee limits, I, as Chairman, or in my absence another Committee member, can pre-approve permitted services. During the year, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and related member firms charged the Group £12 million for statutory audit services. The Committee approved these fees which represented the fee proposed as part of the audit tender and scope changes during the 2015 financial year, including the impact of business acquisitions which were primarily in relation to Ono. The Committee received formal assurance from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP that the fees were appropriate for the scope of the work required. In addition to the statutory audit fee, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and related member firms charged the Group £4 million for audit-related and other assurance services, comprising £3 million for services that had ceased by 30 June 2014 and £1 million of other non-audit fees. Further details of the fees paid, for audit and non-audit services to both PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for the current financial year and to Deloitte LLP for prior years, can be found in note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. The observations from this assessment for the 2015 financial year were presented and discussed at the May 2015 meeting. We also considered the firm-wide audit quality inspection report issued by the FRC in relation to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in May 2014. The Committee concluded that there had been appropriate focus and challenge on the primary areas of audit focus and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP had applied robust challenge and scepticism throughout the audit. Management concurred with this view. Independence and objectivity In its assessment of the independence of the auditor and in accordance with the US Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s standard on independence, the Committee receives details of any relationships between the Company and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP that may have a bearing on their independence and receives confirmation that they are independent of the Company within the meaning of the securities laws administered by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’). Prior to the Board decision in February 2014 to recommend PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the external auditor for the year ended 31 March 2015, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were providing a range of non-audit services to the Group. A significant joint exercise was undertaken to confirm their independence from both a UK and US regulatory perspective. The Committee then set the parameters for any ongoing and future activity. It was mandated that: a Capitalisation of costs and asset lives a Billing accuracy as part of revenue process At each meeting of the Committee, these risks were reviewed and both management’s primary areas of judgement and the external auditor’s key areas of audit focus were challenged. As part of this process, the risks associated with the accounting and reporting of complex supplier arrangements was assessed by both the Committee and the statutory auditor. This was not assessed as being an incremental key risk for external audit purposes given the nature of the agreements and the low level of accounting judgement required to be applied. Working with the auditor We hold private meetings with the external auditor at each Committee meeting to provide additional opportunity for open dialogue and feedback from the Committee and the auditor without management being present. Matters typically discussed include the external auditor’s assessment of business risks and management activity thereon, the transparency and openness of interactions with management, confirmation that there has been no restriction in scope placed on them by management, independence of their audit and how they have exercised professional scepticism. I also meet with the external lead audit partner outside the formal Committee process throughout the year. As a Committee, we strongly support the professional scepticism, particularly in the areas of key judgement and accounting disclosure, displayed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. External audit process effectiveness We have sought to evolve our approach this year in relation to assessing the effectiveness of the external audit process. The framework we used had a number of facets and comprised: Oversight of the Group’s system of internal control including the internal audit function Assessment of internal controls The Group has in place an internal control environment to protect the business from the material risks which have been identified. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting and we have responsibility for ensuring the effectiveness of these controls. We reviewed the process by which the Group evaluated its control environment. Our work here was driven primarily by the Group Audit Director’s reports on the effectiveness of internal controls, significant identified frauds and any identified fraud that involved management or employees with a significant role in internal controls. We also held a number of detailed reviews of the control environment in Vodafone Italy, Australia and the UK. Oversight of the Group’s compliance activities in relation to section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act also falls within the Committee’s remit. a all services that were prohibited by the SEC for a statutory auditor to provide were to cease by 31 March 2014; and a all engagements that were not prohibited by the SEC but would not have met the Group’s own internal approval policy for non-audit services were to cease by 30 June 2014 to enable a transition to alternative suppliers, where required. These services had a value of approximately £3 million through to completion. a an assessment by the Committee of the performance of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, including consideration of the speed in which they gained a detailed understanding of the Group given the first year of their audit tenure; a detailed questioning of management in operating companies and Group on a range of factors that we considered relevant to audit quality. This covered the Group’s most senior finance personnel exposed to the audit process; As one of the ways in which it seeks to protect the independence and objectivity of the external auditor, the Committee has a policy governing the engagement of the external auditor to provide non-audit services. This precludes PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from providing certain services such as valuation work or the provision of accounting services and also sets a presumption that PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP should only be engaged for non-audit services where there is no legal or practical alternative supplier. Except as noted above in relation to the auditor transition, no material changes have been made to this policy during the financial year. a feedback from the independent chairman of the Vodacom local audit committee; and a feedback from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on their performance against their own performance objectives. 67 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information

 


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Board committees (continued) The Committee has completed its review of the effectiveness of the Group’s systems of internal control during the year and up to the date of this Annual Report, in accordance with the requirements of the revised Turnbull Guidance on Internal Control, published by the FRC. It confirms that no significant failings or weaknesses were identified in the review for the 2015 financial year. Where areas for improvement were identified, processes are in place to ensure that the necessary action is taken and that progress is monitored. Internal audit Monitoring and review of the scope, extent and effectiveness of the activity of the Group Internal Audit department is an agenda item at each Committee meeting. Reports from the Group Audit Director usually include updates on audit activities, progress of the Group audit plan, the results of any unsatisfactory audits and the action plans to address these areas. On an annual basis the Committee reviews and approves both the audit plan for the year and the resources required to accomplish the agreed work programme. I play a major role in setting the Group Audit Director’s annual objectives and I meet with him regularly in the year to be briefed on his team’s activity and the nature of any significant issues arising from their work. In the year, the Committee appointed Ernst & Young LLP to perform an independent review of the effectiveness of the Group’s internal audit department. This found that the department continued to function well and was meeting its key objectives and had addressed all of the recommendations from the last independent review, performed in 2010. In the 2016 financial year, the Group Internal Audit team in conjunction with other teams that form part of the Group’s internal control systems will be implementing an integrated assurance mapping process to provide a framework to allow the comprehensive assessment of the assurance and compliance activities for the Group’s significant risks. Compliance with section 404 of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act The Committee takes an active role in monitoring the Group’s compliance efforts in respect of section 404 of the US Sarbanes- Oxley Act, receiving three separate reports from management in the year covering scoping, the results of work performed and plans for the evolution of the framework in response to ongoing business changes. The external auditor reported the status of their work in relation to this matter in each of their reports to the Committee. Monitoring the Group’s risk management system and its effectiveness The Group’s risk assessment process and the way in which significant business risks are managed is a key area of focus for the Committee. Our activity here was driven primarily by the Group’s assessment of its principal risks and uncertainties, as set out on pages 32 to 37. A range of mitigations for risks faced by the Group are included on pages 96 and 97. As part of this work the Committee maintains a programme of in-depth reviews into specific financial, operational and regulatory areas of the business. During the 2015 financial year, reviews were undertaken in the areas of: a telecommunications network resilience and related technology security; a IT controls including customer and non- customer related data security; a the control environments in Vodafone Italy, Vodafone Australia and Vodafone UK, with the latter focusing on the integration of the recently acquired Cable and Wireless business and a major new billing system project; a risks and controls within Vodafone Global Enterprise focusing on contract management; a shared services and Finance Operations, focused on risk management and the control environment; I also visited the Group’s shared service centre in Pune, India to get a deeper understanding of the finance activities managed from that location and the control environment. These reviews are critical to the role of the Committee, as they allow us to meet key business leaders responsible for these areas and provide independent challenge to their activities. We also undertook a number of reviews in relation to the Group’s risk management framework; we received reports from the Group Audit Director on the Group’s risk evaluation process and reviewed changes to significant risks identified at both operating entity and Group levels. During the year management transferred the accountability for risk management from Group Internal Audit to the Group Risk and Compliance Director, a change supported by the Committee. This change was consistent with the requirements of the 2014 UK Corporate Governance Code. Oversight of the Group’s system of compliance The Group held two deep dive sessions on compliance related matters in the year. These focused on the outputs of monitoring activities of compliance with Group-wide policies, the activities focused on driving a consistent culture of compliance within the organisation, the results of the use of “Speak Up” channels in place to enable employees to raise concerns about possible irregularities in financial reporting or other issues such as breaches of the Code of Conduct, and the outputs of any resulting investigations. Further, we received summaries of investigations into known or suspected fraudulent activities by both third parties and employees. We also met with the Group HR Director in relation to the consequences for employees of non-compliance with Group policies. I also meet privately with the Risk and Compliance Director outside the formal committee process. /s/ Nick Land Nick Land On behalf of the Audit and Risk Committee a revenue recognition including planning for the implementation of FRS 15 “Revenue” which we currently expect to be effective for the first time for the 2019 financial year; a review of the findings of an external review over controls in relation to the M-Pesa money transfer service; and a setting discount rates for impairment testing. 19 May 2015 68


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No one other than a member of the meetings; however, other Non-Executive of matters arising concerning my membership meeting as required and the Board’s Senior experience that could be usefully added. to be appointed who had experience of content recommended to the Board that he be invited accepted the recommendation and Dr Döpfner succession planning. It discussed this Group HR Director and in private sessions as Chief Financial Officer and joined the Board Board approved, were that with effect from Yea be appointed as Senior Independent 69 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Committee meetings Committee is entitled to be present at its Directors, the Chief Executive and external advisors may be invited to attend. In the event of the Board, I would absent myself from the Independent Director would take the chair. Main activities of the Committee during the year The Committee met three times during the year. In May 2014, the Board reviewed the mix and skills of the current and prospective Directors and it considered the skills and The Committee identified that it would be valuable for a Non-Executive Director and media sectors and who had experience as a chief executive. The Committee was also conscious of the need to ensure that the Board was not too UK-centric in its composition. Dr Mathias Döpfner was identified as meeting these criteria. He was invited to meet with the members of the Committee and following those meetings, the Committee to become a Non-Executive Director. The Board accepted the Board’s invitation and became a Director with effect from 1 April 2015. The Committee also focused on executive topic with the Chief Executive and the of the Committee. During the year Nick Read was appointed on 1 April 2014. Two senior executives (Stephen Pusey and Marten Pieters) announced their retirement from Vodafone during the year. Johan Wibergh joined Vodafone on 1 May and will succeed Stephen as Vodafone’s Chief Technology Officer on 29 July 2015. Sunil Sood, formerly Vodafone India Limited’s Chief Operating Officer, succeeded Marten Pieters as Chief Executive of Vodafone India with effect from 1 April 2015. Omid Kordestani, a Non-Executive Director, stepped down from the Board on 31 December 2014. Luc Vandevelde, the Company’s Senior Independent Director, informed the Board that he would not stand for re-election at the 2015 annual general meeting. The Committee considered, and made recommendations to the Board, about various changes to take account of this. These changes, which the 2015 annual general meeting, Philip Director, and Valerie Gooding be appointed as Chair of the Remuneration Committee and a member of the Nominations and Governance Committee. Nominations and Governance Committee “The Nominations and Governance Committee continues its work of ensuring the Board composition is right and that our governance is effective.” Membership Chairman (pictured right): Gerard Kleisterlee Chairman of the Board – Independent on appointment Luc Vandevelde Senior Independent Director Philip Yea Independent Non-Executive Director Responsibilities: a leads the process for identifying and making recommendations to the Board regarding candidates for appointment as Directors, giving full consideration to succession planning and the leadership needs of the Group; a makes recommendations to the Board on the composition of the Board’s committees; a regularly reviews and makes recommendations in relation to the structure, size and composition of the Board including the diversity and balance of skills, knowledge and experience, and the independence of the Non-Executive Directors; a oversees the performance evaluation of the Board, its committees and individual Directors (see page 58); a reviews the tenure of each of the Non-Executive Directors; and a is responsible for the oversight of all matters relating to corporate governance, bringing any issues to the attention of the Board. Attendance at scheduled meetings Director Attendance Gerard Kleisterlee3/3 Luc Vandevelde 3/3 Anthony Watson (Stepped down from the Board in July 2014)1/1 Philip Yea 3/3 Key objective: to make sure the Board comprises individuals with the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to ensure that it is effective in discharging its responsibilities and to have oversight of all matters relating to corporate governance.

 


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Board committees (continued) In March, the Committee reviewed the Board’s diversity policy and agreed that since the Board had achieved its aspiration of 25% female presence on the Board, the Board diversity policy should be updated to reflect that achievement and should state the intention to maintain that level, subject to suitable candidates being available. We continue to focus on encouraging diversity of business skills and experience, recognising that Directors with diverse skills sets, capabilities and experience gained from different geographic and cultural backgrounds enhance the Board. Further information, including the proportions of women in senior management, is shown in “Our people” on pages 28 and in “Board Diversity” on page 61. During the year, in the context of its corporate governance responsibilities, the Committee received a report from the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary on developments in corporate governance that affect the Company. It also discussed the methodology to be adopted for the 2015 review of the effectiveness of the Board, its committees and the Directors. The Committee also assessed the independence of the Directors and whether there were any potential conflicts of interest. The Committee concluded that all the Non-Executive Directors were independent, notwithstanding in the cases of Luc Vandevelde and Philip Yea (who did not participate in the relevant discussions) that they had served on the Board for more than nine years. The Committee, and the Board, considered the matter carefully and decided that both these Non-Executive Directors continue to demonstrate the qualities of independence and judgement in carrying out their roles, supporting the Executive Directors and senior management in an objective manner. The Committee reviewed the composition of the Board’s committees at the end of the financial year. The Committee also reviewed its effectiveness and discussed the outcomes of the overall 2015 Board effectiveness review, in advance of the Board as a whole considering those outcomes. In the next financial year, the Committee will meet four times, instead of three, to allow greater focus on executive succession planning. In the year ahead the Committee will continue to assess what enhancements should be made to the Board’s and committees’ composition and will continue to monitor developments to ensure the Company remains at the forefront of good governance practices. /s/ Gerard Kleisterlee Gerard Kleisterlee On behalf of the Nominations and Governance Committee 19 May 2015 70 Remuneration Committee “Our remuneration policy and executive pay packages are designed to be competitive and drive behaviour in order to achieve long-term strategic goals. When making decisions we are mindful of the wider economic conditions and shareholder feedback.” Membership Chairman (pictured right): Luc Vandevelde Independent Non-Executive Director Valerie Gooding Independent Non-Executive Director Renee James Independent Non-Executive Director Samuel Jonah Independent Non-Executive Director Key objective: to assess and make recommendations to the Board on the policies for executive remuneration and packages for the individual Executive Directors. Responsibilities: a determining, on behalf of the Board, the policy on the remuneration of the Chairman of the Board, the Executive Directors and the senior management team; a determining the total remuneration packages for these individuals including any compensation on termination of office; a operating within recognised principles of good governance; and a preparing an Annual Report on Directors’ remuneration. Committee meetings No one other than a member of the Committee is entitled to be present at its meetings. The Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive may attend the Committee’s meetings by invitation but they do not attend when their individual remuneration is discussed. No Director is involved in deciding his or her own remuneration. The Committee met five times during the year. Main activities of the Committee during the year A detailed report to shareholders from the Committee on behalf of the Board in which, amongst other things, I have included a description of the Committee’s activities during the year, is contained in “Directors’ remuneration” on pages 75 to 91. Attendance at scheduled meetings Director Attendance Luc Vandevelde 5/5 Philip Yea (member until November 2014) 3/3 Renee James 5/5 Samuel Jonah 5/5 Valerie Gooding (member from February 2015) 2/2

 


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Risk and Compliance Committee reports can be made to the Audit and markets, business continuity management on the culture of compliance across the Up whistleblowing channel, the results of the The Disclosure Committee, appointed timeliness of Company disclosures, oversees information and other information material to be fair, balanced and understandable. and Company Secretary (the Chair), Regional Controller, the Group Investor Relations Development Director and the Group External 71 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Other committees This is a sub-committee of the Executive Committee comprising three Executive Committee members. It is appointed to assist the Executive Committee to fulfil its accountabilities with regard to risk management and policy compliance. In particular, the Committee conducts deep dives into key compliance risks to assess whether they are being effectively managed, approves changes to policies, and maintains an overview of the status of compliance throughout Vodafone so clear and accurate Risk Committee twice a year. Deep dives this year covered the policies relating to network resilience, branded partner and the Group Enterprise business. The Committee also received regular reports organisation including the use of the Speak People Survey and completion of mandatory training programmes on the Code of Conduct. Disclosure Committee by the Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer to ensure the accuracy and and approves controls and procedures in relation to the public disclosure of financial to shareholders. It also supports the Board in evaluating the Annual Report It is composed of the Group General Counsel Financial Directors, the Group Financial Director, the Group Strategy and Business Affairs Director. Executive Committee Membership Chairman (pictured right): Vittorio Colao Chief Executive The Executive Committee includes the Executive Directors and the senior managers. Committee meetings The Executive Committee meets 11 times a year. Topics covered by the Committee include: a strategy; a substantial business developments and projects; a Chief Executive update on the business and business environment; a regional Chief Executives’ updates; a Group function heads’ updates; a talent; a presentations from various function heads, for example, the Group Financial Controller, the Group Audit Director and the Group Risk and Compliance Director; and a competitor performance analysis. Annually, the Executive Committee, together with the chief executives of the major operating companies, conducts a strategy review to identify key strategic issues to be presented to the Board. The agreed strategy is then used as a basis for developing the upcoming budget and three year operating plans. The Committee members’ biographical details are set out on pages 54 and 55 and at vodafone.com/exco. Key objective: Under the leadership of the Chief Executive, is responsible for Vodafone’s overall business and affairs including delivery of strategy, financial structure and planning, financial and competitive performance and succession planning.

 


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C ompliance with the 2012 UK Corporate Governance Code Throughout the year ended 31 March 2015 and to the date of this document, we complied with the provisions and applied the main principles of the 2012 version of the UK Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’). The Code can be found on the FRC website (frc.org.uk). We note that the 2014 version of the UK Corporate Governance Code will apply to us for the first time in the 2016 financial year and we intend to be in compliance. We describe how we have applied the main principles of the 2012 Code in this table, cross referring to other parts of this Annual Report for further information on internal control and risk management and Directors’ remuneration. This table is intended to assist with the evaluation of our compliance during the year and should be read in conjunction with the Governance section as a whole. Headings in the table correspond to the headings in the Code. A. Leadership A.1 – The role of the Board The Board’s responsibilities are set out in the governance framework outlined on page 51. The Board held seven scheduled meetings during the year and holds additional meetings, as required. All Directors are expected, wherever possible, to attend all Board and relevant Committee meetings, and the annual general meeting. Details of Board meetings attendance for the year are set out on page 53. A.2 – Division of responsibilities The roles of the Chairman and Chief Executive are separate and the key responsibilities of each are set out on page 51. A.3 – The Chairman The role of the Chairman is set out on page 51. Board meetings are arranged to ensure sufficient time is available for the discussion of all items. In accordance with the Code, the Chairman was independent on appointment. B.4 – Development for nine years and, in accordance with the Code, assists the Chairman in ensuring that all Directors Nick Read was appointed as Chief Financial Officer and advises the Board on corporate governance Furse were appointed as Non-Executive Directors is a matter for the Board as a whole. Döpfner was appointed as a Non-Executive Director 72 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 B. Effectiveness B.1 – The composition of the Board 2006. Where authorisation is granted, it would Our Board consists of 13 Directors, ten of whom be recorded in a register of potential conflicts and served throughout the year. There are nine Non-reviewed periodically. Directors are responsible Executive Directors, in addition to the Chairman for notifying the Company Secretary if they and three Executive Directors on the Board. become aware of actual or potential conflicts Changes made to the composition of the Board or a change in circumstances relating to an existing and Committees during the year are set out in the authorisation. The Executive Directors’ service Nominations and Governance Committee Report. contracts and Non-Executive appointment letters The balance and independence of our Board is kept are available for inspection at our registered office under review by our Nominations and Governance and will be available for inspection at our annual Committee. Luc Vandevelde will be stepping down general meeting. from the Board at the annual general meeting in July 2015, having served 11 years as a Non-Executive Details of Board induction and training and Director. Philip Yea will have served on the Board development is set out on page 59. the Board has determined that Philip continues B.5 – Information and support to demonstrate qualities of independence and The Board recognises that there may be occasions judgement in carrying out his role, supporting when one or more of the Directors feels the Executive Directors and senior management it is necessary to take independent legal and/ in an objective manner. His length of service and or financial advice at the Company’s expense. resulting experience is of great benefit to the Board. There is an agreed procedure to enable them Nick Land and Samuel Jonah have served on the to do so which is managed by the Company Board for eight and six years respectively. The Board Secretary. No such independent advice was sought considers that all of the Non-Executive Directorsin the 2015 financial year. The Company Secretary bring strong independent oversight and continue also assists the Chairman by organising induction to demonstrate independence. and training programmes, is responsible for ensuring B.2 – Appointments to the Board that the correct Board procedures are followed, in April 2014 and Sir Crispin Davis and Dame Clara have full and timely access to all relevant information in July and September 2014 respectively. Dr Mathias matters. The removal of the Company Secretary with effect from 1 April 2015. Further details on the B.6 – Evaluation process leading to their appointments are set Information on Board evaluation is set out out in the Nominations and Governance Report on page 58. on pages 69 and 70. B.7 – Election/Re-election B.3 – Commitment All Directors have submitted themselves for re-During the year, the Board considered the external election at the annual general meeting to be held commitments of its Chairman, Senior Independent on 28 July 2015 with the exception of Stephen Director and other Non-Executive Directors Pusey and Luc Vandevelde who will step down and is satisfied that these do not conflict with from the Board at the annual general meeting. their duties and time commitments as Directors The Nominations and Governance Committee of the Company. Details of our Directors’ other confirmed to the Board that the contributions made commitments are set out in their biographies by the Directors offering themselves for re-election on pages 52 and 53. Omid Kordestani stood at the annual general meeting in July 2015 continue down as a Non-Executive Director when he tookto be effective and that the Company should support on an executive role at Google. Changes to the their re-election. The biographies for our Directors commitments of all Directors are reported to the can be found on pages 52 and 53. Board. Directors complete an annual conflicts questionnaire. Any conflicts identified would be submitted to the Board for consideration and, as appropriate, authorisation in accordance with our articles of association and the Companies Act

 


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A.4 – Non-Executive Directors Luc Vandevelde was Senior Independent Director during the year. The responsibilities of the Senior Independent Director include acting as a sounding board for the Chairman, serving as an intermediary for the other Directors, being available to shareholders if they have concerns which they have not been able to resolve through the normal channels, conducting an annual review of the performance of the Chairman, and in the event it should be necessary, convening a meeting of the Non-Executive Directors. In particular, Non-Executive Directors are responsible for bringing a wide range of skills and experience, including independent judgement on issues of strategy, performance and risk management, constructively challenging the strategy proposed by the Executive Directors, scrutinising and challenging performance across the Group’s business, assessing the risk and integrity of the financial information and controls and determining the Company’s policy for executive remuneration and the remuneration packages for the Executive Directors and the Chairman. The Chairman met with the Non- Executive Directors without the Executive Directors being present at every Board meeting during the year and individually with each Non-Executive Director as part of the Board effectiveness review process. C. Accountability C.1 – Financial and business reporting The Directors’ statement of responsibility regarding the financial statements, including the going concern assessment, is set out on pages 94 and 95. A further statement is provided on page 94 confirming that the Board considers that the Annual Report and accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, business model and strategy. C.2 – Risk management and internal control An overview of the Group’s framework for identifying and managing risk is set out on pages 32 to 37. The Board has overall responsibility for the system of internal control. A sound system of internal control is designed to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure to achieve business objectives and can only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material mistreatment or loss. The Board has established procedures that implement in full the Turnbull Guidance “Internal Control: Revised Guidance for Directors on the Combined Code” for the year under review and to the date of this Annual Report. These procedures, which are subject to regular review provide an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and managing the significant risks we face. Further information on the Board’s responsibility for system of internal control and risk management can be found in the Director’s statement of responsibility on page 95 and further information on the oversight of the Group’s system of internal control and the monitoring of the Group’s risk management system and its effectiveness can be found in the Audit and Risk Committee report on pages 63 to 68. C.3 – Audit Committee and auditor The Board has delegated a number of responsibilities to the Audit and Risk Committee including governance over the appropriateness of the performance of both the internal audit function and external auditor and oversight of the Group’s systems of internal controls. Further details of the composition of the Audit and Risk Committee and its activities are set out in the Audit and Risk Committee Report on pages 63 to 68 and the terms of reference for the Audit and Risk Committee can be found at vodafone.com/governance. D. Remuneration D.1 – The level and components of remuneration The Remuneration Committee assesses and makes recommendations to the Board on the policies for the executive remuneration and packages for the individual Directors. For more information, see the Remuneration Committee Report on page 70 and Directors’ Remuneration on pages 75 to 91. D.2 – Procedure The Board has delegated a number of responsibilities to the Remuneration Committee, including determining the policy on remuneration of the Chairman, executives and senior management team. Full details are set out in the terms of reference for the Committee published at vodafone.com/governance. E. Relations with shareholders E.1 – Dialogue with shareholders The Chairman has overall responsibility for ensuring that there is effective communication with investors and that the Board understands the views of major shareholders on matters such as governance and strategy. The Chairman makes himself available to meet shareholders for this purpose. The Senior Independent Director and other members of the Board are also available to meet major investors on request. Further information on how we engage with our shareholders can be found on page 62. E.2 – Constructive use of the annual general meeting Our annual general meeting will be held on 28 July 2015 and is an opportunity for shareholders to vote on certain aspects of Group business and present questions to the Board. A summary presentation of the full year results is given before the Chairman deals with the formal business of the meeting. All shareholders can question any member of the Board both during the meeting and informally afterwards. The Board encourages participation of investors at the annual general meeting. The annual general meeting is also broadcast live and on demand on our website at vodafone.com/agm. Voting on all resolutions at the annual general meeting is on a poll. The proxy votes cast, including details of the votes withheld are disclosed to those in attendance at the meeting and the results are published on our website and announced via the Regulatory News Service. A copy of our notice of meeting can be found at vodafone.com/agm. 73


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Our US listing requirements 74 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 As Vodafone’s American depositary shares are listed on NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (‘NASDAQ’), we are required to disclose a summary of any material differences between the corporate governance practices we follow and those of US companies listed on NASDAQ. Vodafone’s corporate governance practices are primarily based on UK requirements but substantially conform to those required of US companies listed on NASDAQ. The material differences are set out in the following table: Board member independence Different tests of independence for Board members are applied under the Code and the NASDAQ listing rules. The Board is not required to take into consideration NASDAQ’s detailed definitions of independence as set out in the NASDAQ listing rules. The Board has carried out an assessment based on the independence requirements of the Code and has determined that, in its judgement, each of Vodafone’s Non-Executive Directors is independent within the meaning of those requirements. Committees The NASDAQ listing rules require US companies to have a nominations committee, an audit committee and a compensation committee, each composed entirely of independent directors, with the nominations committee and the audit committee each required to have a written charter which addresses the committee’s purpose and responsibilities, and the compensation committee having sole authority and adequate funding to engage compensation consultants, independent legal counsel and other compensation advisors. a Our Nominations and Governance Committee is chaired by the Chairman of the Board and its other members are independent Non-Executive Directors a Our Remuneration Committee is composed entirely of independent Non-Executive Directors a Our Audit and Risk Committee is composed entirely of Non-Executive Directors, each of whom (i) the Board has determined to be independent based on the independence requirements of the Code and (ii) meets the independence requirements of the Exchange Act a We have terms of reference for our Nominations and Governance Committee, Audit and Risk Committee and Remuneration Committee, each of which complies with the requirements of the Code and is available for inspection on our website at vodafone.com/governance a These terms of reference are generally responsive to the relevant NASDAQ listing rules but may not address all aspects of these rules Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct Under the NASDAQ listing rules, US companies must adopt a Code of Conduct applicable to all directors, officers and employees that complies with the definition of a “code of ethics” set out in section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. a We have adopted a Code of Ethics that complies with section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act which is applicable only to the senior financial and principal executive officers, and which is available on our website at vodafone.com/governance a We have also adopted a separate Code of Conduct which applies to all employees Quorum The quorum required for shareholder meetings, in accordance with our articles of association, is two shareholders, regardless of the level of their aggregate share ownership, while US companies listed on NASDAQ are required by the NASDAQ listing rules to have a minimum quorum of 33.33% of the shareholders of ordinary shares for shareholder meetings. Related party transactions In lieu of obtaining an independent review of related party transactions for conflicts of interests in accordance with the NASDAQ listing rules, we seek shareholder approval for related party transactions that (i) meet certain financial thresholds or (ii) have unusual features in accordance with the Listing Rules issued by the FCA in the United Kingdom (the ‘Listing Rules’), the Companies Act 2006 and our articles of association. Further, we use the definition of a transaction with a related party as set out in the Listing Rules, which differs in certain respects from the definition of related party transaction in the NASDAQ listing rules. Shareholder approval When determining whether shareholder approval is required for a proposed transaction, we comply with both the NASDAQ listing rules and the Listing Rules. Under the NASDAQ listing rules, whether shareholder approval is required for a transaction depends on, among other things, the percentage of shares to be issued or sold in connection with the transaction. Under the Listing Rules, whether shareholder approval is required for a transaction depends on, among other things, whether the size of a transaction exceeds a certain percentage of the size of the listed company undertaking the transaction.

 


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Dire ctors’ remuneration 75 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Committee Chairman During a year in which we celebrated the As noted above, and illustrated elsewhere during 2015 Britain’s first ever mobile phone call, it is with progress on the operational improvement performance against the four equally Company and our industry have come that hard work demonstrated by our colleagues adjusted EBITDA, adjusted free cash flow remuneration report.to expand our 4G coverage in Europe whilst resulted in a payout equivalent to 56.0% for both Vodafone and the wider industry, Further strengthening and expanding by below target competitive performance. progress on Project Spring which represents a market leader, and the first choice for data, In line with our commitment to the disclosure in our history. In 2013 this project saw maintaining our position as a leading provider targets for the 2015 GSTIP are provided continued dedication to providing excellent a the continued progression of our Project 31 March 2015. Despite TSR performance through £9.2 billion of capital expenditure behaviours and values demonstrated was not met, and therefore the award lapsed to drive through the appropriate application now reaches over 20 million customers Looking forward – pleased to see shareholders display now stands at 72% and is set to reach over The strong progress made in 2015 in respect the Committee continues to review our a the growth in our fixed broadband base it remains aligned with our Company organic growth and the acquisition of Ono include customer care, our retail and Following our latest review, no changes to our and the simplification of our tariff and policy are proposed for 2016. Pages 22 to 27 these areas and combining them with the As discussed below, this particular strategic Letter from the Remuneration Luc Vandevelde Chairman of the Remuneration Committee Dear fellow shareholder Performance during 2015 Remuneration outcomes 30th anniversary of our network carrying in this report, 2015 saw us make strong Under our annual bonus plan (‘GSTIP’) great perspective on how far both our phase of Project Spring. As a result of the weighted measures of service revenue, I am pleased to present Vodafone’s 2015 throughout the Company, we have continued and competitive performance assessment simultaneously accelerating our growth of maximum. This reflected a stronger It is fitting that during a year in which in data traffic across all of our markets. adjusted EBITDA and cash flow performance we celebrated such a historic milestone against target which was partially offset the backdrop for this year’s report is our our network is pivotal to our aim of being the largest capital investment programme in our targeted emerging markets whilst also of annual bonus targets, further details of the us commit around £19 billion over two years in Europe. on page 84. to expand our networks and services across It is in this context that I am pleased to reflect The 2013 GLTI award (granted in July 2012) our major markets in Europe, Asia and Africa. on the following strategic and operation alwas based on a combination of adjusted free This programme is testament to our objective headlines from the year: cash flow and TSR performance measured of being an innovative market leader and our over the three financial years ending customer experience. Spring investment programme, illustrated of 6.5% above the median of the comparator Crucial to this continued success are the during the year; group, the adjusted free cash flow target by our management team, which we seek a the expansion of our 4G coverage which in full. of our remuneration policy. I was therefore across 18 markets. Our European coverage strategic focus for 2016 overwhelming support for our Policy 90% next year; of the operational improvement phase Report, which was approved with a vote a the increasing take-up of 3G amongst our of Project Spring has laid the foundations of 96% at the 2014 annual general meeting. customers in emerging markets; andrequired to implement the “customer Notwithstanding such strong support, experience” phase of the programme. policy on an annual basis so as to ensure by 2.8 million customers both through Key areas of focus during this phase strategy and the views of our shareholders. and Hellas Online. digital platforms, the roaming experience, More on Project Spring progress: product offerings. By further strengthening significant investment made in our network, we aim to deliver a “best in class” experience to all Vodafone customers. focus for 2016 is reflected in the measures that will be used to determine performance for the 2016 GSTIP, helping to ensure appropriate alignment between our short-term variable incentive and immediate strategic priorities. Contents of the remuneration report Remuneration policy Page 77 The remuneration policy table Page 78 Chairman and Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration Page 82 Annual Report on remuneration Page 83 Remuneration Committee Page 83 2015 remuneration Page 84 2016 remuneration Page 90 Further remuneration information Page 91

 


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Directors’ remuneration (continued) Application of policy in 2016 At the time of presenting our Policy Report to shareholders for approval at the 2014 It is for this purpose that the Committee retains the discretion to alter final outcomes under our annual bonus plan a we offer competitive and fair rates of pay and benefits to attract and retain the best people; annual general meeting, it was envisaged where the formulaic payout is deemed  that the policy would remain unchanged for three years. Following a review during the year, the Committee agreed that the policy continues to remain both appropriate and effective, and therefore no changes are proposed for the coming year. However in order to ensure our arrangements are focused on driving our latest strategic priorities, a number of changes to the GSTIP that remain within our policy framework have been made. These changes are outlined below and follow on from consultation with a number of our largest shareholders earlier this year: to be inappropriate. This includes the potential to reduce any payout under the strategic element of the bonus, if such a formulaic payout is deemed inappropriate in light of wider financial performance. Whilst we will not be seeking approval of our remuneration policy at the 2015 annual general meeting, the full policy report has been included in this report for reference. Corporate governance Vodafone continues to set demanding share ownership goals for our Executive Directors. The Committee is pleased to see that all a our policy and practices aim to drive behaviours that support our Company strategy and business objectives; a our “pay for performance” approach means that our incentive plans only deliver significant rewards if and when they are justified by performance; and a our approach to share ownership is designed to help maintain commitment over the long term, and to ensure that the interests of our senior management team are aligned with those of shareholders.  three Executive Directors have voluntarily Finally, following the conclusion of the 2015 a the balance of performance measures for the 2016 GSTIP will be weighted 60% in respect of the financial measures, and 40% in respect of the strategic measures. exceeded these guidelines by a significant margin, including Nick Read who only joined the Board this year. During the year, the UK Corporate annual general meeting which is to be held on 28 July 2015, I will be stepping down both as Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and from the Board. I would therefore like to thank you, our shareholders, for the  Governance Code was updated to include, continued support and engagement that you a in light of this increase in weighting, the Competitive Performance assessment measure previously used under the GSTIP will be replaced with Customer Appreciation KPIs. This will see brand consideration metrics added to the strategic element of the GSTIP, with net promoter score (‘NPS’) also retained as a measure. Other relevant indicators of strategic performance will also be considered in assessing final outcomes. Further information on how these measures will be assessed is provided on page 90. on a comply or explain basis, a requirement to include malus and clawback provisions in respect of all variable elements of executive remuneration. The Committee determined that the current malus provisions, which allow unvested awards to be lapsed either wholly or in part, will be retained for 2016. Further, the Committee has agreed to introduce an appropriate clawback provision to our remuneration policy on the next occasion that the policy report is put forward for shareholder approval. Conclusion have displayed throughout my tenure, as well as the other members of the Committee for ensuring debate has always remained challenging, thought-provoking and, above all, focused on the needs of our stakeholders. I will be succeeded by Valerie Gooding who I look forward to introducing at our 2015 annual general meeting. /s/ Luc Vandevelde Luc Vandevelde Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 19 May 2015  This is an exciting time to be a shareholder The above changes remain in line with our shareholder approved remuneration policy which allows up to 50% of GSTIP opportunity to be based on strategic measures. The Committee is however aware of wider market concerns regarding the formulaic calculation of annual bonus payouts, and the potential for such arrangements to deliver value regardless of wider Company performance. 76 of Vodafone, with the maturity of Project Spring set to lay the foundations for the next step in our Company’s history. Whilst our remuneration policy remains an important tool in driving these goals, the Committee remains aware of external concerns regarding executive compensation and will continue to work within the principles which underpin our approach to executive remuneration to ensure our arrangements remain effective but fair. These principles, which remain unchanged from last year, are as follows:

 


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Remuneration policy In this forward-looking section we describe our remuneration policy for the Board. This includes our considerations when determining policy, a description of the elements of the reward package and an indication of the potential future value of this package for each of the Executive Directors. In addition we describe our policy applied to the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors. Our remuneration policy was approved by shareholders at the 2014 annual general meeting, and took effect from this point. Whilst we do not envisage making any changes to our policy prior to the 2017 annual general meeting, we conduct annual reviews to ensure that it continues to support our Company strategy. If we feel it is necessary to make a change to our policy prior to the end of this three year period, we will seek shareholder approval. No changes have been made to our policy since its approval at the 2014 annual general meeting which was held on 29 July 2014. Our approved Policy Report is available on our website at vodafone.com, and has been included in full below as set out in the 2014 Annual Report. Considerations when determining remuneration policy Our remuneration principles which are outlined on page 76 are the context for our policy. Our principal consideration when determining remuneration policy is to ensure that it supports our Company strategy and business objectives. The views of our shareholders are also taken into account when determining executive pay. In advance of asking for approval for the remuneration policy we have consulted with our major shareholders. We invited our top 20 shareholders to comment on remuneration at Vodafone and several meetings between shareholders and the Remuneration Committee Chairman took place. The main topics of consultation were as follows: a new share plan rules for which we will seek shareholder approval at the 2014 annual general meeting; a changes to executive remuneration arrangements (reduction of maximum long-term incentive vesting levels and pension provision); and a impact of Project Spring on Free Cash Flow performance under the global long-term incentive plan (‘GLTI’). We have not consulted with employees on the executive remuneration policy nor is any fixed remuneration comparison measurement used. However, when determining the policy for Executive Directors, we have been mindful of the pay and employment conditions of employees in Vodafone Group as a whole, with particular reference to the market in which the executive is based. Further information on our remuneration policy for other employees is given on page 80. Performance measures and targets Our Company strategy and business objectives are the primary consideration when we are selecting performance measures for our incentive plans. The targets within our incentive plans that are related to internal financial measures (such as revenue, profit and cash flow) are typically determined based on our budgets. Targets for strategic and external measures (such as competitive performance and Total Shareholder Return (‘TSR’)) are set based on Company objectives and in light of the competitive marketplace. The threshold and maximum levels of performance are set to reflect minimum acceptable levels at threshold and very stretching but achievable levels at maximum. As in previous remuneration reports we will disclose the details of our performance targets for our short and long-term incentive plans. However, our annual bonus targets are commercially sensitive and therefore we will only disclose our targets in the remuneration report following the completion of the financial year. We will disclose the targets for each long-term award in the remuneration report for the financial year preceding the start of the performance period. At the end of each performance period we review performance against the targets, using judgement to account for items such as (but not limited to) mergers, acquisitions, disposals, foreign exchange rate movements, changes in accounting treatment, material one-off tax settlements etc. The application of judgement is important to ensure that the final assessments of performance are fair and appropriate. In addition, the Remuneration Committee reviews the incentive plan results before any payments are made to executives or any shares vest and has full discretion to adjust the final payment or vesting downwards if they believe circumstances warrant it. In particular, the Committee may use discretion to clawback any unvested share award (or vested but unexercised options) as it sees appropriate, in which case the award may lapse wholly or in part, may vest to a lesser extent than it would otherwise have vested or vesting may be delayed. 77 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information

 


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Directors’ remuneration (continued) Remuneration policy (continued) The remuneration policy table The table below summarises the main components of the reward package for Executive Directors. Purpose and link to strategy Operation a Performance over the financial year is measured against set at the start of the financial year. a Long-term incentive base awards consist of performance based on Group operational and external performance. 78 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Base salary a To attract and retain the best talent. a Salaries are usually reviewed annually and fixed for 12 months commencing 1 July. Decision is influenced by: a level of skill, experience and scope of responsibilities of individual; a business performance, scarcity of talent, economic climate and market conditions; a increases elsewhere within the Group; and a external comparator groups (which are used for reference purposes only) made up of companies of similar size and complexity to Vodafone. Pension a To remain competitive within the marketplace. a Executive Directors may choose to participate in the defined contribution pension scheme or to receive a cash allowance in lieu of pension. Benefits a To aid retention and remain competitive within the marketplace. a Travel related benefits. This may include (but is not limited to) company car or cash allowance, fuel and access to a driver where appropriate. a Private medical, death and disability insurance and annual health checks. a In the event that we ask an individual to relocate we would offer them support in line with Vodafone’s relocation or international assignment policies. This may cover (but is not limited to) relocation, cost of living allowance, housing, home leave, education support, tax equalisation and advice. a Legal fees if appropriate. a Other benefits are also offered in line with the benefits offered to other employees for example, all-employee share plans, mobile phone discounts, maternity/paternity benefits, sick leave, paid holiday, etc. Annual Bonus – Global Short-Term Incentive Plan (‘GSTIP’) a To drive behaviour and communicate the key priorities for the year. a To motivate employees and incentivise delivery of performance over the one year operating cycle. a The financial metrics are designed to both drive our growth strategies whilst also focusing on improving operating efficiencies. Measuring competitive performance with its heavy reliance on net promoter score (‘NPS’) means providing a great customer experience remains at the heart of what we do. a Bonus levels and the appropriateness of measures and weightings are reviewed annually to ensure they continue to support our strategy. stretching financial and non-financial performance targets a The annual bonus is usually paid in cash in June each year for performance over the previous year. Long-Term Incentive – Global Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘GLTI’) base awards and co-investment awards (further details can be found in the notes that follow this table) a To motivate and incentivise delivery of sustained performance over the long term. a To support and encourage greater shareholder alignment through a high level of personal financial commitment. a The use of free cash flow as the principal performance measure ensures we apply prudent cash management and rigorous capital discipline to our investment decisions, whilst the use of TSR along with a performance period of not less than three years means that we are focused on the long-term interests of our shareholders. a Award levels and the framework for determining vesting are reviewed annually to ensure they continue to support our strategy. shares which are granted each year. a Individuals must co-invest in Vodafone shares and hold them in trust for at least three years in order to receive the full target award. a All awards vest not less than three years after the award a Dividend equivalents are paid in cash after the vesting date.

 


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Opportunity Performance metrics performance measure. 79 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information a Average salary increases for existing Executive Committee members (including Executive Directors) will not normally exceed average increases for employees in other appropriate parts of the Group. Increases above this level may be made in specific situations. These situations could include (but are not limited to) internal promotions, changes to role, material changes to the business and exceptional company performance. None. a The pension contribution or cash payment is equal to 30% of annual gross salary. In light of pension levels elsewhere in the Group we have decided to reduce the pension benefits level from 30% to no more than 24% from November 2015. None. a Benefits will be provided in line with appropriate levels indicated by local market practice in the country of employment. a We expect to maintain benefits at the current level but the value of benefit may fluctuate depending on, amongst other things, personal situation, insurance premiums and other external factors. None. a Bonuses can range from 0–200% of base salary, with 100% paid for on-target performance. Maximum is only paid out for exceptional performance. a Performance over each financial year is measured against stretching targets set at the beginning of the year. a The performance measures normally comprise of a mix of financial and strategic measures. Financial measures may include (but are not limited to) profit, revenue and cash flow with a weighting of no less than 50%. Strategic measures may include (but are not limited to) competitive performance metrics such as net promoter score and market share. a The basic target award level is 137.5% of base salary for the Chief Executive (110% for other Executive Directors). a The target award level may increase up to 237.5% of base salary for the Chief Executive (or 210% for others) if the individual commits to a co-investment in shares equal in value to their base salary. a Minimum vesting is 0% of target award level, threshold vesting is 50% and maximum vesting is 250% of the target award level. a Maximum long-term incentive face value at award of 594% of base salary for the Chief Executive (237.5% x 250%) and 525% for others. a The awards that vest accrue cash dividend equivalents over the three year vesting period. a Awards vest to the extent performance conditions are satisfied. There is a mandatory holding period where 50% of the post-tax shares are released after vesting, a further 25% after the first anniversary of vesting, and the remaining 25% will be released after the second anniversary. a Performance is measured against stretching targets set at the beginning of the performance period. a Vesting is determined based on a matrix of two measures: a adjusted free cash flow as our operational performance measure; and a relative TSR against a peer group of companies as our external

 


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Directors’ remuneration (continued) Remuneration policy (continued) Notes to the remuneration policy table Existing arrangements We will honour existing awards to Executive Directors, and incentives, benefits and contractual arrangements made to individuals prior to their promotion to the Board. This will last until the existing incentives vest (or lapse) or the benefits or contractual arrangements no longer apply. Long-Term Incentive (‘GLTI’) When referring to our long-term incentive awards we use the financial year end in which the award was made. For example, the ‘2013 award’ was made in the financial year ending 31 March 2013. The awards are usually made in the first half of the financial year (the 2013 award was made in July 2012). The extent to which awards vest depends on two performance conditions: a underlying operational performance as measured by adjusted free cash flow; and a relative Total Shareholder Return (‘TSR’) against a peer group median. Adjusted free cash flow The free cash flow performance is based on the cumulative adjusted free cash flow figure over the performance period. The detailed targets and the definition of adjusted free cash flow are determined each year as appropriate. The target adjusted free cash flow level is set by reference to our long-range plan and market expectations. We consider the targets to be critical to the Company’s long-term success and its ability to maximise shareholder value, and to be in line with the strategic goals of the Company. The Remuneration Committee sets these targets to be sufficiently demanding with significant stretch where only outstanding performance will be rewarded with a maximum payout. The cumulative adjusted free cash flow vesting levels as a percentage of target are shown in the table below (with linear interpolation between points): Performance Vesting percentage Below threshold Threshold Target Maximum 0% 50% 100% 125% TSR outperformance of a peer group median We have a limited number of appropriate peers and this makes the measurement of a relative ranking system volatile. As such, the outperformance of the median of a peer group is felt to be the most appropriate TSR measure. The peer group for the performance condition is reviewed each year and amended as appropriate. The relative TSR position determines the performance multiplier. This will be applied to the adjusted free cash flow vesting percentage. There will be no multiplier until TSR performance exceeds median. Above median, the following table will apply (with linear interpolation between points): Multiplier Median Percentage outperformance of the peer group median equivalent to 65th percentile Percentage outperformance of the peer group median equivalent to 80th percentile No increase 1.5 times 2.0 times In order to determine the percentages for the equivalent outperformance levels above median, the Remuneration Committee seeks independent external advice. Combined vesting matrix The combination of the two performance measures gives a combined vesting matrix as follows (with linear interpolation between points): TSR outperformance Up to Median 65th percentile equivalent 80th percentile equivalent Adjusted free cash flow measure Below threshold Threshold Target Maximum 0% 50% 100% 125% 0% 75% 150% 187.5% 0% 100% 200% 250% The combined vesting percentages are applied to the target number of shares granted. Outstanding awards For the awards made in the 2013 and 2014 financial years (vesting in July 2015 and June 2016 respectively) the award structure is as set out above, except that the maximum vesting percentage for cumulative adjusted free cash flow was 150% leading to an overall maximum of 300% of target award. Remuneration policy for other employees While our remuneration policy follows the same fundamental principles across the Group, packages offered to employees reflect differences in market practice in the different countries, role and seniority. For example, the remuneration package elements for our Executive Directors are essentially the same as for the other Executive Committee members, with some small differences, for example higher levels of share awards. The remuneration for the next level of management, our senior leadership team, again follows the same principles but with differences such as local and individual performance aspects in the annual bonus targets and performance share awards. They also receive lower levels of share awards which are partly delivered in restricted shares. 80 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Estimates of total future potential remuneration from 2015 pay packages The tables below provide estimates of the potential future remuneration for each of the Executive Directors based on the remuneration opportunity granted in the 2015 financial year and therefore do not reflect the latest remuneration information. Potential outcomes based on different performance scenarios are provided for each Executive Director. The assumptions underlying each scenario are described below. Fixed Consists of base salary, benefits and pension. Base salary is at 1 July 2014. Benefits are valued using the figures in the total remuneration for the 2014 financial year table on page 78 (of the 2014 report) and on a similar basis for Nick Read (promoted to the Board on 1 April 2014). Pensions are valued by applying cash allowance rate of 30% of base salary at 1 July 2014. Base (£’000) Benefits (£’000) Pension (£’000) Total fixed (£’000) Chief Executive 1,150 38 345 1,533 Chief Financial Officer 675 23 203 901 Chief Technology Officer 600 21 180 801 On target Based on what a Director would receive if performance was in line with plan. The target award opportunity for the annual bonus (‘GSTIP’) is 100% of base salary. The target award opportunity for the long-term incentive (‘GLTI’) is 237.5% of base salary for the Chief Executive and 210% for others. We assumed that TSR performance was at median. Maximum Two times the target award opportunity is payable under the annual bonus (‘GSTIP’). The maximum levels of performance for the long-term incentive (‘GLTI’) are 250% of target award opportunity. We assumed that TSR performance was at or above the 80th percentile equivalent. All scenarios Each executive is assumed to co-invest the maximum allowed under the long-term incentive (‘GLTI’), 100% of salary, and the long-term incentive (‘GLTI’) award reflects this. Long-term incentives consist of share awards only which are measured at face value i.e. no assumption for increase in share price or cash dividend equivalents payable. 23% Recruitment remuneration Our approach to recruitment remuneration is to pay no more than is necessary and appropriate to attract the right talent to the role. The remuneration policy table (pages 78 and 79) sets out the various components which would be considered for inclusion in the remuneration package for the appointment of an Executive Director. Any new Director’s remuneration package would include the same elements, and be subject to the same constraints, as those of the existing Directors performing similar roles. This means a potential maximum bonus opportunity of 200% of base salary and long-term incentive maximum face value of opportunity at award of 594% of base salary. When considering the remuneration arrangements of individuals recruited from external roles to the Board, we will take into account the remuneration package of that individual in their prior role. We only provide additional compensation to individuals for awards foregone. If necessary we will seek to replicate, as far as practicable, the level and timing of such remuneration, taking into account also any remaining performance requirements applying to it. This will be achieved by granting awards of cash or shares that vest over a timeframe similar to those forfeited and if appropriate based on performance conditions. A commensurate reduction in quantum will be applied where it is determined that the new awards are either not subject to performance conditions or subject to performance conditions that are not as stretching as those of the awards forfeited. 81 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Stephen Pusey, Chief Technology Officer £’000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 61% £5,151 4,000 47% £2,661 2,000 £801 23% 30% 16% 0Fixed On target Maximum ¢ Salary and benefits ¢ Annual bonus ¢ Long-term incentive Nick Read, Chief Financial Officer (appointed 1 April 2014) £’000 12,000 10,000 8,000 £5,795 6,000 61% 4,000 47% £2,994 23% 2,000 £901 23% 30% 16% 0Fixed On target Maximum ¢ Salary and benefits ¢ Annual bonus ¢ Long-term incentive Vittorio Colao, Chief Executive £’000 12,000 64% £10,661 10,000 8,000 £5,414 6,000 51% 4,000 £1,533 21% 22% 2,000 28% 14% 0Fixed On target Maximum ¢ Salary and benefits ¢ Annual bonus ¢ Long-term incentive

 


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Directors’ remuneration (continued) Remuneration policy (continued) Service contracts of Executive Directors After an initial term of up to two years Executive Directors’ contracts have rolling terms and are terminable on no more than 12 months’ notice. The key elements of the service contract for executives relate to remuneration, payments on loss of office (see below), and restrictions during active employment (and for 12 months thereafter). These restrictions include non-competition, non-solicitation of customers and employees etc. Additionally, all of the Company’s share plans contain provisions relating to a change of control. Outstanding awards and options would normally vest and become exercisable on a change of control to the extent that any performance condition has been satisfied and pro-rated to reflect the acceleration of vesting. Payments for departing executives In the table below we summarise the key elements of our policy on payment for loss of office. We will of course, always comply both with the relevant plan rules and local employment legislation. Provision Policy Notice period and compensation for loss of office in service contracts a 12 months’ notice from the Company to the Executive Director. a Up to 12 months’ base salary (in line with the notice period). Notice period payments will either be made as normal (if the executive continues to work during the notice period or is on gardening leave) or they will be made as monthly payments in lieu of notice (subject to mitigation if alternative employment is obtained). a The annual bonus will be pro-rated for the period of service during the financial year and will reflect the extent to which Company performance has been achieved. Treatment of annual bonus (‘GSTIP’) on termination under plan rules a The Remuneration Committee has discretion to reduce the entitlement to an annual bonus to reflect the individual’s performance and the circumstances of the termination. a An Executive Director’s award will vest in accordance with the terms of the plan and satisfaction of performance conditions measured at the normal completion of the performance period, with the award pro-rated for the proportion of the vesting period that had elapsed at the date of cessation of employment. Treatment of unvested long-term incentive awards (‘GLTI’) and co-investment awards on termination under plan rules a The Remuneration Committee has discretion to vary the level of vesting as deemed appropriate, and in particular to determine that awards should not vest in the case of a ‘bad leaver’ which may include, at their absolute discretion, departure in case of poor performance, departure without the agreement of the Board, or detrimental competitive activity. a Generally pension and benefit provisions will continue to apply until the termination date. Pension and benefits a Where appropriate other benefits may be receivable, such as (but not limited to) payments in lieu of accrued holiday and legal fees or tax advice costs in relation to the termination. a Benefits of relative small value may continue after termination where appropriate, such as (but not limited to) mobile phone provision. In exceptional circumstances, an arrangement may be established specifically to facilitate the exit of a particular individual albeit that any such arrangement would be made within the context of minimising the cost to the Group. We will only take such a course of action in exceptional circumstances and where it is considered to be in the best interests of shareholders. Chairman and Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration Our policy is for the Chairman to review the remuneration of Non-Executive Directors annually following consultation with the Remuneration Committee Chairman. Fees for the Chairman are set by the Remuneration Committee. Element Policy Fees a We aim to pay competitively for the role including consideration of the time commitment required. We benchmark the fees against an appropriate external comparator group. We pay fees to our Chairman and Senior Independent Director that include fees for chairmanship of any committees. We pay a fee to each of our other Non-Executive Directors and they receive an additional fee if they chair a committee. Non-executive fee levels are set within the maximum level as approved by shareholders as part of our articles of association. Allowances a An allowance is payable each time a non-Europe-based Non-Executive Director is required to travel to attend Board and committee meetings to reflect the additional time commitment involved. a Non-Executive Directors do not participate in any incentive plans. Incentives a Non-Executive Directors do not participate in any benefit plans. The Company does not provide any contribution to their pension arrangements. The Chairman is entitled to the use of a car and a driver whenever and wherever he is providing his services to or representing the Company. We have been advised that for Non-Executive Directors, certain travel and accommodation expenses in relation to attending Board meetings should be treated as a taxable benefit therefore we also cover the tax liability for these expenses. Benefits Non-Executive Director service contracts Non-Executive Directors are engaged on letters of appointment that set out their duties and responsibilities. The appointment of Non-Executive Directors may be terminated without compensation. Non-Executive Directors are generally not expected to serve for a period exceeding nine years. For further information refer to the “Nomination and Governance Committee” section of the Annual Report (pages 69 to 70). 82 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015


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Annual Report on remuneration Remuneration Committee In this section we give details of the composition of the Remuneration Committee and activities undertaken over the 2015 financial year. The Committee is comprised to exercise independent judgement and consists only of the following independent Non-Executive Directors: Chairman: Luc Vandevelde Committee members: Valerie Gooding (from 29 July 2014); Renee James; Samuel Jonah; Philip Yea (until 29 July 2014) The Committee regularly consults with Vittorio Colao, the Chief Executive, and Ronald Schellekens, the Group HR Director, on various matters relating to the appropriateness of awards for Executive Directors and senior executives, though they are not present when their own compensation is discussed. In addition, Adrian Jackson, the Group Reward and Policy Director, provides a perspective on information provided to the Committee, and requests information and analysis from external advisors as required. Rosemary Martin, the Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, advises the Committee on corporate governance guidelines and acts as secretary to the Committee. External advisors The Remuneration Committee seeks and considers advice from independent remuneration advisors where appropriate. The appointed advisors, Towers Watson, were selected through a thorough process led by the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and were appointed by the Committee in 2007. The Chairman of the Remuneration Committee has direct access to the advisors as and when required, and the Committee determines the protocols by which the advisors interact with management in support of the Committee. The advice and recommendations of the external advisors are used as a guide, but do not serve as a substitute for thorough consideration of the issues by each Committee member. Advisors attend Committee meetings occasionally, as and when required by the Committee. Towers Watson are a member of the Remuneration Consultants’ Group and, as such, voluntarily operates under the Remuneration Consultants’ Group Code of Conduct in relation to executive remuneration consulting in the UK. This is based upon principles of transparency, integrity, objectivity, competence, due care and confidentiality by executive remuneration consultants. Towers Watson has confirmed that they adhered to that Code of Conduct throughout the year for all remuneration services provided to Vodafone and therefore the Committee are satisfied that they are independent and objective. The Remuneration Consultants’ Group Code of Conduct is available at remunerationconsultantsgroup.com. Fees for services provided to the Committee £’0001 Advisor Appointed by Services provided to the Committee Other services provided to the Company Towers Watson Remuneration Advice on market practice; Governance; Provide 56 Reward and benefits consultancy, provision of benchmark data and pension administration Committee in 2007 market data on executive and non-executive reward; Reward consultancy; Performance analysis Note: 1 Fees are determined on a time spent basis. 2014 annual general meeting At the 2014 annual general meeting there was a binding vote on our Remuneration Policy and an advisory vote on our Remuneration Report. Details of the voting outcomes are provided in the table below. Votes for % Votes against % Total votes Withheld Remuneration Policy 16,620,036,145 95.97% 698,459,069 4.03% 17,318,495,214 227,447,313 Remuneration Report 16,547,116,308 97.29% 461,161,775 2.71% 17,008,278,083 537,651,184 Meetings The Remuneration Committee had six formal meetings during the year. Outside these meetings there are frequent discussions usually by conference call. The principal agenda items at the formal meetings were as follows: Meeting Agenda items May 2014 a 2014 annual bonus achievement and 2015 targets and ranges a 2012 long-term incentive award vesting and 2015 targets and ranges a 2014 Directors’ remuneration report July 2014 a 2015 long-term incentive awards a Large local market CEO remuneration a 2016 reward strategy a Executive Committee remuneration a Corporate governance matters November 2014 a Succession planning for Stephen Pusey December 2014 a 2016 annual bonus framework February 2015 a 2015 reward packages for the Executive Committee a Non-Executive Director fee levels a Chairman’s fees a 2015 Directors’ remuneration report a Committee’s effectiveness and terms of reference a Risk assessment March 2015 83 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information

 


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Directors’ remuneration (continued) Annual Report on remuneration (continued) 2015 remuneration In this section we summarise the pay packages awarded to our Executive Directors for performance in the 2015 financial year versus 2014. Specifically we have provided a table that shows all remuneration that was earned by each individual during the year and computed a single total remuneration figure for the year. The value of the annual bonus (‘GSTIP’) was earned during the year but will be paid out in cash in the following year and the value of the long-term incentive (‘GLTI’) shows the share awards which will vest in July 2015 as a result of the performance through the three year period ended at the completion of our financial year on 31 March 2015. The Remuneration Committee reviews all incentive awards prior to payment and uses judgement to ensure that the final assessments of performance are fair and appropriate. If circumstances warrant it, the Committee may adjust the final payment or vesting downwards. On this occasion, the Committee did not exercise its judgement considering the annual bonus (‘GSTIP’) payout and the final vesting level of the long-term incentives awards (‘GLTI’) reflected performance and were considered fair and appropriate. 2015 annual bonus (‘GSTIP’) payout (audited) In the table below we disclose our achievement against each of the performance measures and targets in our annual bonus (‘GSTIP’) and the resulting total annual bonus payout level for the year ended 31 March 2015 of 111.9%. This is applied to the target bonus level of 100% of base salary for each executive. Payout at target performance 100% Payout at maximum performance 200% Target performance level £bn Actual performance level1 £bn Actual payout % Performance measure Commentary Service revenue Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted free cash flow Competitive performance assessment, driven particularly by Net Promoter Score and relative market share 25% 25% 25% 25% 50% 50% 50% 50% 23.5% 29.7% 38.5% 20.2% 39.0 11.8 0.9 38.9 12.0 1.3 Actual performance slightly below budget Above budgeted performance in Europe Strong performance in both regions Net Promoter Score now ranks first in 11 markets, however there remains scope for improvement in Europe Compilation of market-by-market assessment Total annual bonus payout level 100% 200% 111.9% Note: 1 These figures are adjusted to include the removal of the impact of M&A, foreign exchange movements and any changes in accounting treatment. Base salary £’000 Target bonus % of base salary 2015 payout % of target Actual payment £’000 2015 annual bonus (‘GSTIP’) amounts Vittorio Colao Stephen Pusey Nick Read 1,150 600 675 100% 100% 100% 111.9% 111.9% 111.9% 1,287 671 755 84 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Total remuneration for the 2015 financial year (audited) Vittorio Colao Stephen Pusey Nick Read1 2015 £’000 2014 £’000 2015 £’000 2014 £’000 2015 £’000 2014 £’000 Salary/fees 1,140 1,110 594575 675– Taxable benefits2 40 38 2121 28– Annual bonus: GSTIP (see below for further detail) 1,287 982 671509 755– Total long-term incentive: – 5,550 –1,858 –– GLTI vesting during the year3 – 4,716 –1,579 –– Cash in lieu of GLTI dividends4 – 834 –279 –– Cash in lieu of pension 342 333 178173 203– Other5 1 1 –– 1– Total 2,810 8,014 1,4643,136 1,662– Notes: 1 Nick Read was appointed to the Board on 1 April 2014. 2 Taxable benefits include amounts in respect of: – Private healthcare (2015: £1,854; 2014 £1,734); – Cash car allowance £19,200 p.a.; and – Travel (2015: Vittorio Colao £18,022; Nick Read £7,164; 2014: Vittorio Colao £17,155). 3 The value shown in the 2014 column is the award which vested on 28 June 2014 and is valued using the execution share price on 30 June 2014 of 196.19 pence. Please note that the values disclosed in this table in 2014 are slightly different as the value was based on an average of the closing share price over the last quarter of the 2014 financial year of 234.23 pence. 4 Participants also receive a cash award, equivalent in value to the dividends that would have been paid during the vesting period on any shares that vest. The cash in lieu of dividend value shown in 2014 relates to the award which vested on 28 June 2014. 5 Reflects the value of the SAYE benefit which is calculated as £250 x 12 months x 20% to reflect the discount applied based on savings made during the year.

 


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Long-term incentive (‘GLTI’) award vesting in July 2015 (audited) The 2013 long-term incentive (‘GLTI’) awards which were made in July 2012 will lapse in full in July 2015. The performance conditions for the three year period ending in the 2015 financial year are as follows: TSR outperformance TSR peer group BT Group Deutsche Telekom Orange Telecom Italia Telefónica 0% (Up to median) 4.5% (65th percentile equivalent) 9% (80th percentile equivalent) Adjusted free cash flow measure £bn Below threshold Threshold Target Maximum <15.4 15.4 17.9 20.4 0% 50% 100% 150% 0% 75% 150% 225% 0% 100% 200% 300% Emerging market composite (consists of the average TSR performance of Bharti, MTN and Turkcell) Adjusted free cash flow for the three year period ended on 31 March 2015 was £14.8 billion which compares with a threshold of £15.4 billion and a target of £17.9 billion. The chart to the right shows that our TSR performance against our peer group for the same period resulted in an outperformance of the median by 6.5% a year. Using the combined payout matrix above, this performance resulted in a payout of 0.0% of target. The combined vesting percentages are applied to the target number of shares granted as shown below. 146 140 106 104 110 107 97 103 102 93 100 100 Adjusted free cash flow performance payout % of target Maximum number of shares Target number of shares Value of shares vesting (‘000) Overall vesting % of target Number of shares vesting 2013 GLTI performance share awards vesting in July 2015 TSR multiplier Vittorio Colao Stephen Pusey Nick Read1 4,511,080 2,072,397 1,880,086 1,503,693 690,799 626,695 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 1.7 times 1.7 times 1.7 times 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0 0 0 £0 £0 £0 Notes: 1 Nick Read was appointed to the Board on 1 April 2014. His award in the table above reflects a grant made prior to his appointment to the main Board. These share awards will lapse on 3 July 2015. Specified procedures are performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP over the adjusted free cash flow to assist with the Committee’s assessment of performance. The performance assessment in respect of the TSR outperformance of the peer group median is undertaken by Towers Watson. Details of how the plan works can be found on pages 78 to 80. Long-term incentive (‘GLTI’) awarded during the year (audited) The 2015 long-term incentive awards made in June 2014 under the Global Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘GLTI’). The performance conditions are a combination of adjusted free cash flow and TSR performance as follows: TSR outperformance TSR peer group Bharti BT Group Deutsche Telekom MTN Orange Telecom Italia Telefónica 0% (Up to median) 5% (65th percentile equivalent) 10% (80th percentile equivalent) Adjusted free cash flow measure £bn Below threshold Threshold Target Maximum <3.4 3.4 5.1 6.8 0% 50% 100% 125% 0% 75% 150% 187.5% 0% 100% 200% 250% The combined vesting percentages are applied to the target number of shares granted. The adjusted free cash flow figures shown above are considerably lower than prior years as they include the impact of Project Spring. When considered on a like-for-like basis with previous years (i.e. excluding the impact of Project Spring) the adjusted cash flow target is £12.3 billion. In order to participate fully in this award, executives had to co-invest personal shares worth 100% of salary. The resulting awards to Executive Directors were as follows: Number of shares awarded Face value of shares awarded1 Proportion of maximum award vesting at minimum performance Target vesting level (40% of max) Maximum vesting level Target vesting level Maximum vesting level Performance period end 2015 GLTI performance share awards made in June 2014 Vittorio Colao Stephen Pusey Nick Read 1,340,004 333,245 717,067 3,350,011 833,113 1,792,668 £2,543,328 £632,449 £1,360,993 £6,358,321 £1,581,248 £3,402,484 1/5th 1/5th 1/5th 31 Mar 2017 31 Mar 2017 31 Mar 2017 Note: 1 Face value calculated based on the share prices at the date of grant of 189.8 pence. Dividend equivalents on the shares that vest are paid in cash after the vesting date. 85 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information 2013 GLTI award: TSR performance (growth in the value of a hypothetical US$100 holding over the performance period, six month averaging) 160154154 150145 142 130121 120121119121 9294 9003/1209/1203/1309/1303/1409/1403/15 Vodafone Group Median of peer group Outperformance of median of 9% p.a.

 


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Directors’ remuneration (continued) Annual Report on remuneration (continued) All-employee share plans The Executive Directors are also eligible to participate in the UK all-employee plans. Summary of plans Share save The Vodafone Group 2008 Share save Plan is an HM Revenue & Customs (‘HMRC’) approved scheme open to all staff permanently employed by a Vodafone Company in the UK as of the eligibility date. Options under the plan are granted at up to a 20% discount to market value. Executive Directors’ participation is included in the option table on page 87. Share Incentive Plan The Vodafone Share Incentive Plan (‘SIP’) is an HMRC approved plan open to all staff permanently employed by a Vodafone Company in the UK. Participants may contribute up to a maximum of £125 per month (or 5% of salary if less) which the trustee of the plan uses to buy shares on their behalf. An equivalent number of shares are purchased with contributions from the employing company. UK-based Executive Directors are eligible to participate. Pensions (audited) Vittorio Colao, Stephen Pusey and Nick Read received a cash allowance of 30% of base salary in lieu of pension contributions during the 2015 financial year. No Executive Directors accrued benefits under any defined contribution pension plans during the year or have participated in a defined benefits scheme while an Executive Director. The Executive Directors are provided benefits in the event of death in service. They also have an entitlement under a long-term disability plan from which two-thirds of base salary, up to a maximum benefit determined by the insurer, would be provided until normal retirement date (aged 60). In respect of the Executive Committee, the Group has made aggregate contributions of £43,000 (2014: £53,000) into defined contribution pension schemes. Alignment to shareholder interests (audited) All of our Executive Directors have shareholdings in excess of their goals. Current levels of ownership by the Executive Directors, and the date by which the goal should be or should have been achieved, are shown below. The values are calculated using an average share price over the six months to 31 March 2015 of 220.53 pence. Value of shareholding (£m) Goal as a % of salary Current % of salary held % of goal achieved Number of shares Date for goal to be achieved At 31 March 2014 Vittorio Colao Stephen Pusey Nick Read 400% 300% 300% 2,040% 581% 575% 510% 194% 192% 10,639,281 1,579,543 1,760,485 £23.5 £3.5 £3.9 July 2012 June 2014 April 2019 Collectively the Executive Committee including the Executive Directors own more than 23 million Vodafone shares, with a value of over £50.8 million. None of the Executive Committee members’ shareholdings amounts to more than 1% of the issued shares in that class of share, excluding treasury shares. Directors’ interests in the shares of the Company (audited) A summary of interests in shares and scheme interests of the Directors who served during the year is given below. More details of the performance shares and options follows. Share plans Share options Unvested GLTI Shares Unvested GLTR Shares SAYE (unvested without performance conditions) GIP (vested) (with performance conditions) (without performance conditions) Total number of interests in shares At 31 March 2015 Executive Directors Vittorio Colao Stephen Pusey Nick Read 22,695,349 6,389,899 8,501,845 12,046,461 4,810,356 5,386,146 – – 159,544 9,607 – 10,389 – – 1,185,281 Total 37,587,093 22,242,963 159,544 19,996 1,185,281 The total number of interests in shares includes interests of connected persons, unvested share awards and share options. The unvested GLTR shares attributed to Nick Read reflect an award made prior to his appointment to the Board. The award was made in June 2013 and, subject to Nick Read’s continued employment, will vest in June 2015. 86 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Total number of interests in shares At 31 March 2015 Non-Executive Directors Sir Crispin Davis (appointed 28 July 2014) Dame Clara Furse (appointed 1 September 2014) Valerie Gooding Renee James Alan Jebson (position at retirement on 31 July 2014) Samuel Jonah Gerard Kleisterlee Omid Kordestani (position at retirement on 31 December 2014) Nick Land Anne Lauvergeon (position at retirement on 31 July 2014) Luc Vandevelde Anthony Watson (position at retirement on 31 July 2014) Philip Yea – – 4,038 27,272 44,912 30,190 107,078 10,000 42,090 17,151 73,608 62,727 33,408 At 19 May 2015 and during the period from 1 April 2015 to 19 May 2015, no Director had any interest in the shares of any subsidiary company. Other than those individuals included in the table above who were Board members at 31 March 2015, members of the Group’s Executive Committee at 31 March 2015 had an aggregate beneficial interest in 9,087,835 ordinary shares of the Company. At 19 May 2015 the Directors had an aggregate beneficial interest in 14,431,783 ordinary shares of the Company and the Executive Committee members had an aggregate beneficial interest in 9,088,483 ordinary shares of the Company, which includes awards made under the Vodafone Share Incentive Plan after 31 March 2015. None of the Directors or the Executive Committee members had an individual beneficial interest amounting to greater than 1% of the Company’s ordinary shares. During the period from 1 April 2015 to 19 May 2015, the Directors’ total number of interests in shares did not change. Performance shares The maximum number of outstanding shares that have been awarded to Directors under the long-term incentive (‘GLTI’) plan are currently as follows: 2013 award Awarded: July 2012 Performance period ending: March 2015 Vesting date: July 2015 Share price at grant: 179.4 pence 2014 award Awarded: June 2013 and September 20131 Performance period ending: March 2016 Vesting date: June 2016 Share price at grant: 180.2 pence and 202.5 pence 2015 award Awarded: June 2014 Performance period ending: March 2017 Vesting date: June 2017 Share price at grant: 189.9 pence GLTI performance share awards Vittorio Colao Stephen Pusey Nick Read 4,511,080 2,072,397 1,880,086 4,185,370 1,904,846 1,713,392 3,350,011 833,113 1,792,668 Note: 1 Due to a close period, Executive Directors were not able to make co-investment commitments at the time of the main award in June 2013 and therefore part of the award was made in September 2013. For details of the performance conditions please see page 80. Share options The following information summarises the Executive Directors’ options under the Vodafone Group 2008 Share save Plan (‘SAYE’) and the Vodafone Group Incentive Plan (‘GIP’). HMRC approved awards may be made under both of the schemes mentioned. No other Directors have options under any schemes. Options under the Vodafone Group 2008 Share save Plan were granted at a discount of 20% to the market value of the shares at the time of the grant. No other options may be granted at a discount. Options granted during the 2015 financial year Options exercised during the 2015 financial year Options lapsed during the 2015 financial year At 1 April 2014 or date of appointment Options held at 31 March 2015 Market price on exercise Option price Date from which exercisable Number of shares Number of shares Number of shares Number of shares Number of shares Gain on exercise Pence1 Grant date Expiry date Pence Note: 1 The closing trade share price on 31 March 2015 was 220.45 pence. The highest trade share price during the year was 239.90 pence and the lowest price was 184.50 pence. 2 The options granted in July 2005 were subject to a three year cumulative growth in adjusted earnings per share performance condition. The options vested 100% in July 2008. 3 The options granted in July 2007 were subject to a three year cumulative growth in adjusted earnings per share performance condition. The options vested 100% in July 2010. 87 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Vittorio Colao SAYE Jul 200916,568–(16,568)– SAYE Jul 2014–9,607–– 93.85 Sep 2014 Feb 2015 204.65£18,357 156.13 Sep 2019 Feb 2020–– – 9,607 Total 16,568 9,607 Nick Read GIP2 Jul 2005 257,838 – – – GIP3 Jul 2007 927,443 – – – SAYE Jul 2012 10,389 – – – 136.00 Jul 2008 Jul 2015–– 167.80 Jul 2010 Jul 2017–– 144.37 Sep 2017 Feb 2018–– 257,838 927,443 10,389 Total 1,195,670 1,195,670

 


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Directors’ remuneration (continued) Annual Report on remuneration (continued) At 19 May 2015 there had been no change to the Directors’ interests in share options from 31 March 2015. Other than those individuals included in the table above, at 19 May 2015 members of the Group’s Executive Committee held options for 24,378 ordinary shares at prices ranging from 144.37 pence to 156.13 pence per ordinary share, with a weighted average exercise price of 150.12 pence per ordinary share exercisable at dates ranging from 1 September 2015 to 1 September 2019. Paolo Bertoluzzo, Warren Finegold, Philipp Humm and Serpil Timuray held no options at 19 May 2015. Loss of office payments (audited) Andy Halford retired on 31 March 2014 having worked 6 months of his 12 month notice period. As disclosed in last year’s Annual Report on remuneration, Andy was entitled to receive payments in lieu of notice each month for the remainder of his notice period – the total of which would not exceed £350,000 (six months’ salary), subject to mitigation if Andy was to start a new executive role at another organisation. During the year Andy commenced employment Standard Chartered plc, with his payment for lieu in notice ceasing with effect from 16 June 2014. In total, Andy received payments in lieu of notice of £145,833. In line with treatment detailed in last year’s report, Andy’s 2013 and 2014 GLTI awards lapsed following the commencement of employment with his new employer. Andy’s 2012 GLTI award, which was disclosed under his 2014 single figure in last year’s report, vested on 28 June 2014. As previously disclosed, Andy is in receipt of no further benefits aside from the provision of a SIM card for his personal use at the Company’s expense until 31 March 2017. Payments to past Directors (audited) Other than mentioned above no payments were made, or benefits given, to past Directors with value of greater than our de minimis threshold (£5,000 p.a.) during the 2015 financial year. Fees retained for external non-executive directorships Executive Directors may hold positions in other companies as non-executive directors and retain the fees. None of the Executive Directors held a non-executive directorship during the 2015 financial year. Assessing pay and performance In the table below we summarise the Chief Executive’s single figure remuneration over the past six years, as well as how our variable pay plans have paid out in relation to the maximum opportunity. This can be compared with the historic TSR performance over the same period. The chart below shows the performance of the Company relative to the STOXX Europe 600 Index over a six year period. The STOXX Europe 600 Index was selected as this is a broad-based index that includes many of our closest competitors. It should be noted that the payout from the long-term incentive plan is based on the TSR performance shown in the chart on page 85 and not this chart. 322 193 Financial year remuneration for Chief Executive (Vittorio Colao) 20101 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Single figure of total remuneration £’000 Annual variable element (actual award versus maximum opportunity) Long-term incentive (vesting versus maximum opportunity) 3,350 64% 25% 7,022 62% 31% 15,767 47% 100% 11,099 33% 57% 8,014 44% 37% 2,810 56% 0% Note: 1 The single figure reflects share awards which were granted in 2006 and 2007, prior to his appointment to Chief Executive in 2008. Change in the Chief Executive’s remuneration In the table below we show the percentage change in the Chief Executive’s remuneration (salary, taxable benefits and annual bonus payment) between the 2014 and 2015 financial years compared to the average for other Vodafone Group employees who are measured on comparable business objectives and who have been employed in the UK since 2014 (per capita). Vodafone has employees based all around the world and some of these individuals work in countries with very high inflation therefore a comparison to Vodafone’s UK-based Group employees is more appropriate than to all employees. Percentage change from 2014 to 2015 Other Vodafone Group employees employed in the UK Item Chief Executive: Vittorio Colao Base salary Taxable benefits Annual bonus 2.7% 5.3% 31.1% 2.8% 0.5% 30.0% 88 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Six year historical TSR performance (growth in the value of a hypothetical €100 holding over six years) 325 267 275279 215 225190227 17 0 175155168167 125100137 7503/0903/1003/1103/1203/1303/1403/15 Vodafone Group STOXX Europe 600 Index

 


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Relative spend on pay The chart below shows both the dividends distributed in the year and the total cost of remuneration in the Group. For more details on dividends and expenditure on remuneration for all employees, please see pages 129 and 157 respectively. 2015 remuneration for the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors (audited) Salary/fees Benefits1 Total 2015 £’000 2014 £’000 2015 £’000 2014 £’000 2015 £’000 2014 £’000 Notes: 1 We have been advised that for Non-Executive Directors, certain travel and accommodation expenses in relation to attending Board meetings should be treated as a taxable benefit. The table above includes these travel expenses and the corresponding tax contribution. 2 Salary/fees include an additional allowance of £6,000 per meeting for Directors based outside of Europe. 89 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Chairman Gerard Kleisterlee 625600 6658 691 658 Senior Independent Director Luc Vandevelde 160160 611 166 171 Non-Executive Directors Sir Crispin Davis (appointed 28 July 2014) 78– 26– 104 – Dame Clara Furse (appointed 1 September 2014) 67– –– 67 – Valerie Gooding 11519 5– 120 19 Renee James2 145139 115 156 144 Samuel Jonah2 151151 59 156 160 Nick Land 140140 11 141 141 Philip Yea 115115 –– 115 115 Former Non-Executive Directors Alan Jebson2 (retired 31 July 2014) 56151 3240 88 191 Omid Kordestani2 (retired 31 December 2014) 116151 1433 130 184 Anne Lauvergeon (retired 31 July 2014) 38115 15 39 120 Anthony Watson (retired 31 July 2014) 38115 41 42 116 Total 1,8441,856 171163 2,015 2,019 Relative importance of spend on pay £m 50,000 40,566 40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 2,930 3,875 4,194 02014201520142015 Distributed by way of dividends Overall expenditure on remuneration for all employees

 


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Directors’ remuneration (continued) Annual Report on remuneration (continued) 2016 remuneration Details of how the remuneration policy will be implemented for the 2016 financial year are set out below. 2016 base salaries The Remuneration Committee considered business performance, salary increases for other UK employees and external market information and decided to increase the salary of the Chief Financial Officer by 3.7% (Nick Read). This constitutes Nick Read’s first increase since appointment to the role of designate-CFO in January 2014, and reflects how he is performing well in the role and has now completed a full year in the position. The salaries of the Chief Executive (Vittorio Colao) and Chief Technology Officer (Stephen Pusey) will remain unchanged. The average salary increase for Executive Committee members will be 1.7%; this compares to the salary increase budget in the UK of 2.0%. The annual salaries for 2016 (effective 1 July 2015) are as follows: a Chief Executive: Vittorio Colao £1,150,000; a Chief Financial Officer: Nick Read £700,000; and a Chief Technology Officer: Stephen Pusey £600,000. 2016 annual bonus (‘GSTIP’) In line with our strategic focus, customer appreciation KPIs will replace competitive performance assessment as the strategic measure for the 2016 GSTIP and, given the importance of this measure in the current phase of our strategy, will constitute 40% of the total bonus. The performance measures and weightings for 2016 are as follows: a Service revenue (20%); a Adjusted EBITDA (20%); a adjusted free cash flow (20%); and a customer appreciation KPIs (40%). This includes an assessment of net promoter score (‘NPS’) and brand consideration measures. In respect of the measures included under the customer appreciation KPIs, NPS is used as a measure of customer advocacy whilst brand consideration acts as a measure of the percentage of people who would consider using a certain brand as their telecoms provider. Both measures utilise data collected in our local markets which is validated for quality and consistency by independent third party agencies. The data is sourced from studies involving both our own customers and customers of our competitors for the NPS measure, and both Vodafone users and non-users for the brand consideration measure. In formulating a final assessment of performance under the customer appreciation KPIs, the Committee will also consider other relevant customer factors such as churn, customer growth and service levels. Annual bonus targets are commercially sensitive and therefore will be disclosed in the 2016 remuneration report following the completion of the financial year. Long-term incentive (‘GLTI’) awards for 2016 As described in our policy on pages 78 to 80 the performance conditions are a combination of adjusted free cash flow and TSR performance. The details for the 2016 award are provided in the table below (with linear interpolation between points). Following the annual review of the performance measure, the Committee decided that for the 2016 award the TSR outperformance range should revert back to 0% to 9%. This range was used in all years other than 2015, remains positioned at the upper end of market practice and is considered appropriately stretching against forecast performance. The Committee will keep the calibration of the range under review and continue to only make changes where there is sufficient evidence to suggest this is appropriate. TSR outperformance TSR peer group 0% (Up to median) 4.5% (65th percentile equivalent) 9% (80th percentile equivalent) Bharti BT Group Deutsche Telekom MTN Orange Telecom Italia Telefónica Adjusted free cash flow measure £ bn Below threshold Threshold Target Maximum <7.3 7.3 9.0 10.7 0% 50% 100% 125% 0% 75% 150% 187.5% 0% 100% 200% 250% The combined vesting percentages are applied to the target number of shares granted. Long-term incentive (‘GLTI’) awards vesting As discussed in detail in last year’s Annual Report, Project Spring involves significant organic investment over the next two years to enhance network and service leadership further. This investment will have a significant impact on adjusted Free Cash Flow (‘FCF’), which is the primary performance condition for the GLTI and we expect an initial drop in FCF that will then build again as the investment pays off over the longer term. The impact is predicted as follows: Financial year of award Performance period end Impact 2014 March 2016 Targets for the 2014 awards were set prior to the announcement of Project Spring therefore we will remove the impact on FCF when calculating the vesting results following the end of the performance period. The 2015 awards (and all future years) will have the full impact of Project Spring included in the targets and no further adjustments will be necessary. 2015 onwards March 2017 onwards 90 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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2016 remuneration for the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors For the 2016 review, the fees for our Chairman and non-executives have been benchmarked against a comparator group of the FTSE 30 companies (excluding Financial Services). Following the review there will be no increases to the fees of our Chairman or Non-Executive Directors. Position/role Fee payable £’000 From 1 April 2015 Chairman1 625 Senior Independent Director 135 Non-Executive Director 115 Additional fee for Chairmanship of Audit, Remuneration and Risk Committees 25 Note: 1 The Chairman’s fee also includes the fee for the Chairmanship of the Nominations and Governance Committee. For 2016, the allowance payable each time a non-Europe-based Non-Executive Director is required to travel to attend Board and Committee meetings to reflect the additional time commitment involved is £6,000. Further remuneration information Dilution All awards are made under plans that incorporate dilution limits as set out in the guidelines for share incentive schemes published by the Investment Association. The current estimated dilution from subsisting executive awards is approximately 3.0% of the Company’s share capital at 31 March 2015 (3.2% at 31 March 2014), whilst from all-employee share awards it is approximately 0.5% (0.6% at 31 March 2014). This gives a total dilution of 3.5% (3.8% at 31 March 2014). Service contracts The terms and conditions of appointment of our Directors are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office during normal business hours and at the annual general meeting (for 15 minutes prior to the meeting and during the meeting). The Executive Directors have notice periods in their service contracts of 12 months. The Non-Executive Directors’ letters of appointment do not contain provision for notice periods or for compensation if their appointments are terminated. This report on remuneration has been approved by the Board of Directors and signed on its behalf by: /s/ Luc Vandevelde Luc Vandevelde Chairman of the Remuneration Committee 19 May 2015 91

 


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D irectors’ report The Directors of the Company present their report together with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2015.This report has been prepared in accordance with requirements outlined within The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and forms part of the management report as required under Disclosure & Transparency Rule (‘DTR’) 4. Certain information that fulfils the requirements of the Directors’ report can be found elsewhere in this document and is referred to below. This information is incorporated into this Directors’ report by reference.Responsibility statement As required under the DTR a statement made by the Board regarding the preparation of the financial statements is set out on pages 94 and 95 which also provides details regarding the disclosure of information to the Company’s auditor and management’s report on internal control over financial information.Going concern The going concern statement required by the Listing Rules and the Code is set out in the “Directors’ statement of responsibility” on page 94.Corporate governance statement The information required by DTR 7.2.6R can be found in the “shareholder information” section on pages 186 to 193.Strategic Report The Strategic Report is set out on pages 1 to 48 and is incorporated into this Directors’ report by reference.Directors and their interests Directors of the Company who served during the financial year ended 31 March 2015 and up to the date of signing the financial statements are as follows: Gerard Kleisterlee, Vittorio Colao, Stephen Pusey, Nick Read, Sir Crispin Davis, Mathias Döpfner, Dame Clara Furse, Valerie Gooding, Renee James, Alan Jebson, Samuel Jonah, Omid Kordestani, Nick Land, Anne Lauvergeon, Luc Vandevelde, Anthony Watson and Philip Yea. Details of Directors’ interests in the Company’s ordinary shares, options held over ordinary shares, interests in share options and long-term incentive plans are set out on pages 84 to 90.Directors’ conflicts of interest Established within the Company is a procedure for managing and monitoring conflicts of interest for Directors. Full details of this procedure is set out on page 72. Directors’ indemnities In accordance with our articles of association and to the extent permitted by law, Directors are granted an indemnity from the Company in respect of liability incurred as a result of their office. In addition, we maintained a Directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy throughout the year. Neither our indemnity nor the insurance provides cover in the event that a Director is proven to have acted dishonestly or fraudulently.Disclosures required under Listing Rule 9.8.4 The information on the amount of interest capitalised and the treatment of tax relief can be found in notes 5 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements respectively. The remaining disclosures required by Listing Rule 9.8.4 are not applicable to Vodafone.Capital structure and rights attaching to shares All information relating to the Company’s capital structure, rights attaching to shares, dividends, the policy to repurchase the Company’s own shares and other shareholder information is contained on pages 186 to 193.Dividends Full details of the Company’s dividend policy and proposed final dividend payment for the year ended 31 March 2015, is set out in the Chief Executive’s strategic review on pages 14 to 17 and note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.Sustainability Information about the Company’s approach to sustainability risks and opportunities is set out on pages 30 and 31. Also included on these pages are details of our greenhouse gas emissions.Political donations No political donations under the Companies Act 2006 have been made during the financial year. The Group policy is that no political donations be made or political expenditure incurred.Financial risk management objectives and policies Disclosures relating to financial risk management objectives and policies, including our policy for hedging are set out in note 23 to the consolidated financial statements and disclosures relating to exposure to price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk and cash flow risk are outlined in note 23. Important events since the end of the financial year Details of those important events affecting the Group which have occurred since the end of the financial year are set out in the strategic report and note 34 to the consolidated financial statements.Future developments within the Group The strategic report contains details of likely future developments within the Group.Research and development Details of the Group’s activities relating to research and development are contained in note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.Group policy compliance Each Group policy is owned by a member of the Executive Committee so that there is clear accountability and authority for ensuring the associated business risk is adequately managed. Regional chief executives and the senior leadership team member responsible for each Group function have primary accountability for ensuring compliance with all Group policies by all our markets and entities. Our Group compliance team and policy champions support the policy owners and local markets in implementing policies and monitoring compliance.Code of Conduct All of the key Group policies have been consolidated into the Vodafone Code of Conduct. This is a policy document applicable to all employees and those who work for or on behalf of Vodafone. It sets out the standards of behaviour expected in relation to areas such as insider dealing, bribery and raising concerns through the whistle-blowing process (known internally as “Speak Up”).Branches The Group, through various subsidiaries, has branches in a number of different jurisdictions in which the business operates.Employee disclosures Our disclosures relating to the employment of disabled persons, the number of women in senior management roles, employee engagement and policies are included in “Our people” on pages 28 and 29.By Order of the Board/s/ Rosemary Martin  Rosemary Martin Company Secretary 19 May 2015

 


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C ontents FinancialsReporting our financial performance We continue to review the format of our consolidated financial statements with the aim of making them clear and easier to follow. This year, we have simplified the consolidated financial statements by moving the commentary on the primary financial statements to the strategic report at the front of the Annual Report to help with the flow of information and keep all commentary on the Group’s operational performance together. We hope this format makes it easier for you to navigate to the information that is important to you. Page 94 Directors’ statement of responsibility 96 Risk mitigation 98  Report of independent registered public accounting firm Page 109  Notes to the consolidated financial statements: 109 1. Basis of preparation Income statement 114 2. Segmental analysis Page 175  Other unaudited financial information: 175 Prior year operating results 180 This page is intentionally left blank 181 This page is intentionally left blank 100 This page is intentionally left blank 117 3. Operating profit/(loss)   118 4. Impairment losses 182 This page is intentionally left blank 101 This page is intentionally left blank 102 This page is intentionally left blank 103 This page is intentionally left blank 123 5. Investment income and financing costs 124 6. Taxation 183 This page is intentionally left blank 184 This page is intentionally left blank 185 This page is intentionally left blank 104 This page is intentionally left blank 128 7. Discontinued operations 129 8. Earnings per share A-1 Subsequent events B-1  Separate financial statements 105  Consolidated financial statements: 105 Consolidated income statement 105 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 106 Consolidated statement of financial position 107 Consolidated statement of changes in equity 108 Consolidated statement of cash flows 129 9. Equity dividends Financial position 130 10. Intangible assets 132 11. Property, plant and equipment 134 12. Investments in associates and joint arrangements 137 13. Other investments 138 14. Inventory 139 15. Trade and other receivables 140 16. Trade and other payables 141 17. Provisions 142 18. Called up share capital  Cash flows 143 19. Reconciliation of net cash flow from operating activities 143 20. Cash and cash equivalents 144 21. Borrowings 148 22. Liquidity and capital resources 151 23. Capital and financial risk management  Employee remuneration 156 24. Directors and key management compensation 157 25. Employees 158 26. Post employment benefits 162 27. Share-based payments Additional disclosures 164 28. Acquisitions and disposals 167 29. Commitments 168 30. Contingent liabilities 171 31. Related party transactions 171 32. Principal subsidiaries 174 33. Subsidiaries exempt from audit 174 34. Subsequent events required by Rule 3-09  of Regulation S-X B-3  Report of independent registered  public accounting firm  93

 


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D irectors’ statement of responsibility The Directors are responsible for preparing the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations and keeping proper accounting records. Detailed below are statements made by the Directors in relation to their responsibilities, disclosure of information to the Company’s auditors, going concern and management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Financial statements and accounting records Company law of England and Wales requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of the Group at the end of the financial year and of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. In preparing those financial statements the Directors are required to: The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Having taken advice from the Audit and Risk Committee, the Board considers the report and accounts, taken as a whole, as fair, balanced and understandable and that it provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company’s performance, business model and strategy. Neither the Company nor the Directors accept any liability to any person in relation to the Annual 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 and schedule 10A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. a select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently; a make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; a present information, including accounting policies, in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable and understandable information; a state whether the consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) as adopted for use in the EU and Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulations. The Directors also ensure that the consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’); Disclosure of information to the auditor Having made the requisite enquiries, so far as the Directors are aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined by section 418(3) of the Companies Act 2006) of which the Company’s auditor is unaware and the Directors have taken all the steps they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company’s auditor is aware of that information. a state for the Company financial statements whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed; and Going concern The Group’s business activities, performance, position and principal risks and uncertainties and how these are managed are set out in the strategic report on pages 1 to 48. A range of mitigations for risks faced by the Group are included on pages 96 and 97. In addition, the financial position of the Group is included within liquidity and capital resources on pages 148 to 150, “Borrowings”, “Liquidity and capital resources” and “Capital and financial risk management” in notes 21, 22 and 23 respectively to the consolidated financial statements, which include disclosure in relation to the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group believes it adequately manages or mitigates its solvency and liquidity risks through two primary processes, described below. Business planning process and performance management The Group’s forecasting and planning cycle consists of three in-year forecasts, a budget and a long-range plan. These generate income statement, cash flow and net debt projections for assessment by Group management and the Board. Each forecast is compared with prior forecasts and actual results so as to identify variances and understand the drivers of the changes and their future impact so as to allow management to take action where appropriate. Additional analysis is undertaken to review and sense check the key assumptions underpinning the forecasts. a prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company and the Group will continue in business. The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and of the Group and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and for the consolidated financial statements, Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulation. They are also responsible for the system of internal control, for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group and, hence, for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. Directors’ responsibility statement Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed on pages 52 and 53 confirm that, to the best of their knowledge: a the consolidated financial statements, prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and IFRS as adopted by the EU, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Group; a the parent company financial statements, prepared in accordance with United Kingdom generally accepted accounting practice, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Company; and a the strategic report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Group together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces. 94 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Cash flow and liquidity reviews The business planning process provides outputs for detailed cash flow and liquidity reviews, to ensure that the Group maintains adequate liquidity throughout the forecast periods. The prime output is a two year liquidity forecast which is prepared and updated on a daily basis which highlights the extent of the Group’s liquidity based on controlled cash flows and the headroom under the Group’s undrawn revolving credit facility (‘RCF’). The key inputs into this forecast are: a free cash flow forecasts, with the first three months inputs being sourced directly from the operating companies (analysed on a daily basis), with information beyond this taken from the latest forecast/budget cycle; Any internal control framework, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures, and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or because the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Management has assessed the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting at 31 March 2015 based on the updated Internal Control – Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (‘COSO’) in 2013. Based on management’s assessment, management has concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective a bond and other debt maturities; and a expectations for shareholder returns, spectrum auctions and M&A activity. The liquidity forecast shows two scenarios assuming either maturing commercial paper is refinanced or no new commercial paper issuance. The liquidity forecast is reviewed by the Group Chief Financial Officer and included in each of his reports to the Board. In addition, the Group continues to manage its foreign exchange and interest rate risks within the framework of policies and guidelines authorised and reviewed by the Board, with oversight provided by the Treasury Risk Committee. Conclusion The Group has considerable financial resources, and the Directors believe that the Group is well placed to manage its business risks successfully. After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Annual Report and accounts. Disclosure controls and procedures The Directors, the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, including those defined in the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Rule 13a–15(e), and, based on that evaluation, have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the end of the period covered by this report. Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting As required by section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Group. The Group’s internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that: a pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; a are designed to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS, as adopted by the EU and IFRS as issued by the IASB, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorisation of management and the Directors of the Company; and a provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorised acquisition, use or disposition of the Group’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. at 31 March 2015. The updated Internal Control – Integrated Framework superseded the original framework from 15 December 2014. Accordingly, the new framework has been implemented during the year ended 31 March 2015. The Group’s existing controls have been mapped to the five components and 17 principles in the updated Internal Control – Integrated Framework. All gaps were evaluated and, where required, additional controls identified, or existing controls enhanced. The assessment excluded the internal controls over financial reporting relating to Grupo Corporativo Ono, S.A. (‘Ono’) because it became a subsidiary during the year, as described in note 28 “Acquisitions and disposals”. Ono will be included in the Group’s assessment at 31 March 2016. Key amounts consolidated for Ono at 31 March 2015 are total assets of £5,473 million, net assets of £2,410 million, £691 million of revenue and a loss of £313 million to the profit attributable to the owners of the parent. During the period covered by this document, there were no changes in the Group’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the effectiveness of the internal controls over financial reporting. The Group’s internal control over financial reporting at 31 March 2015 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm who also audit the Group’s consolidated financial statements. Their audit report on internal control over financial reporting is on page 98. By Order of the Board /s/ Rosemary Martin Rosemary Martin Company Secretary 19 May 2015      95

 

 


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R isk mitigation Mitigations for risks faced by the Group include: 1. Malicious attack on the network/IT infrastructure This risk is possible in all markets in which we operate and has the potential for significant impact. Certain systems operate at a Group level and as such, a single attack on one of these systems has the potential to impact multiple markets simultaneously, further magnifying the impact. This risk has been separated from non-malicious network failure to recognise the greater cross-market impact a malicious attack could have on the business. a We have a well-established global security community; with our Group security function working closely with our local market security teams a We work closely with a variety of security communities of interest which include relevant government bodies, commercial groups, suppliers and enterprise customers a We are continually assessing our security policies, standards and procedures and adjusting them so they are commensurate to the threat profile we face. These assessments are used to create a focused security investment programme that ensures that the required security controls are in place and are effective a Each year we run security programmes to identify and deliver additional activities with the aim of further strengthening our control environment. Our aim is to ensure that our critical infrastructure is enhanced to reduce the likelihood of unauthorised access and to reduce the impact of any successful attack a We manage the risk of malicious attacks on our infrastructure using our global security operations centre that provides 24/7 proactive monitoring of our global infrastructure a We have multiple layers of assurance in place. Our activities include regular technical assurance and audit activities including vulnerability scanning and ethical hacking programmes 2. Customer data misuse or leakage This risk is possible in all markets in which we operate. The impacts of this risk have the potential to be major in mature markets with robust data protection regulations covering personal information, voice traffic and data. Furthermore, we generally hold a greater volume of confidential personal information in our mature markets, due to the higher proportion of customers paying their bills by automated bank transfer or credit card. a We have a data privacy programme aimed at ensuring we use data in our possession appropriately. The programme is based on existing regulations and internationally recognised standards a We closely monitor the data privacy regulatory environment in relevant markets and implement changes to our processes and procedures as appropriate a Both the hardware and software applications which hold or transmit confidential personal and business voice and data traffic include appropriate security features a Security related reviews are conducted according to our policies and security standards, focused on the highest risk applications and processes a Our data centres are managed to international information security standards a Security governance and compliance is managed and monitored through software tools that are deployed to all local markets a We have an ongoing awareness communications campaign in place that includes providing security and privacy awareness training to all Vodafone employees, prior to granting access to customer data a We have an assurance programme in place that incorporates both internal reviews and reviews of third parties that hold data on our behalf a We are implementing data access management tools to monitor any unauthorised access and leakage of our confidential data 3. Adverse political pressure In all markets where we are present, political decisions can be made that can have an adverse effect on our business, in relation to a range of issues, from retail price regulation to access to next-generation networks. Additionally, disputes in regards to the level of tax payable and any related penalties could be significant, as reflected in our ongoing dispute in India. a We monitor political developments in our existing and potential markets closely, identifying risks in our current and proposed commercial propositions a Regular reports are made to our Executive Committee on current political risks. These risks are considered in our business planning process a Authoritative and timely intervention is made at both national and international level in respect of legislative, fiscal and regulatory proposals which we feel are disproportionate and not in the interests of the Group a We have regular dialogue with trade groups that represent network operators and other industry bodies to understand underlying political pressures a We maintain constructive but robust engagement with the tax authorities and relevant government representatives, as well as active engagement with a wide range of international companies and business organisations with similar issues a Where appropriate we engage advisors and legal counsel to obtain opinions on tax legislation and principles 4. Convergence This risk is more likely in mature markets where more competitors have the assets to offer converged services. a In key European and some non-European markets we are providing fixed line telecommunication services (voice and broadband) a In all markets we actively look for opportunities to provide services beyond mobile through organic investment, acquisition, partnerships, or joint ventures a As part of Project Spring, we have increased investment in our next-generation fixed line infrastructure a For all significant transactions we develop and implement a structured integration plan, led by a senior business leader a Integration plans ensure that cost synergies and revenue benefits are delivered and that the acquired businesses are successfully integrated through the alignment of policies, processes and systems a Timely and coordinated intervention with regulatory and competition authorities to ensure that dominant infrastructure access and content providers cannot discriminate or restrict competition 5. EMF related health risks This is an unlikely risk; however, it would have a major impact on services used by our customers in all our markets – particularly in countries that have a very low tolerance for environmental and health related risks. a We have a global health and safety policy that includes standards for electromagnetic fields (‘EMF’) that are mandated in all our operating companies. Compliance to this policy is monitored and overseen by the Risk and Compliance Committee a We have a Group EMF Board that manages potential risks through cross sector initiatives and which oversees a coordinated global programme to respond to public concern, and develop appropriate advocacy related to possible precautionary legislation 96 a We monitor scientific developments and engage with relevant bodies to support the delivery and transparent communication of the scientific research agenda set by the WHO Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Unaudited information

 


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6. Major Enterprise contracts This risk is most evident across our multi-national corporate and public sector customers. Delivery challenges for any national critical service would have a particularly adverse impact on our reputation to provide enterprise services. a We have created consistent and coordinated KPI reporting, which we believe will enhance our ability to identify readily and act upon potential enterprise delivery challenges a Work is currently being undertaken to simplify and improve our delivery capabilities for our largest corporate customers a We carry out regular reviews with key enterprise customers to identify areas for improvement a A single sales governance process has been developed and will be implemented across Vodafone Global Enterprise and the local markets during the 2016 financial year. This process will interlock with a single governance board for design, deliver, operate and billing teams to support the business in identifying and mitigating relevant enterprise delivery risks a We have launched a standardised design methodology with appropriate training. This will reduce inefficiencies and delays during the delivery cycle, thereby decreasing the likelihood of financial penalties and dissatisfied enterprise customers 7. Unstable economic conditions This risk is evident across a number of our markets and in particular within our southern European markets where it may continue to have a significant impact. Furthermore, the potential for Eurozone instability may lead to further economic instability and subsequent reductions in corporate and consumer confidence and spending. Another potential consequence of Eurozone instability would be a prolonged impact on capital markets that could restrict our refinancing requirements. a We are closely monitoring economic and currency situations in both our AMAP and European markets. We have developed detailed business continuity plans to allow us to respond effectively to a country economic crisis leading to a banking system freeze and/or a range of Eurozone or EU exits a We have minimised our exposure to Euro denominated monetary assets since the end of 2008 and continue to do so a Given that we have operations in both Northern and Southern Europe, we have a natural offset position in terms of the translation of Euro revenue into Sterling should the Eurozone break up (with either Northern Europe or the Southern European countries leaving the Euro) a We have credit facilities with 29 relationship banks that are committed for a minimum of five years and which total £5.5bn. Such facilities could be used in the event of a prolonged disruption to the capital markets 8. Disadvantaged by existing and emerging technology players The threat from OTT competition is relevant for all markets where alternative services are commonly available (e.g. VoIP), and has the potential for major impact on service revenues. Regarding supplier concentration, this risk is relevant across all our markets, with there being a limited number of global suppliers from which we are able to purchase operating systems, devices and our IT and network infrastructure. a We have developed strategies which strengthen our relationships with customers by accelerating the introduction of integrated voice, messaging and data price plans to avoid customers reducing their out of bundle usage through internet/Wi-Fi based substitution a The loss of voice and messaging revenue is partially offset by the increase in data revenue a We regularly review the performance of key suppliers, both operationally and financially, across individual markets and from the Group perspective a We are continually assessing and testing potential new suppliers a Driven by Project Spring we have been able to further consolidate demand across our core and partner markets to manage our cost base effectively 9. Superior customer experience This risk is relevant to all our markets, and particularly to our consumer business. Differentiating based on a superior customer experience will involve a number of areas: Clear and transparent communication with all our customers; Managing roaming charges and bill shocks; Delivering clear, understandable tariffs; and Suitable complaint handling; and Providing a leading online and app customer experience. a Customer experience has been prioritised as a key component of our strategy. The Chief of Staff, supported by a programme office, is leading a programme to improve customer experience related activities across Vodafone a We have detailed plans in place across the business to deliver a range of system and capability improvements to support an enhanced customer experience a We track and monitor our performance in delivering a superior customer experience through a range of KPIs; the most critical being our NPS and Brand Consideration metrics a We have restructured our incentivisation programme to strengthen the importance of key customer experience related metrics 10. Network/IT infrastructure failure This risk is possible in all markets in which we operate and has the potential for significant impact. For the majority of such network and IT infrastructure failures, the associated impacts would be confined to a single market. There are however some exceptions where data centres and critical network sites serve multiple markets. a Specific back-up and resilience policy and requirements are built into our networks and IT infrastructure. Conformance with these requirements is monitored continually a We monitor our ability to replace strategic equipment quickly in the event of end-of-life or failure, and for high risk components, we maintain dedicated back-up equipment ready for use a Network and IT contingency plans are linked with our business continuity and disaster recovery plans which are in place to cover the residual risks that cannot be mitigated a A crisis management team and escalation processes are in place both nationally and internationally. Crisis simulations are conducted annually Strengthening our risk management approach Vodafone is in the process of making a number of changes aimed at strengthening its Enterprise risk management. These include: a transferring responsibility for risk from the Group Audit Director to the Group Compliance Director (now Group Risk and Compliance Director); a creating a new Head of Risk role to report to the Group Risk and Compliance Director; a amending the terms of reference of the former Policy and Compliance Committee to make a ensuring our global risk community is better connected and therefore better placed to share best practices; and a developing an integrated assurance plan to help identify any gaps and overlaps in the management of our principal risks across the “three lines of defence” in accordance with best practice risk management. it a Risk and Compliance Committee; a improving accountability for, and tracking of, principal risks across functions and local markets; 97

 


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R eport of independent registered public accounting firm To the Board of directors and shareholders of Vodafone Group Plc In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated statement of financial position and the related consolidated income statement, consolidated statement of comprehensive income, consolidated statement of changes in equity and consolidated statement of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Vodafone Group Plc and its subsidiaries at 31 March 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the period ended 31 March 2015 in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 31 March 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework 2013 issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (‘COSO’). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and Directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. As described in “Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting”, management has excluded Grupo Corporativo Ono, S.A. (‘Ono’) from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of 31 March 2015 as the combination with Ono occurred during 2015. We have also excluded Ono from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. As of 31 March 2015, the Company owned 100% of Ono’s outstanding shares; Ono’s total segment assets and total revenues represent 4.5% and 1.6%, respectively, of the related consolidated total assets and consolidated revenues as of and for the year ended 31 March 2015. We also have audited the adjustments to the 2014 and 2013 financial statements to retrospectively reflect the change in presentation of the segment information, as described in note 2. Our audit procedures that were applied to the restated disclosures for comparative 2014 and 2013 reportable segments included: (i) agreeing the adjusted amounts of each segment to the underlying records obtained from management, and (ii) determining the mathematical accuracy of the reconciliations of segment amounts to the consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, such adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the 2014 and 2013 financial statements of the Company other than with respect to the adjustments and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the 2014 and 2013 financial statements taken as a whole. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP London, United Kingdom 19 May 2015 98

 


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 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm to the members of Vodafone Group Plc We have audited, before the effects of the retrospective adjustments to the segment disclosures discussed in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Vodafone Group Plc and subsidiaries (the ‘Group’) as of 31 March 2014, and the related consolidated income statements, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated statements of changes in equity and consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended 31 March 2014 (the 2014 and 2013 consolidated financial statements before the effects of the retrospective adjustments discussed in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements are not presented herein). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Group’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, such 2014 and 2013 consolidated financial statements, before the effects of the retrospective adjustments to the segment disclosures discussed in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Group as of 31 March 2014, and the results of its operations and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended 31 March 2014, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. We were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the retrospective adjustments to the segment disclosures discussed in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance about whether such retrospective adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. Those retrospective adjustments were audited by other auditors. /s/ Deloitte LLP Deloitte LLP London, United Kingdom 20 May 2014 99

 


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Conso lidated income statement for the years ended 31 March for the years ended 31 March 105 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information 2015 2014 2013 Note £m £m £m Note: 1 Profit attributable to non-controlling interests solely derives from continuing operations. Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 2015 2014 2013 Note £m £m £m Further details on items in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income can be found in the consolidated statement of changes in equity on page 107. Profit for the financial year 5,917 59,420657 Other comprehensive income: Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent years: Gains/(losses) on revaluation of available-for-sale investments, net of tax Foreign exchange translation differences, net of tax Foreign exchange (gains)/losses transferred to the income statement Fair value gains transferred to the income statement Other, net of tax 4 (119)(73) (6,516) (4,104)362 (1) 1,4931 (9) (25) (12) 7 –(4) Total items that may be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent years Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent years: Net actuarial (losses)/gains on defined benefit pension schemes, net of tax (6,515) (2,755)274 6, 26 (212) 37(182) Total items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss in subsequent years Other comprehensive (expense)/income (212) 37(182) (6,727) (2,718)92 Total comprehensive (expense)/income for the year (810) 56,702749 Attributable to: – Owners of the parent – Non-controlling interests (1,076) 56,711604 266 (9)145 (810) 56,702749 Revenue Cost of sales 2 42,227 38,34638,041 (30,882) (27,942)(26,567) Gross profit Selling and distribution expenses Administrative expenses Share of results of equity accounted associates and joint ventures Impairment losses Other income and expense 11,345 10,40411,474 (3,455) (3,033)(2,860) (5,746) (4,245)(4,159) (63) 278575 4 – (6,600)(7,700) (114) (717)468 Operating profit/(loss) Non-operating income and expense Investment income Financing costs 3 1,967 (3,913)(2,202) (19) (149)10 5 883 346305 5 (1,736) (1,554)(1,596) Profit/(loss) before taxation Income tax credit/(expense) 1,095 (5,270)(3,483) 6 4,765 16,582(476) Profit/(loss) for the financial year from continuing operations Profit for the financial year from discontinued operations 5,860 11,312(3,959) 7 57 48,1084,616 Profit for the financial year 5,917 59,420657 Attributable to: – Owners of the parent – Non-controlling interests1 5,761 59,254413 156 166244 Profit for the financial year 5,917 59,420657 Earnings/(loss) per share From continuing operations: – Basic – Diluted 21.53p 42.10p(15.66p) 21.42p 41.77p(15.66p) Total Group: – Basic – Diluted 8 21.75p 223.84p1.54p 8 21.63p 222.07p1.54p

 


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Consolidated statement of financial position at 31 March 31 March 2015 31 March 2014 Note £m £m Non-current assets Goodwill Other intangible assets Property, plant and equipment Investments in associates and joint ventures Other investments Deferred tax assets Post employment benefits Trade and other receivables  10 22,537 23,315 10 20,953 23,373 11 26,603 22,851 12 (3) 114 13 3,757 3,553 6 23,845 20,607 26 169 35 15 4,865 3,270 102,726 97,118 Current assets Inventory Taxation recoverable Trade and other receivables Other investments Cash and cash equivalents Assets held for sale  14 482 441 575 808 15 8,053 8,886 13 3,855 4,419 20 6,882 10,134 – 34 19,847 24,722 Total assets 122,573 121,840 Equity Called up share capital Additional paid-in capital Treasury shares Accumulated losses Accumulated other comprehensive income  18 3,792 3,792 117,054 116,973 (7,045) (7,187) (49,471) (51,428) 1,815 8,652 Total attributable to owners of the parent 66,145 70,802 Non-controlling interests Put options over non-controlling interests 1,595 1,733 (7) (754) Total non-controlling interests 1,588 979 Total equity 67,733 71,781 Non-current liabilities Long-term borrowings Taxation liabilities Deferred tax liabilities Post employment benefits Provisions Trade and other payables  21 22,435 21,454 – 50 6 595 747 26 567 584 17 1,082 846 16 1,264 1,339 25,943 25,020 Current liabilities Short-term borrowings Taxation liabilities Provisions Trade and other payables  21 12,623 7,747 599 873 17 767 963 16 14,908 15,456 28,897 25,039 Total equity and liabilities 122,573 121,840 The consolidated financial statements on pages 105 to 174 were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 19 May 2015 and were signed on its behalf by: /s/ Vittorio Colao /s/ Nick Read Vittorio Colao Nick Read Chief Executive Chief Financial Officer 106

 


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Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the years ended 31 March Other comprehensive income Additional share-Non-107 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Equity Share paid-in Treasury Retained Currency Pensions Investment Revaluation holders’ controlling capital1 capital2 shares losses reserve3 reserve reserve4 surplus5 Other6 funds interests Total £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m £m 1 April 20123,866 154,123(7,841) (84,217) 10,138(466)2201,04072 76,9351,267 78,202 Issue or reissue of shares –2287(237)–––––52–52 Purchase of own shares ––(1,475)7––––––(1,475)–(1,475) Share-based payments –1528–––––––152–152 Transactions with non-controlling interests in subsidiaries ––– (7) –––– –(7) (17) (24) Comprehensive income–––413462(182)(85) –(4) 604145749 Dividends–––(4,801)–––––(4,801)(384) (5,185) Other –2–15–––––17–17 31 March 20133,866 154,279 (9,029) (88,834) 10,600(648)1351,04068 71,4771,011 72,488 Issue or reissue of shares –2194(173)–––––23–23 Redemption or cancellation of shares(74) 741,648(1,648)–––––––– Capital reduction and creation of B and C shares16, 613 (37,470)–20,857–––––––– Cancellation of B shares(16,613)––1,115––––– (15,498)– (15,498) Share-based payments –888 –––––––88–88 Transactions with non-controlling interests in subsidiaries ––– (1,451)– ––– –(1,451)260(1,191) Comprehensive income–––59,254 (2,436)37(119)–(25) 56,711 (9) 56,702 Dividends––– (40,566)––––– (40,566)(284) (40,850) Other –––18–––––18119 31 March 20143,792 116,973 (7,187) (51,428) 8,164(611)161,04043 70,802979 71,781 Notes: 1 See note 18 “Called up share capital”. 2 Includes share premium, capital redemption reserve and merger reserve. The merger reserve was derived from acquisitions made prior to 31 March 2004 and subsequently allocated to additional paid-in capital on adoption of IFRS. 3 The currency reserve is used to record cumulative translation differences on the assets and liabilities of foreign operations. The cumulative translation differences are recycled to the income statement on disposal of the foreign operation. 4 The investment reserve is used to record the cumulative fair value gains and losses on available-for-sale financial assets. The cumulative gains and losses are recycled to the income statement on disposal of the assets. 5 The revaluation surplus derives from acquisitions of subsidiaries made before the Group’s adoption of IFRS 3 (Revised) on 1 April 2010 and comprises the amounts arising from recognising the Group’s pre-existing equity interest in the acquired subsidiary at fair value. 6 Includes the impact of the Group’s cash flow hedges with £607 million net gain deferred to other comprehensive income during the year (2014: £129 million net loss) and £649 million net gain (2014: £171 million net loss) recycled to the income statement. 7 Amount for 2013 includes a commitment for the purchase of own shares of £1,026 million. 8 Includes £7 million tax credit (2014: £12 million charge; 2013: £18 million credit). Issue or reissue of shares –2142(126) –––––18–18 Share-based payments –958–– –––––95–95 Transactions with non-controlling interests in subsidiaries ––(756) –––––(756)605(151) Comprehensive income –––5,761 (6,627)(212)(5) –7(1,076)266(810) Profit –––5,761 –––––5,7611565,917 OCI – before tax –––– (6,842) (269) 4–12(7,095) 113 (6,982) OCI – taxes –––– 21657––(5) 268(3) 265 Transfer to the income statement –––– (1) –(9)––(10) –(10) Dividends –––(2,930) ––––(2,930)(262) (3,192) Other –(16) –8 –––––(8) –(8) 31 March 2015 3,792 117,054 (7,045) (49,471) 1,537(823)111,04050 66,1451,588 67,733 Profit – – – 59,254 – – – – – 59,254 166 OCI – before tax – – – – (3,932) 57 (119) – 3 (3,991) (172) OCI – taxes – – – – 3 (20) – – (3) (20) (3) Transfer to the income statement – – – – 1,493 – – – (25) 1,468 – 59,420 (4,163) (23) 1,468 Profit–––413–––––413244657 OCI – before tax––––482(238)(73) –(6) 165(95) 70 OCI – taxes––––(21) 56––237(4) 33 Transfer to the income statement ––––1–(12)––(11) –(11)

 


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Consolidated statement of cash flows for the years ended 31 March 108 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 201520142013 Note £m £m £m During the year ended 31 March 2014 there were a number of material non-cash investing and financing activities that arose in relation to the disposal of our interest in Verizon Wireless, the acquisition of the remaining 23% of Vodafone Italy and the return of value to shareholders. Full details of these material non-cash transactions are included in note 28 to the consolidated financial statements. Net cash flow from operating activities 19 9,715 6,2278,824 Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of interests in subsidiaries, net of cash acquired Purchase of interests in associates and joint ventures Purchase of intangible assets Purchase of property, plant and equipment Purchase of investments Disposal of interests in subsidiaries, net of cash disposed Disposal of interests in associates and joint ventures Disposal of property, plant and equipment Disposal of investments Dividends received from associates and joint ventures Dividends received from investments Interest received 28 (3,093) (4,279)(1,432) (85) (11) (6) 10 (2,315) (2,327)(3,758) 11 (6,568) (4,396)(3,958) 13 (207) (214)(4,249) – –27 12 27 34,919– 11 178 79105 13 899 1,4831,523 583 4,8975,539 – 102 254 582461 Net cash flow from investing activities (10,327) 30,743(5,746) Cash flows from financing activities Issue of ordinary share capital and reissue of treasury shares Net movement in short-term borrowings Proceeds from issue of long-term borrowings Repayment of borrowings Purchase of treasury shares B and C share payments Equity dividends paid Dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders in subsidiaries Other transactions with non-controlling shareholders in subsidiaries Other movements in loans with associates and joint ventures Interest paid 18 18 3869 4,722 (2,887)1,581 2,432 1,0605,422 (4,070) (9,788) (1,720) – (1,033)(1,568) – (14,291)– 9 (2,927) (5,076)(4,806) (247) (264)(379) (718) (111) 15 (52) –168 (1,576) (1,897)(1,525) Net cash flow used in financing activities (2,418) (34,249)(2,743) Net cash flow Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the financial year Exchange (loss)/gain on cash and cash equivalents (3,030) 2,721335 20 10,112 7,5067,001 (221) (115)170 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the financial year20 6,861 10,1127,506

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements 109 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information 1. Basis of preparation This section describes the critical accounting judgements that management has identified as having a potentially material impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements and sets out our significant accounting policies that relate to the financial statements as a whole. Where an accounting policy is generally applicable to a specific note to the accounts, the policy is described within that note. We have also detailed below the new accounting pronouncements that we will adopt in future years and our current view of the impact they will have on our financial reporting. The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’) and are also prepared in accordance with IFRS adopted by the European Union (‘EU’), the Companies Act 2006 and Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulations. The consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS 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 date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. A discussion on the Group’s critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty is detailed below. Actual results could differ from those 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; they are recognised in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. Amounts in the consolidated financial statements are stated in pounds sterling. Vodafone Group Plc is incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales (registration number 1833679). IFRS requires the Directors to adopt accounting policies that are the most appropriate to the Group’s circumstances. In determining and applying accounting policies, Directors and management are required to make judgements in respect of items where the choice of specific policy, accounting estimate or assumption to be followed could materially affect the Group’s reported financial position, results or cash flows; it may later be determined that a different choice may have been more appropriate. Management has identified accounting estimates and assumptions relating to revenue recognition, taxation, business combinations and goodwill, joint arrangements, finite lived intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, post employment benefits, provisions and contingent liabilities and impairment that it considers to be critical due to their impact on the Group’s financial statements. These critical accounting judgements, assumptions and related disclosures have been discussed with the Company’s Audit and Risk Committee (see page 64). Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty Revenue recognition Arrangements with multiple deliverables In revenue arrangements where more than one good or service is provided to the customer, customer consideration is allocated between the goods and services using relative fair value principles. The fair values determined for deliverables may impact the timing of the recognition of revenue. Determining the fair value of each deliverable can require complex estimates. The Group generally determines the fair value of individual elements based on prices at which the deliverable is regularly sold on a stand-alone basis after considering volume discounts where appropriate. Gross versus net presentation When the Group sells goods or services as a principal, income and payments to suppliers are reported on a gross basis in revenue and operating costs. If the Group sells goods or services as an agent, revenue and payments to suppliers are recorded in revenue on a net basis, representing the margin earned. Whether the Group is considered to be the principal or an agent in the transaction depends on analysis by management of both the legal form and substance of the agreement between the Group and its business partners; such judgements impact the amount of reported revenue and operating expenses but do not impact reported assets, liabilities or cash flows. Taxation The Group’s tax charge on ordinary activities is the sum of the total current and deferred tax charges. The calculation of the Group’s total tax charge involves estimation and judgement in respect of certain matters where the tax impact is uncertain until a conclusion is reached with the relevant tax authority or through a legal process. The final resolution of some of these items may give rise to material profits, losses and/or cash flows. Resolving tax issues can take many years as it is not always within the control of the Group and often depends on the efficiency of legal processes in the relevant tax jurisdiction. Recognition of deferred tax assets Significant items on which the Group has exercised accounting estimation and judgement include the recognition of deferred tax assets in respect of losses in Luxembourg, Germany, Spain, India and Turkey and capital allowances in the United Kingdom. The recognition of deferred tax assets, particularly in respect of tax losses, is based upon whether it is probable that there will be sufficient and suitable taxable profits in the relevant legal entity or tax group against which to utilise the assets in the future. Judgement is required when determining probable future taxable profits. The Group assesses the availability of future taxable profits using the same undiscounted five year forecasts for the Group’s operations as are used in the Group’s value in use calculations (see “Impairment reviews” below). Where tax losses are forecast to be recovered beyond the five year period, the availability of taxable profits is assessed using the cash flows and long-term growth rates used for the value in use calculations.

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 1. Basis of preparation (continued) The cash flows inherent in these forecasts include the unsystematic risks of operating in the telecommunications business including the potential impacts of changes in the market structure, trends in customer pricing, the costs associated with the acquisition and retention of customers, future technological evolutions and potential regulatory changes, such as our ability to acquire and/or renew spectrum licences. Changes in the assumptions which underpin the Group’s forecasts could have an impact on the amount of future taxable profits and could have a significant impact on the period over which the deferred tax asset would be recovered. The Group only considers substantively enacted tax laws when assessing the amount and availability of tax losses to offset against the future taxable profits. See note 6 “Taxation” to the consolidated financial statements. Business combinations and goodwill When the Group completes a business combination, the fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired, including intangible assets, are recognised. The determination of the fair values of acquired assets and liabilities is based, to a considerable extent, on management’s judgement. If the purchase consideration exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired then the incremental amount paid is recognised as goodwill. If the purchase price consideration is lower than the fair value of the assets acquired then the difference is recorded as a gain in the income statement. Allocation of the purchase price between finite lived assets (discussed below) and indefinite lived assets such as goodwill affects the subsequent results of the Group as finite lived intangible assets are amortised, whereas indefinite lived intangible assets, including goodwill, are not amortised. On transition to IFRS the Group elected not to apply IFRS 3 “Business combinations” retrospectively as the difficulty in applying these requirements to business combinations completed by the Group between incorporation and 1 April 2004 exceeded any potential benefits. Goodwill recorded before the date of transition to IFRS amounted to £78,753 million. If the Group had elected to apply IFRS 3 retrospectively it may have led to an increase or decrease in goodwill, licences, customer bases, brands and related deferred tax liabilities recognised on acquisition. See note 28 “Acquisitions and disposals” to the consolidated financial statements for further details. Joint arrangements The Group participates in a number of joint arrangements where control of the arrangement is shared with one or more other parties. A joint arrangement is classified as a joint operation or as a joint venture, depending on management’s assessment of the legal form and substance of the arrangement. The classification can have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Group’s share of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and cash flows of joint operations are included in the consolidated financial statements on a line-by-line basis, whereas the Group’s investment and share of results of joint ventures are shown within single line items in the consolidated statement of financial position and consolidated income statement respectively. See note 12 “Investments in associates and joint arrangements” to the consolidated financial statements. Finite lived intangible assets Other intangible assets include amounts spent by the Group acquiring licences and spectrum, customer bases and brands and the costs of purchasing and developing computer software. Where intangible assets are acquired through business combinations and no active market for the assets exists, the fair value of these assets is determined by discounting estimated future net cash flows generated by the asset. Estimates relating to the future cash flows and discount rates used may have a material effect on the reported amounts of finite lived intangible assets. Estimation of useful life The useful life over which intangible assets are amortised depends on management’s estimate of the period over which economic benefit will be derived from the asset. Reducing the useful life will increase the amortisation charge in the consolidated income statement. Useful lives are periodically reviewed to ensure that they remain appropriate. The basis for determining the useful life for the most significant categories of intangible assets is discussed below. Licence and spectrum fees The estimated useful life is generally the term of the licence unless there is a presumption of renewal at negligible cost; this is adjusted if necessary, for example taking into account the impact of any expected changes in technology. Customer bases The estimated useful life principally reflects management’s view of the average economic life of the customer base and is assessed by reference to customer churn rates. An increase in churn rates may lead to a reduction in the estimated useful life and an increase in the amortisation charge. Capitalised software For computer software, the useful life is based on management’s view, considering historical experience with similar products as well as anticipation of future events which may impact their life such as changes in technology. The useful life will not exceed the duration of a licence. Property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment represents 21.7% (2014: 18.8%) of the Group’s total assets; estimates and assumptions made may have a material impact on their carrying value and related depreciation charge. See note 11 “Property, plant and equipment” to the consolidated financial statements for further details. Estimation of useful life The depreciation charge for an asset is derived using estimates of its expected useful life and expected residual value, which are reviewed annually. Increasing an asset’s expected life or residual value would result in a reduced depreciation charge in the consolidated income statement. Management determines the useful lives and residual values for assets when they are acquired, based on experience with similar assets and taking into account other relevant factors such as any expected changes in technology. The useful life of network infrastructure is assumed not to exceed the duration of related operating licences unless there is a reasonable expectation of renewal or an alternative future use for the asset. 110 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Post employment benefits Management judgement is exercised when determining the Group’s liabilities and expenses arising for defined benefit pension schemes. Management is required to make assumptions regarding future rates of inflation, salary increases, discount rates and longevity of members, each of which may have a material impact on the defined benefit obligations that are recorded. Further details, including a sensitivity analysis, are included in note 26 “Post employment benefits” to the consolidated financial statements. Provisions and contingent liabilities The Group exercises judgement in measuring and recognising provisions and the exposures to contingent liabilities related to pending litigation or other outstanding claims subject to negotiated settlement, mediation, arbitration or government regulation, as well as other contingent liabilities (see note 30 “Contingent liabilities” to the consolidated financial statements). Judgement is necessary to assess the likelihood that a pending claim will succeed, or a liability will arise, and to quantify the possible range of any financial settlement. The inherent uncertainty of such matters means that actual losses may materially differ from estimates. Impairment reviews IFRS requires management to perform impairment tests annually for indefinite lived assets and, for finite lived assets, if events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Impairment testing requires management to judge whether the carrying value of assets can be supported by the net present value of future cash flows that they generate. Calculating the net present value of the future cash flows requires assumptions to be made in respect of highly uncertain matters including management’s expectations of: a growth in adjusted EBITDA, calculated as adjusted operating profit before depreciation and amortisation; a timing and amount of future capital expenditure; a long-term growth rates; and a appropriate discount rates to reflect the risks involved. Management prepares formal five year forecasts for the Group’s operations, which are used to estimate their value in use. In certain developing markets ten year forecasts are used if it is considered that the fifth year of a forecast is not indicative of expected long-term future performance as operations may not have reached maturity. For operations where five year forecasts are used for the Group’s value in use calculations, a long-term growth rate into perpetuity has been determined as the lower of: a the nominal GDP growth rates for the country of operation; and a the long-term compound annual growth rate in adjusted EBITDA in years six to ten estimated by management. For operations where ten year forecasts are used for the Group’s value in use calculations, a long-term growth rate into perpetuity has been determined as the lower of: a the nominal GDP growth rates for the country of operation; and a the compound annual growth rate in adjusted EBITDA in years nine to ten of the management plan. Changing the assumptions selected by management, in particular the discount rate and growth rate assumptions used in the cash flow projections, could significantly affect the Group’s impairment evaluation and hence reported assets and profits or losses. Further details, including a sensitivity analysis, are included in note 4 “Impairment losses” to the consolidated financial statements. Significant accounting policies applied in the current reporting period that relate to the financial statements as a whole Accounting convention The consolidated financial statements are prepared on a historical cost basis except for certain financial and equity instruments that have been measured at fair value. Basis of consolidation The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company, subsidiaries controlled by the Company (see note 32 “Principal subsidiaries” to the consolidated financial statements) and joint operations that are subject to joint control (see note 12 “Investments in associates and joint arrangements” to the consolidated financial statements). Foreign currencies The consolidated financial statements are presented in sterling, which is the parent company’s functional currency and the presentation currency of the Group. Each entity in the Group determines its own functional currency and items included in the financial statements of each entity are measured using that functional currency. Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded at the functional currency rate prevailing at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated into the respective functional currency of the entity at the rates prevailing on the reporting period date. Non-monetary items carried at fair value that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the initial transaction dates. Non-monetary items measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are not retranslated. Changes in the fair value of monetary securities denominated in foreign currency classified as available-for-sale are analysed between translation differences and other changes in the carrying amount of the security. Translation differences are recognised in the income statement and other changes in carrying amount are recognised in equity. 111 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 1. Basis of preparation (continued) Translation differences on non-monetary financial assets, such as investments in equity securities classified as available-for-sale, are reported as part of the fair value gain or loss and are included in equity. For the purpose of presenting consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities of entities with a functional currency other than sterling are expressed in sterling using exchange rates prevailing at the reporting period date. Income and expense items and cash flows are translated at the average exchange rates for the period and exchange differences arising are recognised directly in equity. On disposal of a foreign entity, the cumulative amount previously recognised in equity relating to that particular foreign operation is recognised in profit or loss. Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign operation are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign operation and translated accordingly. In respect of all foreign operations, any exchange differences that have arisen before 1 April 2004, the date of transition to IFRS, are deemed to be nil and will be excluded from the determination of any subsequent profit or loss on disposal. The net foreign exchange gain recognised in the consolidated income statement for the year ended 31 March 2015 is £273 million (31 March 2014: £1,688 million loss; 2013: £117 million loss). The net gains and net losses are recorded within operating profit (2015: £8 million charge; 2014: £16 million charge; 2013: £21 million charge), other income and expense and non-operating income and expense (2015: £1 million credit; 2014: £1,493 million charge; 2013: £1 million charge), investment and financing income (2015: £276 million credit; 2014: £180 million charge; 2013: £91 million charge) and income tax expense (2015: £4 million credit; 2014: £1 million credit; 2013: £4 million charge). The foreign exchange gains and losses included within other income and expense and non-operating income and expense arise on the disposal of interests in joint ventures, associates and investments from the recycling of foreign exchange gains previously recorded in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. New accounting pronouncements adopted on 1 April 2014 On 1 April 2014 the Group adopted the following new accounting policies to comply with amendments to IFRS. The accounting pronouncements, none of which are considered by the Group as significant on adoption, are: a Amendments to IAS 32 “Offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities”; a Amendments to IAS 39 “Novation of derivatives and continuation of hedge accounting”; a “Improvements to IFRS 2010–2012 cycle”. All the amendments were early adopted by the Group except an amendment to IFRS 8 “Operating Segments”, which will be adopted on 1 April 2015; and a IFRIC 21 “Levies”. New accounting pronouncements to be adopted on 1 April 2015 The following pronouncements which are potentially relevant to the Group have been issued by the IASB are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 July 2014 and have been endorsed for use in the EU: a Amendments to IAS 19 “Defined Benefit Plans: Employee Contributions”; a “Improvements to IFRS 2010–2012 cycle” amendment to IFRS 8 “Operating Segments”; and a “Improvements to IFRS 2011–2013 cycle”. The Group’s financial reporting will be presented in accordance with the new standards above, which are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated results, financial position or cash flows of the Group, from 1 April 2015. New accounting pronouncements to be adopted on or after 1 April 2016 On 1 April 2016 the Group will adopt “Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations, Amendments to IFRS 11”, “Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and Amortisation, Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38”, “Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its Associate or Joint Venture, Amendments to IAS 10 and IAS 28”, “Improvements to IFRS 2012–2014 Cycle” and “Disclosure Initiative, Amendments to IAS 1” which are effective for accounting periods on or after 1 January 2016 and which have not yet been endorsed by the EU. The Group is currently confirming the impacts of the above new pronouncements on its results, financial position and cash flows, which are not expected to be material. 112 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” was issued in May 2015; although it is effective for accounting periods beginning on or before 1 January 2017, the IASB has proposed to defer the mandatory adoption date by one year. IFRS 15 has not yet been adopted by the EU. IFRS 15 will have a material impact on the Group’s reporting of revenue and costs as follows: a IFRS 15 will require the Group to identify deliverables in contracts with customers that qualify as “performance obligations”. The transaction price receivable from customers must be allocated between the Group’s performance obligations under the contracts on a relative stand-alone selling price basis. Currently revenue allocated to deliverables is restricted to the amount that is receivable without the delivery of additional goods or services; this restriction will no longer be applied under IFRS 15. The primary impact on revenue reporting will be that when the Group sells subsidised devices together with airtime service agreements to customers, revenue allocated to equipment and recognised when control of the device passes to the customer will increase and revenue recognised as services are delivered will reduce. a Under IFRS 15, certain incremental costs incurred in acquiring a contract with a customer will be deferred on the balance sheet and amortised as revenue is recognised under the related contract; this will generally lead to the later recognition of charges for some commissions payable to third party dealers and employees. a Certain costs incurred in fulfilling customer contracts will be deferred on the balance sheet under IFRS 15 and recognised as related revenue is recognised under the contract. Such deferred costs are likely to relate to the provision of deliverables to customers that do not qualify as performance obligations and for which revenue is not recognised; currently such costs are generally expensed as incurred. The Group is currently assessing the impact of these and other accounting changes that will arise under IFRS 15; however, the changes highlighted above are expected to have a material impact on the consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of financial position. It is expected that the Group will adopt IFRS 15 on 1 April 2018. IFRS 9 “Financial Instruments” was issued in July 2014 to replace IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement”. The standard is effective for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018 with early adoption permitted but has not yet been endorsed for use in the EU. The standard will impact the classification and measurement of the Group’s financial instruments and will require certain additional disclosures. The changes to recognition and measurement of financial instruments and changes to hedge accounting rules are not currently considered likely to have any major impact on the Group’s current accounting treatment or hedging activities. The Group will not consider early adoption of IFRS 9 until the standard has been endorsed by the EU which is currently expected in the second half of 2015. 113 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 2. Segmental analysis The Group’s businesses are managed on a geographical basis. Selected financial data is presented on this basis below. The Group’s operating segments are established on the basis of those components of the Group that are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Group has a single group of related services and products being the supply of communications services and products. Revenue is attributed to a country or region based on the location of the Group company reporting the revenue. Transactions between operating segments are charged at arm’s-length prices. In the Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2014, the discussion of our revenues and adjusted EBITDA by segment was performed under the “management basis”, which included the results of our joint ventures on proportionate basis, as this was assessed as being the most insightful presentation and was how the Group’s operating performance was reviewed internally by management. For the year ended 31 March 2015 the discussion of our revenues and adjusted EBITDA by segment is performed on an IFRS basis. Following the disposal of our US Group whose principal asset was its 45% interest in Verizon Wireless and the acquisition of a 100% interest in Vodafone Italy on 21 February 2014, this is now assessed as being the most insightful presentation and reflects how the Group’s operating performance was reviewed internally by management in the year ended 31 March 2015. Segmental information for the years ended 31 March 2014 and 31 March 2013 below has been restated accordingly. Segment information is provided on the basis of geographic areas, being the basis on which the Group manages its worldwide interests, with each country in which the Group operates treated as an operating segment. The aggregation of operating segments into the Europe and AMAP regions reflects, in the opinion of management, the similar economic characteristics within each of those regions as well the similar products and services offered and supplied, classes of customers and the regulatory environment. In the case of the Europe region this largely reflects membership of the European Union, while for the AMAP region this largely includes emerging and developing economies that are in the process of rapid growth and industrialisation. Certain financial information is provided separately within the Europe region for Germany, Italy, the UK and Spain and within the AMAP region for India and Vodacom, as these operating segments are individually material for the Group. Accounting policies Revenue Revenue is recognised to the extent the Group has delivered goods or rendered services under an agreement, the amount of revenue can be measured reliably and it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the Group. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration receivable, exclusive of sales taxes and discounts. The Group principally obtains revenue from providing the following telecommunication services: access charges, airtime usage, messaging, interconnect fees, data services and information provision, connection fees and equipment sales. Products and services may be sold separately or in bundled packages. Revenue for access charges, airtime usage and messaging by contract customers is recognised as services are performed, with unbilled revenue resulting from services already provided accrued at the end of each period and unearned revenue from services to be provided in future periods deferred. Revenue from the sale of prepaid credit is deferred until such time as the customer uses the airtime, or the credit expires. Revenue from interconnect fees is recognised at the time the services are performed. Revenue from data services and information provision is recognised when the Group has performed the related service and, depending on the nature of the service, is recognised either at the gross amount billed to the customer or the amount receivable by the Group as commission for facilitating the service. Customer connection revenue is recognised together with the related equipment revenue to the extent that the aggregate equipment and connection revenue does not exceed the fair value of the equipment delivered to the customer. Any customer connection revenue not recognised together with related equipment revenue is deferred and recognised over the period in which services are expected to be provided to the customer. Revenue for device sales is recognised when the device is delivered to the end customer and the significant risks and rewards of ownership have transferred. For device sales made to intermediaries, revenue is recognised if the significant risks associated with the device are transferred to the intermediary and the intermediary has no general right to return the device to receive a refund. If the significant risks are not transferred, revenue recognition is deferred until sale of the device to an end customer by the intermediary or the expiry of any right of return. In revenue arrangements including more than one deliverable, the arrangements are divided into separate units of accounting. Deliverables are considered separate units of accounting if the following two conditions are met: (i) the deliverable has value to the customer on a stand-alone basis and (ii) there is evidence of the fair value of the item. The arrangement consideration is allocated to each separate unit of accounting based on its relative fair value. Revenue allocated to deliverables is restricted to the amount that is receivable without the delivery of additional goods or services. This restriction typically applies to revenue recognised for devices provided to customers, including handsets. Commissions Intermediaries are given cash incentives by the Group to connect new customers and upgrade existing customers. For intermediaries who do not purchase products and services from the Group, such cash incentives are accounted for as an expense. Such cash incentives to other intermediaries are also accounted for as an expense if: a the Group receives an identifiable benefit in exchange for the cash incentive that is separable from sales transactions to that intermediary; and a the Group can reliably estimate the fair value of that benefit. 114 Cash incentives that do not meet these criteria are recognised as a reduction of the related revenue. Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Segmental revenue and profit Segment revenue £m Intra-region revenue £m Regional revenue £m Inter-region revenue £m Group revenue £m Adjusted EBITDA £m 31 March 2014 Germany Italy UK Spain Other Europe 8,272 522 6,427 3,518 5,525 (9) (1) (9) (14) (9) 8,263 521 6,418 3,504 5,516 (11) – (3) (2) (4) 8,252 521 6,415 3,502 5,512 2,698 182 1,418 787 1,736 Europe 24,264 (42) 24,222 (20) 24,202 6,821 India Vodacom Other AMAP 3,945 4,718 4,810 – – – 3,945 4,718 4,810 (3) – (10) 3,942 4,718 4,800 1,135 1,716 1,294 AMAP 13,473 – 13,473 (13) 13,460 4,145 Common Functions 686 – 686 (2) 684 118 Group 38,423 (42) 38,381 (35) 38,346 11,084 Discontinued operations Verizon Wireless1 9,955 4,274 31 March 2013 Germany Italy UK Spain Other Europe 7,857 – 5,150 3,904 7,115 (25) – (27) (35) (55) 7,832 – 5,123 3,869 7,060 (6) – (4) (2) (6) 7,826 – 5,119 3,867 7,054 2,831 – 1,210 1,021 2,120 Europe 24,026 (142) 23,884 (18) 23,866 7,182 India Vodacom Other AMAP 3,907 5,206 4,605 – – (1) 3,907 5,206 4,604 (4) – (19) 3,903 5,206 4,585 1,055 1,891 1,250 AMAP 13,718 (1) 13,717 (23) 13,694 4,196 Common Functions 481 – 481 – 481 88 Group 38,225 (143) 38,082 (41) 38,041 11,466 Discontinued operations Verizon Wireless1 Note: 21,972 8,831 1 Discontinued operations comprise our US group whose principal asset was a 45% interest in Verizon Wireless, which was sold on 21 February 2014. Refer to note 7 “Discontinued operations” to the consolidated financial statements for further details. Total revenue recorded in respect of the sale of goods for the year ended 31 March 2015 was £3,211 million (2014: £2,660 million, 2013: £2,633 million). The Group’s measure of segment profit, adjusted EBITDA, excludes depreciation, amortisation, impairment loss, restructuring costs, loss on disposal of fixed assets, the Group’s share of results in associates and joint ventures and other income and expense. A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to operating profit/(loss) is shown overleaf. For a reconciliation of operating profit/(loss) to profit for the financial year, see the consolidated income statement on page 105. 115 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information 31 March 2015 Germany 8,467(19) 8,448(22) 8,4262,670 Italy 4,641(13) 4,628(1) 4,6271,537 UK 6,414(38) 6,376(20) 6,3561,360 Spain 3,664(23) 3,641(2) 3,639783 Other Europe 5,007(29) 4,978(2) 4,9761,574 Europe 28,193(122)28,071(47)28,0247,924 India 4,324(11) 4,313(15) 4,2981,281 Vodacom 4,341–4,341–4,3411,527 Other AMAP 4,828–4,828(10) 4,8181,289 AMAP 13,493(11)13,482(25)13,4574,097 Common Functions 754–754(8) 746(106) Group 42,440(133)42,307(80)42,22711,915

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 2. Segmental analysis (continued) 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Segmental assets and cash flow Other expenditure on intangible assets £m Depreciation and amortisation £m Non-current assets1 £m Capital expenditure2 £m Operating free cash flow3 £m Impairment loss £m 31 March 2014 Germany Italy UK Spain Other Europe 22,780 7,984 8,031 3,653 8,736 1,312 180 932 511 800 3 – – – 273 2,036 164 1,290 587 1,047 4,900 – – 800 900 1,706 251 621 255 980 Europe 51,184 3,735 276 5,124 6,600 3,813 India Vodacom Other AMAP 7,824 4,560 4,850 633 663 711 1,938 3 11 828 593 932 – – – 812 1,174 619 AMAP 17,234 2,007 1,952 2,353 – 2,605 Common Functions 1,121 571 – 83 – 161 Group 69,539 6,313 2,228 7,560 6,600 6,579 31 March 2013 Germany Italy UK Spain Other Europe 19,109 – 8,365 4,599 9,786 1,073 – 601 377 993 2 – 863 – 1,335 1,423 – 888 590 1,291 – 4,500 – 3,200 – 1,795 – 788 505 1,148 Europe 41,859 3,044 2,200 4,192 7,700 4,236 India Vodacom Other AMAP 7,388 5,668 5,826 462 703 678 130 10 90 914 696 894 – – – 591 1,345 619 AMAP 18,882 1,843 230 2,504 – 2,555 Common Functions 982 405 – (35) – (244) Group 61,723 5,292 2,430 6,661 7,700 6,547 Notes: 1 Comprises goodwill, other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment. 2 Includes additions to property, plant and equipment and computer software, reported within intangibles. Excludes licences and spectrum additions. 3 The Group’s measure of segment cash flow, which primarily excludes capital expenditure, is reconciled to the closest equivalent GAAP measure cash generated by operations, on page 203. 116 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 31 March 2015 Germany 19,521 2,0033 2,574– 1,002 Italy 6,938 1,10595 1,334– 544 UK 7,759 98015 1,363– 200 Spain 8,154 858– 954– (29) Other Europe 8,189 1,083193 1,017– 543 Europe 50,561 6,029306 7,242– 2,260 India 8,599 882140 863– 332 Vodacom 4,712 7452 566– 762 Other AMAP 4,915 91935 900– 409 AMAP 18,226 2,546177 2,329– 1,503 Common Functions 1,306 6221 (6) – (900) Group 70,093 9,197484 9,565– 2,863 Adjusted EBITDA 11,915 11,08411,466 Depreciation, amortisation and loss on disposal of fixed assets (8,345) (7,098) (6,502) Share of results in associates and joint ventures (63) 324626 Adjusted operating profit 3,507 4,3105,590 Impairment loss – (6,600)(7,700) Restructuring costs (157) (355)(311) Amortisation of acquired customer based and brand intangible assets (1,269) (551)(249) Other income and expense (114) (717)468 Operating profit/(loss) 1,967 (3,913)(2,202)

 


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3. Operating profit/(loss) Detailed below are the key amounts recognised in arriving at our operating profit/(loss) 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Note: 1 Negative goodwill arising on the acquisition of Cable & Wireless Worldwide Plc on 27 July 2012. The total remuneration of the Group’s auditor, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and other member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, for services provided to the Group during the year ended 31 March 2015 is analysed below. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was appointed as the Group’s auditor for the year ended 31 March 2015. Accordingly, comparative figures in the table below for the years ended 31 March 2014 and 31 March 2013 are in respect of remuneration paid to the Group’s previous auditor, Deloitte LLP and other member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited. 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Notes: 1 Relates to fees for statutory and regulatory filings. 2 Amount for 2014 primarily arose from regulatory filings and shareholder documentation requirements in respect of the disposal of Verizon Wireless and the acquisition of the outstanding minority stake in Vodafone Italy. 3 At the time of the Board decision to recommend PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the statutory auditor for the year ended 31 March 2015 in February 2014, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were providing a range of services to the Group. All services that were prohibited by the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) for a statutory auditor to provide, ceased by 31 March 2014. All engagements that are not prohibited by the SEC, but would not have met the Group’s own internal approval policy for non-audit services, ceased by 30 June 2014 to enable a transition to alternative suppliers, where required. These services had a value of approximately £3 million through to completion and are included in the table above. A description of the work performed by the Audit and Risk Committee in order to safeguard auditor independence when non-audit services are provided is set out in “Corporate governance” on page 67. 117 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Parent company 2 11 Subsidiaries 10 87 Audit fees: 12 98 Audit-related fees1 1 11 Other assurance services2, 3 1 3– Tax fees3 2 –– Non-audit fees: 4 41 Total fees 16 139 Net foreign exchange losses 8 1621 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (note 11): Owned assets 5,002 3,9903,600 Leased assets 44 4837 Amortisation of intangible assets (note 10) 4,519 3,5223,024 Impairment of goodwill in subsidiaries, associates and joint arrangements (note 4) – 6,6007,700 Negative goodwill1 – –(473) Research and development expenditure 140 214307 Staff costs (note 25) 4,194 3,8753,620 Operating lease rentals payable: Plant and machinery 774 651506 Other assets including fixed line rentals 1,529 1,5021,297 Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment 49 8577 Own costs capitalised attributable to the construction or acquisition of property, plant and equipment (547) (455)(356)

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 4. Impairment losses Impairment occurs when the carrying value of assets is greater than the present value of the net cash flows they are expected to generate. We review the carrying value of assets for each country in which we operate at least annually. For further details on our impairment review process see “Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty” in note 1 “Basis of preparation” to the consolidated financial statements. Accounting policies Goodwill Goodwill is not subject to amortisation but is tested for impairment annually or whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired. For the purpose of impairment testing, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash flows, known as cash-generating units. If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount of the unit, the impairment loss is allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit pro-rata on the basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. Impairment losses recognised for goodwill are not reversible in subsequent periods. The recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset for which the estimates of future cash flows have not been adjusted. The Group prepares and approves formal five year management plans for its operations, which are used in the value in use calculations. In certain developing markets the fifth year of the management plan may not be indicative of the long-term future performance as operations may not have reached maturity. For these operations, the Group may extend the plan data for an additional five year period. Property, plant and equipment and finite lived intangible assets At each reporting period date, the Group reviews the carrying amounts of its property, plant and equipment and finite lived intangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent, if any, of the impairment loss. Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. If the recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating unit is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset or cash-generating unit is reduced to its recoverable amount and an impairment loss is recognised immediately in the income statement. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount of the asset or cash-generating unit is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, not to exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset or cash-generating unit in prior years and an impairment loss reversal is recognised immediately in the income statement. Impairment losses Following our annual impairment review no impairment charges were recorded in respect of the Group’s goodwill balances during the year ended 31 March 2015. The impairment losses recognised in the consolidated income statement within operating profit in respect of goodwill in the years ended 31 March 2014 and 31 March 2013 are stated below. The impairment losses were based on value in use calculations. 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Cash-generating unit Reportable segment Goodwill The remaining carrying value of goodwill at 31 March was as follows: 2015 £m 2014 £m 118 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Germany 9,019 10,306 Italy 2,641 3,017 Spain 2,755 1,662 14,415 14,985 Other 8,122 8,330 22,537 23,315 Germany Italy Spain Portugal Czech Republic Romania Germany – 4,900– Italy – –4,500 Spain – 8003,200 Other Europe – 500– Other Europe – 200– Other Europe – 200– – 6,6007,700

 


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Key assumptions used in the value in use calculations The key assumptions used in determining the value in use are: Assumption How determined Budgeted adjusted EBITDA Budgeted adjusted EBITDA has been based on past experience adjusted for the following: a voice and messaging revenue is expected to benefit from increased usage from new customers, especially in emerging markets, the introduction of new services and traffic moving from fixed networks to mobile networks, though these factors will be offset by increased competitor activity, which may result in price declines, and the trend of falling termination and other regulated rates; a non-messaging data revenue is expected to continue to grow as the penetration of 3G (plus 4G where available) enabled devices and smartphones rise along with higher data bundle attachment rates, and new products and services are introduced; and a margins are expected to be impacted by negative factors such as the cost of acquiring and retaining customers in increasingly competitive markets and the expectation of further termination rate cuts by regulators and by positive factors such as the efficiencies expected from the implementation of Group initiatives. The cash flow forecasts for capital expenditure are based on past experience and include the ongoing capital expenditure required to roll out networks in emerging markets, to provide voice and data products and services and to meet the population coverage requirements of certain of the Group’s licences. Capital expenditure includes cash outflows for the purchase of property, plant and equipment and computer software. For businesses where the five year management plans are used for the Group’s value in use calculations, a long-term growth rate into perpetuity has been determined as the lower of: a the nominal GDP rates for the country of operation; and a the long-term compound annual growth rate in adjusted EBITDA in years six to ten estimated by management. The discount rate applied to the cash flows of each of the Group’s operations is generally based on the risk free rate for ten year bonds issued by the government in the respective market. Where government bond rates contain a material component of credit risk, high quality local corporate bond rates may be used. These rates are adjusted for a risk premium to reflect both the increased risk of investing in equities and the systematic risk of the specific Group operating company. In making this adjustment, inputs required are the equity market risk premium (that is the required increased return required over and above a risk free rate by an investor who is investing in the market as a whole) and the risk adjustment, beta, applied to reflect the risk of the specific Group operating company relative to the market as a whole. In determining the risk adjusted discount rate, management has applied an adjustment for the systematic risk to each of the Group’s operations determined using an average of the betas of comparable listed mobile telecommunications companies and, where available and appropriate, across a specific territory. Management has used a forward-looking equity market risk premium that takes into consideration both studies by independent economists, the average equity market risk premium over the past ten years and the market risk premiums typically used by investment banks in evaluating acquisition proposals. Budgeted capital expenditure Long-term growth rate Pre-tax risk adjusted discount rate Year ended 31 March 2015 During the year ended 31 March 2015, no impairment charges were recorded in respect of the Group’s goodwill balances. The table below shows key assumptions used in the value in use calculations. Assumptions used in value in use calculation Germany % Italy % Spain % Pre-tax risk adjusted discount rate Long-term growth rate Budgeted adjusted EBITDA1 Budgeted capital expenditure2 8.2 0.5 3.2 11.6–21.7 10.5 1.0 0.8 12.5–25.6 9.8 1.5 11.0 11.5–23.3 Notes: 1 Budgeted adjusted EBITDA is expressed as the compound annual growth rates in the initial five years for all cash-generating units of the plans used for impairment testing. 2 Budgeted capital expenditure, which excludes licences and spectrum, is expressed as the range of capital expenditure as a percentage of revenue in the initial five years for all cash-generating units of the plans used for impairment testing. 119 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 4. Impairment losses (continued) Sensitivity analysis Other than as disclosed below, management believes that no reasonably possible change in any of the above key assumptions would cause the carrying value of any cash-generating unit to materially exceed its recoverable amount. The estimated recoverable amounts of the Group’s operations in Germany, Italy and Spain exceed their carrying values by £2.2 billion, £1.3 billion and £0.3 billion respectively. Change required for carrying value to equal the recoverable amount Germany pps Italy pps Spain pps Pre-tax risk adjusted discount rate Long-term growth rate Budgeted adjusted EBITDA1 Budgeted capital expenditure2 0.8 (0.9) (7.3) 2.1 1.6 (1.8) (7.5) 2.9 0.3 (0.3) (2.6) 0.7 Notes: 1 Budgeted adjusted EBITDA is expressed as the compound annual growth rates in the initial five years for all cash-generating units of the plans used for impairment testing. 2 Budgeted capital expenditure, which excludes licences and spectrum, is expressed as a percentage of revenue in the initial five years for all cash-generating units of the plans used for impairment testing. Year ended 31 March 2014 During the year ended 31 March 2014 impairment charges of £4,900 million, £800 million, £500 million, £200 million and £200 million were recorded in respect of the Group’s investments in Germany, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic and Romania respectively. The impairment charges relate solely to goodwill. The recoverable amounts of Germany, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic and Romania were £23.0 billion, £3.3 billion, £1.3 billion, £0.6 billion and £1.2 billion respectively. The impairment charges were driven by lower projected cash flows within the business plans resulting in our reassessment of expected future business performance in the light of current trading and economic conditions. The table below shows key assumptions used in the value in use calculations. Assumptions used in value in use calculation Germany % Italy % Spain % Portugal % Czech Republic % Romania % Greece % Pre-tax risk adjusted discount rate Long-term growth rate Budgeted adjusted EBITDA1 Budgeted capital expenditure2 7.7 0.5 2.8 12.5–21.7 10.5 1.0 (2.2) 11.1–25.5 9.9 1.9 (0.7) 9.0–23.5 11.1 1.5 (0.8) 11.0–28.3 8.0 0.8 (0.6) 15.9–21.2 11.0 1.0 1.7 10.5–17.3 24.3 1.0 4.7 7.6–12.2 Notes: 1 2 Budgeted adjusted EBITDA is expressed as the compound annual growth rates in the initial five years for all cash-generating units of the plans used for impairment testing. Budgeted capital expenditure, which excludes licences and spectrum, is expressed as the range of capital expenditure as a percentage of revenue in the initial five years for all cash-generating units of the plans used for impairment testing. 120 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Sensitivity analysis Other than as disclosed below, management believed that no reasonably possible change in any of the above key assumptions would cause the carrying value of any cash-generating unit to exceed its recoverable amount. The estimated recoverable amounts of the Group’s operations in Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania and Greece were equal to, or not materially greater than, their carrying values; consequently, any adverse change in key assumptions would, in isolation, have caused a further impairment loss to be recognised. The changes in the following table to assumptions used in the impairment review would have, in isolation, led to an (increase)/decrease to the aggregate impairment loss recognised in the year ended 31 March 2014. Germany Spain Portugal Increase by 2pps £bn Decrease by 2pps £bn Increase by 2pps £bn Decrease by 2pps £bn Increase by 2pps £bn Decrease by 2pps £bn Pre-tax risk adjusted discount rate Long-term growth rate Budgeted adjusted EBITDA1 Budgeted capital expenditure2 (7.1) 4.9 0.8 (2.4) 4.9 (5.2) (0.8) 2.4 (0.9) 0.8 0.2 (0.8) 0.8 (0.8) (0.2) 0.8 (0.3) 0.4 0.1 (0.2) 0.4 (0.2) (0.1) 0.2 Czech Republic Romania Increase by 2pps £bn Decrease by 2pps £bn Increase by 2pps £bn Decrease by 2pps £bn Pre-tax risk adjusted discount rate Long-term growth rate Budgeted adjusted EBITDA1 Budgeted capital expenditure2 (0.2) 0.2 – – 0.2 (0.2) – – (0.2) 0.2 0.1 – 0.2 (0.2) (0.1) – Notes: 1 Budgeted adjusted EBITDA is expressed as the compound annual growth rates in the initial five years for all cash-generating units of the plans used for impairment testing. 2 Budgeted capital expenditure is expressed as a percentage of revenue in the initial five years for all cash-generating units of the plans used for impairment testing. Year ended 31 March 2013 During the year ended 31 March 2013 impairment charges of £4,500 million and £3,200 million were recorded in respect of the Group’s investments in Italy and Spain respectively. The impairment charges relate solely to goodwill. The recoverable amounts of Italy and Spain were £8.9 billion and £4.2 billion respectively. The impairment charges were driven by a combination of lower projected cash flows within business plans, resulting from our reassessment of expected future business performance in light of current trading and economic conditions and adverse movements in discount rates driven by the credit rating and yields on ten year government bonds. The table below shows key assumptions used in the value in use calculations. Assumptions used in value in use calculation Italy % Spain % Germany % Greece % Portugal % Romania % Pre-tax risk adjusted discount rate Long-term growth rate Budgeted adjusted EBITDA1 Budgeted capital expenditure2 11.3 0.5 (0.2) 9.9–15.2 12.2 1.9 1.7 11.2–15.2 9.6 1.4 2.5 11.3–12.6 23.9 1.0 0.4 7.8–11.0 11.2 0.4 (1.5) 10.0–18.9 11.2 3.0 0.8 10.1–15.5 Notes: 1 Budgeted adjusted EBITDA is expressed as the compound annual growth rates in the initial five years for all cash-generating units of the plans used for impairment testing. 2 Budgeted capital expenditure, which excludes licences and spectrum, is expressed as the range of capital expenditure as a percentage of revenue in the initial five years for all cash-generating units of the plans used for impairment testing. The pre-tax risk adjusted discount rate used for Czech Republic was 5.6%. 121 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 4. Impairment losses (continued) Sensitivity analysis Other than as disclosed below, management believed that no reasonably possible change in any of the above key assumptions would cause the carrying value of any cash-generating unit to exceed its recoverable amount. The estimated recoverable amounts of the Group’s operations in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece were equal to, or not materially greater than, their carrying values; consequently, any adverse change in key assumptions would, in isolation, have caused a further impairment loss to be recognised. The estimated recoverable amounts of the Group’s operations in Germany and Romania exceeded their carrying values by approximately £1,034 million and £184 million respectively. Change required for carrying value to equal the recoverable amount Germany pps Romania pps Pre-tax risk adjusted discount rate Long-term growth rate Budgeted adjusted EBITDA1 Budgeted capital expenditure2 0.4 (0.5) (0.7) 1.1 1.0 (1.2) (1.7) 2.8 Notes: 1 Budgeted adjusted EBITDA is expressed as the compound annual growth rates in the initial five years for all cash-generating units of the plans used for impairment testing. 2 Budgeted capital expenditure is expressed as the range of capital expenditure as a percentage of revenue in the initial five years for all cash-generating units of the plans used for impairment testing. The changes in the following table to assumptions used in the impairment review would have, in isolation, led to an (increase)/decrease to the aggregate impairment loss recognised in the year ended 31 March 2013: Italy Spain Portugal Increase by 2pps £bn Decrease by 2pps £bn Increase by 2pps £bn Decrease by 2pps £bn Increase by 2pps £bn Decrease by 2pps £bn Pre-tax risk adjusted discount rate Long-term growth rate Budgeted adjusted EBITDA1 Budgeted capital expenditure2 (1.4) 1.8 0.5 (0.9) 1.8 (1.3) (0.5) 0.9 (0.7) – – (0.6) – (0.7) (0.1) – (0.3) – – (0.2) – (0.3) (0.1) – Notes: 1 2 Budgeted adjusted EBITDA is expressed as the compound annual growth rates in the initial five years for all cash-generating units of the plans used for impairment testing. Budgeted capital expenditure is expressed as a percentage of revenue in the initial five years for all cash-generating units of the plans used for impairment testing. 122 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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5. Investment income and financing costs Investment income comprises interest received from short-term investments, bank deposits, government bonds and gains from foreign exchange contracts which are used to hedge net debt. Financing costs mainly arise from interest due on bonds and commercial paper issued, bank loans and the results of hedging transactions used to manage foreign exchange and interest rate movements. 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Notes: 1 Amounts for 2015 include net foreign exchange gains of £526 million (2014: £21 million gain; 2013: £91 million loss) arising from net foreign exchange movements on certain intercompany balances. The Group capitalised £142 million of interest expense in the year (2014: £3 million; 2013: £8 million). Amounts for 2015 include net foreign exchange losses of £250 million (2014: £201 million; 2013: £nil). Amounts for 2015, 2014 and 2013 include a reduction of the provision for potential interest on tax issues. Includes amounts in relation to the Group’s arrangements with its non-controlling interests. 2 3 4 5 123 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Investment income: Available-for-sale investments: Dividends received – 102 Loans and receivables at amortised cost 324 184124 Fair value through the income statement (held for trading): Derivatives – foreign exchange contracts – 82115 Other1 559 7064 883 346305 Financing costs: Items in hedge relationships: Other loans 245 265228 Interest rate and cross currency interest rate swaps (123) (196)(184) Fair value hedging instrument (461) 386(81) Fair value of hedged item 418 (363)112 Other financial liabilities held at amortised cost: Bank loans and overdrafts2 842 557584 Other loans3 677 770736 Interest credit on settlement of tax issues4 (4) (15) (91) Equity put rights and similar arrangements5 11 143136 Fair value through the income statement (held for trading): Derivatives – forward starting swaps and futures 131 1105 Other1 – 651 1,736 1,5541,596 Net financing costs 853 1,2081,291

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 6. Taxation This note explains how our Group tax charge arises. The deferred tax section of the note also provides information on our expected future tax charges and sets out the tax assets held across the Group together with our view on whether or not we expect to be able to make use of these in the future. Accounting policies Income tax expense represents the sum of the current tax payable and deferred tax. Current tax payable or recoverable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported in the income statement because some items of income or expense are taxable or deductible in different years or may never be taxable or deductible. The Group’s liability for current tax is calculated using UK and foreign tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting period date. Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable in the future arising from temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit. It is accounted for using the statement of financial position liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognised for all taxable temporary differences and deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that temporary differences or taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit. Deferred tax liabilities are not recognised to the extent they arise from the initial recognition of non-tax deductible goodwill. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, and interests in joint arrangements, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each reporting period date and adjusted to reflect changes in the Group’s assessment that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset realised, based on tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting period date. Tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they either relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or on different taxable entities which intend to settle the current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis. Tax is charged or credited to the income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited to other comprehensive income or directly to equity, in which case the tax is recognised in other comprehensive income or in equity. Income tax expense 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m UK operating profits are more than offset by statutory allowances for capital investment in the UK network and systems plus ongoing interest costs including those arising from the £6.8 billion of spectrum payments to the UK government in 2000 and 2013. 124 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 United Kingdom corporation tax expense: Current year – – – 24 Adjustments in respect of prior years 11 17 11 1724 Overseas current tax expense: Current year 846 3,114 1,062 (249) Adjustments in respect of prior years (149) (25) 697 3,089813 Total current tax expense 708 3,106837 Deferred tax on origination and reversal of temporary differences: (52) United Kingdom deferred tax (39) 57 Overseas deferred tax (5,434) (19,745)(309) Total deferred tax income (5,473) (19,688)(361) Total income tax (income)/expense (4,765) (16,582)476

 


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Tax on discontinued operations 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Tax (credited)/charged directly to other comprehensive income 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Tax (credited)/charged directly to equity 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Factors affecting the tax expense for the year The table below explains the differences between the expected tax expense at the UK statutory tax rate of 21% (2014: 23% and 2013: 24%), and the Group’s total tax expense for each year. 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Notes: 1 See commentary regarding deferred tax asset recognition on page 127. 2 Includes the US tax charge of £2,210 million on the rationalisation and reorganisation of non-US assets prior to the disposal of our interest in Verizon Wireless. 125 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Continuing profit/(loss) before tax as shown in the consolidated income statement 1,095 (5,270)(3,483) Expected income tax expense/(income) at UK statutory tax rate 230 (1,212)(836) Effect of different statutory tax rates of overseas jurisdictions 138 (328) (9) Impairment losses with no tax effect – 1,9582,664 Disposal of Group investments – 211(10) Effect of taxation of associates and joint ventures, reported within operating profit 25 61129 Recognition of deferred tax assets in Luxembourg and Germany1 (5,468) (19,318)– Tax charge on rationalisation and re-organisation of non-US assets prior to VZW disposal2 – 1,365– Deferred tax impact of previously unrecognised temporary differences including losses (40) (164)(625) Current tax impact of previously unrecognised temporary differences including losses – –(74) Effect of unrecognised temporary differences 342 215(184) Adjustments in respect of prior years (245) (43) (234) Gain on acquisition of CWW with no tax effect – –(164) Effect of secondary and irrecoverable taxes 66 3794 Deferred tax on overseas earnings 38 4(4) Effect of current year changes in statutory tax rates 118 158(2) Expenses not deductible for tax purposes and other items 148 210 104 – Tax on income derived from discontinued operations – 418 Exclude taxation of associates (117) (154)(373) Income tax (income)/expense (4,765) (16,582)476 Current tax (credit)/charge (4) 12(17) Deferred tax credit (3) –(1) Total tax (credited)/charged directly to equity (7) 12(18) Current tax charge 2 –4 Deferred tax (credit)/charge (267) 23(37) Total tax (credited)/charged directly to other comprehensive income (265) 23(33) Tax (credit)/charge on profit from ordinary activities of discontinued operations (57) 1,7091,750 Tax charge relating to the gain or loss of discontinued operations – –– Total tax (credit)/charge on discontinued operations (57) 1,7091,750

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 6. Taxation (continued) Deferred tax Analysis of movements in the net deferred tax balance during the year: £m Deferred tax assets and liabilities, before offset of balances within countries, are as follows: Amount (charged)/ credited in income statement £m Net recognised deferred tax (liability)/ asset £m Gross deferred tax asset £m Gross deferred tax liability £m Less amounts unrecognised £m Deferred tax assets and liabilities are analysed in the statement of financial position, after offset of balances within countries, as follows: £m At 31 March 2014, deferred tax assets and liabilities, before offset of balances within countries, were as follows: Amount (charged)/ credited in income statement £m Net recognised deferred tax (liability)/ asset £m Gross deferred tax asset £m Gross deferred tax liability £m Less amounts unrecognised £m Accelerated tax depreciation Intangible assets Tax losses Deferred tax on overseas earnings Other temporary differences (123) 255 19,433 (2) 125 993 72 28,569 – 1,186 (1,597) (1,409) – – (343) (40) 1 (7,418) – (154) (644) (1,336) 21,151 – 689 31 March 2014 19,688 30,820 (3,349) (7,611) 19,860 At 31 March 2014 deferred tax assets and liabilities were analysed in the statement of financial position, after offset of balances within countries, as follows: £m Deferred tax asset Deferred tax liability 20,607 (747) 31 March 2014 19,860 Factors affecting the tax charge in future years Factors that may affect the Group’s future tax charge include the impact of corporate restructurings, the resolution of open issues, future planning, corporate acquisitions and disposals, the use of brought forward tax losses and changes in tax legislation and tax rates. The Group is routinely subject to audit by tax authorities in the territories in which it operates and, specifically, in India these are usually resolved through the Indian legal system. We consider each issue on its merits and, where appropriate, hold provisions in respect of the potential tax liability that may arise. However, the amount ultimately paid may differ materially from the amount accrued and could therefore affect the Group’s overall profitability and cash flows in future periods. See note 30 “Contingent liabilities” to the consolidated financial statements. 126 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Deferred tax asset 23,845 Deferred tax liability (595) 31 March 2015 23,250 Accelerated tax depreciation 382 1,183(1,355) (61) (233) Intangible assets 195 107(1,704) 13(1,584) Tax losses 4,866 28,080– (4,430)23,650 Deferred tax on overseas earnings (38) –(40) –(40) Other temporary differences 68 1,695(94) (144)1,457 31 March 2015 5,473 31,065(3,193) (4,622)23,250 1 April 2014 19,860 Exchange movements (2,977) Credited to the income statement (continuing operations) 5,473 Charged to the income statement (discontinued operations) – Credited directly to other comprehensive income 267 Credited directly to equity 3 Reclassifications (12) Arising on acquisition and disposals 636 31 March 2015 23,250

 


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At 31 March 2015, the gross amount and expiry dates of losses available for carry forward are as follows: Expiring within 5 years £m Expiring within 6–10 years £m Unlimited £m Total £m At 31 March 2014, the gross amount and expiry dates of losses available for carry forward are as follows: Expiring within 5 years £m Expiring within 6–10 years £m Unlimited £m Total £m Losses for which a deferred tax asset is recognised Losses for which no deferred tax is recognised 274 1,281 461 519 79,115 26,318 79,850 28,118 1,555 980 105,433 107,968 Deferred tax assets on losses in Luxembourg Included in the table above are losses of £70,576 million (2014: £73,734 million) that have arisen in Luxembourg companies, principally as a result of revaluations of those companies’ investments for local GAAP purposes. These losses do not expire. A deferred tax asset of £20,755 million (2014: £18,150 million) has been recognised in respect of these losses as we conclude it is probable that the Luxembourg entities will continue to generate taxable profits in the future against which we can utilise these losses. The Luxembourg companies income is derived from the Group’s internal financing and procurement and roaming activities. We have reviewed the latest forecasts for the Luxembourg companies, including their ability to continue to generate income beyond the forecast period under the tax laws substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. The assessment also considered whether the structure of the Group would continue to allow the generation of taxable income. Based on this, we conclude that it is probable that the Luxembourg companies will continue to generate taxable income in the future. Based on the current forecasts the losses will be fully utilised over the next 55 to 65 years. A 5%–10% change in the forecast income in Luxembourg would change the period over which the losses will be fully utilised by between two and four years. Any future changes in tax law or the structure of the Group could have a significant effect on the use of losses, including the period over which the losses are utilised. During the current year we recognised an additional deferred tax asset of £3,341 million relating to the historic tax losses in Luxembourg as a consequence of the financing arrangements for the acquisition of Grupo Corporativo Ono, S.A. We also recognised an additional deferred tax asset of £2,127 million arising from the revaluation of investments based upon the local GAAP financial statements. We also have £7,642 million (2014: £7,642 million) of Luxembourg losses in a former Cable & Wireless Worldwide Group company, for which no deferred tax asset has been recognised as it is uncertain whether these losses will be utilised. Deferred tax assets on losses in Germany The Group has tax losses of £13,600 million (2014: £15,290 million) in Germany arising on the write down of investments in Germany in 2000. The losses are available to use against both German federal and trade tax liabilities and they do not expire. A deferred tax asset of £2,086 million (2014: £2,344 million) has been recognised in respect of these losses as we conclude it is probable that the German business will continue to generate taxable profits in the future against which we can utilise these losses. We have reviewed the latest forecasts for the German business which incorporate the unsystematic risks of operating in the telecommunications business (see pages 32 to 37). In the period beyond the five year forecast, we have reviewed the profits inherent in the value in use calculations and based on these and our expectations for the German business, we believe it is probable the German losses will be fully utilised. Based on the current forecasts the losses will be fully utilised over the next 10 to 15 years. A 5%–10% change in the profits of the German business would change the period over which the losses will be fully utilised by up to one year. The recognition of the additional deferred tax assets in Luxembourg and Germany in the year ended 31 March 2014 was triggered by the agreement to dispose of the US group whose principal asset was its 45% interest in Verizon Wireless, which removed significant uncertainty over the future structure of the Group including the continuation of future income streams in Luxembourg and the availability of the losses in Germany. Other tax losses During the year, the Group acquired Grupo Corporativo Ono, S.A. and which had tax losses of £2,375 million in Spain and which are available to offset against the future profits of the Spanish business. The losses do not expire. A deferred tax asset of £603 million (2014: £nil) has been recognised in respect of these losses as we conclude it is probable that the Spanish business will continue to generate taxable profits in the future against which we can utilise these losses. We have reviewed the latest forecasts for the Spanish business which incorporate the unsystematic risks of operating in the telecommunications business (see pages 32 to 37). In the period beyond the five year forecast, we have reviewed the profits inherent in the value in use calculations and based on these and our expectations for the Spanish business, we believe it is probable the losses will be fully utilised. Based on the current forecasts the losses will be fully utilised over the next eight to ten years. A 5%–10% change in the profits of the Spanish business would not significantly alter the utilisation period. We have losses amounting to £6,735 million (2014: £6,651 million) in respect of UK subsidiaries which are only available for offset against future capital gains and since it is uncertain whether these losses will be utilised, no deferred tax asset has been recognised. We recognised a deferred tax asset (2014: £442 million) of these losses in the prior year. The remaining losses relate to a number of other jurisdictions across the Group. There are also £310 million (2014: £339 million) of unrecognised other temporary differences. 127 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Losses for which a deferred tax asset is recognised 104 6487,24687,414 Losses for which no deferred tax is recognised 1,124 54316,08417,751 1,228 607103,330105,165

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 6. Taxation (continued) We hold a deferred tax liability of £40 million (2014: £nil) in respect of deferred taxation that would arise if temporary differences on investments in subsidiaries, associates and interests in joint ventures were to be realised after the balance sheet date (see table above). No deferred tax liability has been recognised in respect of a further £14,925 million (2014: £22,985 million) of unremitted earnings of subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures because we are in a position to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that such differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of unrecognised deferred tax liabilities in respect of these unremitted earnings. 7. Discontinued operations On 21 February 2014 we completed the sale of our US group whose principal asset was its 45% interest in Verizon Wireless. The results of these discontinued operations are detailed below. Income statement and segment analysis of discontinued operations 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Gain on disposal of discontinued operations 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Note: 1 Includes dividends received from Verizon Wireless after the date of the announcement of the disposal. Profit for the financial year from discontinued operations 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Earnings per share from discontinued operations 2015 Pence per share 2014 Pence per share 2013 Pence per share Total comprehensive income for the financial year from discontinued operations 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Cash flows from discontinued operations1 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Note: 1 During the year ended 31 March 2015, the Group received a final tax distribution from Verizon Wireless of £359 million and a taxation refund of £84 million in relation to our disposed US Group. 128 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Net cash flows from operating activities – (2,617) (1,464) 4,798 Net cash flows from investing activities – 4,830 Net cash flows from financing activities – (2,225)(5,164) Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents – (12) (1,830) 1,721 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the financial year – – Exchange gain/(loss) on cash and cash equivalents – 12109 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the financial year – –– Attributable to owners of the parent 57 48,1084,616 – Basic 0.22p 181.74p 17.20p – Diluted 0.21p 180.30p 17.20p Profit for the financial year from discontinued operations 57 1,5094,616 Net gain on disposal of discontinued operations – 46,599– Profit for the financial year from discontinued operations 57 48,1084,616 Gain on disposal of discontinued operations before taxation (see note 28) – 44,996– Other items arising from the disposal1 – 1,603– Net gain on disposal of discontinued operations – 46,599– Share of result in associates – 3,1916,422 Net financing income/(costs) – 27(56) Profit before taxation – 3,2186,366 Taxation relating to performance of discontinued operations 57 (1,709)(1,750) Post-tax profit from discontinued operations 57 1,5094,616

 


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8. Earnings per share Basic earnings per share is the amount of profit generated for the financial year attributable to equity shareholders divided by the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year. 2015 Millions 2014 Millions 2013 Millions 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m On 19 February 2014, we announced a “6 for 11” share consolidation effective 24 February 2014. This had the effect of reducing the number of shares in issue from 52,821,751,216 ordinary shares (including 4,351,833,492 ordinary shares held in Treasury) as at the close of business on 18 February 2014 to 28,811,864,298 new ordinary shares in issue immediately after the share consolidation on 24 February 2014. 9. Equity dividends Dividends are one type of shareholder return, historically paid to our shareholders in February and August. 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m On 2 September 2013 Vodafone announced that it had reached agreement to dispose of its US group whose principal asset was its 45% interest in Verizon Wireless (‘VZW’) to Verizon Communications Inc. (‘Verizon’), for a total consideration of US$130 billion (£79 billion). At a General Meeting of the Company on 28 January 2014, shareholders approved the transactions and following completion on 21 February 2014, Vodafone shareholders received all of the Verizon shares and US$23.9 billion (£14.3 billion) of cash (the ‘Return of Value’) totalling US$85.2 billion (£51.0 billion). The Return of Value was carried out in the form of a B share scheme pursuant to a Court-approved scheme of arrangement and associated reduction of capital (the ‘Scheme’). The Scheme provided shareholders (other than shareholders in the United States and certain other jurisdictions) with the flexibility to receive their proceeds as either an income or capital return. Under the Scheme, Vodafone shareholders were issued unlisted, non-voting bonus shares, which were shortly thereafter either cancelled in consideration of the relevant amount of Verizon shares and cash or the holders received the relevant amount of Verizon shares and cash in satisfaction of a special distribution on the bonus shares, depending on shareholder elections and subject to applicable securities laws. 129 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Declared during the financial year: Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2014: 7.47 pence per share (2013: 6.92 pence per share, 2012: 6.47 pence per share) 1,975 3,3653,193 Interim dividend for the year ended 31 March 2015: 3.60 pence per share (2014: 3.53 pence per share, 2013: 3.27 pence per share) 955 1,7111,608 Special dividend for the year ended 31 March 2015: nil (2014: 172.94 US cents per share – see below, 2013: nil) – 35,490– 2,930 40,5664,801 Proposed after the end of the reporting period and not recognised as a liability: Final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2015: 7.62 pence per share (2014: 7.47 pence per share, 2013: 6.92 pence per share) 2,020 1,9753,377 Basic earnings per share 21.75p 223.84p 1.54p Diluted earnings per share 21.63p 222.07p 1.54p Earnings for basic and diluted earnings per share 5,761 59,254413 Weighted average number of shares for basic earnings per share 26,489 26,47226,831 Effect of dilutive potential shares: restricted shares and share options 140 210– Weighted average number of shares for diluted earnings per share 26,629 26,68226,831

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 10. Intangible assets Our statement of financial position contains significant intangible assets, mainly in relation to goodwill and licences and spectrum. Goodwill, which arises when we acquire a business and pay a higher amount than the fair value of its net assets primarily due to the synergies we expect to create, is not amortised but is subject to annual impairment reviews. Licences and spectrum are amortised over the life of the licence. For further details see “Critical accounting judgements” in note 1 “Basis of preparation” to the consolidated financial statements. Accounting policies Identifiable intangible assets are recognised when the Group controls the asset, it is probable that future economic benefits attributed to the asset will flow to the Group and the cost of the asset can be reliably measured. Goodwill Goodwill arising on the acquisition of an entity represents the excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the entity recognised at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is initially recognised as an asset at cost and is subsequently measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Goodwill is not subject to amortisation but is tested for impairment or whenever there is evidence that it may be required. Goodwill is denominated in the currency of the acquired entity and revalued to the closing exchange rate at each reporting period date. Negative goodwill arising on an acquisition is recognised directly in the income statement. On disposal of a subsidiary or a jointly controlled entity, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the profit or loss recognised in the income statement on disposal. Goodwill arising before the date of transition to IFRS, on 1 April 2004, has been retained at the previous UK GAAP amounts, subject to being tested for impairment at that date. Goodwill written off to reserves under UK GAAP prior to 1998 has not been reinstated and is not included in determining any subsequent profit or loss on disposal. Finite lived intangible assets Intangible assets with finite lives are stated at acquisition or development cost, less accumulated amortisation. The amortisation period and method is reviewed at least annually. Changes in the expected useful life or the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits embodied in the asset are accounted for by changing the amortisation period or method, as appropriate, and are treated as changes in accounting estimates. Licence and spectrum fees Amortisation periods for licence and spectrum fees are determined primarily by reference to the unexpired licence period, the conditions for licence renewal and whether licences are dependent on specific technologies. Amortisation is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives from the commencement of related network services. Computer software Computer software comprises computer software purchased from third parties as well as the cost of internally developed software. Computer software licences are capitalised on the basis of the costs incurred to acquire and bring into use the specific software. Costs that are directly associated with the production of identifiable and unique software products controlled by the Group, and are probable of producing future economic benefits, are recognised as intangible assets. Direct costs include software development employee costs and directly attributable overheads. Software integral to an item of hardware equipment is classified as property, plant and equipment. Costs associated with maintaining computer software programs are recognised as an expense when they are incurred. Internally developed software is recognised only if all of the following conditions are met: a an asset is created that can be separately identified; a it is probable that the asset created will generate future economic benefits; and a the development cost of the asset can be measured reliably. Amortisation is charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life from the date the software is available for use. Other intangible assets Other intangible assets, including brands and customer bases, are recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. Amortisation is charged to the income statement, over the estimated useful lives of intangible assets from the date they are available for use, on a straight-line basis, with the exception of customer relationships which are amortised on a sum of digits basis. The amortisation basis adopted for each class of intangible asset reflects the Group’s consumption of the economic benefit from that asset. 130 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Estimated useful lives The estimated useful lives of finite lived intangible assets are as follows: a Licence and spectrum fees 3–25 years a Computer software 3–5 years a Brands 1–10 years a Customer bases 2–7 years Licences and spectrum £m Computer software £m Goodwill £m Other £m Total £m Cost: 1 April 2013 Exchange movements Arising on acquisition Additions Disposals Other 73,316 (3,054) 6,859 – – – 28,871 (1,757) 1,319 2,228 (74) 5 8,879 (375) 464 1,437 (296) 103 2,905 (434) 2,861 – – – 113,971 (5,620) 11,503 3,665 (370) 108 31 March 2014 77,121 30,592 10,212 5,332 123,257 Accumulated impairment losses and amortisation: 1 April 2013 Exchange movements Amortisation charge for the year Impairment losses Disposals Other 48,926 (1,720) – 6,600 – – 12,534 (732) 1,683 – (65) – 6,112 (261) 1,282 – (278) 9 2,260 (338) 557 – – – 69,832 (3,051) 3,522 6,600 (343) 9 31 March 2014 53,806 13,420 6,864 2,479 76,569 Net book value: 31 March 2014 23,315 17,172 3,348 2,853 46,688 For licences and spectrum and other intangible assets, amortisation is included within the cost of sales line within the consolidated income statement. Licences and spectrum with a net book value of £2,059 million (2014: £3,885 million) have been pledged as security against borrowings. The net book value and expiry dates of the most significant licences are as follows: 2015 £m 2014 £m Expiry date The remaining amortisation period for each of the licences in the table above corresponds to the expiry date of the respective licence. A summary of the Group’s most significant spectrum licences can be found on page 200. 131 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Germany Italy UK India Qatar Netherlands 2016/2020/2025 2,843 3,743 2018/2021/2029 1,094 1,301 2033 3,050 3,425 2015–2034 3,994 3,885 2028/2029 987 945 2016/2029/2030 940 1,188 31 March 2015 22,53715,3503,4132,19043,490 Exchange movements (6,344)(717) (707)(234)(8,002) Amortisation charge for the year –1,751 1,4911,2774,519 Disposals –– (454)(12)(466) Other –– 8–8 31 March 2015 47,46214,454 7,2023,51072,628 Exchange movements (8,756) (1,235) (1,036)(542)(11,569) Arising on acquisition 1,634– 489052,587 Additions –467 1,844172,328 Disposals –– (464)(12)(476) Other –(20) 11–(9) 31 March 2015 69,99929,804 10,6155,700116,118

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 11. Property, plant and equipment We make significant investments in network equipment and infrastructure – the base stations and technology required to operate our networks – that form the majority of our tangible assets. All assets are depreciated over their useful economic lives. For further details on the estimation of useful economic lives, see “Critical accounting judgements” in note 1 “Basis of preparation” to the consolidated financial statements. Accounting policies Land and buildings held for use are stated in the statement of financial position at their cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. Amounts for equipment, fixtures and fittings, which includes network infrastructure assets and which together comprise an all but insignificant amount of the Group’s property, plant and equipment, are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Assets in the course of construction are carried at cost, less any recognised impairment loss. Depreciation of these assets commences when the assets are ready for their intended use. The cost of property, plant and equipment includes directly attributable incremental costs incurred in their acquisition and installation. Depreciation is charged so as to write off the cost of assets, other than land, using the straight-line method, over their estimated useful lives, as follows: Land and buildings a Freehold buildings 25–50 years a Leasehold premises the term of the lease Equipment, fixtures and fittings a Network infrastructure 3–25 years a Other 3–10 years Depreciation is not provided on freehold land. Assets held under finance leases are depreciated over their expected useful lives on the same basis as owned assets or, where shorter, the term of the relevant lease. The gain or loss arising on the disposal or retirement of an item of property, plant and equipment is determined as the difference between any sale proceeds and the carrying amount of the asset and is recognised in the income statement. 132 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Equipment, fixtures and fittings £m Land and buildings £m Total £m Cost: 1 April 2013 Exchange movements Arising on acquisition Additions Disposals of subsidiaries Disposals Transfer of assets to joint operations Other 1,598 (99) 113 127 – (93) – – 42,448 (2,900) 6,286 4,743 (15) (1,224) (672) (103) 44,046 (2,999) 6,399 4,870 (15) (1,317) (672) (103) 31 March 2014 1,646 48,563 50,209 Accumulated depreciation and impairment: 1 April 2013 Exchange movements Charge for the year Disposals of subsidiaries Disposals Transfer of assets to joint operations Other 699 (20) 99 – (46) – – 25,763 (1,477) 3,939 (15) (1,099) (476) (9) 26,462 (1,497) 4,038 (15) (1,145) (476) (9) 31 March 2014 732 26,626 27,358 Net book value: 31 March 2014 914 21,937 22,851 The net book value of land and buildings and equipment, fixtures and fittings includes £24 million and £468 million respectively (2014: £48 million and £413 million) in relation to assets held under finance leases. Included in the net book value of land and buildings and equipment, fixtures and fittings are assets in the course of construction, which are not depreciated, with a cost of £85 million and £1,705 million respectively (2014: £70 million and £1,617 million). Property, plant and equipment with a net book value of £nil (2014: £1 million) has been pledged as security against borrowings. 133 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information 31 March 2015 91525,68826,603 Exchange movements (62) (2,296)(2,358) Charge for the year 1184,9285,046 Disposals (24) (1,550)(1,574) Other (10) 3424 31 March 2015 75427,74228,496 Exchange movements (117)(4,107) (4,224) Arising on acquisition 73,4433,450 Additions 1727,1817,353 Disposals (52) (1,664)(1,716) Other 131427 31 March 2015 1,66953,43055,099

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 12. Investments in associates and joint arrangements We hold interests in several associates where we have significant influence, with the most significant being Safaricom Limited following the disposal of Verizon Wireless on 21 February 2014, as well as interests in a number of joint arrangements where we share control with one or more third parties. For further details see “Critical accounting judgements” in note 1 “Basis of preparation” to the consolidated financial statements. Accounting policies Interests in joint arrangements A joint arrangement is a contractual arrangement whereby the Group and other parties undertake an economic activity that is subject to joint control; that is, when the relevant activities that significantly affect the investee’s returns require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. Joint arrangements are either joint operations or joint ventures. Joint operations A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control have the rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement or that other facts and circumstances indicate that this is the case. The Group’s share of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and cash flows are combined with the equivalent items in the financial statements on a line-by-line basis. Any goodwill arising on the acquisition of the Group’s interest in a jointly controlled entity is accounted for in accordance with the Group’s accounting policy for goodwill arising on the acquisition of a subsidiary. Joint ventures A joint venture is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control have the rights to the net assets of the arrangement. At the date of acquisition, any excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the joint venture is recognised as goodwill. The goodwill is included within the carrying amount of the investment. The results and assets and liabilities of joint ventures are incorporated in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, investments in joint ventures are carried in the consolidated statement of financial position at cost as adjusted for post-acquisition changes in the Group’s share of the net assets of the joint venture, less any impairment in the value of the investment. The Group’s share of post-tax profits or losses are recognised in the consolidated income statement. Losses of a joint venture in excess of the Group’s interest in that joint venture are recognised only to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the joint venture. Associates An associate is an entity over which the Group has significant influence and that is neither a subsidiary nor an interest in a joint venture. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but do not have control or joint control over those policies. At the date of acquisition, any excess of the cost of acquisition over the Group’s share of the net fair value of the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of the associate is recognised as goodwill. The goodwill is included within the carrying amount of the investment. The results and assets and liabilities of associates are incorporated in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, investments in associates are carried in the consolidated statement of financial position at cost as adjusted for post-acquisition changes in the Group’s share of the net assets of the associate, less any impairment in the value of the investment. The Group’s share of post-tax profits or losses are recognised in the consolidated income statement. Losses of an associate in excess of the Group’s interest in that associate are recognised only to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate. Joint operations The Company’s principal joint operation has share capital consisting solely of ordinary shares and is indirectly held, and principally operates in the UK. The financial and operating activities of the operation are jointly controlled by the participating shareholders and are primarily designed for all but an insignificant amount of the output to be consumed by the shareholders. Country of incorporation or registration Percentage1 shareholdings Name of joint operation Principal activity Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited Network infrastructure UK 50.0 Note: 1 Effective ownership percentages of Vodafone Group Plc at 31 March 2015, rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent. 134 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Joint ventures and associates 2015 £m 2014 £m Joint ventures The financial and operating activities of the Group’s joint ventures are jointly controlled by the participating shareholders. The participating shareholders have rights to the net assets of the joint ventures though their equity shareholdings. Unless otherwise stated, the Company’s principal joint ventures all have share capital consisting solely of ordinary shares and are all indirectly held. The country of incorporation or registration of all joint ventures is also their principal place of operation. Country of incorporation or registration Percentage1 shareholdings Name of joint venture Principal activity Indus Towers Limited2 Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited3 Network infrastructure Network operator India Australia 42.0 50.0 Notes: 1 Effective ownership percentages of Vodafone Group Plc at 31 March 2015 rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent. 2 42% of Indus Towers Limited is held by Vodafone India Limited (‘VIL’). 3 Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited has a year end of 31 December. Joint ventures included the results of the Vodafone Omnitel B.V. until 21 February 2014. On 21 February 2014, the Group acquired the remaining 23.1% interest upon which date the results of the wholly-acquired entity were consolidated in the Group’s financial statements. The following table provides aggregated financial information for the Group’s joint ventures as it relates to the amounts recognised in the income statement, statement of comprehensive income and statement of financial position. (Loss)/profit from continuing operations Other comprehensive income Total comprehensive (expense)/income Investment in joint ventures 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m 2015 £m 20142013 £m £m Note: 1 Prior to 21 February 2014, the other participating shareholder held substantive veto rights such that the Group did not unilaterally control the financial and operating policies of Vodafone Omnitel B.V. The summarised financial information for each of the Group’s material equity accounted joint ventures on a 100% ownership basis is set out below. Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited Vodafone Omnitel B.V.1 Indus Towers Limited 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Note: 1 Prior to 21 February 2014, the other participating shareholder held substantive veto rights such that the Group did not unilaterally control the financial and operating policies of Vodafone Omnitel B.V. The Group received a dividend of £166 million in the year to 31 March 2015 (2014: £26 million; 2013: £46 million) from Indus Towers Limited. 135 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Income statement and statement of comprehensive income Revenue – 4,931 6,186 1,580 1,547 1,489 1,838 2,032 2,497 Depreciation and amortisation – (937)(999) (407) (507)(256) (415) (423)(454) Interest income – 12 29 208 2 106 Interest expense – (15) (6) (75) (124)(103) (228) (212)(191) Income tax (expense)/income – (174)(430) (182) 39(53) – 13 Profit or loss from continuing operations – 339951 44 5134 (320) (132)(446) Other comprehensive (expense)/income – –(6) – –– 2 –6 Total comprehensive income/(expense) – 339945 44 5134 (318) (132)(440) Statement of financial position Non-current assets – – 1,482 1,798 2,285 1,916 Current assets – – 278 423 424 590 Non-current liabilities – – (686) (801) (3,473) (3,150) Current liabilities – – (487) (532) (743) (661) Equity shareholders’ funds – – (587) (888) 1,507 1,305 Cash and cash equivalents within current assets – – 6 143 90 60 Non-current liabilities excluding trade and other payables and provisions – – (481) (701) (3,325) (3,060) Current liabilities excluding trade and other payables and provisions – – (188) (258) (90) (97) Vodafone Omnitel B.V.1 – – 8,441 – 261731 – –(5) – 261726 Indus Towers Limited 247 373(26) 18 2115 – –– 18 2115 Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited (667) (559)(609) (160) (66) (223) 1 –3 (159) (66) (220) Other 89 286 (9) 5(3) – –2 (9) 5(1) Total (331) (158) 7,812 (151) 221520 1 –– (150) 221520 Investment in joint ventures Investment in associates (331) (158) 328 272 31 March (3) 114

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 12. Investments in associates and joint arrangements (continued) Associates Unless otherwise stated, the Company’s principal associates all have share capital consisting solely of ordinary shares and are all indirectly held. The country of incorporation or registration of all associates is also their principal place of operation. Country of incorporation or registration Percentage1 shareholdings Name of associate Principal activity Safaricom Limited2,3 Network operator Kenya 40.0 Notes: 1 Effective ownership percentages of Vodafone Group Plc at 31 March 2015, rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent. 2 The Group also holds two non-voting shares. 3 At 31 March 2015 the fair value of Safaricom Limited was KES 273 billion (£1,989 million) based on the closing quoted share price on the Nairobi Stock Exchange. On 21 February 2014, the Group disposed of its 45% interest in Cellco Partnership which traded under the name Verizon Wireless. Results from discontinued operations are disclosed in note 7 “Discontinued operations” to the consolidated financial statements. The Group received £4,828 million of dividends in the year to 31 March 2014 (2013: £4,798 million) from Cellco Partnership. The following table provides aggregated financial information for the Group’s associates as it relates to the amounts recognised in the income statement, statement of comprehensive income and consolidated statement of financial position. Profit/(loss) from continuing operations Other comprehensive (expense)/income Total comprehensive income/(expense) Investment in associates 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m The summarised financial information for each of the Group’s material equity accounted associates on a 100% ownership basis is set out below. Cellco Partnership 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m 136 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Income statement and statement of comprehensive income Revenue Depreciation and amortisation Interest income Interest expense Income tax (expense)/income Post-tax profit from discontinued operations Other comprehensive expense Total comprehensive income – 22,122 48,827 – (2,186) (5,145) – 13 – (38) (60) – (111) 29 – 7,092 14,272 – (2) – – 7,090 14,272 Statement of financial position Non-current assets Current assets Non-current liabilities Current liabilities Equity shareholders’ funds – – – – – – – – – – Cash and cash equivalents within current assets Non-current liabilities excluding trade and other payables and provisions Current liabilities excluding trade and other payables and provisions – – – – – – Cellco Partnership – – 38,373 – –– – (1) – – 3,1906,422 Other 328 272262 88 5755 – –– 88 5755 Total 328 272 38,635 88 5755 – (1)– 88 3,2476,477

 


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13. Other investments We hold a number of other listed and unlisted investments, mainly comprising US$5.25 billion of loan notes from Verizon Communications. Accounting policies Other investments are recognised and derecognised on a trade date where a purchase or sale of an investment is under a contract whose terms require delivery of the investment within the timeframe established by the market concerned, and are initially measured at fair value, including transaction costs. Other investments classified as held for trading and available-for-sale are stated at fair value. Where securities are held for trading purposes, gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are included in net profit or loss for the period. For available-for-sale investments, gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are recognised directly in equity, until the security is disposed of or is determined to be impaired, at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in equity, determined using the weighted average cost method, is included in the net profit or loss for the period. Other investments classified as loans and receivables are stated at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment. 2015 £m 2014 £m The listed and unlisted securities are classified as available-for-sale. Public debt and bonds are classified as held for trading, and other debt and bonds which are not quoted in an active market, are classified as loans and receivables. Unlisted equity investments are recorded at fair value where appropriate. Other debt and bonds includes loan notes of US$5.25 billion (£3,547 million) issued by Verizon Communications Inc. as part of the Group’s disposal of its interest in Verizon Wireless, of which US$250 million (£168 million) is recorded within current assets. The carrying amount of these loan notes approximates fair value. Current other investments comprise the following: 2015 £m 2014 £m Public debt and bonds are classified as held for trading. Cash held in restricted deposits are classified as loans and receivables and include amounts held in qualifying assets by Group insurance companies to meet regulatory requirements. Other debt and bonds includes £2,016 million (2014: £2,809 million) of assets held for trading which include £2,016 million (2014: £1,979 million) of assets held in managed investment funds with liquidity of up to 90 days and £nil (2014: £830 million) of short-term securitised investments with original maturities of up to six months, and £38 million (2014: £144 million) of assets classified as loans and receivables comprising collateral paid on derivative financial instruments. Current public debt and bonds include government bonds of £830 million (2014: £852 million) which consist of highly liquid index linked gilts with less than four years to maturity held on an effective floating rate basis. For public debt and bonds, other debt and bonds and cash held in restricted deposits, the carrying amount approximates fair value. 137 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Included within current assets: Debt securities: Public debt and bonds 982 938 Other debt and bonds 2,223 2,957 Cash and other investments held in restricted deposits 650 524 3,855 4,419 Included within non-current assets: Equity securities: Listed 4 13 Unlisted 222 228 Debt securities: Public debt and bonds 148 141 Other debt and bonds 3,383 3,171 3,757 3,553

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 14. Inventory Our inventory primarily consists of mobile handsets and is presented net of an allowance for obsolete products. Accounting policies Inventory is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined on the basis of weighted average costs and comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. 2015 £m 2014 £m Inventory is reported net of allowances for obsolescence, an analysis of which is as follows: 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Cost of sales includes amounts related to inventory amounting to £5,701 million (2014: £5,340 million; 2013: £5,107 million). 138 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 1 April (88) (89) (92) Exchange movements 8 6(6) Amounts credited/(debited) to the income statement 6 (5) 9 31 March (74) (88)(89) Goods held for resale 482 441

 


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15. Trade and other receivables Our trade and other receivables mainly consist of amounts owed to us by customers and amounts that we pay to our suppliers in advance. Trade receivables are shown net of an allowance for bad or doubtful debts. Derivative financial instruments with a positive market value are reported within this note. Accounting policies Trade receivables do not carry any interest and are stated at their nominal value as reduced by appropriate allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts. Estimated irrecoverable amounts are based on the ageing of the receivable balances and historical experience. Individual trade receivables are written off when management deems them not to be collectible. 2015 £m 2014 £m Notes: 1 31 March 2015 amount includes prepayments of £566 million and accrued income of £nil. 2 31 March 2015 amount includes prepayments of £938 million and accrued income of £1,839 million. The Group’s trade receivables are stated after allowances for bad and doubtful debts based on management’s assessment of creditworthiness, an analysis of which is as follows: 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m The carrying amounts of trade and other receivables approximate their fair value and are predominantly non-interest bearing. The fair values of the derivative financial instruments are calculated by discounting the future cash flows to net present values using appropriate market interest rates and foreign currency rates prevailing at 31 March. 2015 £m 2014 £m 139 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Included within “Derivative financial instruments”: Fair value through the income statement (held for trading): Interest rate swaps 2,378 1,262 Cross currency interest rate swaps 218 158 Foreign exchange contracts 33 68 2,629 1,488 Designated hedge relationships: Interest rate swaps 88 609 Cross currency interest rate swaps 1,288 346 4,005 2,443 1 April 589 770799 Exchange movements (60) (67) (10) Amounts charged to administrative expenses 541 347360 Trade receivables written off (268) (461)(379) 31 March 802 589770 Included within non-current assets: Trade receivables 288 232 Amounts owed by associates and joint ventures 85 51 Other receivables 190 150 Prepayments and accrued income1 566 592 Derivative financial instruments 3,736 2,245 4,865 3,270 Included within current assets: Trade receivables 3,944 3,627 Amounts owed by associates and joint ventures 133 68 Other receivables 930 1,233 Prepayments and accrued income2 2,777 3,760 Derivative financial instruments 269 198 8,053 8,886

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 16. Trade and other payables Our trade and other payables mainly consist of amounts we owe to our suppliers that have been invoiced or are accrued. They also include taxes and social security amounts due in relation to our role as an employer. Derivative financial instruments with a negative market value are reported within this note. Accounting policies Trade payables are not interest bearing and are stated at their nominal value. 2015 £m 2014 £m Notes: 1 31 March 2015 amount includes accruals of £161 million and deferred income of £123 million. 2 31 March 2015 amount includes accruals of £6,408 million and deferred income of £1,663 million. The carrying amounts of trade and other payables approximate their fair value. The fair values of the derivative financial instruments are calculated by discounting the future cash flows to net present values using appropriate market interest and foreign currency rates prevailing at 31 March. 2015 £m 2014 £m 140 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Included within “Derivative financial instruments”: Fair value through the income statement (held for trading): Interest rate swaps 672 430 Cross currency interest rate swaps 229 12 Options 11 – Foreign exchange contracts 46 29 958 471 Designated hedge relationships Interest rate swaps 10 205 Cross currency interest rate swaps 16 205 984 881 Included within non-current liabilities: Other payables 86 72 Accruals and deferred income1 284 456 Derivative financial instruments 894 811 1,264 1,339 Included within current liabilities: Trade payables 5,054 4,710 Amounts owed to associates and joint ventures 44 51 Other taxes and social security payable 1,028 1,047 Other payables 621 678 Accruals and deferred income2 8,071 8,900 Derivative financial instruments 90 70 14,908 15,456

 


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17. Provisions A provision is a liability recorded in the statement of financial position, where there is uncertainty over the timing or amount that will be paid, and is therefore often estimated. The main provisions we hold are in relation to asset retirement obligations, which include the cost of returning network infrastructure sites to their original condition at the end of the lease, and claims for legal and regulatory matters. For further details see “Critical accounting judgements” in note 1 “Basis of preparation” to the consolidated financial statements. Accounting policies Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the Group will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. Provisions are measured at the Directors’ best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the reporting date and are discounted to present value where the effect is material. Asset retirement obligations In the course of the Group’s activities, a number of sites and other assets are utilised which are expected to have costs associated with de-commissioning. The associated cash outflows are substantially expected to occur at the dates of exit of the assets to which they relate, which are long-term in nature, primarily in periods up to 25 years from when the asset is brought into use. Legal and regulatory The Group is involved in a number of legal and other disputes, including notifications of possible claims. The Directors of the Company, after taking legal advice, have established provisions after taking into account the facts of each case. The timing of cash outflows associated with the majority of legal claims are typically less than one year, however, for some legal claims the timing of cash flows may be long-term in nature. For a discussion of certain legal issues potentially affecting the Group see note 30 “Contingent liabilities” to the consolidated financial statements. Other provisions Other provisions comprises various provisions including those for restructuring costs and property. The associated cash outflows for restructuring costs are primarily less than one year. The timing of the cash flows associated with property is dependent upon the remaining term of the associated lease. Asset retirement obligations £m Legal and regulatory £m Other £m Total £m 1 April 2013 Exchange movements Arising on acquisition Amounts capitalised in the year Amounts charged to the income statement Utilised in the year - payments Amounts released to the income statement Other 467 (14) 62 14 – (26) – (18) 450 (33) 92 – 140 (35) (32) (25) 653 (27) 5 – 374 (186) (61) 9 1,570 (74) 159 14 514 (247) (93) (34) 31 March 2014 485 557 767 1,809 141 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Exchange movements (34) (18) (47) (99) Arising on acquisition – 265985 Amounts capitalised in the year 58 ––58 Amounts charged to the income statement – 277270547 Utilised in the year - payments (13) (51) (385)(449) Amounts released to the income statement (30) (100)(96) (226) Other – 143(19) 124 31 March 2015 466 8345491,849

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 17. Provisions (continued) Provisions have been analysed between current and non-current as follows: 31 March 2015 Asset retirement obligations £m Legal and regulatory £m Other £m Total £m 31 March 2014 Asset retirement obligations £m Legal and regulatory £m Other £m Total £m Current liabilities Non-current liabilities 14 471 271 286 678 89 963 846 485 557 767 1,809 18. Called up share capital Called up share capital is the number of shares in issue at their par value. A number of shares were allotted during the year in relation to employee share schemes. Accounting policies Equity instruments issued by the Group are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issuance costs. 2015 2014 Number £m Number £m Notes: 1 At 31 March 2015, the Group held 2,300,749,013 (2014: 2,371,962,907) treasury shares with a nominal value of £303 million (2014: £312 million). The market value of shares held was £5,072 million (2014: £5,225 million). During the year, 71,213,894 (2014: 103,748,921) treasury shares were reissued under Group share option schemes. 2 On 19 February 2014, we announced a “6 for 11” share consolidation effective 24 February 2014. This had the effect of reducing the number of shares in issue from 52,821,751,216 ordinary shares (including 4,351,833,492 ordinary shares held in Treasury) as at the close of business on 18 February 2014 to 28,811,864,298 new ordinary shares in issue immediately after the share consolidation on 24 February 2014. During the year to 31 March 2014, we issued 14,732,741,283 B shares of US$1.88477 per share and 33,737,176,433 C shares of US$0.00001 per share as part of the Return of Value following the disposal of our US Group, whose principal asset was its 45% stake in Verizon Wireless. The B shares were cancelled as part of the Return of Value. The C shares were reclassified as deferred shares with no substantive rights as part of the Return of Value and transferred to LDC (Shares) Limited (‘LDC’). On 8 May 2015, we repurchased and then subsequently cancelled all deferred shares. Allotted during the year Nominal value £m Net proceeds £m Number 142 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 UK share awards 863,970 –2 US share awards – –– Total share awards 863,970 –2 Ordinary shares of 2020/21 US cents each allotted, issued and fully paid:1 53,820,386,3093,866 1,423,737 – (24,009,886,918) – (1,000,000,000) (74) 1 April 28,811,923,1283,792 Allotted during the year 863,970– Consolidated during the year2 –– Cancelled during the year –– 31 March 28,812,787,0983,792 28,811,923,1283,792 Current liabilities 14311 442767 Non-current liabilities 452523 1071,082 466834 5491,849

 


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19. Reconciliation of net cash flow from operating activities The table below shows how our profit for the year from continuing operations translates into cash flows generated from our operating activities. 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Notes 20. Cash and cash equivalents The majority of the Group’s cash is held in bank deposits, money market funds or in repurchase agreements which have a maturity of three months or less to enable us to meet our short-term liquidity requirements. Accounting policies Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash in hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. 2015 £m 2014 £m Cash and cash equivalents are held by the Group on a short-term basis with all having an original maturity of three months or less. The carrying amount approximates their fair value. Cash and cash equivalents of £1,722 million (2014: £777 million) are held in countries with restrictions on remittances but where the balances could be used to repay subsidiaries’ third party liabilities. Of this balance, INR 57,863 million (£623 million) was used to settle India spectrum licence obligations on 8 April 2015. 143 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Cash at bank and in hand 2,379 1,498 Money market funds 2,402 3,648 Repurchase agreements 2,000 4,799 Commercial paper 101 – Short-term securitised investments – 189 Cash and cash equivalents as presented in the statement of financial position 6,882 10,134 Bank overdrafts (21) (22) Cash and cash equivalents as presented in the statement of cash flows 6,861 10,112 Profit for the financial year Profit for the financial year from discontinued operations 5,917 59,420657 7 (57) (48,108)(4,616) Profit/(loss) for the financial year from continuing operations Non-operating income and expense Investment income Financing costs Income tax (credit)/expense 5,860 11,312(3,959) 19 149(10) (883) (346)(305) 1,736 1,5541,596 6 (4,765) (16,582)476 Operating profit/(loss) Adjustments for: Share-based payments Depreciation and amortisation Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment Share of result of equity accounted associates and joint ventures Impairment losses Other income and expense (Increase)/decrease in inventory (Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables (Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables 1,967 (3,913)(2,202) 27 88 92124 10, 11 9,565 7,5606,661 3 49 8577 12 63 (278)(575) 4 – 6,6007,700 114 620(468) 14 (73) 456 15 (230) 526(199) 16 (1,146) 851320 Cash generated by operations Net tax paid 10,397 12,14711,494 (682) (5,920)(2,670) Net cash flow from operating activities 9,715 6,2278,824

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 21. Borrowings The Group’s sources of borrowing for funding and liquidity purposes come from a range of committed bank facilities and through short-term and long-term issuances in the capital markets including bond and commercial paper issues and bank loans. We manage the basis on which we incur interest on debt between fixed interest rates and floating interest rates depending on market conditions using interest rate derivatives. The Group enters into foreign exchange contracts to mitigate the impact of exchange rate movements on certain monetary items. Accounting policies Capital market and bank borrowings Interest bearing loans and overdrafts are initially measured at fair value (which is equal to cost at inception), and are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method, except where they are identified as a hedged item in a designated hedge relationship. Any difference between the proceeds net of transaction costs and the amount due on settlement or redemption of borrowings is recognised over the term of the borrowing. Carrying value and fair value information 2015 2014 Short-term borrowings £m Long-term borrowings £m Short-term borrowings £m Long-term borrowings £m Total £m Total £m Notes: 1 2 At 31 March 2015, amount includes £2,542 million (2014: £1,185 million) in relation to collateral support agreements. Includes a £1.3 billion (2014: £1.4 billion) liability for payments due to holders of the equity shares in Kabel Deutschland AG under the terms of a domination and profit and loss transfer agreement. At 31 March 2014, amount includes £882 million in relation to the Piramal Healthcare option. 3 Bank loans include INR 457 billion (£4.9 billion) (2014: INR 425 billion (£4.3 billion)) of loans held by Vodafone India Limited (‘VIL’) and its subsidiaries (the “VIL Group”). The VIL Group has a number of security arrangements supporting certain licences secured under the terms of agreements between the Group, the Department of Telecommunications and the Government of India including certain share pledges of the shares within the VIL Group. The terms and conditions of the security arrangements mean that, should members of the VIL Group not meet all of their loan payment and performance obligations, the lenders may sell the pledged shares and enforce rights over the certain licences under the terms of the tri-party agreements to recover their losses, with any remaining sales proceeds being returned to the VIL Group. Each of the eight legal entities within the VIL Group provide cross guarantees to the lenders in respect of debt contracted by the other entities. The fair value and carrying value of the Group’s short-term borrowings are as follows: Sterling equivalent nominal value Fair value Carrying value 2015 £m 2014 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m 144 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost 10,689 5,655 10,843 5,964 10,837 5,964 Bonds: 1,265 1,756 1,309 1,771 1,297 1,783 Euro floating rate note due June 2014 – 929 – 930 – 930 4.625% sterling 350 million bond due September 2014 – 302 – 307 – 315 4.625% sterling 525 million bond due September 2014 – 525 – 534 – 538 5.125% euro 500 million bond due April 2015 361 – 362 – 379 – 6.25% euro 1,250 million bond due January 2016 904 – 947 – 918 – Bonds in designated hedge relationships: 489 – 489 – 489 – 2.15% Japanese yen 3,000 million bond due April 2015 17 – 17 – 17 – US dollar 700 million floating rate note due February 2016 472 – 472 – 472 – Short-term borrowings 12,443 7,411 12,641 7,735 12,623 7,747 Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost: 1,2634,6475,910 22–22 950–950 1,7834,4656,248 3,7291103,839 –12,23212,232 Bank loans 1,8765,1287,004 Bank overdrafts 21–21 Commercial paper 5,077–5,077 Bonds 1,2976,6847,981 Other liabilities1,2,3 3,8631333,996 Bonds in designated hedge relationships 48910,49010,979 12,62322,43535,058 7,74721,45429,201

 


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The fair value and carrying value of the Group’s long-term borrowings are as follows: Sterling equivalent nominal value Fair value Carrying value 2015 £m 2014 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m Fair values are calculated on the basis of level 2 fair value hierarchy using quoted market prices or discounted cash flows with a discount rate based upon forward interest rates available to the Group at the reporting date. Further information can be found in note 23 “Capital and financial risk management”. 145 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost: Bank loans 5,173 4,788 5,213 4,707 5,128 4,647 Other liabilities 133 110 133 110 133 110 Bonds: 6,002 4,272 6,908 4,620 6,684 4,465 5.125% euro 500 million bond due April 2015 – 413 – 432 – 435 6.25% euro 1,250 million bond due January 2016 – 1,032 – 1,020 – 943 4.75% euro 500 million bond due June 2016 268 302 283 328 287 441 6.5% euro 400 million bond due July 2017 – 330 – 351 – 347 5.375% sterling 600 million bond due December 2017 549 548 605 611 568 569 5% euro 750 million bond due June 2018 542 619 622 716 564 644 6.5% euro 700 million bond due June 2018 – 578 – 604 – 606 8.125% sterling 450 million bond due November 2018 450 450 553 558 476 480 1% euro 1,750 million bond due September 2020 1,265 – 1,283 – 1,263 – 4.65% euro 1,250 million bond January 2022 904 – 1,129 – 1,081 – 5.375% euro 500 million bond June 2022 361 – 475 – 484 – 1.875% euro 1,000 million bond due September 2025 723 – 768 – 721 – 5.625% sterling 250 million bond due December 2025 250 – 313 – 343 – 5.9% sterling 450 million bond due November 2032 450 – 592 – 656 – 2.75% euro 332 million bond due December 2034 240 – 285 – 241 – Bonds in designated hedge relationships: 9,397 10,951 10,201 11,797 10,490 12,232 2.15% Japanese yen 3,000 million bond due April 2015 – 17 – 18 – 18 US dollar 700 million floating rate note due February 2016 – 420 – 420 – 420 5.625% US dollar 1,300 million bond due February 2017 876 779 946 874 920 836 1.625% US dollar 1,000 million bond due March 2017 674 599 679 607 672 597 1.25% US dollar 1,000 million bond due September 2017 674 599 670 594 672 597 1.5% US dollar 1,400 million bond due February 2018 943 839 942 827 941 837 4.625% US dollar 500 million bond due July 2018 337 300 367 332 375 343 5.45% US dollar 1,250 million bond due June 2019 842 749 955 859 938 833 4.375% US dollar 500 million bond due March 2021 337 300 371 322 346 296 4.65% euro 1,250 million bond due January 2022 – 1,032 – 1,213 – 1,194 5.375% euro 500 million bond due June 2022 – 413 – 509 – 536 2.5% US dollar 1,000 million bond due September 2022 674 599 654 551 667 557 2.95% US dollar 1,600 million bond due February 2023 1,078 959 1,066 903 1,121 939 5.625% sterling 250 million bond due December 2025 – 250 – 284 – 313 6.6324% euro 50 million bond due December 2028 36 41 109 93 86 81 7.875% US dollar 750 million bond due February 2030 505 450 711 603 771 698 5.9% sterling 450 million bond due November 2032 – 450 – 519 – 561 6.25% US dollar 495 million bond due November 2032 333 297 410 341 445 399 6.15% US dollar 1,700 million bond due February 2037 1,145 1,019 1,392 1,166 1,578 1,416 4.375% US dollar 1,400 million bond due February 2043 943 839 929 762 958 761 Long-term borrowings 20,705 20,121 22,455 21,234 22,435 21,454

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 21. Borrowings (continued) Maturity of borrowings The maturity profile of the anticipated future cash flows including interest in relation to the Group’s non-derivative financial liabilities on an undiscounted basis which, therefore, differs from both the carrying value and fair value, is as follows: Loans in designated hedge relationships £m Bank loans £m Commercial paper £m Other liabilities £m Bonds £m Total £m Within one year In one to two years In two to three years In three to four years In four to five years In more than five years 1,286 695 375 1,164 2,710 592 954 – – – – – 2,191 1,709 591 1,075 1,724 – 3,758 11 7 8 8 69 453 890 1,228 2,468 668 11,087 8,642 3,305 2,201 4,715 5,110 11,748 6,822 (912) 954 (4) 7,290 (1,042) 3,861 – 16,794 (4,562) 35,721 (6,520) Effect of discount/financing rates 31 March 2014 5,910 950 6,248 3,861 12,232 29,201 The maturity profile of the Group’s financial derivatives (which include interest rate swaps, cross currency interest rate swaps and foreign exchange swaps), using undiscounted cash flows, is as follows: 2015 2014 Payable £m Receivable £m Payable £m Receivable £m Payables and receivables are stated separately in the table above as settlement is on a gross basis. The net effect of discount/financing rates is £3,073 million (2014: £4,327 million), leaving a £3,021 million (2014: £1,562 million) net receivable in relation to financial instruments. This is split £984 million (2014: £881 million) within trade and other payables and £4,005 million (2014: £2,443 million) within trade and other receivables. Gains and losses recognised in the hedging reserve in equity on cross currency interest rate swaps as at 31 March 2015 will be continuously released to the income statement within financing costs until the repayment of certain bonds classified as loans designated in hedge relationships in the table of maturities of non-derivative financial liabilities above. The currency split of the Group’s foreign exchange derivatives is as follows: 2015 2014 Payable £m Receivable £m Payable £m Receivable £m Payables and receivables are stated separately in the table above as settlement is on a gross basis. The net effect of discount/financing rates is £192 million (2014: £7 million), leaving a £1,248 million (2014: £326 million) net receivable in relation to foreign exchange financial instruments. This is split £291 million (2014: £246 million) within trade and other payables and £1,539 million (2014: £572 million) within trade and other receivables. 146 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Sterling 11,461 12,578 8,9559,222 5,34211,364 10,6134,330 58917 1,8802,765 Euro 8,158 6,228 US dollar 5,598 9,908 Japanese yen 594 17 Other 3,238 1,374 29,049 30,105 27,37927,698 Within one year 2,647 3,537 1,2841,442 2,4543,656 4,4893,920 5,0403,138 1,7292,137 14,79912,737 In one to two years 5,457 4,005 In two to three years 4,179 4,617 In three to four years 1,430 1,942 In four to five years 1,145 2,164 In more than five years 13,177 17,864 28,035 34,129 29,79527,030 Within one year 1,928 5,0921,5883,885 87313,366 In one to two years 831 –61018 1,2562,715 In two to three years 1,090 –83111 2,6504,582 In three to four years 920 –1,19112 6262,749 In four to five years 862 –13512 1,1012,110 In more than five years 1,660 –4,958115 8,11814,851 7,291 5,0929,3134,053 14,62440,373 Effect of discount/financing rates (287) (15) (1,332)(36) (3,645)(5,315) 31 March 2015 7,004 5,0777,9814,017 10,97935,058

 


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The present value of minimum lease payments under finance lease arrangements under which the Group has leased certain of its equipment is included within other liabilities and is analysed as follows: 2015 £m 2014 £m Interest rate and currency of borrowings is as follows: Total borrowings £m Floating rate borrowings £m Fixed rate borrowings1 £m Other borrowings2 £m Currency Sterling Euro US dollar Other 2,801 16,225 4,537 5,638 885 4,557 4,330 2,768 1,910 10,220 207 1,988 6 1,448 – 882 31 March 2014 29,201 12,540 14,325 2,336 Notes: 1 The weighted average interest rate for the Group’s sterling denominated fixed rate borrowings is 6.3% (2014: 5.7%). The weighted average time for which these rates are fixed is 8.1 years (2014: 2.5 years). The weighted average interest rate for the Group’s euro denominated fixed rate borrowings is 3.4% (2014: 4.4%). The weighted average time for which the rates are fixed is 7.5 years (2014: 2.6 years). The weighted average interest rate for the Group’s US dollar denominated fixed rate borrowings is 2.8% (2014: 2.9%). The weighted average time for which the rates are fixed is 3.5 years (2014: 5.7 years). The weighted average interest rate for the Group’s other currency fixed rate borrowings is 9.6% (2014: 10.2%). The weighted average time for which the rates are fixed is 0.6 years (2014: 1.4 years). 2 At 31 March 2015 other borrowings of £1,314 million (2014: £2,336 million) include a £1.3 billion (2014: £1.4 billion) liability for payments due to holders of the equity shares in Kabel Deutschland AG under the terms of a domination and profit and loss transfer agreement. The figures shown in the tables above take into account interest rate swaps used to manage the interest rate profile of financial liabilities. Interest on floating rate borrowings is generally based on national LIBOR equivalents or government bond rates in the relevant currencies. Additional protection from euro and US dollar interest rate movements is provided by fixing interest rates or reduced by floating interest rates using interest rate swaps or interest rate futures. 2015 2014 2015 2014 US$1 US$1 EUR1 EUR1 Interest rate futures £m Interest rate swaps £m Interest rate futures £m Interest rate swaps £m Interest rate futures £m Interest rate swaps £m Interest rate futures £m Interest rate swaps £m Notes: 1 In the table above, figures shown as positive indicate an increase in fixed interest debt and figures shown in brackets indicate a reduction in fixed interest debt. 2 Figures shown as “in more than five years” relate to the periods from March 2020 to December 2043 (2014: March 2019 to December 2043). 147 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Within one year – – – – – – – – (5,722) (2,282)655 (3,716)5,814 (619)5,814 1,7265,814 4,9793,806 1032,802 –2,207 In one to two years – – (5,722) 1,659– In two to three years – – (5,722) 3,000– In three to four years – – (3,744) 1,687– In four to five years – – (2,755) (20) 4,782 In more than five years2 – – (2,605) –(5,258) Sterling 2,108 552,0467 Euro 19,531 4,25213,9721,307 US dollar 7,962 7,782180– Other 5,457 2,8982,559– 31 March 2015 35,058 14,98718,7571,314 Within one year 14 21 In two to five years 40 34 In more than five years 85 69

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 21. Borrowings (continued) Borrowing facilities Committed facilities expiry 2015 2014 Drawn £m Undrawn £m Drawn £m Undrawn £m At 31 March 2015, the Group’s most significant committed facilities comprised two revolving credit facilities which remained undrawn throughout the year of US$3.9 billion (£2.6 billion) and €3.9 billion (£2.8 billion) maturing in five years. Under the terms of these bank facilities, lenders have the right, but not the obligation, to cancel their commitment 30 days from the date of notification of a change of control of the Company and have outstanding advances repaid on the last day of the current interest period. The facility agreements provide for certain structural changes that do not affect the obligations of the Company to be specifically excluded from the definition of a change of control. This is in addition to the rights of lenders to cancel their commitment if the Company has committed an event of default. The terms and conditions of the Group’s drawn facilities obtained in relation to projects in its Italian, German, Turkish and Romanian operations of €1.6 billion in aggregate (£1.2 billion) and the undrawn facilities in the Group’s UK and Irish operations totalling £0.5 billion and the undrawn facility in the German operation of €0.4 billion (£0.3 million) are similar to those of the US dollar and euro revolving credit facilities. Further information on these facilities can be found in note 22 “Liquidity and capital resources”. 22. Liquidity and capital resources This section includes an analysis of net debt, which we use to manage capital, and committed borrowing facilities. Net debt Net debt was £22.3 billion at 31 March 2015 and includes liabilities for amounts payable under the domination agreement in relation to Kabel Deutschland (£1.3 billion) and deferred spectrum licence costs in India (£1.8 billion). This increased by £8.5 billion in the year as a result of the acquisition of Grupo Corporativo Ono, S.A., payments for spectrum licences and equity shareholders dividends which outweighed favourable foreign exchange movements and positive free cash flow. Net debt represented 35.1% of our market capitalisation at 31 March 2015 compared to 23.5% at 31 March 2014. Average net debt at month end accounting dates over the 12 month period ended 31 March 2015 was £19.8 billion and ranged between net debt of £14.1 billion and £22.9 billion. Our consolidated net debt position at 31 March was as follows: 2015 £m 2014 £m Notes: 1 2 At 31 March 2015 US$3,321 million was drawn under the US commercial paper programme and €3,928 million was drawn under the euro commercial paper programme. Includes a £1.3 billion (2014: £1.4 billion) liability for payments due to holders of the equity shares in Kabel Deutschland AG under the terms of a domination and profit and loss transfer agreement. At 31 March 2015 the amount includes £2,542 million (2014: £1,185 million) in relation to cash received under collateral support agreements. Comprises mark-to-market adjustments on derivative financial instruments which are included as a component of trade and other receivables (2015: £4,005 million; 2014: £2,443 million) and trade and other payables (2015: £984 million; 2014: £881 million) and short-term investments primarily in index linked government bonds and managed investment funds included as a component of other investments (2015: £2,884 million; 2014: £3,805 million). 3 4 148 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Cash and cash equivalents 6,882 10,134 Short-term borrowings Bonds (1,786) (1,783) Commercial paper1 (5,077) (950) Put options over non-controlling interests2 (1,307) (2,330) Bank loans (1,876) (1,263) Other short-term borrowings3 (2,577) (1,421) (12,623) (7,747) Long-term borrowings Put options over non-controlling interests (7) (6) Bonds, loans and other long-term borrowings (22,428) (21,448) (22,435) (21,454) Other financial instruments4 5,905 5,367 Net debt (22,271) (13,700) Within one year 1,065– 59070 45113 1712,643 56535 –3,188 1,728582 In one to two years 431– In two to three years 736– In three to four years 757573 In four to five years 3172,790 In more than five years 1,0653,257 31 March 4,3716,620 3,5056,531

 


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At 31 March 2015 we had £6,882 million of cash and cash equivalents which are held in accordance with the counterparty and settlement risk limits of the Board approved treasury policy. The main forms of liquid investment at 31 March 2015 were managed investment funds, money market funds, UK index linked government bonds, tri-party repurchase agreements and bank deposits. The cash received from collateral support agreements mainly reflects the value of our interest rate swap and cross currency interest rate swap portfolios which are substantially net present value positive. See note 23 for further details on these agreements. Commercial paper programmes We currently have US and euro commercial paper programmes of US$15 billion and £5 billion respectively which are available to be used to meet short-term liquidity requirements. At 31 March 2015 amounts external to the Group of €3,928 million (£2,839 million) were drawn under the euro commercial paper programme and US$3,321 million (£2,237 million) were drawn down under the US commercial paper programme, with such funds being provided by counterparties external to the Group. At 31 March 2014 amounts external to the Group of €731 million (£604 million) were drawn under the euro commercial paper programme and US$578 million (£346 million) were drawn down under the US commercial paper programme, with such funds being provided by counterparties external to the Group. The commercial paper facilities were supported by US$3.9 billion (£2.6 billion) and €3.9 billion (£2.8 billion) of syndicated committed bank facilities (see “Committed facilities” below). No amounts had been drawn under either bank facility. Bonds We have a €30 billion euro medium-term note programme and a US shelf programme which are used to meet medium to long-term funding requirements. At 31 March 2015 the total amounts in issue under these programmes split by currency were US$14.6 billion, £1.7 billion and €7.8 billion. At 31 March 2015 we had bonds outstanding with a nominal value of £17,153 million (2014: £16,979 million). In the year ended 31 March 2015 bonds with a nominal value equivalent of £2.2 billion were issued under the US shelf. The bonds issued in the year were: Nominal amount Sterling equivalent Date of bond issue Maturity of bond €m £m Own shares The Group held a maximum of 2,371,948,109 of its own shares during the year which represented 8.2% of issued share capital at that time. Committed facilities In aggregate we have committed facilities of approximately £10,991 million, of which £6,620 million was undrawn and £4,371 million was drawn at 31 March 2015. The following table summarises the committed bank facilities available to us at 31 March 2015. Committed bank facilities Amounts drawn Terms and conditions 28 March 2014 €3.9 billion syndicated revolving No drawings have been made against Lenders have the right, but not the obligation, to cancel their commitments and have outstanding advances repaid no sooner than 30 days after notification of a change of control. This is in addition to the rights of lenders to cancel their commitment if we commit an event of default; however, it should be noted that a material adverse change clause does not apply. The facility matures on 28 March 2020, with each lender having the option to extend the Facility for a further year prior to the second anniversary of the Facility, if requested by the Company. credit facility, maturing 28 March 2020. this facility. The facility supports our commercial paper programmes and may be used for general corporate purposes including acquisitions. 27 February 2015 US$3.9 billion syndicated revolving credit facility, maturing 27 February 2020. No drawings have been made against this facility. The facility supports our commercial paper programmes and may be used for general corporate purposes including acquisitions. Lenders have the right, but not the obligation, to cancel their commitments and have outstanding advances repaid no sooner than 30 days after notification of a change of control. This is in addition to the rights of lenders to cancel their commitment if we commit an event of default; however, it should be noted that a material adverse change clause does not apply. The facility matures on 27 February 2020, with each lender having the option to (i) extend the Facility for a further year prior to the first anniversary of the Facility and should such extension be exercised, to (ii) extend the Facility for a further year prior to the second anniversary of the Facility, in both cases if requested by the Company. 27 November 2013 £0.5 billion loan facility, maturing 12 December 2021. This facility was drawn down in full in euros, as allowed by the terms of the facility, on 12 December 2014. As the syndicated revolving credit facilities with the addition that, should our UK and Irish operating companies spend less than the equivalent of £0.9 billion on capital expenditure, we will be required to repay the drawn amount of the facility that exceeds 50% of the capital expenditure. 149 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information 11 September 2014 11 September 2014 1 December 2014 11 September 2020 1,7501,265 11 September 2025 1,000723 1 December 2034 332240

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 22. Liquidity and capital resources (continued) Committed bank facilities Amounts drawn Terms and conditions 28 July 2008 €0.4 billion loan facility, maturing 12 August 2015. This facility was drawn down in full on 12 August 2008. As the syndicated revolving credit facilities with the addition that, should our Italian operating company spend less than the equivalent of €1.5 billion on capital expenditure, we will be required to repay the drawn amount of the facility that exceeds 18% of the capital expenditure. 15 September 2009 €0.4 billion loan facility, maturing 30 July 2017. This facility was drawn down in full on 30 July 2010. As the syndicated revolving credit facilities with the addition that, should our German operating company spend less than the equivalent of €0.8 billion on VDSL related capital expenditure, we will be required to repay the drawn amount of the facility that exceeds 50% of the VDSL capital expenditure. 29 September 2009 US$0.7 billion export credit agency loan facility, final maturity date 19 September 2018. This facility is fully drawn down and is amortising. As the syndicated revolving credit facilities with the addition that the Company was permitted to draw down under the facility based upon eligible spend with Ericsson up until the final draw down date of 30 June 2011. Quarterly repayments of the drawn balance commenced on 30 June 2012 with a final maturity date of 19 September 2018. 8 December 2011 €0.4 billion loan facility, maturing on 5 June 2020. This facility was drawn down in full on 5 June 2013. As the syndicated revolving credit facilities with the addition that, should our Italian operating company spend less than the equivalent of €1.3 billion on capital expenditure, we will be required to repay the drawn amount of the facility that exceeds 50% of the capital expenditure. 20 December 2011 €0.3 billion loan facility, maturing 18 September 2019. This facility was drawn down in full on 18 September 2012. As the syndicated revolving credit facilities with the addition that, should our Turkish and Romanian operating companies spend less than the equivalent of €1.3 billion on capital expenditure, we will be required to repay the drawn amount of the facility that exceeds 50% of the capital expenditure. 4 March 2013 €0.1 billion loan facility, maturing 4 December 2020. This facility was drawn down in full on 4 December 2013. 2 December 2014 US$0.85 billion loan facility, maturing 2 June 2018. This facility is undrawn and has an availability period of six months. As the syndicated revolving credit facilities with the addition that the expenditure should be spent on projects involving Canadian domiciled entities. 17 December 2014 €0.35 billion loan facility, maturing on the seven year anniversary of the first drawing. This facility is undrawn and has an availability period of 18 months. The facility is available to finance a project to upgrade and expand the mobile network in Germany. As the syndicated revolving credit facilities with the addition that, should our German operating company spend less than the equivalent of €0.7 billion on capital expenditure, we will be required to repay the drawn amount of the facility that exceeds 50% of the capital expenditure. Furthermore, certain of our subsidiaries are funded by external facilities which are non-recourse to any member of the Group other than the borrower. These facilities may only be used to fund their operations. At 31 March 2015 Vodafone India had facilities of INR 233 billion (£2.5 billion) of which INR 233 billion (£2.5 billion) was drawn. Vodafone Egypt had an undrawn revolving credit facility of EGP 4.0 billion (£353 million). Vodacom had fully drawn facilities of ZAR 1.0 billion (£55 million). Ghana had external facilities of US$143 million (£96 million) and GHS 60 million (£11.0 million) both of which were fully drawn. We believe that we have sufficient funding for our expected working capital requirements for at least the next 12 months. Further details regarding the maturity, currency and interest rates of the Group’s gross borrowings at 31 March 2015 are included in note 21 “Borrowings”. Dividends from associates and to non-controlling shareholders Dividends from our associates are generally paid at the discretion of the Board of Directors or shareholders of the individual operating and holding companies, and we have no rights to receive dividends except where specified within certain of the Group’s shareholders’ agreements. Similarly, other than ongoing dividend obligations to the KDG minority shareholders should they continue to hold their minority stake, we do not have existing obligations under shareholders’ agreements to pay dividends to non-controlling interest partners of our subsidiaries or joint ventures. The amount of dividends received and paid in the year are disclosed in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Potential cash outflows from option agreements and similar arrangements Under the terms of the sale and purchase agreement governing the disposal of the US Group, including the 45% interest in Verizon Wireless, the Group retains the responsibility for any tax liabilities of the US Group, excluding those relating to the Verizon Wireless partnership, for periods up to the completion of the transaction on 21 February 2014. Off-balance sheet arrangements We do not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in item 5.E.2. of the SEC’s Form 20-F. Please refer to notes 29 and 30 for a discussion of our commitments and contingent liabilities. 150 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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23. Capital and financial risk management This note details our treasury management and financial risk management objectives and policies, as well as the exposure and sensitivity of the Group to credit, liquidity, interest and foreign exchange risk, and the policies in place to monitor and manage these risks. Accounting policies Financial instruments Financial assets and financial liabilities, in respect of financial instruments, are recognised on the Group’s statement of financial position when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial liabilities and equity instruments Financial liabilities and equity instruments issued by the Group are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into and the definitions of a financial liability and an equity instrument. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities and includes no obligation to deliver cash or other financial assets. The accounting policies adopted for specific financial liabilities and equity instruments are set out below. Put option arrangements The potential cash payments related to put options issued by the Group over the equity of subsidiary companies are accounted for as financial liabilities when such options may only be settled by exchange of a fixed amount of cash or another financial asset for a fixed number of shares in the subsidiary. The amount that may become payable under the option on exercise is initially recognised at present value within borrowings with a corresponding charge directly to equity. The charge to equity is recognised separately as written put options over non-controlling interests, adjacent to non-controlling interests in the net assets of consolidated subsidiaries. The Group recognises the cost of writing such put options, determined as the excess of the present value of the option over any consideration received, as a financing cost. Such options are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method, in order to accrete the liability up to the amount payable under the option at the date at which it first becomes exercisable; the charge arising is recorded as a financing cost. In the event that the option expires unexercised, the liability is derecognised with a corresponding adjustment to equity. Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting The Group’s activities expose it to the financial risks of changes in foreign exchange rates and interest rates which it manages using derivative financial instruments. The use of financial derivatives is governed by the Group’s policies approved by the Board of Directors, which provide written principles on the use of financial derivatives consistent with the Group’s risk management strategy. Changes in values of all derivatives of a financing nature are included within investment income and financing costs in the income statement unless designated in an effective cash flow hedge relationship or a hedge of a net investment in foreign operations when changes in value are deferred to other comprehensive income or equity respectively. The Group does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Derivative financial instruments are initially measured at fair value on the contract date and are subsequently remeasured to fair value at each reporting date. The Group designates certain derivatives as: a hedges of the change of fair value of recognised assets and liabilities (“fair value hedges”); or a hedges of highly probable forecast transactions or hedges of foreign currency or interest rate risks of firm commitments (“cash flow hedges”); or a hedges of net investments in foreign operations. Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting, or if the Company chooses to end the hedging relationship. Fair value hedges The Group’s policy is to use derivative instruments (primarily interest rate swaps) to convert a proportion of its fixed rate debt to floating rates in order to hedge the interest rate risk arising, principally, from capital market borrowings. The Group designates these as fair value hedges of interest rate risk with changes in fair value of the hedging instrument recognised in the income statement for the period together with the changes in the fair value of the hedged item due to the hedged risk, to the extent the hedge is effective. Gains or losses relating to any ineffective portion are recognised immediately in the income statement. Cash flow hedges Cash flow hedging is used by the Group to hedge certain exposures to variability in future cash flows. The portion of gains or losses relating to changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as effective cash flow hedges is recognised in other comprehensive income; gains or losses relating to any ineffective portion are recognised immediately in the income statement. When the hedged item is recognised in the income statement, amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity for the hedging instrument are reclassified to the income statement. However, when the hedged transaction results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or a non-financial liability, the gains and losses previously recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in equity are transferred from equity and included in the initial measurement of the cost of the non-financial asset or non-financial liability. When hedge accounting is discontinued, any gain or loss recognised in other comprehensive income at that time remains in equity and is recognised in the income statement when the hedged transaction is ultimately recognised in the income statement. If a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the gain or loss accumulated in equity is recognised immediately in the income statement. 151 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 23. Capital and financial risk management (continued) Net investment hedges Exchange differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign operations are recognised directly in equity. Gains and losses on those hedging instruments (which include bonds, commercial paper, cross currency swaps and foreign exchange contracts) designated as hedges of the net investments in foreign operations are recognised in equity to the extent that the hedging relationship is effective; these amounts are included in exchange differences on translation of foreign operations as stated in the statement of comprehensive income. Gains and losses relating to hedge ineffectiveness are recognised immediately in the income statement for the period. Gains and losses accumulated in the translation reserve are included in the income statement when the foreign operation is disposed of. Capital management The following table summarises the capital of the Group: 2015 £m 2014 £m The Group’s policy is to borrow centrally using a mixture of long-term and short-term capital market issues and borrowing facilities to meet anticipated funding requirements. These borrowings, together with cash generated from operations, are loaned internally or contributed as equity to certain subsidiaries. The Board has approved three internal debt protection ratios being: net interest to operating cash flow (plus dividends from associates); retained cash flow (operating cash flow plus dividends from associates less interest, tax, dividends to non-controlling shareholders and equity dividends) to net debt; and operating cash flow (plus dividends from associates) to net debt. These internal ratios establish levels of debt that the Group should not exceed other than for relatively short periods of time and are shared with the Group’s debt rating agencies being Moody’s, Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s. Financial risk management The Group’s treasury function provides a centralised service to the Group for funding, foreign exchange, interest rate management and counterparty risk management. Treasury operations are conducted within a framework of policies and guidelines authorised and reviewed by the Board, most recently on 28 July 2014. A treasury risk committee comprising the Group’s Chief Financial Officer, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, Group Financial Controller, Group Treasury Director and Director of Financial Reporting meets three times a year to review treasury activities and its members receive management information relating to treasury activities on a quarterly basis. The Group’s accounting function, which does not report to the Group Treasury Director, provides regular update reports of treasury activity to the Board. The Group’s internal auditor reviews the internal control environment regularly. The Group uses a number of derivative instruments for currency and interest rate risk management purposes only that are transacted by specialist treasury personnel. The Group mitigates banking sector credit risk by the use of collateral support agreements. Credit risk The Group considers its exposure to credit risk at 31 March to be as follows: 2015 £m 2014 £m 152 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Bank deposits 2,379 1,498 Repurchase agreements 2,000 4,799 Cash held in restricted deposits 650 524 UK government bonds 830 852 Money market fund investments 2,402 3,648 Derivative financial instruments 4,005 2,443 Other investments – debt and bonds 5,906 5,525 Trade receivables 4,232 3,859 Other receivables 1,120 1,546 Short-term securitised investments – 1,019 23,524 25,713 Financial assets: Cash and cash equivalents (6,882) (10,134) Fair value through the income statement (held for trading) (5,513) (5,293) Derivative instruments in designated hedge relationships (1,376) (955) Financial liabilities: Fair value through the income statements (held for trading) 958 471 Derivative instruments in designated hedge relationships 26 410 Financial liabilities held at amortised cost 35,058 29,201 Net debt 22,271 13,700 Equity 67,733 71,781 Capital 90,004 85,481

 


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The Group invested in UK index linked government bonds on the basis that they generated a floating rate return in excess of £ LIBOR and are amongst the most creditworthy of investments available. The Group has two managed investment funds. These funds hold fixed income sterling securities and the average credit quality is high double A. Money market investments are in accordance with established internal treasury policies which dictate that an investment’s long-term credit rating is no lower than mid BBB. Additionally, the Group invests in AAA unsecured money market mutual funds where the investment is limited to 7.5% of each fund. The Group has investments in repurchase agreements which are fully collateralised investments. The collateral is sovereign and supranational debt of major EU countries with at least one AAA rating denominated in euros, sterling and US dollars and can be readily converted to cash. In the event of any default, ownership of the collateral would revert to the Group. Detailed below is the value of the collateral held by the Group at 31 March 2015. 2015 £m 2014 £m In respect of financial instruments used by the Group’s treasury function, the aggregate credit risk the Group may have with one counterparty is limited by (i) reference to the long-term credit ratings assigned for that counterparty by Moody’s, Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor’s; (ii) that counterparty’s five year credit default swap (‘CDS’) spread; and (iii) the sovereign credit rating of that counterparty’s principal operating jurisdiction. Furthermore, collateral support agreements were introduced from the fourth quarter of 2008. Under collateral support agreements the Group’s exposure to a counterparty with whom a collateral support agreement is in place is reduced to the extent that the counterparty must post cash collateral when there is value due to the Group under outstanding derivative contracts that exceeds a contractually agreed threshold amount. When value is due to the counterparty the Group is required to post collateral on identical terms. Such cash collateral is adjusted daily as necessary. In the event of any default, ownership of the cash collateral would revert to the respective holder at that point. Detailed below is the value of the cash collateral, which is reported within short-term borrowings, held by the Group at 31 March 2015: 2015 £m 2014 £m The majority of the Group’s trade receivables are due for maturity within 90 days and largely comprise amounts receivable from consumers and business customers. At 31 March 2015 £2,869 million (2014: £2,360 million) of trade receivables were not yet due for payment. Overdue trade receivables consisted of £1,141 million (2014: £1,219 million) relating to the Europe region, and £222 million (2014: £280 million) relating to the AMAP region. Accounts are monitored by management and provisions for bad and doubtful debts raised where it is deemed appropriate. The following table presents ageing of receivables that are past due and provisions for doubtful receivables that have been established. 2015 2014 Gross receivables £m Less provisions £m Net receivables £m Gross receivables £m Less provisions £m Net receivables £m Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables are limited given that the Group’s customer base is large and unrelated. Due to this management believes there is no further credit risk provision required in excess of the normal provision for bad and doubtful receivables. Amounts charged to administrative expenses during the year ended 31 March 2015 were £541 million (2014: £347 million; 2013: £360 million) (see note 15 “Trade and other receivables”). As discussed in note 30 “Contingent liabilities”, the Group has covenanted to provide security in favour of the Trustee of the Vodafone Group UK Pension Scheme in respect of the funding deficit in the scheme. The security takes the form of an English law pledge over UK index linked government bonds. Liquidity risk At 31 March 2015 the Group had €3.9 billion and US$3.9 billion syndicated committed undrawn bank facilities which support the US$15 billion and £5 billion commercial paper programmes available to the Group. The Group uses commercial paper and bank facilities to manage short-term liquidity and manages long-term liquidity by raising funds in the capital markets. The €3.9 billion syndicated committed facility has a maturity date of 28 March 2020 with the option to extend the Facility for a further year prior to the second anniversary of the Facility if requested by the Company. The US$3.9 billion syndicated committed facility has a maturity of 27 February 2020 with the option to extend the facility for a further year prior to the first anniversary and, if should such extension be exercised, an option to extend for a further year prior to the second anniversary of the facility. Both facilities have remained undrawn throughout the financial year and since year end and provide liquidity support. 153 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information 30 days or less 417(61) 356 1,327(356)971 218(27) 191 187(53) 134 516(313)203 Between 31 and 60 days 231(35) 196 Between 61 and 180 days 288(67) 221 Greater than 180 days 1,205(615) 590 2,141(778) 1,363 2,248(749)1,499 Cash collateral 2,542 1,185 Sovereign 1,977 4,464 Supranational 23 335 2,000 4,799


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 23. Capital and financial risk management (continued) The Group manages liquidity risk on long-term borrowings by maintaining a varied maturity profile with a cap on the level of debt maturing in any one calendar year, therefore minimising refinancing risk. Long-term borrowings mature between one and 28 years. Liquidity is reviewed daily on at least a 12 month rolling basis and stress tested on the assumption that all commercial paper outstanding matures and is not reissued. The Group maintains substantial cash and cash equivalents which at 31 March 2015, amounted to £6,882 million (2014: £10,134 million). Market risk Interest rate management Under the Group’s interest rate management policy, interest rates on monetary assets and liabilities denominated in euros, US dollars and sterling are maintained on a floating rate basis except for periods up to six years where interest rate fixing has to be undertaken in accordance with treasury policy. Where assets and liabilities are denominated in other currencies interest rates may also be fixed. In addition, fixing is undertaken for longer periods when interest rates are statistically low. For each one hundred basis point fall or rise in market interest rates for all currencies in which the Group had borrowings at 31 March 2015 there would be an increase or decrease in profit before tax by approximately £36 million (2014: increase or decrease by £42 million) including mark-to-market revaluations of interest rate and other derivatives and the potential interest on outstanding tax issues. There would be no material impact on equity. Foreign exchange management As Vodafone’s primary listing is on the London Stock Exchange its share price is quoted in sterling. Since the sterling share price represents the value of its future multi-currency cash flows, principally in euro, South African rand, Indian rupee and sterling, the Group maintains the currency of debt and interest charges in proportion to its expected future principal multi-currency cash flows and has a policy to hedge external foreign exchange risks on transactions denominated in other currencies above certain de minimis levels. As the Group’s future cash flows are increasingly likely to be derived from emerging markets it is likely that a greater proportion of debt in emerging market currencies will be drawn. At 31 March 2015, 129% of net debt was denominated in currencies other than sterling (86% euro, 23% India rupee 11% US dollar and 9% other) while 29% of net debt had been purchased forward in sterling in anticipation of sterling denominated shareholder returns via dividends. This allows euro, US dollar and other debt to be serviced in proportion to expected future cash flows and therefore provides a partial hedge against income statement translation exposure, as interest costs will be denominated in foreign currencies. Under the Group’s foreign exchange management policy, foreign exchange transaction exposure in Group companies is generally maintained at the lower of €5 million per currency per month or €15 million per currency over a six month period. The Group recognises foreign exchange movements in equity for the translation of net investment hedging instruments and balances treated as investments in foreign operations. However, there is no net impact on equity for exchange rate movements on net investment hedging instruments as there would be an offset in the currency translation of the foreign operation. At 31 March 2015 the Group held financial liabilities in a net investment against the Group’s consolidated euro net assets. Sensitivity to foreign exchange movements on the hedging liabilities, analysed against a strengthening of the euro by 5% (FY14: 3%) would result in a decrease in equity of £876 million (FY14: £333 million) which would be fully offset by foreign exchange movements on the hedged net assets. The following table details the Group’s sensitivity of the Group’s adjusted operating profit to a strengthening of the Group’s major currency in which it transacts. The percentage movement applied to the currency is based on the average movements in the previous three annual reporting periods. Amounts are calculated by retranslating the operating profit of each entity whose functional currency is euro. 2015 £m 2014 £m Note: 1 Operating profit before impairment losses and other income and expense. At 31 March 2015 the Group’s sensitivity to foreign exchange movements, analysed against a strengthening of the US dollar by 9% (FY14: 5%) on its external US dollar exposure would decrease the profit before tax by £71 million (FY14: £4 million). Foreign exchange on certain internal balances analysed against a strengthening of the US dollar of 9% (FY14: 5%) and euro of 5% (FY14: 3%) would decrease the profit before tax by £65 million (FY14: US$190 million) and £186 million (FY14: £189 million) for US dollar and euro respectively. Equity risk There is no material equity risk relating to the Group’s equity investments which are detailed in note 13 “Other investments”. 154 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Euro 5% (2014: 3%) change – Operating profit 1 81 60

 


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Fair value of financial instruments The table below sets out the valuation basis 1 of financial instruments held at fair value by the Group at 31 March 2015. Level 12 Level 23 Total 2015 £m 2014 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m Notes: 1 There were no changes made during the year to valuation methods or the processes to determine classification and no transfers were made between the levels in the fair value hierarchy. 2 Level 1 classification comprises financial instruments where fair value is determined by unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. 3 Level 2 classification comprises items where fair value is determined from inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Derivative financial instrument fair values are present values determined from future cash flows discounted at rates derived from market sourced data. 4 Listed and unlisted securities are classified as held for sale financial assets and fair values are derived from observable quoted market prices for similar items. Details are included in note 13 “Other investments”. Fair value and carrying value information The fair values and carrying values of the Group’s financial assets and financial liabilities held at amortised cost are set out in the table below 1. Unless otherwise stated, the valuation basis is level 2, comprising financial instruments where fair value is determined from inputs other than quoted prices observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly. Fair value Carrying value 2015 £m 2014 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m Notes: 1 2 3 4 5 The Group’s trade and other receivables and trade and other payables are not shown in the table above. The carrying amounts of both categories approximate their fair values. Cash and cash equivalents are held by the Group on a short term basis with all having a maturity of three months or less. The carrying value approximates their fair value. Other debt and bonds is predominantly comprised of loan notes from Verizon Communications held at amortised cost. Details included in note 13 “Other investments”. The Group’s bonds are held at amortised cost with fair values available from market observable prices. Commercial paper and other banks loans are held at amortised cost with fair values calculated from market observable data where appropriate. 155 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information (24,013) (15,140) (23,975) (15,372) Cash and cash equivalents 2 Cash and other investments held in restricted deposits 2 Other debt and bonds 3 6,882 10,134 6,882 10,134 650 524 650 524 3,551 3,171 3,551 3,171 11,083 13,829 11,083 13,829 Short-term borrowings: Bonds 4 Commercial paper 5 Bank loans and other short-term borrowings 5 (1,798) (1,771) (1,786) (1,783) (5,077) (950) (5,077) (950) (5,766) (5,014) (5,760) (5,014) (12,641) (7,735) (12,623) (7,747) Long-term borrowings: Bonds 4 Bank loans and other long-term borrowings 5 (17,109) (16,417) (17,174) (16,697) (5,346) (4,817) (5,261) (4,757) (22,455) (21,234) (22,435) (21,454) Financial assets: Fair value through the income statement – – 3,184 4,019 3,184 4,019 Derivative financial instruments: Interest rate swaps – – 2,466 1,871 2,466 1,871 Cross currency interest rate swaps – – 1,506 504 1,506 504 Foreign exchange contracts – – 33 68 33 68 Interest rate futures – – 8 13 8 13 – – 7,197 6,475 7,197 6,475 Financial investments available-for-sale: Listed equity securities 4 4 6 – – 4 6 Unlisted equity securities 4 – – 222 154 222 154 4 6 222 154 226 160 4 6 7,419 6,629 7,423 6,635 Financial liabilities: Derivative financial instruments: Interest rate swaps – – 682 635 682 635 Cross currency interest rate swaps – – 245 217 245 217 Interest rate options – – 11 – 11 – Foreign exchange contracts – – 46 29 46 29 – – 984 881 984 881

 

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 23. Capital and financial risk management (continued) Net financial instruments The table below shows the Group’s financial assets and liabilities that are subject to offset in the balance sheet and the impact of enforceable master netting or similar agreements. At 31 March 2015 Related amounts not set off in the balance sheet Amounts presented in balance sheet £m Right of set off with derivative counterparties £m Gross amount £m Amount set off £m Cash collateral £m Net amount £m At 31 March 2014 Related amounts not set off in the balance sheet Amounts presented in balance sheet £m Right of set off with derivative counterparties £m Gross amount £m Amount set off £m Cash collateral £m Net amount £m Derivative financial assets Derivative financial liabilities 2,456 (881) – – 2,456 (881) (678) 678 (1,185) 130 593 (73) Total 1,575 – 1,575 – (1,055) 520 Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the amount reported in the consolidated balance sheet when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. Derivative financial instruments that do not meet the criteria for offset could be settled net in certain circumstances under ISDA (International Swaps and Derivatives Association) agreements where each party has the option to settle amounts on a net basis in the event of default from the other. Collateral may be offset and net settled against derivative financial instruments in the event of default by either party. The aforementioned collateral balances are recorded in “other short-term investments” or “short-term debt” respectively. 24. Directors and key management compensation This note details the total amounts earned by the Company’s Directors and members of the Executive Committee. Directors Aggregate emoluments of the Directors of the Company were as follows: 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Note: 1 Includes the value of the cash allowance taken by some individuals in lieu of pension contributions. The aggregate gross pre-tax gain made on the exercise of share options in the year ended 31 March 2015 by Directors who served during the year was £nil (2014: £4 million; 2013: £2 million). Key management compensation Aggregate compensation for key management, being the Directors and members of the Executive Committee, was as follows: 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m 156 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Short-term employee benefits 18 1717 Share-based payments 18 2123 36 3840 Salaries and fees 4 45 Incentive schemes 3 22 Other benefits 1 1 11 8 78 Derivative financial assets 4,005 –4,005 (726)(2,542)737 Derivative financial liabilities (984) –(984) 72630(228) Total 3,021 –3,021 –(2,512)509

 


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25. Employees This note shows the average number of people employed by the Group during the year, in which areas of our business our employees work and where they are based. It also shows total employment costs. 2015 Employees 2014 Employees 2013 Employees The cost incurred in respect of these employees (including Directors) was: 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m The Group has dialogue with recognised labour unions if required. In particular, there are regular meetings with the Vodafone European Employee Consultative Council (the ‘EECC’). The delegates of this body are locally elected Vodafone employee representatives, most of them union and works council members. There has been no material disruption to operations as a result of union activity during the financial year. 157 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Wages and salaries 3,469 3,2612,989 Social security costs 442 364350 Other pension costs (note 26) 195 158157 Share-based payments (note 27) 88 92124 4,194 3,8753,620 By activity: Operations 17,602 14,94713,736 Selling and distribution 35,629 31,34229,658 Customer care and administration 52,069 42,85739,198 105,300 89,14682,592 By segment: Germany 14,520 10,62311,088 Italy 6,757 1,123– Spain 5,324 3,5524,223 UK 12,437 12,9798,319 Other Europe 15,190 15,39219,995 Europe 54,228 43,66943,625 India 12,303 11,92511,339 Vodacom 7,260 7,1767,311 Other Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific 14,312 16,00212,659 Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific 33,875 35,10331,309 Non-Controlled Interests and Common Functions 17,197 10,3747,658 Total 105,300 89,14682,592

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 26. Post employment benefits We operate a number of defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans for our employees. The Group’s largest defined benefit scheme is in the UK. For further details see “Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty” in note 1 “Basis of preparation” to the consolidated financial statements. Accounting policies For defined benefit retirement plans, the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the present value of the plan liabilities is recognised as an asset or liability on the statement of financial position. Scheme liabilities are assessed using the projected unit funding method and applying the principal actuarial assumptions at the reporting period date. Assets are valued at market value. Actuarial gains and losses are taken to the statement of comprehensive income as incurred. For this purpose, actuarial gains and losses comprise both the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions and experience adjustments arising because of differences between the previous actuarial assumptions and what has actually occurred. The return on plan assets, in excess of interest income, is also taken to other comprehensive income. Other movements in the net surplus or deficit are recognised in the income statement, including the current service cost, any past service cost and the effect of any curtailments or settlements. The interest cost less the expected interest income on assets is also charged to the income statement. The amount charged to the income statement in respect of these plans is included within operating costs or in the Group’s share of the results of equity accounted operations, as appropriate. Cumulative actuarial gains and losses at 1 April 2004, the date of transition to IFRS, were recognised in the statement of financial position. The Group contributions to defined contribution pension plans are charged to the income statement as they fall due. Background At 31 March 2015 the Group operated a number of pension plans for the benefit of its employees throughout the world, with varying rights and obligations depending on the conditions and practices in the countries concerned. The Group’s pension plans are provided through both defined benefit and defined contribution arrangements. Defined benefit schemes provide benefits based on the employees’ length of pensionable service and their final pensionable salary or other criteria. Defined contribution schemes offer employees individual funds that are converted into benefits at the time of retirement. The Group operates defined benefit schemes in Germany, Ghana, India, Ireland, Italy, the UK and the United States. Defined contribution pension schemes are currently provided in Australia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and the UK. Income statement expense 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m 158 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Defined contribution schemes 155 124118 Defined benefit schemes 40 3439 Total amount charged to income statement (note 25) 195 158157

 


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Defined benefit schemes At the start of the year, the Group had two main UK defined benefit schemes being the Vodafone UK Group Pension Scheme (‘Vodafone UK plan’) and the Cable & Wireless Worldwide Retirement Plan (‘CWWRP’). The Vodafone UK plan and the CWWRP plan closed to future accrual on 31 March 2010 and 30 November 2013 respectively. Until 30 November 2013 the CWWRP allowed employees to accrue a pension at a rate of 1/85th of their final salary for each year of service until the retirement age of 60 with a maximum pension of two thirds of final salary. Employees contributed 5% of their salary into the scheme. On 6 June 2014, the assets and liabilities of the CWWRP were transferred into a new section of the Vodafone UK plan. The CWWRP was then wound up. There are now two segregated sections of the Vodafone UK plan, the pre-existing assets and liabilities in the Vodafone Section and the former CWWRP assets and liabilities in the CWW Section. The defined benefit plans are administered by Trustee Boards that are legally separated from the Group. The Trustee Board of each pension fund consists of representatives who are employees, former employees or are independent from the Company. The Boards of the pension funds are required by law to act in the best interest of the plan participants and are responsible for setting certain policies, such as investment and contribution policies, and the governance of the fund. The defined benefit pension schemes expose the Group to actuarial risks such as longer than expected longevity of members, lower than expected return on investments and higher than expected inflation, which may increase the liabilities or reduce the value of assets of the plans. The UK pensions environment is regulated by the Pensions Regulator whose statutory objectives are set out in legislation and include promoting and improving understanding of the good administration of work-based pensions, protecting member benefits and regulating occupational defined benefit and contribution schemes. The Pensions Regulator is a non-departmental public body established under the Pensions Act 2004 and sponsored by the Department for Work And Pensions, operating within a legal regulatory framework set by the UK Parliament. The Pensions Regulator’s statutory objectives and regulatory powers are described on its website at thepensionsregulator.gov.uk. The Vodafone UK plan is registered as an occupational pension plan with HMRC and is subject to UK legislation and oversight from the Pensions Regulator. UK legislation requires that pension schemes are funded prudently and that valuations are undertaken at least every three years. Separate valuations are required for the Vodafone Section and CWW Section. Within 15 months of each valuation date, the plan trustees and the Group must agree any contributions required to ensure that the plan is fully funded over time on a suitably prudent measure. The most recent valuations for the Vodafone and CWWRP sections of the Vodafone UK plan were carried out as at 31 March 2013 by independent actuaries appointed by the plan Trustees. These valuations revealed a total deficit of £437 million on the schemes’ funding basis. Following the valuation, the Group paid special one-off contributions totalling £365 million in April 2014 (£325 million into the Vodafone Section and £40 million into the CWW Section). These lump sum contributions represented accelerated funding amounts that would otherwise have been due over the period to 31 March 2020. No further contributions are therefore currently due for the Vodafone UK plan for the period to 31 March 2016. The next valuation date is 31 March 2016, at which point the position of the scheme will be assessed again. Funding plans are individually agreed for each of the Group’s defined benefit pension schemes with the respective trustees, taking into account local regulatory requirements. It is expected that ordinary contributions relating to future service of £39 million will be paid into the Group’s defined benefit pension schemes during the year ending 31 March 2016. The Group has also provided certain guarantees in respect of the Vodafone UK plan; further details are provided in note 30 “Contingent liabilities” to the consolidated financial statements. Actuarial assumptions The Group’s scheme liabilities are measured using the projected unit credit method using the principal actuarial assumptions set out below: 2015 % 2014 % 2013 % Notes: 1 Figures shown represent a weighted average assumption of the individual schemes. 2 The rate of increase in pensions in payment and deferred payment is the rate of inflation. Mortality assumptions used are based on recommendations from the individual scheme actuaries which include adjustments for the experience of the Group where appropriate. The Group’s largest scheme is the Vodafone UK plan. Further life expectancies assumed for the UK schemes are 24.5/25.8 years (2014: 23.3/24.7 years; 2013: 23.6/25.3 years) for a male/female pensioner currently aged 65 and 27.1/28.7 years (2014: 25.9/27.5 years; 2013: 26.8/27.9 years) from age 65 for a male/female non-pensioner member currently aged 40. 159 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Weighted average actuarial assumptions used at 31 March 1: Rate of inflation 2 3.0 3.23.3 Rate of increase in salaries 2.8 3.13.8 Discount rate 3.0 4.24.3

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 26. Post employment benefits (continued) Charges made to the consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of comprehensive income (‘SOCI’) on the basis of the assumptions stated above are: 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Note: 1 Amounts disclosed in the SOCI are stated net of £57 million of tax (2014: £20 million, 2013: £56 million). Fair value of the assets and present value of the liabilities of the schemes The amount included in the statement of financial position arising from the Group’s obligations in respect of its defined benefit schemes is as follows: Assets £m Liabilities £m Net deficit £m 1 April 2013 Service cost Interest income/(cost) Return on plan assets excluding interest income Actuarial gains arising from changes in demographic assumptions Actuarial gains arising from changes in financial assumptions Actuarial gains arising from experience adjustments Employer cash contributions Member cash contributions Benefits paid Liabilities assumed in business combinations Exchange rate movements Other movements 3,723 – 162 (114) – – – 51 7 (81) – (13) 107 (4,251) (14) (182) – 35 44 92 – (7) 81 (121) 17 (85) (528) (14) (20) (114) 35 44 92 51 – – (121) 4 22 31 March 2014 3,842 (4,391) (549) An analysis of net (deficit)/assets is provided below for the Group as a whole. 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m 2012 £m 2011 £m 160 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Analysis of net (deficit)/assets: Total fair value of scheme assets 4,956 3,8423,7231,6041,558 Present value of funded scheme liabilities (5,288) (4,325)(4,239)(1,853)(1,488) Net (deficit)/assets for funded schemes (332) (483)(516)(249)70 Present value of unfunded scheme liabilities (66) (66) (12)(12)(13) Net (deficit)/assets (398) (549)(528)(261)57 Net (deficit)/assets are analysed as: Assets 169 35523197 Liabilities (567) (584)(580)(292)(40) Service cost –(37) (37) Interest income/(cost) 176(179) (3) Return on plan assets excluding interest income 721– 721 Actuarial losses arising from changes in financial assumptions –(982) (982) Actuarial losses arising from experience adjustments –(8) (8) Employer cash contributions 404– 404 Member cash contributions 9(9) – Benefits paid (95) 95 – Exchange rate movements (83) 116 33 Other movements (18) 41 23 31 March 2015 4,956(5,354) (398) Current service cost 37 1427 Net interest charge 3 2012 Total included within staff costs 40 3439 Actuarial losses/(gains) recognised in the SOCI1 269 (57) 238

 


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An analysis of net assets/(deficit) is provided below for the Group’s largest defined benefit pension scheme in the UK, which is a funded scheme. Following the merger of the Vodafone UK plan and the CWWRP plan on 6 June 2014 the assets and liabilities of the CWW Section are segregated from the Vodafone Section and hence are reported separately below. CWW Section1 Vodafone Section2 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m 2012 £m 2011 £m Notes: 1 Cable & Wireless Worldwide Retirement Plan until 6 June 2014. 2 Vodafone UK plan until 6 June 2014. 3 Pension assets are deemed to be recoverable and there are no adjustments in respect of minimum funding requirements as future economic benefits are available to the Company either in the form of future refunds or, for plans still open to benefit accrual, in the form of possible reductions in future contributions. Duration of the benefit obligations The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation at 31 March 2015 is 22.7 years (2014: 21.7 years; 2013: 21.4 years). Fair value of pension assets 2015 £m 2014 £m Note: 1 Derivatives include collateral held in the form of cash. The schemes have no direct investments in the Group’s equity securities or in property currently used by the Group. Each of the plans manages risks through a variety of methods and strategies including equity protection, to limit downside risk in falls in equity markets, inflation and interest rate hedging and, in the CWW Section of the Vodafone UK plan, a substantial insured pensioner buy-in policy. The actual return on plan assets over the year to 31 March 2015 was £897 million (2014: £48 million). Sensitivity analysis Measurement of the Group’s defined benefit retirement obligation is sensitive to changes in certain key assumptions. The sensitivity analysis below shows how a reasonably possible increase or decrease in a particular assumption would, in isolation, result in an increase or decrease in the present value of the defined benefit obligation as at 31 March 2015. Rate of inflation Rate of increase in salaries Discount rate Life expectancy Decrease by 0.5% £m Increase by 0.5% £m Decrease by 0.5% £m Increase by 0.5% £m Decrease by 0.5% £m Increase by 0.5% £m Increase by 1 year Decrease by 1 year £m £m (Decrease)/increase in present value of defined obligation (474) 507 (29) 27 623 (584) 127 (128) The sensitivity analysis may not be representative of an actual change in the defined benefit obligation as it is unlikely that changes in assumptions would occur in isolation of one another. In presenting this sensitivity analysis, the change in the present value of the defined benefit obligation has been calculated on the same basis as prior years using the projected unit credit method at the end of the reporting period, which is the same as that applied in calculating the defined benefit obligation liability recognised in the statement of financial position. 161 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Cash and cash equivalents 97 65 Equity investments: With quoted prices in an active market 1,489 1,318 Without quoted prices in an active market 154 102 Debt instruments: With quoted prices in an active market 2,567 1,320 Property: With quoted prices in an active market 7 7 Without quoted prices in an active market 12 13 Derivatives:1 With quoted prices in an active market 99 495 Without quoted prices in an active market – 46 Annuity policies – Without quoted prices in an active market 531 476 Total 4,956 3,842 Analysis of net assets/(deficit): Total fair value of scheme assets 2,251 1,7801,827 1,912 1,3431,3281,2181,180 Present value of scheme liabilities (2,085) (1,732)(1,874) (2,133) (1,677) (1,647)(1,444)(1,127) Net assets/(deficit) 166 48(47) (221) (334)(319)(226)53 Net assets/(deficit) are analysed as: Assets3 166 48– – –––53 Liabilities – –(47) (221) (334)(319)(226)–

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 27. Share-based payments We have a number of share plans used to award shares to Directors and employees as part of their remuneration package. A charge is recognised over the vesting period in the consolidated income statement to record the cost of these, based on the fair value of the award on the grant date. Accounting policies The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments to certain employees. Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value (excluding the effect of non-market-based vesting conditions) at the date of grant. The fair value determined at the grant date of the equity-settled share-based payments is expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the Group’s estimate of the shares that will eventually vest and adjusted for the effect of non-market-based vesting conditions. A corresponding increase in retained earnings is also recognised. Fair value is measured by deducting the present value of expected dividend cash flows over the life of the awards from the share price as at the grant date. Some share awards have an attached market condition, based on total shareholder return (‘TSR’), which is taken into account when calculating the fair value of the share awards. The valuation for the TSR is based on Vodafone’s ranking within the same group of companies, where possible, over the past five years. The fair value of awards of non-vested shares is equal to the closing price of the Group’s shares on the date of grant, adjusted for the present value of the delay in receiving dividends where appropriate. The maximum aggregate number of ordinary shares which may be issued in respect of share options or share plans will not (without shareholder approval) exceed: a 10% of the ordinary share capital of the Company in issue immediately prior to the date of grant, when aggregated with the total number of ordinary shares which have been allocated in the preceding ten year period under all plans; and a 5% of the ordinary share capital of the Company in issue immediately prior to the date of grant, when aggregated with the total number of ordinary shares which have been allocated in the preceding ten year period under all plans, other than any plans which are operated on an all-employee basis. Share options Vodafone Group executive plans No share options have been granted to any Directors or employees under the Company’s discretionary share option plans in the year ended 31 March 2015. There are options outstanding under the Vodafone Group 1999 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan and the Vodafone Global Incentive Plan. These options are normally exercisable between three and ten years from the date of grant. The vesting of some of these options was subject to satisfaction of performance conditions. Grants made to US employees are made in respect of ADSs. Vodafone Group Sharesave Plan The Vodafone Group 2008 Sharesave Plan enables UK staff to acquire shares in the Company through monthly savings of up to £250 over a three and/or five year period, at the end of which they may also receive a tax free bonus. The savings and bonus may then be used to purchase shares at the option price, which is set at the beginning of the invitation period and usually at a discount of 20% to the then prevailing market price of the Company’s shares. Share plans Vodafone Group executive plans Under the Vodafone Global Incentive Plan awards of shares are granted to Directors and certain employees. The release of these shares is conditional upon continued employment and for some awards achievement of certain performance targets measured over a three year period. Vodafone Share Incentive Plan The Vodafone Share Incentive Plan enables UK staff to acquire shares in the Company through monthly purchases of up to £125 per month or 5% of salary, whichever is lower. For each share purchased by the employee, the Company provides a free matching share. 162 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Movements in outstanding ordinary share and ADS options ADS options Ordinary share options 2015 Millions 2014 Millions 2013 Millions 2015 Millions 2014 Millions 2013 Millions Summary of options outstanding and exercisable at 31 March 2015 Outstanding Exercisable Weighted average remaining contractual life Months Weighted average remaining contractual life Months Weighted average exercise price Weighted average exercise price Outstanding shares Millions Exercisable shares Millions Share awards Movements in non-vested shares are as follows: 2015 2014 2013 Weighted average fair value at grant date Weighted average fair value at grant date Weighted average fair value at grant date Millions Millions Millions Other information The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended 31 March 2015 was £84 million (2014: £90 million; 2013: £107 million). The compensation cost included in the consolidated income statement in respect of share options and share plans was £88 million (2014: £92 million; 2013: £124 million) which is comprised entirely of equity-settled transactions. The average share price for the year ended 31 March 2015 was 212.7 pence (2014: 212.2 pence; 2013: 173.0 pence). 163 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information 1 April 243£1.44 294 £1.27 352 £1.08 84 £1.58 91 £1.49 (81) £1.11 (118) £0.91 (54) £1.19 (31) £1.19 Granted 83£1.63 Vested (62) £1.35 Forfeited (47) £1.35 31 March 217£1.56 243£1.44294£1.27 Vodafone Group savings related and Sharesave Plan: £0.01–£1.00 – ––– –– £1.01–£2.00 23 £1.4832– –– 23 £1.4832– –– Vodafone Group 1999 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan: £1.01–£2.00 2 £1.59222 £1.5922 1 April –1 27 4084 Granted during the year – –– 7 127 Forfeited during the year – –– (2) (1) (1) Exercised during the year – –(1) (6) (22) (41) Expired during the year – –– (1) (2) (9) 31 March – –– 25 2740 Weighted average exercise price: 1 April – US$22.16US$15.20 £1.42 £1.41£1.18 Granted during the year – –– £1.56 £1.49£1.45 Forfeited during the year – –– £1.45 £1.34£1.64 Exercised during the year – US$29.31US$13.88 £1.25 £1.43£1.05 Expired during the year – –– £1.45 £1.37£0.98 31 March – –US$22.16 £1.49 £1.42£1.41

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 28. Acquisitions and disposals We completed a number of acquisitions during the year including, most significantly, the acquisition of Grupo Corporativo Ono, S.A. (‘Ono’). The note below provides details of these transactions as well as those in the prior year. For further details see “Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty” in note 1 “Basis of preparation” to the consolidated financial statements. Accounting policies Business combinations Acquisitions of subsidiaries are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of the acquisition is measured at the aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed and equity instruments issued by the Group. Acquisition-related costs are recognised in the income statement as incurred. The acquiree’s identifiable assets and liabilities are recognised at their fair values at the acquisition date. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree and the fair value of the Group’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree, if any, over the net amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The interest of the non-controlling shareholders in the acquiree may initially be measured either at fair value or at the non-controlling shareholders’ proportion of the net fair value of the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed. The choice of measurement basis is made on an acquisition-by-acquisition basis. Acquisition of interests from non-controlling shareholders In transactions with non-controlling parties that do not result in a change in control, the difference between the fair value of the consideration paid or received and the amount by which the non-controlling interest is adjusted is recognised in equity. Acquisitions The aggregate cash consideration in respect of purchases of interests in subsidiaries, net of cash acquired, is as follows: £m Note: 1 Charged to other income and expense in the consolidated income statement. Total goodwill on acquisitions was £1,634 million and included £1,423 million in relation to Ono and £211 million in relation to other acquisitions completed during the year. No amount of goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Grupo Corporativo Ono, S.A. (‘Ono’) On 23 July 2014, the Group acquired the entire share capital of Ono for cash consideration of £2,945 million. The primary reason for acquiring the business was to create a leading integrated communications operator in Spain, offering customers unified communication services. The results of the acquired entity have been consolidated in the Group’s income statement from 23 July 2014 and contributed £691 million of revenue and a loss of £313 million to the profit attributable to owners of the parent during the year. The acquisition date fair values of the assets and liabilities acquired are provisional. These may be further adjusted as we gain a further understanding of the business. The provisional purchase price allocation is set out in the table below: Fair value £m Notes: 1 Identifiable intangible assets of £777 million consisted of customer contracts and relationships of £710 million, brand of £33 million and software of £34 million. 2 The goodwill arising on acquisition is principally related to the synergies expected to arise following the integration of the Ono business. These principally relate to synergies expected to arise following integration of the respective networks, operating cost rationalisation and revenue synergies driven by the larger network footprint and incremental revenue streams from integrated services. 3 Transaction costs of £11 million were charged in the Group’s consolidated income statement in the year ended 31 March 2015. 164 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Net assets acquired: Identifiable intangible assets1 777 Property, plant and equipment 3,272 Other investments 7 Trade and other receivables 156 Cash and cash equivalents 143 Current and deferred taxation 647 Short and long-term borrowings (3,001) Trade and other payables (391) Provisions (83) Net identifiable assets acquired 1,527 Non-controlling interests (5) Goodwill2 1,423 Total consideration3 2,945 Cash consideration paid: Grupo Corporativo Ono, S.A. 2,945 Other acquisitions completed during the year 265 Fees paid in respect of acquisitions1 18 3,228 Net cash acquired (135) 3,093

 


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Pro-forma full year information The following unaudited pro-forma summary presents the Group as if the acquisition of Ono had been completed on 1 April 2014. The pro-forma amounts include the results of Ono, application of Vodafone accounting policies, amortisation of the acquired finite lived intangible assets recognised on acquisition and interest expense on the increase in net debt as a result of the acquisition. 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. 2015 £m Pence Other acquisitions During the 2015 financial year, the Group completed a number of other acquisitions for an aggregate net cash consideration of £265 million, all of which was paid during the year. The aggregate fair values of goodwill, identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquired operations were £211 million, £483 million and £429 million respectively. In addition, the Group completed the acquisition of certain non-controlling interests for a net cash consideration of £718 million. Kabel Deutschland Holding AG (‘KDG’) On 30 July 2013, the Group launched a voluntary public takeover offer for the entire share capital of KDG and on 13 September 2013 announced that the 75% minimum acceptance condition had been met. The transaction completed on 14 October 2013 with the Group acquiring 76.57% of the share capital of KDG for cash consideration of £4,855 million. The primary reason for acquiring the business was to create a leading integrated communications operator in Germany, offering consumer and enterprise customers unified communications services. The purchase price allocation is set out in the table below: Fair value £m Notes: 1 2 3 Identifiable intangible assets of £1,641 million consisted of customer relationships of £1,522 million, brand of £18 million and software of £101 million. Non-controlling interests have been measured using the net fair value of the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed. The goodwill is principally attributable to cost and capital expenditure synergies expected to arise from the combination of the acquired business and the Group’s existing operations in Germany, and further revenue synergies from cross-selling to the respective customer base, together with improved customer loyalty given the wider unified service offering. Transaction costs of £17 million were charged in the Group’s consolidated income statement in the year ended 31 March 2014. 4 Vodafone Omnitel B.V. (‘Vodafone Italy’) On 21 February 2014, the Group acquired a 100% interest in Vodafone Italy, having previously held a 76.9% stake in Vodafone Italy which was accounted for as a joint venture. The Group acquired the additional 23.1% equity as part of the consideration received for the disposal of the Group’s interests in Verizon Wireless (see “Disposals” below). There was no observable market for Verizon shares and so the fair value of consideration paid by the Group for the acquisition was considered to be more reliably determined based on the acquisition-date fair value of Group’s existing equity interest in Vodafone Italy. Using a value in use basis, the consideration paid for the acquisition was determined to be £7,121 million, comprising £5,473 million for the Group’s existing 76.9% equity interest and £1,648 million for the additional 23.1% equity interest. 165 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Net assets acquired: Identifiable intangible assets1 1,641 Property, plant and equipment 4,381 Investment in associated undertakings 8 Inventory 34 Trade and other receivables 154 Cash and cash equivalents 619 Current and deferred taxation (1,423) Short and long-term borrowings (2,784) Trade and other payables (1,190) Provisions (63) Post employment benefits (62) Net identifiable assets acquired 1,315 Non-controlling interests2 (308) Goodwill3 3,848 Total consideration4 4,855 Basic earnings per share 21.42 Diluted earnings per share 21.30 Revenue 42,603 Profit for the financial year 5,829 Profit attributable to equity shareholders 5,673

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 28. Acquisitions and disposals (continued) The purchase price allocation is set out in the table below: Fair value £m Notes: 1 Identifiable intangible assets of £3,000 million consisted of customer relationships of £1,319 million, licences and spectrum of £1,319 million and software of £362 million. 2 The goodwill is attributable to (i) efficiencies from the ability to operate the business as a wholly owned subsidiary; (ii) the non-recognition of certain intangible assets such as the assembled workforce; and (iii) the value attributable to access future customers. Disposals Verizon Wireless (‘VZW’) On 21 February 2014, the Group sold its US sub-group which included its entire 45% shareholding in VZW to Verizon Communications Inc. for a total consideration of £76.7 billion before tax and transaction costs. The Group recognised a net gain on disposal of £44,996 million, reported in profit for the financial year from discontinued operations. £m Notes: 1 Consideration of £76.7 billion comprises cash of £35.2 billion, shares in Verizon Communications Inc. of £36.7 billion, loan notes issued by Verizon Communications Inc. of £3.1 billion and a 21.3% interest in Vodafone Italy valued at £1.7 billion. 2 Other effects include foreign exchange losses transferred to the consolidated income statement. 3 Reported in profit for the financial year from discontinued operations in the consolidated income statement. 4 Transaction costs of £100 million were charged in the Group’s consolidated income statement in the year ended 31 March 2014. The Group did not separately value the embedded derivatives arising from the agreement to sell the US sub-group for a fixed consideration on 2 September 2013 because it was not able to make a reliable estimate of the value of this derivative due to the difficulty in estimating the fair value of the shares in an unlisted entity in the period between 2 September 2013 and transaction completion on 21 February 2014. Vodafone Omnitel B.V. (‘Vodafone Italy’) On 21 February 2014, the Group completed a deemed disposal of its entire 76.9% shareholding in Vodafone Italy as part of the VZW disposal deal for a total consideration of £5.5 billion before tax and transaction costs. The Group recognised a net loss on disposal of £712 million, reported in other income and expense. £m Notes: 1 Other effects include foreign exchange gains transferred to the consolidated income statement. 2 Reported in other income and expense in the consolidated income statement. 166 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Net assets disposed (8,480) Total consideration 5,473 Other effects1 2,295 Net loss on disposal2 (712) Net assets disposed (27,957) Total consideration1 76,716 Other effects2 (3,763) Net gain on disposal3,4 44,996 Net assets acquired: Identifiable intangible assets1 3,000 Property, plant and equipment 2,017 Inventory 89 Trade and other receivables (net of provisions of £285 million) 1,745 Current and deferred taxation (155) Short and long-term borrowings (19) Trade and other payables (2,415) Provisions (96) Post employment benefits (52) Net identifiable assets acquired 4,114 Goodwill2 3,007 Total consideration 7,121

 


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29. Commitments A commitment is a contractual obligation to make a payment in the future, mainly in relation to leases and agreements to buy assets such as network infrastructure and IT systems. These amounts are not recorded in the consolidated statement of financial position since we have not yet received the goods or services from the supplier. The amounts below are the minimum amounts that we are committed to pay. Accounting policies Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases. Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets of the Group at their fair value at the inception of the lease or, if lower, at the present value of the minimum lease payments as determined at the inception of the lease. The corresponding liability to the lessor is included in the statement of financial position as a finance lease obligation. Lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and reduction of the lease obligation so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. Finance charges are recognised in the income statement. Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Benefits received and receivable as an incentive to enter into an operating lease are also spread on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating lease commitments The Group has entered into commercial leases on certain properties, network infrastructure, motor vehicles and items of equipment. The leases have various terms, escalation clauses, purchase options and renewal rights, none of which are individually significant to the Group. Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases comprise: 2015 £m 2014 £m The total of future minimum sublease payments expected to be received under non-cancellable subleases is £358 million (2014: £313 million). Capital commitments Company and subsidiaries Share of joint operations Group 2015 £m 2014 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m Note: 1 Commitment includes contracts placed for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. Capital commitments includes £2,682 million in relation to spectrum acquired in 12 telecom circles in India. This included spectrum in all six of our 900MHz circles due for extension in December 2015. We also acquired new 3G spectrum in seven circles. 167 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Contracts placed for future capital expenditure not provided in the financial statements1 4,871 2,307 86 28 4,957 2,335 Within one year 1,403 1,128 In more than one year but less than two years 925 841 In more than two years but less than three years 797 678 In more than three years but less than four years 698 557 In more than four years but less than five years 550 477 In more than five years 2,207 2,051 6,580 5,732

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 30. Contingent liabilities Contingent liabilities are potential future cash outflows, where the likelihood of payment is considered more than remote, but is not considered probable or cannot be measured reliably. 2015 £m 2014 £m Notes: 1 Performance bonds require the Group to make payments to third parties in the event that the Group does not perform what is expected of it under the terms of any related contracts or commercial arrangements. 2 Other guarantees principally comprise Vodafone Group Plc’s guarantee of the Group’s 50% share of an AUD 1.7 billion loan facility and a US$3.5 billion loan facility of its joint venture, Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Limited. UK pension schemes At the start of the year, the Group had two main UK defined benefit schemes being the Vodafone UK Group Pension Scheme (‘Vodafone UK plan’) and the Cable & Wireless Worldwide Retirement Plan (‘CWWRP’). On 6 June 2014, all assets and liabilities of the Cable & Wireless Worldwide Retirement Plan were transferred into a new section of the Vodafone Group Pension Scheme. The Cable & Wireless Retirement Plan was then wound up. There are now two segregated sections of the Vodafone UK Group Pension Scheme, the Vodafone Section and the CWW Section. The Group has covenanted to provide security in favour of the Vodafone UK Group Pension Scheme – Vodafone Section whilst there is a deficit in this section. The deficit is measured on a prescribed basis agreed between the Group and Trustee. In 2010 the Group and Trustee agreed security of a charge over UK index linked gilts (‘ILG’) held by the Group. In December 2011, the security was increased by an additional charge over further ILG due to a significant increase in the deficit at that time. In April 2014, the security was reduced following a reduction in the deficit following the results of the 2013 valuation and a £325 million company contribution to the Scheme. The Scheme retains security over £264.5 million (notional value) 2017 ILGs and £38 million (notional value) 2016 ILGs. The security may be substituted either on a voluntary or mandatory basis. As and when alternative security is provided, the Group has agreed that the security cover should include additional headroom of 33%, although if cash is used as the security asset the ratio will revert to 100% of the relevant liabilities or where the proposed replacement security asset is listed on an internationally recognised stock exchange in certain core jurisdictions, the Trustee may decide to agree a lower ratio than 133%. The Company has also provided two guarantees to the Vodafone Section of the scheme for a combined value up to £1.25 billion to provide security over the deficit under certain defined circumstances, including insolvency of the employers. The Company has also agreed a similar guarantee of up to £1.25 billion for the CWW Section. An additional smaller UK defined benefit scheme, the THUS Plc Group Scheme, has a guarantee from the Company for up to £110 million. Legal proceedings The Company and its subsidiaries are currently, and may from time to time become involved in a number of legal proceedings including inquiries from, or discussions with, governmental authorities that are incidental to their operations. However, save as disclosed below, the Company and its subsidiaries are not currently involved in (i) any legal or arbitration proceedings (including any governmental proceedings which are pending or known to be contemplated) which may have, or have had in the 12 months preceding the date of this report, a significant effect on the financial position or profitability of the Company and its subsidiaries; or (ii) any material proceedings in which any of the Company’s Directors, members of senior management or affiliates are either a party adverse to the Company or its subsidiaries or have a material interest adverse to the Company or its subsidiaries. Due to inherent uncertainties, no accurate quantification of any cost, or timing of such cost, which may arise from any of the legal proceedings outlined below can be made. Telecom Egypt arbitration In October 2009 Telecom Egypt commenced arbitration against Vodafone Egypt in Cairo alleging breach of non-discrimination provisions in an interconnection agreement as a result of lower interconnection rates paid to Vodafone Egypt by Mobinil. Telecom Egypt also sought to join Vodafone International Holdings BV (‘VIHBV’), Vodafone Europe BV (‘VEBV’) and Vodafone Group Plc to the arbitration. In January 2015, the arbitral tribunal issued its decision. It held unanimously that it had no jurisdiction to arbitrate the claim against VIHBV, VEBV and Vodafone Group Plc. The tribunal also held by a three to two majority that Telecom Egypt had failed to establish any liability on the part of Vodafone Egypt. Telecom Egypt has applied to the Egyptian court to set aside the decision. Indian tax case In August 2007 and September 2007, Vodafone India Limited (‘VIL’) and VIHBV respectively received notices from the Indian tax authority alleging potential liability in connection with an alleged failure by VIHBV to deduct withholding tax from consideration paid to the Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited group (‘HTIL’) in respect of HTIL’s gain on its disposal to VIHBV of its interests in a wholly-owned subsidiary that indirectly holds interests in VIL. In January 2012 the Indian Supreme Court handed down its judgement, holding that VIHBV’s interpretation of the Income Tax Act 1961 was correct, that the HTIL transaction in 2007 was not taxable in India, and that consequently, VIHBV had no obligation to withhold tax from consideration paid to HTIL in respect of the transaction. The Indian Supreme Court quashed the relevant notices and demands issued to VIHBV in respect of withholding tax and interest. On 20 March 2012 the Indian Government returned VIHBV’s deposit of INR 25 billion and released the guarantee for INR 85 billion, which was based on the demand for payment issued by the Indian tax authority in October 2010, for tax of INR 79 billion plus interest. On 28 May 2012 the Finance Act 2012 became law. The Finance Act 2012 is intended to tax any gain on transfer of shares in a non-Indian company, which derives substantial value from underlying Indian assets, such as VIHBV’s transaction with HTIL in 2007. Further it seeks to subject a purchaser, such as VIHBV, to a retrospective obligation to withhold tax. 168 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Performance bonds1 766 442 Other guarantees and contingent liabilities2 2,539 2,500


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VIHBV has not received any formal demand for taxation in respect of the HTIL transaction following the effective date of the Finance Act 2012, but it did receive a letter on 3 January 2013 reminding it of the tax demand raised prior to the Indian Supreme Court’s judgement and purporting to update the interest element of that demand to a total amount of INR 142 billion. The separate proceedings taken against VIHBV to seek to treat it as an agent of HTIL in respect of its alleged tax on the same transaction, as well as penalties of up to 100% of the assessed withholding tax for the alleged failure to have withheld such taxes, remain pending despite the issue having been ruled upon by the Indian Supreme Court. Should a further demand for taxation be received by VIHBV or any member of the Group as a result of the new retrospective legislation, we believe it is probable that we will be able to make a successful claim under the Dutch-India Bilateral Investment Treaty (‘Dutch BIT’). On 17 January 2014, VIHBV served an amended trigger notice on the Indian Government under the Dutch BIT, supplementing a trigger notice filed on 17 April 2012, immediately prior to the Finance Act 2012 becoming effective, to add claims relating to an attempt by the Indian Government to tax aspects of the transaction with HTIL under transfer pricing rules. On 17 April 2014, VIHBV served its notice of arbitration under the Dutch BIT, formally commencing the Dutch BIT arbitration proceedings. An arbitrator has been appointed by VIHBV. The Indian Government appointed an arbitrator but he resigned in May 2015. The third arbitrator, who will act as chairman of the tribunal, had been agreed by the two party-appointed arbitrators (prior to the Government’s arbitrator’s resignation) but declined to accept the appointment. There is now likely to be a delay in appointing the chairman pending the Indian Government appointing a replacement for its party-appointed arbitrator. If there is no subsequent agreement on appointment of a chairman, the International Court of Justice will appoint the third arbitrator. We did not carry a provision for this litigation or in respect of the retrospective legislation at 31 March 2015, or at previous reporting dates. Other Indian tax cases VIL and Vodafone India Services Private Limited (‘VISPL’) (formerly 3GSPL) are involved in a number of tax cases with total claims exceeding £1.5 billion plus interest, and penalties of up to 300% of the principal. VIL tax claims The claims against VIL range from disputes concerning transfer pricing and the applicability of value-added tax to SIM cards, to the disallowance of income tax holidays. The quantum of the tax claims against VIL is in the region of £1.3 billion. VIL is of the opinion that any finding of material liability to tax is not probable. VISPL tax claims VISPL has been assessed as owing tax of approximately £260 million (plus interest of £190 million) in respect of (i) a transfer pricing margin charged for the international call centre of HTIL prior to the 2007 transaction with Vodafone for HTIL assets in India; (ii) the sale of the international call centre by VISPL to HTIL; and (iii) the acquisition of and/or the alleged transfer of options held by VISPL for VIL equity shares. The first two of the three heads of tax are subject to an indemnity by HTIL under the VIHBV Tax Deed of Indemnity. The larger part of the potential claim is not subject to any indemnity. VISPL unsuccessfully challenged the merits of the tax demand in the statutory tax tribunal and the jurisdiction of the tax office to make the demand in the High Court. The Tax Appeal Tribunal has now heard the appeal and ruled in the Tax Office’s favour. VISPL has lodged an appeal (and stay application) in the Bombay High Court which was partially heard in April and concluded in early May 2015. In the meantime, (i) a stay of the tax demand on a deposit of £20 million and (ii) a corporate guarantee by VIHBV for the balance of tax assessed remains in place pending a decision on the appeal in the Bombay High Court which is expected during 2015. If VISPL loses the appeal, its terms of the stay of demand may be revisited (and could be increased) while VISPL pursues a further appeal in the Supreme Court. Indian regulatory cases Litigation remains pending in the Telecommunications Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal (‘TDSAT’), High Courts and the Supreme Court in relation to a number of significant regulatory issues including mobile termination rates (‘MTRs’), spectrum and licence fees, licence extension and 3G intra-circle roaming (‘ICR’). Public interest litigation: Yakesh Anand v Union of India, Vodafone and others The Petitioner brought a special leave petition in the Indian Supreme Court on 30 January 2012 against the Government of India and mobile network operators, including VIL, seeking recovery of the alleged excess spectrum allocated to the operators, compensation for the alleged excess spectrum held in the amount of approximately €4.7 billion and a criminal investigation of an alleged conspiracy between government officials and the network operators. A claim with similar allegations was dismissed by the Supreme Court in March 2012, with an order that the Petitioner should pay a fine for abuse of process. The case is pending before the Supreme Court and is expected to be called for hearing at some uncertain future date. One time spectrum charges: Vodafone India v Union of India The Government of India has sought to impose one time spectrum charges of approximately €525 million on certain operating subsidiaries of VIL. We filed a petition before the TDSAT challenging the one time spectrum charges on the basis that they are illegal, violate Vodafone’s licence terms and are arbitrary, unreasonable and discriminatory. The tribunal stayed enforcement of the Government’s spectrum demand pending resolution of the dispute. The Indian Department of Telecommunications (‘DoT’) recently proposed that, since several operators have brought similar challenges in different jurisdictions, they move a transfer petition before the Supreme Court. Accordingly, the matter in the TDSAT stands adjourned until 11 August 2015. 3G inter-circle roaming: Vodafone India and others v Union of India In April 2013, the DoT issued a stoppage notice to VIL’s operating subsidiaries and other mobile operators requiring the immediate stoppage of the provision of 3G services on other operators’ mobile networks in an alleged breach of licences. The regulator also imposed a fine of approximately €5.5 million. We applied to the Delhi High Court for an order quashing the regulator’s notice. Interim relief from the notice has been granted (but limited to existing customers at the time with the effect that VIL was not able to provide 3G services to new customers on other operators’ 3G networks pending a decision on the issue). The dispute was referred to the TDSAT for decision, which ruled on 28 April 2014 that VIL and the other operators were permitted to provide 3G services to their customers (current and future) on other operators’ networks. The DoT has appealed the judgement, which is pending before the Supreme Court. 169 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 30. Contingent liabilities (continued) Extension of licences in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata: VIL and others v Union of India We sought an extension of our existing licences in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. That extension was denied by the DoT by order dated 21 March 2013. We appealed that decision to the TDSAT and by its order dated 31 January 2014, the TDSAT denied the extension. In the meantime, in order to maintain continuity of services, VIL sought and obtained spectrum in these cities. The appeal to the Supreme Court was rejected on 14 May 2015. Other cases in the Group Italy British Telecom (Italy) v Vodafone Italy The Italian Competition Authority concluded an investigation in 2007 when Vodafone Italy gave certain undertakings in relation to allegations that it had abused its dominant position in the wholesale market for mobile termination. In 2010, British Telecom (Italy) brought a civil damages claim against Vodafone Italy on the basis of the Competition Authority’s investigation and Vodafone Italy’s undertakings. British Telecom (Italy) seeks damages in the amount of €280 million for abuse of dominant position by Vodafone Italy in the wholesale fixed to mobile termination market for the period from 1999 to 2007. A court appointed expert delivered an opinion to the Court that the range of damages in the case should be in the region of €10 million to €25 million which was reduced in a further supplemental report published in September 2014 to a range of €8 million to €11 million. The expert’s report will be considered by the Court before it passes judgement on the case. FASTWEB v Vodafone Italy The Italian Competition Authority concluded an investigation in 2007 when Vodafone Italy gave certain undertakings in relation to allegations it had abused its dominant position in the wholesale market for mobile termination. In 2010, FASTWEB brought a civil damages claim against Vodafone Italy on the basis of the Competition Authority’s investigation and Vodafone Italy’s undertakings. FASTWEB sought damages in the amount of €360 million for abuse of dominant position by Vodafone Italy in the wholesale fixed to mobile termination market. A court appointed expert delivered an opinion to the Court that the range of damages in the case should be in the region of €0.5 million to €2.3 million. On 15 October 2014, the Court decided to reject FASTWEB’s damages claim in its entirety. Greece Papistas Holdings SA, Mobile Trade Stores (formerly Papistas SA) and Athanasios and Loukia Papistas v Vodafone Greece, Vodafone Group Plc and certain Directors and Officers of Vodafone In December 2013, Mr and Mrs Papistas, and companies owned or controlled by them, brought three claims in the Greek court in Athens against Vodafone Greece, Vodafone Group Plc and certain Directors and officers of Vodafone Greece and Vodafone Group Plc for purported damage caused by the alleged abuse of dominance and wrongful termination of a franchise arrangement with a Papistas company. Approximately €1.0 billion of the claim is directed exclusively at one former and one current Director of Vodafone Greece. The balance of the claim (approximately €285.5 million) is sought from Vodafone Greece and Vodafone Group Plc on a joint and several basis. The cases are scheduled to come to trial in November 2015 and April 2016. Tanzania Cats-Net Limited v Vodacom Tanzania Limited In 2012, Cats-Net Limited brought a claim for US$500 million (US$200 million compensatory and US$300 million punitive) in damages against Vodacom Tanzania Limited in the Tanzanian High Court. Cats-Net Limited is also seeking an order cancelling Vodacom Tanzania’s mobile telecommunications licence. The claim is based on the actions of the Tanzanian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (‘TTRA’) who, following complaints by Vodacom Tanzania of interference caused by transmissions of Cats-Net Limited, allegedly shut down the operations of Cats-Net Limited after conducting its own investigation. Cats-Net Limited alleges collusion between the TTRA and Vodacom Tanzania. Vodacom Tanzania filed an application to strike out the claim. That application has been argued and the parties await a decision of the Court. 170 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 

 


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31. Related party transactions The Group has a number of related parties including joint arrangements and associates, pension schemes and Directors and Executive Committee members (see note 12 “Investments in associates and joint arrangements”, note 26 “Post employment benefits” and note 24 “Directors and key management compensation”). Transactions with joint arrangements and associates Related party transactions with the Group’s joint arrangements and associates primarily comprise fees for the use of products and services including network airtime and access charges, fees for the provision of network infrastructure and cash pooling arrangements. No related party transactions have been entered into during the year which might reasonably affect any decisions made by the users of these consolidated financial statements except as disclosed below. 2015 £m 2014 £m 2013 £m Note: 1 Amounts arise primarily through Vodafone Italy, Vodafone Hutchison Australia, Indus Towers and Cornerstone. Interest is paid in line with market rates. Dividends received from associates and joint ventures are disclosed in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Transactions with Directors other than compensation During the three years ended 31 March 2015, and as of 19 May 2015, neither any Director nor any other executive officer, nor any associate of any Director or any other executive officer, was indebted to the Company. During the three years ended 31 March 2015, and as of 19 May 2015, the Company has not been a party to any other material transaction, or proposed transactions, in which any member of the key management personnel (including Directors, any other executive officer, senior manager, any spouse or relative of any of the foregoing or any relative of such spouse) had or was to have a direct or indirect material interest. Dividends received from associates are disclosed in the consolidated statement of cash flows. 32. Principal subsidiaries Our subsidiaries are located around the world and each contributes to the profits, assets and cash flow of the Group. We have a large number of subsidiaries and so, for practical reasons, only the principal subsidiaries at 31 March 2015 are detailed below. Accounting policies A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the Company. Control is achieved where the Company has existing rights that give it the current ability to direct the activities that affect the Company’s returns and exposure or rights to variable returns from the entity. The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated income statement from the effective date of acquisition or up to the effective date of disposal, as appropriate. Where necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting policies into line with those used by the Group. All intra-group transactions, balances, income and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. Non-controlling interests in the net assets of consolidated subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group’s equity therein. Non-controlling interests consist of the amount of those interests at the date of the original business combination and the non-controlling shareholder’s share of changes in equity since the date of the combination. Total comprehensive income is attributed to non-controlling interests even if this results in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance. 171 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Sales of goods and services to associates 32 231238 Purchase of goods and services from associates 85 10997 Sales of goods and services to joint arrangements 6 1227 Purchase of goods and services from joint arrangements 566 570568 Net interest income receivable from joint arrangements1 79 7533 Trade balances owed: by associates 3 321 to associates 4 320 by joint arrangements 182 82260 to joint arrangements 48 17048 Other balances owed by joint arrangements1 61 571,065 Other balances owed to joint arrangements1 54 63–

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 32. Principal subsidiaries (continued) Principal subsidiaries A full list of subsidiaries, joint arrangements, associated undertakings and any significant holdings (as defined in the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008) as at 15 August 2015 will be annexed to the Company’s next annual return filed with the Registrar of Companies. No subsidiaries are excluded from the Group consolidation. Unless otherwise stated the Company’s principal subsidiaries all have share capital consisting solely of ordinary shares and are indirectly held. The country of incorporation or registration of all subsidiaries is also their principal place of operation unless otherwise stated. Country of incorporation or registration Percentage shareholdings1 Name Principal activity Vodafone GmbH Kabel Deutschland Holding AG Vodafone Limited Vodafone Omnitel B.V.2 Vodafone España, S.A.U. Cableuropa, S.A.U.3 Vodafone Albania Sh.A. Vodafone Czech Republic a.s. Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic Telecommunications Company S.A. Hellas Online S.A.4 Vodafone Magyarorszag Mobile Tavkozlesi Zartkoruen Mukodo Reszvenytarsasag5 Vodafone Ireland Limited Vodafone Malta Limited Vodafone Libertel B.V. Vodafone Portugal-Comunicações Pessoais, S.A.6 Vodafone Romania S.A. Vodafone India Limited Vodacom Group Limited Vodacom (Pty) Limited7 Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Holding company Network operator Germany Germany England Netherlands Spain Spain Albania Czech Republic Greece Greece Hungary Ireland Malta Netherlands Portugal Romania India South Africa South Africa The Democratic Republic of Congo Tanzania Mozambique Lesotho South Africa Egypt Ghana New Zealand Qatar Turkey England England Italy England Spain Netherlands Netherlands Luxembourg Luxembourg Luxembourg 100.0 76.7 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 99.9 100.0 99.9 97.8 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 65.0 60.9 Vodacom Congo (RDC) s.p.r.l.7,8,9 Vodacom Tanzania Limited7 VM, S.A.7,10 Vodacom Lesotho (Pty) Limited7 Vodacom Business Africa Group (PTY) Limited7 Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications S.A.E. Ghana Telecommunications Company Limited Vodafone New Zealand Limited Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C.9 Vodafone Telekomunikasyon A.S. Vodafone Group Services Limited11 Vodafone Sales & Services Limited12 Cobra Automotive Technologies S.P.A.13 Vodafone 6 UK Vodafone Holdings Europe, S.L.U. Vodafone Europe B.V. Vodafone International Holdings B.V. Vodafone Investments Luxembourg S.a.r.l. Vodafone Procurement Company S.a.r.l. Vodafone Roaming Services S.a.r.l. Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Holding company Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Network operator Global products and services provider Group services provider Telematics products and services provider Holding company Holding company Holding company Holding company Holding company Group services provider Group services provider 33.2 53.4 55.3 52.0 65.0 54.9 70.0 100.0 23.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 Notes: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Effective ownership percentages of Vodafone Group Plc at 31 March 2015, rounded to nearest tenth of one percent. The principal place of operation of Vodafone Omnitel B.V. is Italy. Cableuropa, S.A.U, was acquired on 23 July 2014. Hellas Online S.A. was acquired on 25 November 2014. Trades as Vodafone Hungary Mobile Telecommunications Company Limited. 38.6% of the issued share capital of Vodafone Portugal-Comunicações Pessoais, S.A. is directly held by Vodafone Group Plc. Shareholding is indirect through Vodacom Group Limited. The indirect shareholding is calculated using the 65.0% ownership interest in Vodacom. The share capital of Vodacom Congo (RDC) s.p.r.l. consists of 1,000,000 ordinary shares and 75,470,588 preference shares. The Group has rights that enable it to control the strategic and operating decisions of Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C. and Vodacom Congo (RDC) s.p.r.l. 10 The share capital of VM, S.A. consists of 60,000,000 ordinary shares and 548,350,646 preference shares. 11 Share capital consists of 1,190 ordinary shares and one deferred share, of which 100% of the shares are indirectly held by Vodafone Group Plc. 12 Vodafone Sales & Services Limited is directly held by Vodafone Group Plc. 13 Cobra Automotive Technologies S.P.A. was acquired on 14 August 2014. On 1 April 2015, it changed its name to Vodafone Automotive S.P.A. 172 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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The table below shows selected financial data in respect of subsidiaries that have non-controlling interests that are material to the Group. Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications S.A.E. Vodacom Group Limited Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C. 2015 £m 2014 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m 2015 £m 2014 £m The voting rights held by the Group equal the Group’s percentage shareholding as shown on page 172. 173 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information Summary comprehensive income information Revenue 4,341 4,718 1,191 1,163 394 342 Profit/(loss) for the financial year 603 730 156 165 (37) (43) Other comprehensive expense (17) (9) – – – – Total comprehensive income/(expense) 586 721 156 165 (37) (43) Other financial information Profit/(loss) for the financial year allocated to non-controlling interests 205 273 71 75 (29) (33) Dividends paid to non-controlling interests 229 261 2 3 11 – Summary financial position information Non-current assets 4,844 4,681 1,357 1,259 1,301 1,197 Current assets 1,405 1,275 518 405 76 52 Total assets 6,249 5,956 1,875 1,664 1,377 1,249 Non-current liabilities (490) (360) (57) (33) (8) (6) Current liabilities (2,478) (2,005) (729) (721) (339) (267) Total assets less total liabilities 3,281 3,591 1,089 910 1,030 976 Equity shareholders’ funds 2,722 2,899 673 575 237 224 Non-controlling interests 559 692 416 335 793 752 Total equity 3,281 3,591 1,089 910 1,030 976

 


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Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued) 174 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 33. Subsidiaries exempt from audit The following UK subsidiaries will take advantage of the audit exemption set out within section 479A of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2015. Name Registration number Cable & Wireless Worldwide plc 7029206 Cable & Wireless UK Holdings Limited 3840888 Cable & Wireless Waterside Holdings Limited 6859946 The Eastern Leasing Company Limited 1672832 Vodafone 24083193 Vodafone 4 UK 6357658 Vodafone 5 Limited 6688527 Vodafone 5 UK 2960479 Vodafone Americas 46389457 Vodafone Benelux Limited 4200960 Vodafone Cellular Limited 896318 Vodafone Consolidated Holdings Limited 5754561 Vodafone Enterprise Equipment Limited 1648524 Vodafone Euro Hedging Limited 3954207 Vodafone Euro Hedging Two 4055111 Vodafone European Investments 3961908 Vodafone European Portal Limited 3973442 Vodafone Europe UK 5798451 Vodafone Finance Luxembourg Limited 5754479 Vodafone Finance Sweden 2139168 Vodafone Finance UK Limited 3922620 Vodafone Financial Operations 4016558 Vodafone Global Content Services Limited 4064873 Vodafone Holdings Luxembourg Limited 4200970 Vodafone Intermediate Enterprises Limited 3869137 Vodafone International Holdings Limited 2797426 Vodafone International Operations Limited 2797438 Vodafone Investments Australia Limited 2011978 Vodafone Investments Limited 1530514 Vodafone Investment UK5798385 Vodafone Marketing UK 6858585 Vodafone Mobile Communications Limited 3942221 Vodafone Mobile Enterprises Limited 3961390 Vodafone Mobile Network Limited 3961482 Vodafone (New Zealand) Hedging Limited 4158469 Vodafone Nominees Limited 1172051 Vodafone Oceania Limited 3973427 Vodafone Overseas Finance Limited 4171115 Vodafone Overseas Holdings Limited 2809758 Vodafone Panafon UK 6326918 Vodafone Property Investments Limited 3903420 Vodafone UK Limited 2227940 Vodafone Worldwide Holdings Limited 3294074 Vodafone Yen Finance Limited 4373166 Voda Limited 1847509 Vodaphone Limited 2373469 Vodata Limited 2502373 34. Subsequent events No material events occurred after our year end date of 31 March 2015 and before the signing of this Annual Report on 19 May 2015.

 


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Other unaudited financial information Prior year operating results This section presents our operating performance for the 2014 financial year compared to the 2013 financial year, providing commentary on the revenue and adjusted EBITDA performance of the Group and its regions. Consistent with the operating results on pages 40 to 48, the results in this section have been presented on a statutory basis in accordance with IFRS accounting principles, including the results of the Group’s joint ventures and associates using the equity accounting basis and the profit contribution from Verizon Wireless to 2 September 2013 as discontinued operations. This is consistent with how the results and business performance are reviewed by management. Group1 Revenue Europe £m AMAP £m Other2 £m Eliminations £m 2014 £m 2013 £m £ % change Organic 24,222 13,473 686 (35) 38,346 38,041 0.8 (2.2) Service revenue 22,592 12,130 502 (34) 35,190 34,999 0.5 (2.6) Other revenue 1,630 1,343 184 (1) 3,156 3,042 Adjusted EBITDA 6,821 4,145 118 – 11,084 11,466 (3.3) (6.9) Adjusted operating profit 2,333 1,947 30 – 4,310 5,590 (22.9) (22.0) Adjustments for:   Impairment loss (6,600) (7,700) Restructuring costs (355) (311) Amortisation of acquired customer bases and brand intangible assets (551) (249) Other income and expense (717) 468 Operating loss (3,913) (2,202) Non-operating income and expense (149) 10 Net financing costs (1,208) (1,291) Income tax credit/(expense) 16,582 (476) Profit/(loss) for the financial year from  continuing operations 11,312 (3,959) Profit for the financial year from discontinued operations 48,108 4,616 Profit for the financial year 59,420 657 Notes: 1 2014 results reflect average foreign exchange rates of £1:€1.19 and £1:US$1.59 (2013: £1:€1.23 and £1:US$1.58). 2 The “Other” segment primarily represents the results of the partner markets and the net result of unallocated central Group costs   GRAPHIC Revenue Revenue increased by 0.8% to £38.3 billion driven by revenue growth in our AMAP region and business acquisitions, partially offset by revenue declines in Europe due to challenging trading conditions and by unfavourable exchange rate movements. On an organic basis service revenue declined 2.6%*. Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA decreased 6.9%* with a 1.5* percentage point decline in the adjusted EBITDA margin as the impact of steep revenue declines in Europe offset improving margins in AMAP, notably in India and Australia. Adjusted operating profit Adjusted operating profit fell 22.0%* year-on-year largely reflecting the decline in adjusted EBITDA and higher depreciation and amortisation. Operating loss Operating loss increased to £3.9 billion from £2.2 billion as lower impairment charges were offset by lower adjusted operating profit and other income and expense. During the year we recorded goodwill impairment charges of £6.6 billion relating to our businesses in Germany, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic and Romania. Other income and expense comprises a loss of £0.7 billion arising largely from our acquisition of a controlling interest in Vodafone Italy compared with a £0.5 billion gain on the acquisition of CWW in the prior year.     Note: * All amounts in the Operating Results section marked with an “*” represent organic growth which presents performance on a comparable basis, both in terms of merger and acquisition activity and movements in foreign exchange rates. Refer to “Organic growth” on page 203 for further detail. 175

 


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Other unaudited financial information (continued) Prior year operating results (continued) Europe % change Germany £m Italy1 £m UK £m Spain £m Other Europe £m Eliminations £m Europe £m £ Organic Year ended 31 March 2014 Revenue Service revenue Other revenue Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted operating profit Adjusted EBITDA margin 8,272 7,739 533 2,698 918 32.6% 522 465 57 182 371 34.9% 6,427 6,095 332 1,418 187 22.1% 3,518 3,230 288 787 181 22.4% 5,526 5,103 423 1,736 676 31.4% (43) (40) (3) – – 24,222 22,592 1,630 6,821 2,333 28.2% 1.4 2.0 (5.7) (5.0) (37.6) (8.3) (7.7) (15.3) (16.9) (41.5) Year ended 31 March 2013 Revenue Service revenue Other revenue Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted operating profit Adjusted EBITDA margin 7,857 7,275 582 2,831 1,401 36.0% – – – – 739 0.0% 5,150 4,782 368 1,210 303 23.5% 3,904 3,629 275 1,021 421 26.2% 7,114 6,610 504 2,121 878 29.8% (141) (140) (1) – – 23,884 22,156 1,728 7,183 3,742 30.1% (3.4) (3.1) (6.2) (6.7) (19.8) (4.3) (4.2) (4.9) (4.4) (14.2) Note: 1 Adjusted operating profit for the year ended 31 March 2013 of £739 million in respect of Italy represents the Group’s share of the net result of Vodafone Italy. Revenue increased 1.4%, including a 2.4 percentage point favourable impact from foreign exchange rate movements and a 7.3 percentage point positive impact from M&A and other activity. On an organic basis service revenue declined 7.7%*, driven by challenging macroeconomic conditions in many markets, increased competition and the impact of MTR cuts, partially offset by continued growth of mobile in-bundle revenue. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 5.0%, including a 2.6 percentage point favourable impact from foreign exchange rate movements and a 9.3 percentage point positive impact from M&A and other activity. On an organic basis adjusted EBITDA decreased 16.9%*, resulting from a reduction in service revenue in most markets and higher customer investment, partially offset by efficiency in operating costs. Organic change* % Other activity pps Foreign exchange pps Reported change % Revenue – Europe (8.3) 7.3 2.4 1.4 Service revenue Germany Italy1 UK Spain Other Europe Europe (6.2) (20.2) (4.4) (13.4) (7.1) (7.7) 9.0 20.2 31.9 (0.7) (17.5) 7.2 3.6 – – 3.1 1.8 2.5 6.4 – 27.5 (11.0) (22.8) 2.0 Adjusted EBITDA Germany Italy1 UK Spain Other Europe Europe (18.2) (30.3) (9.8) (23.9) (14.0) (16.9) 10.2 30.3 26.9 (1.8) (6.2) 9.3 3.3 – 0.1 2.8 2.0 2.6 (4.7) – 17.2 (22.9) (18.2) (5.0) Adjusted operating profit Europe (41.5) 1.7 2.2 (37.6) Note: 1 Organic growth for Vodafone Italy only includes its results for the period from 21 February 2014, the date the Group acquired a 100% interest, to 31 March 2014 compared to the same period the previous year. Germany Service revenue decreased 6.2%*, with a slightly improving trend in Q4 compared to Q3. Performance for the year was driven by intense price competition in both the consumer and enterprise segments and an MTR cut effective from December 2012, with Vodafone particularly impacted due to our traditionally high ARPU. In a more competitive environment we launched both a more aggressive 3G price plan (“Smart”) and pushed otelo in the entry-level contract segment. Mobile in-bundle revenue increased 2.7%* as a result of growth in integrated Vodafone Red offers, which was more than offset by a decline in mobile out-of-bundle revenue of 22.6%*. We continue to focus on Vodafone Red and 4G where we had nearly 3.0 million customers and 891,000 consumer contract customers respectively at 31 March 2014. 176 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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Adjusted EBITDA declined 18.2%*, with a 4.3* percentage point decline in adjusted EBITDA margin, driven by lower service revenue and increased customer investment. The roll-out of 4G services continued with a focus on urban areas, with overall outdoor population coverage of 70% at 31 March 2014, which combined with our ongoing network enhancement plan has resulted in a significant improvement in voice and data performance in the second half of the year. Following its acquisition on 14 October 2013, KDG contributed £702 million to service revenue and £297 million to adjusted EBITDA in Germany. The domination and profit and loss transfer agreement was registered on 14 March 2014 and the integration of Vodafone Germany and KDG began on 1 April 2014. Italy Service revenue for the year declined 17.3% on a local currency basis driven by the effect of the summer prepaid price war penetrating the customer base and the negative impact of MTR cuts effective from January and July 2013. Mobile in-bundle revenue grew 15.5% on a local currency basis driven by the take-up of integrated prepaid plans. Vodafone Red, which had nearly 1.5 million customers at 31 March 2014, continues to penetrate further into the base leading to improving churn in the contract segment. Enterprise revenue growth, while still negative, showed signs of improvement during the year thanks to the success of “Zero”. Prepaid experienced a steep ARPU decline as a result of the market move to aggressive bundled offers. 4G services are now available in 202 municipalities and outdoor coverage has reached 35%. Fixed line revenue for the year declined 3.0% on a local currency basis as a result of declining fixed voice usage, partly offset by continued broadband revenue growth supported by 77,000 net broadband customer additions during the year. Vodafone Italy now offers fibre services in 37 cities and is progressing well on its own fibre build plans. Adjusted EBITDA for the year declined 24.9% on a local currency basis, with a 4.7 percentage point decline in the local currency adjusted EBITDA margin, primarily driven by the lower revenue, partially offset by strong efficiency improvements delivered on operating costs which fell 6.9% on a local currency basis. UK Service revenue decreased 4.4%*, principally driven by declines in enterprise and prepaid and a 1.9 percentage point impact from MTR cuts, partially offset by consumer contract service revenue growth. Mobile in-bundle revenue increased 0.6%* as the positive impact of contract customer growth and greater penetration of Vodafone Red plans into the customer base, with nearly 2.7 million customers at 31 March 2014, offset pricing pressures. Mobile out-of-bundle declined 7.2%*, primarily driven by lower prepaid revenue. The activity to integrate the UK operations of CWW was accelerated successfully and we continue to deliver cash and capex synergies as planned. The sales pipeline is now growing, which we expect to materialise into revenue increases in the 2015 financial year. The roll-out of 4G services continued following the launch in August 2013, with services now available in 14 cities and over 200 towns, with over 637,000 4G enabled plans (including Mobile Broadband) at 31 March 2014. We are making significant progress in network performance, particularly in the London area. Adjusted EBITDA declined 9.8%*, driven by lower revenue and a 1.0* percentage point decline in the adjusted EBITDA margin as a result of higher customer investment. Spain Service revenue declined 13.4%*, as a result of intense convergence price competition, macroeconomic price pressure in enterprise and an MTR cut in July 2013. Service revenue trends began to improve towards the end of the year. As a result of a stronger commercial performance and lower customer churn from an improved customer experience, the contract customer base decline slowed during the year and the enterprise customer base remained broadly stable. Mobile in-bundle revenue declined 0.4%* driven by the higher take-up of Vodafone Red plans, which continue to perform well, with over 1.2 million customers at 31 March 2014. We had 797,000 4G customers at 31 March 2014 and services are now available in all Spanish provinces, 227 municipalities and 80 cities. Fixed line revenue declined 0.2%* as we added 216,000 new customers during the year and added 276,000 homes to our joint fibre network with Orange. On 17 March 2014 we agreed to acquire Grupo Corporativo Ono, S.A. (‘Ono’), the leading cable operator in Spain and the transaction is, subject to customary terms and conditions including anti-trust clearances by the relevant authorities, expected to complete in calendar Q3 2014. Adjusted EBITDA declined 23.9%*, with a 3.4* percentage point decline in adjusted EBITDA margin, primarily driven by the lower revenue, partly offset by lower commercial costs and operating cost reductions of 9.4%*. Other Europe Service revenue declined 7.1%* as price competition and MTR cuts resulted in service revenue declines of 5.6%*, 8.4%* and 14.1%* in the Netherlands, Portugal and Greece respectively. However, Hungary and Romania returned to growth in H2, and all other markets apart from Portugal showed an improvement in revenue declines in Q4. In the Netherlands mobile in-bundle revenue increased by 3.4%*, driven by the success of Vodafone Red plans. In Portugal, the broadband customer base and fixed line revenues continued to grow as the fibre roll-out gained momentum in a market moving strongly towards converged offers, whilst in Greece the customer base grew due to the focus on data. In Ireland, contract growth remained good in a declining market. Adjusted EBITDA declined 14.0%*, with a 2.1* percentage point reduction in the adjusted EBITDA margin, driven by lower service revenue, partly offset by operating cost efficiencies. 177 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information

 


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Other unaudited financial information (continued) Prior year operating results (continued) Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific % change India £m Vodacom £m Other AMAP £m Eliminations £m AMAP £m £ Organic Year ended 31 March 2014 Revenue Service revenue Other revenue Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted operating profit Adjusted EBITDA margin 3,945 3,927 18 1,135 326 28.8% 4,718 3,866 852 1,716 1,228 36.4% 4,810 4,337 473 1,294 393 26.9% – – – – – 13,473 12,130 1,343 4,145 1,947 30.8% (1.8) (3.5) 16.8 (1.2) 12.9 9.7 7.4 34.9 11.2 31.8 Year ended 31 March 2013 Revenue Service revenue Other revenue Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted operating profit Adjusted EBITDA margin 3,907 3,878 29 1,055 158 27.0% 5,206 4,415 791 1,891 1,332 36.3% 4,606 4,276 330 1,250 235 27.1% (1) (1) – – – 13,718 12,568 1,150 4,196 1,725 30.6% (0.7) (1.2) 5.6 4.3 7.1 8.2 7.6 14.8 13.8 20.1 Revenue declined 1.8% mainly as a result of a 12.3 percentage point adverse impact from foreign exchange rate movements, particularly with regard to the Indian rupee, the South African rand and the Turkish lira. On an organic basis service revenue grew 7.4%*, driven by a higher customer base, increased customer usage and successful pricing strategies, partially offset by the impact of MTR reductions and a general weakening in macroeconomic conditions in certain countries. Growth was led by strong performances in India, Turkey, Qatar and Ghana and robust performances in Vodacom and Egypt, partly offset by service revenue declines in New Zealand. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 1.2%, including a 13.5 percentage point adverse impact from foreign exchange rate movements. On an organic basis, adjusted EBITDA grew 11.2%*, driven primarily by strong growth in India, Turkey, Qatar and Ghana as well as improved contributions from Egypt and Vodacom. Organic change* % Other activity pps Foreign exchange pps Reported change % Revenue – AMAP 9.7 0.8 (12.3) (1.8) Service revenue India Vodacom Other AMAP AMAP 13.0 4.1 5.7 7.4 – (2.8) 5.2 0.9 (11.7) (13.7) (9.5) (11.8) 1.3 (12.4) 1.4 (3.5) Adjusted EBITDA India Vodacom Other AMAP AMAP 20.8 6.6 9.8 11.2 – 0.2 3.2 1.1 (13.2) (16.1) (9.5) (13.5) 7.6 (9.3) 3.5 (1.2) Adjusted operating profit AMAP 31.8 (0.1) (18.8) 12.9 178 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015

 


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India Service revenue increased 13.0%*, driven by continued customer growth and data usage as well as improved voice pricing. Mobile customers increased by 14.2 million during the year, yielding a closing customer base of 166.6 million at 31 March 2014. Data usage grew 125% during the year, primarily resulting from a 39% increase in mobile internet users and a 67% increase in usage per customer. At 31 March 2014 active data customers totalled 52 million including seven million 3G customers. We progressively rolled out M-Pesa across India over the year, reaching nationwide coverage by March 2014. Adjusted EBITDA grew 20.8%*, with a 2.0* percentage point increase in adjusted EBITDA margin, driven by the higher revenue and the resulting economies of scale on costs. In February, Vodafone India successfully bid for additional spectrum in 11 telecom circles in the Indian Government’s 900MHz and 1800MHz spectrum auction, enabling the company to provide customers with enhanced mobile voice and data services across the country. Of the total £1.9 billion cost of these spectrum licences, £0.5 billion was paid during the financial year with the remainder payable in instalments starting in 2017. Vodacom Service revenue grew 4.1%*, driven by strong growth in Vodacom’s mobile operations outside South Africa. In South Africa, organic service revenue increased 0.3%*, despite the adverse impact of an MTR cut, due to the strong growth in data revenues of 23.5%*, driven by higher smartphone penetration and the strong demand for prepaid bundles. Vodacom’s mobile operations outside South Africa delivered service revenue growth of 18.9%* mainly from continued customer base growth. M-Pesa continued to perform well and is now operational in all of the Vodacom mobile operations outside of South Africa, with over 4.4 million customers actively using the service. Adjusted EBITDA increased 6.6%*, driven by revenue growth, optimisation in customer investment and efficiencies in South Africa operating costs. The adjusted EBITDA margin decline of 0.3* percentage points is the result of higher sales of lower margin handsets. On 14 April 2014 Vodacom announced the acquisition of the Vodacom customer base from Nashua, a mobile cellular provider for South African mobile network operators, subject to the approval of the Competition Authority. On 19 May 2014 Vodacom announced that it had reached an agreement with the shareholders of Neotel Proprietary Limited (‘Neotel’), the second largest provider of fixed telecommunications services for both enterprise and consumers in South Africa, to acquire 100% of the issued share capital in, and shareholder loans against, Neotel for a total cash consideration of ZAR 7.0 billion (£0.4 billion). The transaction remains subject to the fulfilment of a number of conditions precedent including applicable regulatory approvals and is expected to close before the end of the financial year. Other AMAP Service revenue increased 5.7%*, with growth in Turkey, Egypt, Qatar and Ghana being partially offset by declines in New Zealand. Service revenue growth in Turkey was 7.9%* after a 5.4 percentage point negative impact from voice and SMS MTR cuts effective from 1 July 2013. Mobile in-bundle revenue in Turkey grew 25.0%* driven by higher smartphone penetration, the success of Vodafone Red plans and continued growth in enterprise. In Egypt service revenue increased 2.6%*, driven by the growth in the customer base, higher data usage and a successful pricing strategy. Service revenue growth in Qatar came as a result of strong net customer additions and the success of segmented commercial offers. In Ghana, service revenue grew 19.3%*, driven by an increase in customers and higher data usage in both consumer and enterprise. Adjusted EBITDA grew 9.8%* with a 0.1* percentage point improvement in adjusted EBITDA margin, with improvements in Turkey, Qatar and Ghana driven by the increase in scale and operating cost efficiencies, and with robust contribution from Egypt, partially offset by a decline in New Zealand. Our joint venture in Australia experienced a local currency service revenue decline of 9.0%. The turnaround plan remains on track, yielding improved levels of network performance, net promoter score and customer base management. The local currency adjusted EBITDA margin was improved by 14.6 percentage points, as a result of restructuring and stronger cost discipline. Our associate in Kenya, Safaricom, increased local currency service revenue by 17.2% driven by a higher customer base and continued growth in M-Pesa. 179 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Additional information

 


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S hareholder information Investor calendar Ex-dividend date for final dividend Record date for final dividend Interim management statement Annual general meeting Final dividend payment Half-year financial results Ex-dividend date for interim dividend* Record date for interim dividend* Interim dividend payment* 11 June 2015 12 June 2015 24 July 2015 28 July 2015 5 August 2015 10 November 2015 19 November 2015 20 November 2015 3 February 2016 Note: * Provisional dates. Dividends See pages 47 and 129 for details on dividend amount per share. Payment of dividends by direct credit We pay cash dividends directly to shareholders’ bank or building society accounts. This ensures secure delivery and means dividend payments are credited to shareholders’ bank or building society accounts on the same day as payment. A consolidated tax voucher covering both the interim and final dividends paid during the financial year is sent to shareholders at the time of the interim dividend in February. ADS holders may alternatively have their cash dividends paid by cheque. Overseas dividend payments Holders of ordinary shares resident in the Eurozone (defined for this purpose as a country that has adopted the euro as its national currency) automatically receive their dividends in euros. The sterling/ euro exchange rate is determined by us in accordance with our articles of association up to 13 business days before the payment date. Holders resident outside the UK and Eurozone automatically receive dividends in pounds sterling but may elect to receive dividends in local currency directly into their bank account by registering for our registrar’s (Computershare) Global Payments Service. Visit investorcentre.co.uk for details and terms and conditions. Cash dividends to ADS holders will be paid by the ADS depositary in US dollars. The sterling/US dollar exchange rate for this purpose is determined by us up to ten New York and London business days before the payment date. See vodafone.com/dividends for further information about dividend payments or, alternatively, please contact our registrar or the ADS depositary, as applicable. See page 187 for their contact information. Dividend reinvestment plan We offer a dividend reinvestment plan which allows holders of ordinary shares who choose to participate to use their cash dividends to acquire additional shares in the Company. These are purchased on their behalf by the plan administrator through a low cost dealing arrangement. For ADS holders, BNY Mellon maintains a Global BuyDIRECT Plan which is a direct purchase and sale plan for depositary receipts with a dividend reinvestment facility. Managing your shares via Investor Centre Computershare operates a portfolio service for investors in ordinary shares, called Investor Centre. This provides our shareholders with online access to information about their investments as well as a facility to help manage their holdings online, such as being able to: a update dividend mandate bank instructions and review dividend payment history; a update member details and address changes; and a register to receive Company communications electronically. Computershare also offers an internet and telephone share dealing service to existing shareholders. The service can be obtained at investorcentre.co.uk. Shareholders with any queries regarding their holding should contact Computershare. See page 187 for their contact details. Shareholders may also find the investors section of our corporate website, vodafone.com/investor, useful for general queries and information about the Company. Shareholder communications A growing number of our shareholders have opted to receive their communications from us electronically using email and web-based communications. The use of electronic communications, rather than printed paper documents, means information about the Company can be received as soon as it is available and has the added benefit of reducing costs and our impact on the environment. Each time we issue a shareholder communication, shareholders registered for electronic communications will be sent an email alert containing a link to the relevant documents. We encourage all our shareholders to sign up for this service by providing us with an email address. You can register your email address via our registrar at investorcentre.co.uk or contact them via the telephone number provided on page 187. See vodafone.com/investor for further information about this service. Annual general meeting Our thirty first annual general meeting will be held at the Hilton London Metropole Hotel, 225 Edgware Road, London W2 1JU, on Tuesday 28 July 2015 at 11.00 a.m. The annual general meeting will be transmitted via a live webcast which can be viewed on our website at vodafone.com/agm on the day of the meeting. A recording will be available to view after that date. 186 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Unaudited information

 


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ShareGift We support ShareGift, the charity share donation scheme (registered charity number 1052686). Through ShareGift, shareholders who have only a very small number of shares, which might be considered uneconomic to sell, are able to donate them to charity. Donated shares are aggregated and sold by ShareGift, the proceeds being passed on to a wide range of UK charities. See sharegift.org or call +44 (0)20 7930 3737 for further details. Warning to shareholders (“boiler room” scams) Over recent years we have become aware of investors who have received unsolicited calls or correspondence, in some cases purporting to have been issued by us, concerning investment matters. These callers typically make claims of highly profitable opportunities in UK or US investments which turn out to be worthless or simply do not exist. These approaches are usually made by unauthorised companies and individuals and are commonly known as “boiler room” scams. Investors are advised to be wary of any unsolicited advice or offers to buy shares. If it sounds too good to be true, it often is. See the FCA website at fca.org.uk/consumers/scams for more detailed information about this or similar activity. Landmark Asset Search We participate in an online service which provides a search facility for solicitors and probate professionals to quickly and easily trace UK shareholdings relating to deceased estates. Visit www.landmarkfas.co.uk or call +44 (0)844 844 9967 for further information. Share price history On flotation of the Company on 11 October 1988 the ordinary shares were valued at 170 pence each. When the Company was finally demerged on 16 September 1991 the base cost of Racal Electronics Plc shares for UK taxpayers was apportioned between the Company and Racal Electronics Plc for capital gains tax purposes in the ratio of 80.036% and 19.964% respectively. Opening share prices on 16 September 1991 were 332 pence for each Vodafone share and 223 pence for each Racal share. On 21 July 1994 the Company effected a bonus issue of two new shares for every one then held and on 30 September 1999 it effected a bonus issue of four new shares for every one held at that date. The flotation and demerger share prices therefore may be restated as 11.333 pence and 22.133 pence respectively. On 31 July 2006 the Group returned approximately £9 billion to shareholders in the form of a B share arrangement. As part of this arrangement, and in order to facilitate historical share price comparisons, the Group’s share capital was consolidated on the basis of seven new ordinary shares for every eight ordinary shares held at this date. On 21 February 2014 the Group disposed of its interest in Verizon Wireless (‘VZW’) to Verizon Communications Inc. As part of this transaction the Group returned US$85 billion to shareholders in cash and Verizon shares. On 24 February 2014 the Group’s share capital was consolidated on the basis of six new ordinary shares for every eleven existing ordinary shares. The closing share price at 31 March 2015 was 220.45 pence (31 March 2014: 220.25 pence). The closing share price on 18 May 2015 was 234.10 pence. The following tables set out, for the periods indicated, (i) the reported high and low middle market quotations of ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange, and (ii) the reported high and low sales prices of ADSs on NASDAQ. London Stock Exchange Pounds per ordinary share NASDAQ Dollars per ADS Year ended 31 March High Low High Low 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 1.85 1.84 1.92 2.52 2.40 1.27 1.54 1.54 1.80 1.85 32.70 29.46 30.07 41.57 38.26 18.21 24.31 24.42 27.74 29.67 London Stock Exchange Pounds per ordinary share NASDAQ Dollars per ADS Quarter High Low High Low 2013/2014 First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter 2014/2015 First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter 2015/2016 First quarter1 1.99 2.24 2.44 2.52 1.80 1.92 2.20 2.18 30.80 35.79 39.99 36.01 27.81 29.15 35.03 41.57 2.27 2.10 2.34 2.40 1.90 1.89 1.85 2.15 38.26 34.54 36.55 36.03 32.00 32.18 29.67 32.30 2.36 2.20 37.04 32.71 Note: 1 Covering period up to 18 May 2015. 187 Additional information Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Registrar and transfer office The Registrar Holders of ordinary shares resident in Ireland Computershare Investor Services PLC Computershare Investor Services (Ireland) Ltd The Pavilions PO Box 9742 Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 6ZZ, England Dublin 18, Ireland Telephone: +44 (0)870 702 0198 Telephone: +353 (0)818 300 999 investorcentre.co.uk/contactusinvestorcentre.co.uk/contact us ADS depositary BNY Mellon Shareowner Services PO Box 30170 College Station, TX 77842-3170 Telephone: +1 800 233 5601 (toll free) or, for calls outside the United States, +1 201 680 6825 (not toll free) and enter company number 2160 Email: shrrelations@cpushareownerservices.com

 


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Shareholder information (continued) Unaudited information London Stock Exchange Pounds per ordinary share NASDAQ Dollars per ADS Markets Ordinary shares of Vodafone Group Plc are traded on the London Stock Exchange and in the form of ADSs on NASDAQ. We had Month High Low High Low November 2014 2.34 2.04 36.55 32.73 December 2014 2.31 2.13 35.80 33.30 January 2015 2.40 2.15 36.03 32.62 February 2015 2.37 2.24 35.98 34.56 March 2015 2.28 2.16 34.62 32.30 April 2015 2.33 2.20 35.62 32.71 May 20151 2.36 2.29 37.04 34.75 Note: 1 Covering period up to 18 May 2015. Inflation and foreign currency translation Inflation Inflation has not had a significant effect on the Group’s results of operations and financial condition during the three years ended 31 March 2015. Foreign currency translation The following table sets out the pound sterling exchange rates of the other principal currencies of the Group, being: “euros”, “€” or “eurocents”, the currency of the European Union (‘EU’) member states which have adopted the euro as their currency, and “US dollars”, “US$”, “cents” or “¢”, the currency of the US. a total market capitalisation of approximately £62 billion at 18 May 2015 making us the seventh largest listing in The Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 index and the 75th largest company in the world based on market capitalisation at that date. ADSs, each representing ten ordinary shares, are traded on NASDAQ under the symbol “VOD”. The ADSs are evidenced by ADRs issued by BNY Mellon, as depositary, under a deposit agreement, dated as of 12 October 1988, as amended and restated on 26 December 1989, 16 September 1991, 30 June 1999, 31 July 2006 and 24 February 2015 between the Company, the depositary and the holders from time to time of ADRs issued thereunder. ADS holders are not members of the Company but may instruct BNY Mellon on the exercise of voting rights relative to the number of ordinary shares represented by their ADSs. See “Articles of association and applicable English law – Rights attaching to the Company’s shares – Voting rights” on page 190. Shareholders at 31 March 2015 31 March Currency (=£1) Average: Euro 2015 1.28 2014 1.19 % Change 7.6 US dollar 1.61 1.59 1.3 At 31 March: Euro 1.38 1.21 14.0 US dollar 1.48 1.67 (11.4) On 18 May 2015 (the latest practicable date for inclusion in this report) the exchange rates between pound sterling and euros and between pound sterling and US dollars were as follows: £1 = €1.38 and £1 = US$1.57. The following table sets out, for the periods and dates indicated, the period end, average, high and low exchanges rates for pound sterling expressed in US dollars per £1.00. Year ended 31 March 31 March Average High Low 2011 1.61 1.56 1.64 1.43 2012 1.60 1.60 1.67 1.53 2013 1.52 1.58 1.63 1.49 2014 1.67 1.59 1.67 1.49 2015 1.48 1.61 1.71 1.46 The following table sets out, for the periods indicated, the high and low exchange rates for pounds sterling expressed in US dollars per £1.00. Y=ear ended 31 March High Low November 2014 1.60 1.56 December 2014 1.58 1.55 January 2015 1.56 1.49 February 2015 1.56 1.50 March 2015 1.54 1.46 April 2015 1.55 1.46 May 20151 1.58 1.51 Note: 1 Covering period up to 18 May 2015. Major shareholders BNY Mellon, as custodian of our ADR programme, held approximately 15.63% of our ordinary shares of 2020 21 US cents each at 18 May 2015 as nominee. The total number of ADRs outstanding at 18 May 2015 was 414,482,128. At this date 1,469 holders of record of ordinary shares had registered addresses in the United States and in total held approximately 0.008% of the ordinary shares of the Company. At 31 March 2015 the following percentage interests in the ordinary share capital of the Company, disclosable under the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, (DTR 5), have been notified to the Directors. Shareholder Shareholding Black Rock Investment Management Ltd. 6.08% Legal & General Investment Management Ltd.  3.32% No changes in the interests disclosed under DTR 5 have been notified to the Company between 31 March 2015 and 18 May 2015. Between 1 April 2012 and 18 May 2015, Capital Group Companies Inc. has held more than 3% of, or 3% of voting rights attributable to, the ordinary shares of the Company. During this period, and as notified, this holding reduced to below the 3% reporting threshold. The rights attaching to the ordinary shares of the Company held by these shareholders are identical in all respects to the rights attaching to all the ordinary shares of the Company. The Directors are not aware, at 18 May 2015, of any other interest of 3% or more in the ordinary share capital of the Company. The Company is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by any foreign government or any other legal entity. There are no arrangements known to the Company that could result in a change of control of the Company.  188


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Articles of association and applicable English law The following description summarises certain provisions of the Company’s articles of association and applicable English law. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Companies Act 2006 of England and Wales and the Company’s articles of association. See “Documents on display” on page 191 for information on where copies of the articles of association can be obtained. The Company is a public limited company under the laws of England and Wales. The Company is registered in England and Wales under the name Vodafone Group Public Limited Company with the registration number 1833679. All of the Company’s ordinary shares are fully paid. Accordingly, no further contribution of capital may be required by the Company from the holders of such shares. English law specifies that any alteration to the articles of association must be approved by a special resolution of the shareholders. Articles of association By a special resolution passed at the 2010 annual general meeting the Company removed its object clause together with all other provisions of its memorandum of association which, by virtue of the Companies Act 2006, are treated as forming part of the Company’s articles of association. Accordingly, the Company’s articles of association do not specifically restrict the objects of the Company. Directors The Company’s articles of association provide for a Board of Directors, consisting of not fewer than three Directors, who shall manage the business and affairs of the Company. The Directors are empowered to exercise all the powers of the Company subject to any restrictions in the articles of association, the Companies Act (as defined in the articles of association) and any special resolution. Under the Company’s articles of association a Director cannot vote in respect of any proposal in which the Director, or any person connected with the Director, has a material interest other than by virtue of the Director’s interest in the Company’s shares or other securities. However, this restriction on voting does not apply to resolutions (i) giving the Director or a third party any guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of obligations or liabilities incurred at the request of or for the benefit of the Company; (ii) giving any guarantee, security or indemnity to the Director or a third party in respect of obligations of the Company for which the Director has assumed responsibility under an indemnity or guarantee; (iii) relating to an offer of securities of the Company in which the Director is entitled to participate as a holder of shares or other securities or in the underwriting of such shares or securities; (iv) concerning any other company in which the Director (together with any connected person) is a shareholder or an officer or is otherwise interested, provided that the Director (together with any connected person) is not interested in 1% or more of any class of the Company’s equity share capital or the voting rights available to its shareholders; (v) relating to the arrangement of any employee benefit in which the Director will share equally with other employees; and (vi) relating to any insurance that the Company purchases or renews for its Directors or any group of people including Directors. The Directors are empowered to exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money, subject to the limitation that the aggregate amount of all liabilities and obligations of the Group outstanding at any time shall not exceed an amount equal to 1.5 times the aggregate of the Group’s share capital and reserves calculated in the manner prescribed in the articles of association unless sanctioned by an ordinary resolution of the Company’s shareholders. The Company can make market purchases of its own shares or agree to do so in the future provided it is duly authorised by its members in a general meeting and subject to and in accordance with section 701 of the Companies Act 2006. Such authority was given at the 2014 annual general meeting but no purchases were made during this financial year. At each annual general meeting all Directors who were elected or last re-elected at or before the annual general meeting held in the third calendar year before the current year shall automatically retire. In 2005 the Company reviewed its policy regarding the retirement and re-election of Directors and, although it is not intended to amend the Company’s articles of association in this regard, the Board has decided in the interests of good corporate governance that all of the Directors wishing to continue in office should offer themselves for re-election annually. Directors are not required under the Company’s articles of association to hold any shares of the Company as a qualification to act as a Director, although Executive Directors participating in long-term incentive plans must comply with the Company’s share ownership guidelines. In accordance with best practice in the UK for corporate governance, compensation awarded to Executive Directors is decided by a Remuneration Committee consisting exclusively of Non-Executive Directors. In addition, as required by The Directors’ Remuneration Report Regulations, the Board has, since 2003, prepared a report to shareholders on the Directors’ remuneration which complies with the regulations (see pages 75 to 91). The report is also subject to a shareholder vote. Rights attaching to the Company’s shares At 31 March 2015 the issued share capital of the Company was comprised of 50,000 7% cumulative fixed rate shares of £1.00 each, 26,512,038,085 ordinary shares (excluding treasury shares) of 2020 /21 US cents each and 33,737,176,433 deferred shares of US$0.00001 each. The 33,737,176,433 deferred shares were transferred to Vodafone Group Plc and cancelled on 8 May 2015. Dividend rights Holders of 7% cumulative fixed rate shares are entitled to be paid in respect of each financial year, or other accounting period of the Company, a fixed cumulative preferential dividend of 7% per annum on the nominal value of the fixed rate shares. A fixed cumulative preferential dividend may only be paid out of available distributable profits which the Directors have resolved should be distributed. The fixed rate shares do not have any other right to share in the Company’s profits. Holders of the Company’s ordinary shares may, by ordinary resolution, declare dividends but may not declare dividends in excess of the amount recommended by the Directors. The Board of Directors may also pay interim dividends. No dividend may be paid other than out of profits available for distribution. Dividends on ordinary shares can be paid to shareholders in whatever currency the Directors decide, using an appropriate exchange rate for any currency conversions which are required. If a dividend has not been claimed for one year after the date of the resolution passed at a general meeting declaring that dividend or the resolution of the Directors providing for payment of that dividend, the Directors may invest the dividend or use it in some other way for the benefit of the Company until the dividend is claimed. If the dividend remains unclaimed for 12 years after the relevant resolution either declaring that dividend or providing for payment of that dividend, it will be forfeited and belong to the Company. 189 Additional information Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials

 


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Shareholder information (continued) Voting rights The Company’s articles of association provide that voting on substantive resolutions (i.e. any resolution which is not a procedural resolution) at a general meeting shall be decided on a poll. On a poll, each shareholder who is entitled to vote and is present in person or by proxy has one vote for every share held. Procedural resolutions (such as a resolution to adjourn a general meeting or a resolution on the choice of Chairman of a general meeting) shall be decided on a show of hands, where each shareholder who is present at the meeting has one vote regardless of the number of shares held, unless a poll is demanded. In addition, the articles of association allow persons appointed as proxies of shareholders entitled to vote at general meetings to vote on a show of hands, as well as to vote on a poll and attend and speak at general meetings. The articles of association also allow persons appointed as proxies by two or more shareholders entitled to vote at general meetings to vote for and against a resolution on a show of hands. Under English law two shareholders present in person constitute a quorum for purposes of a general meeting unless a company’s articles of association specify otherwise. The Company’s articles of association do not specify otherwise, except that the shareholders do not need to be present in person and may instead be present by proxy to constitute a quorum. Under English law shareholders of a public company such as the Company are not permitted to pass resolutions by written consent. Record holders of the Company’s ADSs are entitled to attend, speak and vote on a poll or a show of hands at any general meeting of the Company’s shareholders by the depositary’s appointment of them as corporate representatives with respect to the underlying ordinary shares represented by their ADSs. Alternatively holders of ADSs are entitled to vote by supplying their voting instructions to the depositary or its nominee who will vote the ordinary shares underlying their ADSs in accordance with their instructions. Employees are able to vote any shares held under the Vodafone Group Share Incentive Plan and “My ShareBank” (a vested nominee share account) through the respective plan’s trustees. Holders of the Company’s 7% cumulative fixed rate shares are only entitled to vote on any resolution to vary or abrogate the rights attached to the fixed rate shares. Holders have one vote for every fully paid 7% cumulative fixed rate share. Liquidation rights In the event of the liquidation of the Company, after payment of all liabilities and deductions in accordance with English law, the holders of the Company’s 7% cumulative fixed rate shares would be entitled to a sum equal to the capital paid up on such shares, together with certain dividend payments, in priority to holders of the Company’s ordinary shares. The holders of the fixed rate shares do not have any other right to share in the Company’s surplus assets. Pre-emptive rights and new issues of shares Under section 549 of the Companies Act 2006 Directors are, with certain exceptions, unable to allot the Company’s ordinary shares or securities convertible into the Company’s ordinary shares without the authority of the shareholders in a general meeting. In addition, section 561 of the Companies Act 2006 imposes further restrictions on the issue of equity securities (as defined in the Companies Act 2006 which include the Company’s ordinary shares and securities convertible into ordinary shares) which are, or are to be, paid up wholly in cash and not first offered to existing shareholders. The Company’s articles of association allow shareholders to authorise Directors for a period specified in the relevant resolution to allot (i) relevant securities generally up to an amount fixed by the shareholders; and (ii) equity securities for cash other than in connection with a pre-emptive offer up to an amount specified by the shareholders and free of the pre-emption restriction in section 561. At the 2014 annual general meeting the amount of relevant securities fixed by shareholders under (i) above and the amount of equity securities specified by shareholders under (ii) above were both in line with corporate governance guidelines. The Directors consider it desirable to have the maximum flexibility permitted by corporate governance guidelines to respond to market developments and to enable allotments to take place to finance business opportunities as they arise. In order to retain such maximum flexibility, the Directors propose to renew the authorities granted by shareholders in 2014 at this year’s annual general meeting. Further details of such proposals are provided in the 2015 notice of annual general meeting. Disclosure of interests in the Company’s shares There are no provisions in the articles of association whereby persons acquiring, holding or disposing of a certain percentage of the Company’s shares are required to make disclosure of their ownership percentage although such requirements exist under rules derived from the Disclosure and Transparency Rules (‘DTRs’). The basic disclosure requirement upon a person acquiring or disposing of shares that are admitted to trading on a regulated market and carrying voting rights is an obligation to provide written notification to the Company, including certain details as set out in DTR 5, where the percentage of the person’s voting rights which he holds as shareholder or through his direct or indirect holding of financial instruments (falling within DTR 5.3.1R) reaches or exceeds 3% and reaches, exceeds or falls below each 1% threshold thereafter. Under section 793 of the Companies Act 2006 the Company may, by notice in writing, require a person that the Company knows or has reasonable cause to believe is, or was during the preceding three years, interested in the Company’s shares to indicate whether or not that is correct and, if that person does or did hold an interest in the Company’s shares, to provide certain information as set out in the Companies Act 2006. DTR 3 deals with the disclosure by persons “discharging managerial responsibility” and their connected persons of the occurrence of all transactions conducted on their account in the shares of the Company. Part 28 of The Companies Act 2006 sets out the statutory functions of the Panel on Takeovers & Mergers (the ‘Panel’). The Panel is responsible for issuing and administering the Code on Takeovers & Mergers which includes disclosure requirements on all parties to a takeover with regard to dealings in the securities of an offeror or offeree company and also on their respective associates during the course of an offer period. General meetings and notices Subject to the articles of association, annual general meetings are held at such times and place as determined by the Directors of the Company. The Directors may also, when they think fit, convene other general meetings of the Company. General meetings may also be convened on requisition as provided by the Companies Act 2006. An annual general meeting needs to be called by not less than 21 days’ notice in writing. Subject to obtaining shareholder approval on an annual basis, the Company may call other general meetings on 14 days’ notice. The Directors may determine that persons entitled to receive notices of meetings are those persons entered on the register at the close of business on a day determined by the Directors but not later than 21 days before the date the relevant notice is sent. The notice may also specify the record date, the time of which shall be determined in accordance with the articles of association and the Companies Act 2006. Shareholders must provide the Company with an address or (so far as the Companies Act 2006 allows) an electronic address or fax number in the UK in order to be entitled to receive notices of shareholders’ meetings and other notices and documents. In certain circumstances the Company may give notices to shareholders by publication on the Company’s website and advertisement in newspapers in the UK. Holders of the Company’s ADSs are entitled to receive notices under the terms of the deposit agreement relating to the ADSs. 190 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Unaudited information

 

 


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Exchange controls There are no UK government laws, decrees or regulations that restrict or affect the export or import of capital, including but not limited to, foreign exchange controls on remittance of dividends on the ordinary shares or on the conduct of the Group’s operations. Under section 336 of the Companies Act 2006 the annual general meeting of shareholders must be held each calendar year and within six months of the Company’s year end. Electronic communications The Company has previously passed a resolution allowing it to communicate all shareholder information by electronic means, including making such information available on the Company’s website. Those shareholders who have positively elected for website communication (or are deemed to have consented to receive electronic communication in accordance with the Companies Act 2006) will receive written notification whenever shareholder documentation is made available on the website. Variation of rights If at any time the Company’s share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attached to any class may be varied, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, either with the consent in writing of the holders of three quarters in nominal value of the shares of that class or at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. At every such separate meeting all of the provisions of the articles of association relating to proceedings at a general meeting apply, except that (i) the quorum is to be the number of persons (which must be at least two) who hold or represent by proxy not less than one third in nominal value of the issued shares of the class or, if such quorum is not present on an adjourned meeting, one person who holds shares of the class regardless of the number of shares he holds; (ii) any person present in person or by proxy may demand a poll; and (iii) each shareholder will have one vote per share held in that particular class in the event a poll is taken. Class rights are deemed not to have been varied by the creation or issue of new shares ranking equally with or subsequent to that class of shares in sharing in profits or assets of the Company or by a redemption or repurchase of the shares by the Company. Taxation As this is a complex area investors should consult their own tax advisor regarding the US federal, state and local, the UK and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of shares and ADSs in their particular circumstances. This section describes, primarily for a US holder (as defined below), in general terms, the principal US federal income tax and UK tax consequences of owning or disposing of shares or ADSs in the Company held as capital assets (for US and UK tax purposes). This section does not, however, cover the tax consequences for members of certain classes of holders subject to special rules including, for example, US expatriates and former long-term residents of the US and officers of the Company; employees and holders that, directly, indirectly or by attribution, hold 5% or more of the Company’s voting stock; financial institutions; insurance companies; individual retirement accounts and other tax-deferred accounts; tax-exempt organisations; dealers in securities or currencies; investors that will hold shares or ADSs as part of straddles, hedging transactions or conversion transactions for US federal income tax purposes; investors holding shares or ADSs in connection with a trade or business conducted outside of the US; or investors whose functional currency is not the US dollar. A US holder is a beneficial owner of shares or ADSs that is for US federal income tax purposes: a a citizen or resident of the US; a a US domestic corporation; a an estate, the income of which is subject to US federal income tax regardless of its source; or Limitations on voting and shareholding As far as the Company is aware there are no limitations imposed on the transfer, holding or voting of the Company’s ordinary shares other than those limitations that would generally apply to all of the shareholders. No shareholder has any securities carrying special rights with regard to control of the Company. a a trust, if a US court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more US persons are authorised to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or the trust has validly elected to be treated as a domestic trust for US federal income tax purposes. Documents on display The Company is subject to the information requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private issuers. In accordance with these requirements the Company files its Annual Report on Form 20-F and other related documents with the SEC. These documents may be inspected at the SEC’s public reference rooms located at 100 F Street, NE Washington, DC 20549. Information on the operation of the public reference room can be obtained in the United States by calling the SEC on +1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, some of the Company’s SEC filings, including all those filed on or after 4 November 2002, are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Shareholders can also obtain copies of the Company’s articles of association from our website at vodafone.com/governance or from the Company’s registered office. If an entity treated as a partnership for US federal income tax purposes holds the shares or ADSs, the US federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the tax treatment of the partnership. Holders that are entities treated as partnerships for US federal income tax purposes should consult their tax advisers concerning the US federal income tax consequences to them and their partners of the ownership and disposition of ADSs by the partnership. This section is based on the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, and on the tax laws of the UK and the Double Taxation Convention between the US and the UK (the ‘treaty’), all as currently in effect. These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. This section is further based in part upon the representations of the depositary and assumes that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms. Material contracts At the date of this Annual Report the Group is not party to any contracts that are considered material to the Group’s results or operations except for its US$3.9 billion and €3.9 billion revolving credit facilities which are discussed in note 22 “Liquidity and capital resources” to the consolidated financial statements. 191 Additional information Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials

 


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Shareholder information (continued) For the purposes of the treaty and the US–UK double taxation convention relating to estate and gift taxes (the ‘Estate Tax Convention’), and for US federal income tax and UK tax purposes, this section is based on the assumption that a holder of ADRs evidencing ADSs will be treated as the owner of the shares in the Company represented by those ADSs. Investors should note that a ruling by the first-tier tax tribunal in the UK has cast doubt on this view, but HMRC have stated that they will continue to apply their long-standing practice of regarding the holder of such ADRs as holding the beneficial interest in the underlying shares. Investors should note, however, that this is an area of some uncertainty that may be subject to further developments in the future. Generally exchanges of shares for ADRs and ADRs for shares will not be subject to US federal income tax or to UK tax other than stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax (see the section on these taxes on page 193). Taxation of dividends UK taxation Under current UK tax law no withholding tax will be deducted from the dividends we pay. Shareholders who are within the charge to UK corporation tax will be subject to corporation tax on the dividends we pay unless the dividends fall within an exempt class and certain other conditions are met. It is expected that the dividends we pay would generally be exempt. A shareholder in the Company who is an individual resident for UK tax purposes in the UK, is entitled in calculating their liability to UK income tax, to a tax credit on cash dividends we pay on our shares or ADSs and the tax credit is equal to one-ninth of the cash dividend. US federal income taxation Subject to the passive foreign investment company (‘PFIC’) rules described below, a US holder is subject to US federal income taxation on the gross amount of any dividend we pay out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for US federal income tax purposes). Dividends paid to a non-corporate US holder will be taxable to the holder at the reduced rate normally applicable to long-term capital gains provided that certain requirements are met. Dividends must be included in income when the US holder, in the case of shares, or the depositary, in the case of ADSs, actually or constructively receives the dividend and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to US corporations in respect of dividends received from other US corporations. In the case of shares, the amount of the dividend distribution to be included in income will be the US dollar value of the pound sterling payments made determined at the spot pound sterling/ US dollar rate on the date the dividends are received by the US holder regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into US dollars. If dividends received in pounds sterling are converted into US dollars on the day they are received, the US holder generally will not be required to recognise foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. Taxation of capital gains UK taxation A US holder may be liable for both UK and US tax in respect of a gain on the disposal of our shares or ADSs if the US holder is: a a citizen of the US, resident for UK tax purposes in the UK; a a citizen of the US who becomes resident for UK tax purposes in the UK, having ceased to be so resident for a period of five years or less and who was resident in the UK for at least four out of the seven tax years immediately preceding the year of departure, and who disposed of the shares or ADSs during the period of non-residence (a ‘temporary non-resident’), (unless the shares or ADSs were also acquired during that period), such liability arising on that individual’s return to the UK; a a US domestic corporation resident in the UK by reason of being centrally managed and controlled in the UK; or a a citizen of the US or a US domestic corporation that carries on a trade, profession or vocation in the UK through a branch or agency or, in the case of US domestic companies, through a permanent establishment and that has used the shares or ADSs for the purposes of such trade, profession or vocation or has used, held or acquired the shares or ADSs for the purposes of such branch or agency or permanent establishment. Under the treaty, capital gains on dispositions of the shares or ADSs are generally subject to tax only in the country of residence of the relevant holder as determined under both the laws of the UK and the US and as required by the terms of the treaty. However, the treaty provides that individuals who are residents of either the UK or the US and who have been residents of the other jurisdiction (the US or the UK, as the case may be) at any time during the six years immediately preceding the relevant disposal of shares or ADSs may be subject to tax with respect to capital gains arising from the dispositions of the shares or ADSs not only in the country of which the holder is resident at the time of the disposition but also in that other country (although, in respect of UK taxation, generally only to the extent that such an individual is a temporary non-resident). US federal income taxation Subject to the PFIC rules described below, a US holder that sells or otherwise disposes of our shares or ADSs generally will recognise a capital gain or loss for US federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between the US dollar value of the amount realised and the holder’s adjusted tax basis, determined in US dollars, in the shares or ADSs. This capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the US holder’s holding period in the shares or ADSs exceeds one year. The gain or loss will generally be income or loss from sources within the US for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. The deductibility of losses is subject to limitations. 192 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Unaudited information

 


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Additional tax considerations UK inheritance tax An individual who is domiciled in the US (for the purposes of the Estate Tax Convention) and is not a UK national will not be subject to UK inheritance tax in respect of our shares or ADSs on the individual’s death or on a transfer of the shares or ADSs during the individual’s lifetime, provided that any applicable US federal gift or estate tax is paid, unless the shares or ADSs are part of the business property of a UK permanent establishment or pertain to a UK fixed base used for the performance of independent personal services. Where the shares or ADSs have been placed in trust by a settlor they may be subject to UK inheritance tax unless, when the trust was created, the settlor was domiciled in the US and was not a UK national. Where the shares or ADSs are subject to both UK inheritance tax and to US federal gift or estate tax, the estate tax convention generally provides a credit against US federal tax liabilities for UK inheritance tax paid. UK stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax Stamp duty will, subject to certain exceptions, be payable on any instrument transferring our shares to the custodian of the depositary at the rate of 1.5% on the amount or value of the consideration if on sale or on the value of such shares if not on sale. Stamp duty reserve tax (‘SDRT’), at the rate of 1.5% of the price or value of the shares, could also be payable in these circumstances and on issue of our shares to such a person but no SDRT will be payable if stamp duty equal to such SDRT liability is paid. A ruling by the European Court of Justice has determined that the 1.5% SDRT charge on issue of shares to a clearance service is contrary to EU law. As a result of that ruling, HMRC indicated that where new shares are first issued to a clearance service or to a depositary within the EU, the 1.5% SDRT charge will not be levied. Subsequently, a decision by the first-tier tax tribunal in the UK extended this ruling to the issue of shares (or, where it is integral to the raising of new capital, the transfer of shares) to depositary receipts systems wherever located. HMRC have stated that they will not seek to appeal this decision and, as such, will no longer seek to impose 1.5% SDRT on the issue of shares (or, where it is integral to the raising of new capital, the transfer of shares) to a clearance service or to a depositary, wherever located. Investors should, however, be aware that this area may be subject to further developments in the future. No stamp duty will be payable on any transfer of our ADSs provided that the ADSs and any separate instrument of transfer are executed and retained at all times outside the UK. A transfer of our shares in registered form will attract ad valorem stamp duty generally at the rate of 0.5% of the purchase price of the shares. There is no charge to ad valorem stamp duty on gifts. SDRT is generally payable on an unconditional agreement to transfer our shares in registered form at 0.5% of the amount or value of the consideration for the transfer, but is repayable if, within six years of the date of the agreement, an instrument transferring the shares is executed or, if the SDRT has not been paid, the liability to pay the tax (but not necessarily interest and penalties) would be cancelled. However, an agreement to transfer our ADSs will not give rise to SDRT. PFIC rules We do not believe that our shares or ADSs will be treated as stock of a PFIC for US federal income tax purposes. This conclusion is a factual determination that is made annually and thus is subject to change. If we are treated as a PFIC, any gain realised on the sale or other disposition of the shares or ADSs would in general not be treated as capital gain unless a US holder elects to be taxed annually on a mark-to-market basis with respect to the shares or ADSs. Otherwise a US holder would be treated as if he or she has realised such gain and certain “excess distributions” rateably over the holding period for the shares or ADSs and would be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for each such year to which the gain was allocated. An interest charge in respect of the tax attributable to each such year would also apply. Dividends received from us would not be eligible for the reduced rate of tax described above under “Taxation of Dividends – US federal income taxation”. Backup withholding and information reporting Payments of dividends and other proceeds to a US holder with respect to shares or ADSs, by a US paying agent or other US intermediary will be reported to the Internal Revenue Service (‘IRS’) and to the US holder as may be required under applicable regulations. Backup withholding may apply to these payments if the US holder fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status or fails to comply with applicable certification requirements. Certain US holders are not subject to backup withholding. US holders should consult their tax advisers about these rules and any other reporting obligations that may apply to the ownership or disposition of shares or ADSs, including requirements related to the holding of certain foreign financial assets. 193 Additional information Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials

 


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H istory and development 10 September 2010 – China Mobile Limited: We sold our entire 3.2% to the public in October 1988. The Company was fully demerged 28.6 billion (£368 million). On 8 February 2012, they purchased and GTE to combine their US cellular operations to create the largest of approximately INR 30.1 billion (£399 million) taking Piramal’s total Group having a 45% interest in the combined entity; 9 November 2011 – Poland: We sold our entire 24.4% interest on 12 April 2000. Through this transaction we acquired businesses €920 million (£784 million) before tax and transaction costs. Française du Radio téléphone S.A. (‘SFR’); Wireless Worldwide plc for a cash consideration of approximately we acquired a 97.7% stake in Vodafone Japan. This was then disposed for a cash consideration of NZ$840 million (£440 million). in Vodafone India Limited (‘VIL’), formerly Vodafone Essar Limited, (£4.9 billion). for cash consideration of ZAR 20.6 billion (£1.6 billion). On 18 May 194 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 The Company was incorporated under English law in 1984 as Racal Other significant transactions that have occurred since 31 March 2010 Strategic Radio Limited (registered number 1833679). After various are as follows: name changes, 20% of Racal Telecom Plc share capital was offered from Racal Electronics Plc and became an independent company interest in China Mobile Limited for cash consideration of £4.3 billion. in September 1991, at which time it changed its name to Vodafone 16 June 2011 – SFR: We sold our entire 44% interest in SFR to Vivendi Group Plc. for a cash consideration of €7.75 billion (£6.8 billion) and received a final Since then we have entered into various transactions which enhanced dividend from SFR of €200 million (£176 million). our international presence. The most significant of these transactions1 June/1 July 2011 – India: We acquired an additional 22% stake were as follows: in VIL from the Essar Group for a cash consideration of US$4.2 billion a the merger with AirTouch Communications, Inc. which completed(£2.6 billion) including withholding tax. on 30 June 1999. The Company changed its name to Vodafone18 August 2011/8 February 2012 – Vodafone assigned its rights AirTouch Plc in June 1999 but then reverted to its former name, to purchase approximately 11% of VIL from the Essar Group to Piramal Vodafone Group Plc, on 28 July 2000; Healthcare Limited (‘Piramal’). On 18 August 2011 Piramal purchased a the completion on 10 July 2000 of the agreement with Bell Atlantic5.5% of VIL from the Essar Group for a cash consideration of INR mobile operator in the United States, Verizon Wireless, resulting in the a further 5.5% of VIL from the Essar Group for a cash consideration shareholding in VIL to approximately 11%. a the acquisition of Mannesmann AG which completed in Germany and Italy and increased our indirect holding in Sociétéin Polkomtel in Poland for cash consideration of approximately a through a series of business transactions between 1999 and 200427 July 2012 – UK: We acquired the entire share capital of Cable & of on 27 April 2006;£1,050 million. a on 8 May 2007 we acquired companies with controlling interests31 October 2012 – New Zealand: We acquired Telstra Clear Limited, for US$10.9 billion (£5.5 billion); and 13 September 2013 – Germany: We acquired a 76.57% interest a on 20 April 2009 we acquired an additional 15.0% stake in Vodacom in Kabel Deutschland Holding AG for cash consideration of €5.8 billion 2009 Vodacom became a subsidiary. 21 February 2014 – On 2 September 2013 Vodafone announced that it had reached agreement to dispose of its US Group whose principal asset was its 45% interest in Verizon Wireless (‘VZW’) to Verizon Communications Inc. (‘Verizon’), Vodafone’s joint venture partner, for a total consideration of US$130 billion (£79 billion) including the remaining 23.1% minority interest in Vodafone Italy. Following completion on 21 February 2014, Vodafone shareholders received Verizon shares and cash totalling US$85 billion (£51 billion). March/April 2014 – India: In March 2014 we acquired the indirect equity interests in Vodafone India Limited held by Analjit Singh and Neelu Analjit Singh, taking our stake to 89.03% and then in April 2014 we acquired the remaining 10.97% of VIL from Piramal Enterprises Limited for cash consideration of INR 89.0 billion (£0.9 billion), taking our ownership interest to 100%. 23 July 2014 – Spain: We acquired the entire share capital of Grupo Corporativo Ono, S.A. (‘Ono’) for total consideration, including associated net debt acquired, of €7.2 billion (£5.8 billion). Unaudited information

 


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R egulation the operation of their business activities. Such regulation typically In January 2015, the national regulator, the Federal Network Authority telecommunications services and general competition (antitrust) 900MHz, 1500MHz, and 1800MHz spectrum. The auction is expected key regulatory developments at the global and supranational level on a preliminary basis, and submitted them to the EU (consolidation the year ended 31 March 2015. Many of the regulatory developments retrospective effect. From 1 December 2014 to 30 November 2015 or consideration of potential proceedings that have not reached eurocents per minute from 1 December 2015 until 30 November 2016. of financial risk to our performance from such matters. European Union (‘EU’) plans to deploy VDSL vectoring equipment in Deutsche Telekom’s (‘DT’) cabinet level must offer wholesale access to the other operators. was appointed in 2014 and will be in place up until 1 November for deployment of VDSL vectoring in “near range street cabinets” Vice-President for the Digital Single Market and with Günther Oettinger at the exchange. To offset this DT has proposed to offer a “Layer-2” bit-delivered major regulatory proposals aimed at building a telecoms is not expected until June 2015. Italy had their first reading in March 2014 and have since been amended Vodafone Italy, Telecom Italia and Wind, prompted by a complaint produced on behalf of the European Council. From January 2015 the The Antitrust Authority (‘AGCM’) reached the conclusion that there was a common European Council position on the “Connected Continent” against Vodafone, while both Telecom Italia and Wind were required roaming and the introduction of net neutrality regulation. In May 2016, the European Commission published the Digital Single role in forcing the companies providing maintenance services of the The strategy is arranged around three pillars: better access for other licensed operators. AGCM’s decision is expected by June 2016. Europe, creating the right conditions for digital networks and services economy. As part of this, the Telecoms reform review will start in 2016, decision which found that Telecom Italia had abused its dominant a consistent approach of the rules and to provide economies of scale paid the imposed fine of €104 million and filed an appeal before the regulatory institutional framework, including a single market approach is based on this ruling. The Council of State heard the appeal in April and protection of consumers and the incentivising investment in high speed Italy, overturning the national regulator’s (‘AGCOM’) injunction that had In October 2014, the EU recommendation to remove ex ante regulation Regulation in relation to domestic tariffs. In July 2014, Vodafone Italy extended its 900MHz and 1800MHz came into force. (However, these markets can still be reviewed if market business connectivity access and the termination of calls to both mobile auction rules for L Band assignment from which the Italian Government In May 2014, a Directive on reducing Next Generation Access broadband the regulatory guidelines for the mobile termination market over the out high-speed electronic communications networks by promoting between operators currently favouring Hutchison 3G Limited; reducing existing civil infrastructure of telecoms operators. It has to be transposed and to define asymmetrical rates for MVNOs. A final decision is expected to all owners of infrastructure whether they are dominant or not. 195 Additional information Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Our operating companies are generally subject to regulation governing Europe region takes the form of industry specific law and regulation covering Germany law applicable to all activities.(‘BNetzA’) published its final decision on the auction of 700MHz, The following section describes the regulatory frameworks and the to be held in May 2015. and in selected countries in which we have significant interests during BNetzA has approved new Mobile Termination Rates (‘MTRs ‘) reported in the following section involve ongoing proceedings proceedings). BNetzA will release the final rate decisions with a conclusion. Accordingly, we are unable to attach a specific level the MTR is set at 1.72 eurocents per minute which then reduces to 1.66 In July 2014, the vectoring register opened for operators to submit their The new European Commission, led by Jean-Claude Juncker, cabinets. The operator that obtains the right to deploy VDSL at the 2019, with Andrus Ansip, the former Estonian Prime Minister the In February 2015, DT filed a request to BNetzA to gain approval as the Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society. preventing other operators from deploying their own VDSL equipment In September 2013, the European Commission (“the Commission”) stream service on a wholesale basis. BNetzA’s decision on DT’s request single market and delivering a “Connected Continent”. These proposals by the European Parliament and a compromise text has been The investigation into an alleged competition issue involving Latvian Presidency continued discussions with Member States to find lodged by an Italian MVNO in 2012, was closed at the end of 2014. regulatory proposals which are now focused on the abolition of retail no ground for the investigation to be carried on and dismissed the case to implement their proposed changes. Market strategy, aimed at producing a true digital single market. The AGCM is investigating if Telecom Italia has been playing a significant consumers and businesses to online e-goods and services across fixed network to keep their prices artificially high to the detriment of the to flourish and maximising the growth potential of the European digital In May 2014, the Regional Administrative Tribunal upheld the AGCM intending to deliver a level playing field for all market players with position in the fixed broadband market. Telecom Italia subsequently for efficient network operators and service providers with an effective Council of State. Vodafone Italy’s €1 billion claim against Telecom Italia to spectrum policy and management. It will also include for the the ruling is due by July 2015. broadband networks. In May 2014, the Administrative Tribunal found in favour of Vodafone EU recommendations on relevant markets required them to adopt all the measures required under the Roaming for voice wholesale markets as they were deemed to be competitive failures occur.) This has seen a reduction in the number of regulated licences from 1 February 2015 to 30 June 2018. markets from seven to the following four – fixed network access, In February 2015, AGCOM opened the public consultation on the and fixed networks. is aiming to raise €700 million. Fixed network regulation In March 2015, AGCOM closed its public consultation that will determine deployment costs was passed. It will make it easier and cheaper to roll next three years. The proposal aims to delete the MTR asymmetry the joint use of infrastructure, such as electricity, gas, sewage pipes and MTRs on a three year glide path to 0.92 eurocents per minute by 2017 in each member state no later than 1 July 2016. This regulation applies to be announced and then adopted by July 2016. Unaudited information

 

 


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Regulation (continued) In April 2015, AGCOM closed its public consultation for the wholesale access market. The analysis compares the current approach of imposing on Telecom Italia the same obligations on all national market participants with the alternative of imposing geographically differentiated obligations on them. The final decision and adoption is expected to be completed by July 2016. For information on litigation in Italy, see note 30 “Contingent liabilities” to the consolidated financial statements. United Kingdom In August 2014 and again in February 2015, the national regulator Ofcom published consultations on revising the annual licence fees payable on licences for the use of spectrum in the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands, to reflect full market value following the completion of the 4G auction. In March 2015, Ofcom published a statement setting MTRs for the three year period from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2018. The MTR is forecast to decline over the three year period from its current level of £0.845 pence per minute to £0.507 pence per minute and will be adjusted in line with the retail price index. Spain The fines applied to Telefónica, Orange and Vodafone Spain in December 2012 for abuse of dominant position by imposing excessive pricing of wholesale SMS/MMS services on MVNOs, remain suspended until the judicial review is concluded. In April 2014, Vodafone Spain was permitted to withdraw its €160 million security deposit after fulfilling all of its obligations in the roll out of 900MHz spectrum. In June 2014, Vodafone Spain presented a complementary writ to the competition authority, the National Markets and Competition Commission (‘CNMC’), that cited Telefónica’s abuse of its dominant position in both its fibre roll-out and fibre retail offers. The writ is in relation to Telefónica offering a TV service at no cost when upgrading its customers to fibre. In July 2014, the acquisition of Ono (the main cable operator in Spain) was successfully completed after it was cleared without conditions by the European Commission under the EU merger regulation. In September 2014, further to Vodafone Spain’s competition complaint against Telefónica and Yoigo for the unauthorised transfer of use of Yoigo’s spectrum by Telefónica and to other restrictive effects in the market, the CNMC’s Statement of Objections found that the agreement between Yoigo and Telefónica contained anticompetitive components. This view was confirmed in its Proposal for Resolution presented to the Council in December 2014 . In May 2015, Telefónica completed its acquisition of Canal+ España following approval by CNMC. As a condition of the deal, Telefónica must make available a wholesale offering of up to 50% of its own premium content channels to Vodafone Spain and other Pay-TV operators in Spain. Netherlands The Dutch government is planning a renewal of the existing 2.1GHz licences that will expire by the end of 2016. The renewal for a period of four years (2017–2020), could potentially allow for a simultaneous auction with the 700 MHz band. The fees to be paid for the renewal have not been announced but are likely to be based in part on the fees paid in the 2012 multi-band auction. The national regulator, the Authority for Consumers and Markets (‘ACM’) followed the Commission’s recommendation that as of September 2013, the termination rates should be based on the “pure Bottom Up Long Run Incremental Cost” (‘BULRIC’) methodology. This resulted in maximum MTRs of 1.019 eurocents per minute. In August 2014, the Court of Appeal (CBb) annulled ACM’s decision and imposed the current tariffs based on ‘pure BULRIC’ of 1.861 eurocents per minute for mobile, as an interim measure during the ongoing appeal procedure. In October 2014, the CBb decided to refer the case to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) regarding the legal status of the recommendation to use ‘pure BULRIC’. The CBb will be able to issue its final decision once it has received the ruling of the ECJ, which is not expected before December 2015. Ireland In December 2012, Vodafone Ireland judicially challenged the decision of the national regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (‘ComReg’), to impose an interim MTR based on a Body of European Regulations for Electronic Communications (‘BEREC’) benchmark rather than a MTR based on a full cost model. In August 2013, the Irish High Court found the decision to be unlawful and by Court order, set a maximum MTR for the Irish market of 2.60 eurocents per minute, to apply from 1 July 2013. This rate will apply until a MTR based on a fully modelled price is available which is expected sometime in 2015. ComReg has appealed the Irish High Court’s decision, to the Irish Supreme Court. In May 2014, the Commission cleared Hutchison 3G Limited’s acquisition of Telefónica O2 Ireland subject to conditions. Vodafone Ireland has requested that ComReg ensures that the allocation of spectrum following the merger is efficient and non-discriminatory. ComReg has declined to take any positive steps (such as a market review) to satisfy itself that there is efficiency in the market now that the 2012 auction caps have been exceeded. Vodafone Ireland is now seeking a court order by way of judicial review proceedings, to require ComReg to act in accordance with its statutory powers (on the basis that it is unreasonable for them not to do so), to ensure that the new spectrum allocations are efficient and non-discriminatory. In October 2014, the Commission unconditionally cleared Vodafone Ireland’s open access joint venture agreement with the Electricity Supply Board to roll out fibre to the building (‘FTTB’) nationwide, with the first phase expected to be completed by the end of 2018. Portugal In November 2014, the Portuguese Competition Authority dismissed Optimus’s complaint against TMN and Vodafone Portugal of a potential individual dominant position abuse on the mobile communications services retail markets. In July 2014, Vodafone Portugal and Portugal Telecom announced an agreement to deploy and share fibre networks reaching 900,000 homes in Portugal. The agreement commences in December 2014, and runs for 25 years. Both Vodafone Portugal and Portugal Telecom will maintain complete autonomy and flexibility in designing their respective retail offers under the agreement. In April 2015, the National Communications Regulator (‘Anacom’) published its draft decision on MTRs. It proposes a glide path with a maximum of 0.83 eurocents after publication, falling to 0.73 eurocents by July 2017. Romania In June 2013, a cross-border spectrum coordination agreement with Ukraine was signed ensuring interference free use of the E-GSM 900MHz band at the border. Although the agreement entered into force on 1 January 2014, there is still E-GSM spectrum interference on Vodafone Romania’s network, especially on the south-east side of the country. 196 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Unaudited information

 


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In April 2014, the spectrum licences comprising of 2x10MHz in 800MHz, 2x10MHz in 900MHz, 2x30MHz in 1800MHz and 1x15MHz in 2.6GHz, came into force. In April 2014, the maximum termination rates in Romania decreased from 0.67 to 0.14 eurocents per minute for fixed call termination and from 3.07 to 0.96 eurocents per minute for mobile call termination. Greece In February 2014, the tender process commenced for the National Rural Broadband Network construction. The fixed incumbent (OTE) and the consortium of Intrakat, Intracom Holdings and Hellas Online are the only two parties in the tender process. An announcement is outstanding. In August 2014, Cyta MVNO was launched on Vodafone Greece’s network. In September 2014, Vodafone Greece’s acquisition of Hellas Online S.A. was approved by the Hellenic Telecommunications & Post Commission and the Competition Authority. In October 2014, Vodafone Greece participated in the national 800MHz and 2.6GHz spectrum auction and secured its target of 2x10MHz in the 800MHz band and 2x20MHz+20MHz unpaired in the 2.6GHz band for €125 million. In January 2015, the MTR decreased from 1.189 eurocents per minute to 1.103 eurocents per minute. At the same time the FTR was also reduced from 0.0735 eurocents per minute to 0.0695 eurocents per minute. Czech Republic In June 2014, the CTU opened a consultation on the unsold spectrum from the 2013 auction (1800MHz frequencies reserved for a new entrant and part of 2.6GHz frequencies). The start of the auction is due sometime in 2015. As part of the obligations associated with Vodafone Czech Republic’s purchase of 800MHz spectrum in 2013, a public reference offer for MVNO access was implemented in September 2014. The offer allows an MVNO to provide data services on the 800MHz spectrum. In June 2014, the CTU deregulated MTRs for non-European Economic Area traffic. Hungary In October 2014, following the Commission withdrawing its infringement procedure against the Hungarian telephony tax in 2013, the Hungarian government announced its intention to introduce a tax on internet traffic. The plan to impose a tax on every gigabyte of traffic, irrespective of the type of internet access was unpopular with both businesses and citizens. Ten days after the announcement of the planned tax, the draft tax bill was withdrawn. Vodafone Hungary has participated in the National Media and Infocommunications Authority of Hungary’s (‘NMHH’) multi-band spectrum auction that included 4G 800MHz and 2.6GHz and secured, at a total reserve price of HUF 30.2 billion (£75 million), 2x10MHz in the 800MHz band; 2x20MHz+25MHz unpaired in the 2.6GHz band (plus 2x1MHz in the 900MHz band). In April 2015, the NMHH reduced the MTR to 1.71 HUF per minute. Albania Further to the Albanian Competition Authority’s (‘CA’) recommendations to the national regulator, the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority (‘AKEP’) to reduce differentiation of on-net and off-net calls, AKEP approved a further decrease of MTRs targeting pure long run incremental cost (‘LRIC’) benchmarking levels with a glide-path reducing current MTRs to 1.05 eurocents per minute starting from January 2015. The proposed launch of Plus Communication’s 3G service did not occur as they did not make payment for the 2x5MHz block of 2.1GHz spectrum needed for the service. Vodafone successfully bid for one 5MHz block of 2.1GHz spectrum at a cost of €1.5 million. In March 2015, AKEP conducted a public tender with sealed bids for 1800MHz spectrum for GSM/LTE/UMTS/WiMAX (36MHz of spectrum split in six blocks of 2x6MHz). Vodafone Albania secured a total of 2x14.4MHz at a cost of €8.6 million. In April 2015, Vodafone Albania successfully appealed against CA’s interim decision to equalise on-net and off-net tariffs by May 2015 while it investigates Plus Communication’s complaint that alleged Vodafone Albania had abused its dominant position between January 2013 and June 2014. In April 2015 the 2.6GHz band for WCDMA usage (fourteen blocks of 5MHz each, was made available for tender. Vodafone Albania secured a total of 2x20MHz and 1x20MHz at a cost of €3.3 million. In May 2015, Vodafone Albania secured 2x1.2MHz in the 900MHz band at a cost of €600,000. Malta In March 2014, the MCA set the MTR at 0.40 eurocents per minute to which Vodafone has submitted an appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal on the basis that there was a lack of transparency in the consultation process. Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific region India In March 2015, the Supreme Court partially heard Vodafone India’s appeal against the Department of Telecommunications’ (‘DoT’) refusal to extend its existing spectrum licences in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Vodafone India has also challenged DoT’s decision not to extend the spectrum licences in the six circles in which our licences were due to expire in December 2015. Different operators have taken the DoT to court on elements related to auction design which are currently sub-judice. The spectrum auction was held in March 2015 for 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2.1GHz bands. Vodafone India won spectrum in all six circles, thus ensuring continuity of business. It also won an additional 2.1GHz spectrum in six service areas. The total auction spend by Vodafone was INR 258 billion (£2.75 billion). In February 2015, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (‘TRAI’) announced its revised regulation on MTRs, reducing the rate from 20 paisa to 14 paisa per minute for mobile termination. The FTR regulation that reduces the rate from 20 paisa to zero paisa per minute creates a concern that it is an undesirable arbitrage opportunity and deviates from the TRAI principle of cost and the work done as the basis for termination rate recommendations. Vodafone India is studying the regulations with a view to challenging the decisions in the courts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has allocated budget in this fiscal year for the Government’s Digital India agenda and in April 2015 the TRAI issued its recommendations on the implementation measures required to accelerate the delivery of broadband, including the release of additional spectrum to facilitate wireless broadband. It has also launched a consultation on the regulatory framework for Over-The-Top (‘OTT’) services. For information on litigation in India, see note 30 “Contingent liabilities” to the consolidated financial statements. Vodacom: South Africa In October 2013, the Ministry of Trade and Industry published revised generic Codes of Good Practice on Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (‘BBB-EE Codes’). These revised codes became effective on 1 May 2015. 197 Additional information Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials

 


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Regulation (continued) In October 2014, the Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Amendment Act, Act 46 of 2013 (the ‘BBB-EE Act’) came into force. The trumping provision which enables the BBB-EE Act to take precedence on all matters of BEE regulation, over any other sector-specific legislations, is due to come into force on 1 October 2015. The Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (‘ICASA’) published their draft Radio Frequency Spectrum (‘RFS’) Regulations in March 2015, determining the qualifications for application and transfer of RFS licences to be pegged at Level 4 under the BBB-EE Act and BBB-EE Codes or 30% equity ownership in the hands of historically disadvantaged persons (‘HDPs’) under the aegis of the Electronic Communications Act. In March 2014, the court ruled in favour of Vodacom and MTN in their challenge to ICASA’s Call Termination Regulations (‘CTR’) decision announced in February 2014. This led to ICASA initiating another consultation process and in September 2014 they published the final CTR that reduces the rate to ZAR 0.13 cents per minute by October 2016. In December 2014, Cell C served ICASA (including other interested parties such as Vodacom and MTN) with a notice of motion in terms of which it is seeking an order for the review and setting aside by the South Gauteng High Court, of the September 2014 CTRs. Vodacom has filed a notice to oppose Cell C’s application. In May 2014, CompCom confirmed its intention to proceed with the investigation into an allegation by Cell C that Vodacom and MTN have abused their market dominance in contravention of Section 8 of the Competition Act. In May 2014, Vodacom entered into a sale agreement in terms of which it would acquire 100% of the issued share capital and shareholders loan and claims against Neotel. The transaction remains subject to the fulfilment of a number of conditions precedent, foremost of which are regulatory approvals by both ICASA and the Competition Commission of South Africa (“CompCom”). All decisions are expected to be finalised by the end of 2015. In November 2014, the Ministry of Telecommunications and Postal Services (‘DTPS’) published the National Integrated ICT Policy discussion paper for comment that flowed from the Green Paper published for comment in January 2014. The key policy matters raised in the aforesaid discussion paper include net neutrality, policy options for the deployment of broadband infrastructure, and strengthening of governance. This discussion paper will form the basis of a white paper for communications policy in South Africa. In March 2015, ICASA published their final IMT Radio Frequency Spectrum Assignment Plans (‘RFSAP’) determining that all spectrum in 700MHz, 800MHz and 2.6GHz bands will be assigned by means of an Invitation to Apply (‘ITA’) process. ICASA have not finalised the assignment plans for the 850MHz band which specifically deals with Neotel’s assignment. Vodacom: Democratic Republic of Congo In January 2015, the National Intelligence Agency (‘ANR’) requested all SMS and internet services to be suspended indefinitely due to political unrest and violence. Following significant engagement with the DRC government, SMS and internet services were re-opened on 9 February 2015. In February 2015, the national regulator, the Regulating Authority for Post and Telecommunications (‘ARPTC’) issued regulations setting the on-net voice price floor at US$5.10 cents per minute and off net US$8.50 cents per minute from 1 March 2015 for 12 months, suspended for three months pending the issue of new promotion regulations. International promotions comprise voice retail rates; data and SMS prices not included in the price floor, will be subject to a further regulatory decision-making process. In October 2014, in line with the glide path rates, MTRs were reduced to US$3.40 cents per minute. Vodacom: Tanzania In July 2014, the Minister of Communications commenced a consultation on draft regulations which requires all telecoms licencees to list 35% of their local shareholding on the Dar Stock Exchange. Vodacom Tanzania is participating in this consultation with other industry operators. Vodacom: Mozambique In February 2015, the new Minister of Communications ordered all operators to comply with subscriber registration requirements within a 30 day period or unregistered subscribers will be disconnected. Operators collectively have sought an extension and are participating in a regulator-industry consultation process to determine a new subscriber registration process. International roaming in Africa In November 2014, Southern African Development Community (‘SADC’) Ministers of Communications met and set the National Regulatory Authorities (‘NRAs’) a deadline of 31 March 2015 to implement wholesale and retail three year glide paths based on the formula recommended by SCF Associates’ report commissioned by the SADC. In November 2014, East Africa Community (‘EAC’) Ministers of Communications met and set the NRAs the deadline of 31 June 2015 to implement “Phase 1” price caps for wholesale (US$0.07 cents per minute) and retail (US$0.10 cents per minute), and then a “Phase 2” Single Area Network regulation, following a study to be commissioned. Turkey From July 2014, the Retail Price Cap for mobile-to-mobile and mobile-to-fixed voice termination was increased in line with the rate of inflation (5.3%) to 46.25 kr per second. In August 2014, the national regulator, the Information and Communications Technologies Authority (‘ICTA’) announced their decision to broaden the scope of the 3G coverage obligation to include the new metropolitan areas. Vodafone Turkey submitted a letter of objection to the ICTA on the basis that their coverage commitment is restricted to the original areas defined as metropolitan at the time the agreement was signed. Vodafone Turkey has appealed against the ICTA decision in the administrative court. In August 2014, the Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications of Turkey issued an amendment to the Rights of Way Regulation, which reinforces the obligations of the incumbent operator to respond to operators’ requests for access to their network in a manner in line with the terms and conditions currently provided within the Facility Sharing Obligation. In September 2014, Clauses 126 and 127 of Basket Law No. 6552 were passed, amending the Internet Law that grants the Presidency of Telecommunication and Communication (‘TİB’) extensive powers over internet use. With the new amendment, all internet traffic data will be collected by TİB and the Head of TİB will be able to order closure of a website on the basis of “preventing criminal acts, and securing national security and public order”. In October 2014, Law No. 6563, the Regulation of Electronic Commerce (the ‘Law’) was passed and will come into force in May 2015. The law includes protection of consumers against unsolicited SMS messaging by introducing opt-in and opt-out requirements for electronic communication services. In March 2015, the Ministry announced the details for the 4G auction planned in May 2015. The auction includes a total of 390MHz from 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2.1GHz and 2.6GHz spectrum bands. One block will be reserved for a possible fourth operator on 2.6GHz with, as yet, undisclosed limited obligations. Total reserve tender prices exceed €2.0 billion. 198 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Unaudited information


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Australia In December 2014, the federal government put the final policy touches to their revised National Broadband Network (‘NBN’) policy which gives greater scope for infrastructure competition provided those investing fixed access networks wholesale their network on a structurally separated basis. NBN Co, the government-owned company responsible for the design, build and operation of the NBN, has also finalised new Telstra and Optus deals that now passes ownership of the copper and coaxial networks to NBN. While these steps are an improvement on the previous government’s arrangements they still provide Telstra with a significant new revenue stream (AUD 20 billion over the next ten years). Vodafone is asserting that this payment and the increased market strength of Telstra will have significant impacts on competition in Australia. After extensive lobbying by the industry, the government has commenced the most comprehensive review of spectrum management in 15 years. Vodafone Australia are asking for a framework that better considers the competition effects of spectrum policy (60% of regional spectrum is held by Telstra) and the establishment of more market orientated spectrum licences and a better renewal process and more flexible payment terms. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (‘ACMA’) has also announced that they will auction up to 60MHz of regional 1800MHz spectrum to be made available in two to three years’ time (currently allocated for fixed link wireless services). This will also clear the way for some portions of currently unused regional spectrum to be provided on an interim basis. Egypt The Administrative Court ruling in favour of Vodafone Egypt’s case filed against Telecom Egypt and the national regulator (‘NTRA’) regarding the NTRA’s authority to set MTRs between operators is yet to be implemented. The finalisation and implementation of the Unified Licence is still pending and is, under a decision made by NTRA in December 2014, dependent on the finalisation of ‘KAYAN’, the proposed second infrastructure company. Telecom Egypt is expected to exit Vodafone Egypt within 12 months once a unified licence has been approved and activated. For information on litigation in Egypt, see note 30 “Contingent liabilities” to the consolidated financial statements. Ghana The national regulator, the National Communication Authority (‘NCA’) announced in the last quarter of 2014, that in line with its plans to introduce unified licences in 2019, from 23 December 2014, all existing licensed MNOs became entitled to apply for a fixed access service licence, to provide services including fixed telephony, broadband and other value added services. Vodafone Ghana and Airtel Ghana were the only MNOs with fixed licences prior to this announcement. In December 2014, the NCA announced the mobile and fixed wholesale termination rates for the period from 2015 to 2017. SMS rates will remain at 5 peswas per minute up until 2017 and both FTRs and MTRs will increase to 6 peswas per minute in the same period. Additionally, from 1 January 2016, operators will be entitled to a 20% discount of the MTR and FTR based on the traffic volume exchanged between two operators. The asymmetric rate or discount on the MTR and FTR will apply where the outgoing traffic is equal to or greater than 60% of the total traffic exchanged between two operators in a calendar month. New Zealand In June 2014, Vodafone New Zealand secured 2x15MHz of 700MHz for NZ$68 million (£35 million), securing blocks that support devices covering both of the “APT700” sub-bands. In September 2014, the incumbent government announced its intention, if re-elected, to increase government funding to expand the existing Ultra-fast Broadband FTTP initiative from 75% to 80% of premises passed at a projected cost between NZ$152 million and NZ$210 million. In addition, a further NZ$150 million was committed to improve broadband and mobile coverage in rural areas by extending the Rural Broadband Initiative. In April 2014, the MTR rate reduced from NZ$ 3.72 cents per minute to NZ$ 3.56 cents per minute. Safaricom: Kenya In June 2014, the national regulator, the Communications Authority of Kenya (‘CAK’) renewed Safaricom’s operating and spectrum licence for ten years with effect from July 2014 up until June 2024. The renewed licence includes Safaricom’s spectrum resources in 2x10MHz in the 900MHz band and 2x10MHz in the 1800MHz band. Safaricom still maintains the 2x10 2.1GHz under a separate 15 year licence issued in 2007. In December 2014, Safaricom acquired the base transceiver station assets and spectrum of Essar Telecom Kenya Limited, one of the three other licensed mobile operators in Kenya (this was a joint acquisition with Airtel Kenya who acquired the business and operating licences). Safaricom acquired Essar’s spectrum assets of 2x7.5 in the 900MHz band and 2x10 in the 1800MHz band under a ten year licence which the CAK aligned with our previously renewed spectrum licence to run from July 2014 up to June 2024. Safaricom is in the process of acquiring additional spectrum in the 4G band. Specifically, the government will grant Safaricom 2x15MHz in the 800MHz band ( total allocation is expected to be 2x20 after full migration out of the band by broadcasters). From February 2015, Safaricom was given access to the 2x15MHz on a trial basis for a three month period, after which a full commercial licence will be issued. In July 2014, the Central Bank of Kenya requested that each mobile network operator submit its views on interoperability of their money transfer services. The National Payment Systems Regulations took effect in August 2014 and now provides the management framework for payment services in Kenya. No timelines have been set for the implementation of interoperability. In July 2014, the MTR was reduced from KES 1.15 to KES 0.99 per minute. This is the last step in the CAK’s imposed glide-path. Qatar In December 2013, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (‘MICT’) released a national broadband plan. One objective of the plan, is for 98% of households to have access to 100 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload speeds and a choice of at least two service providers. This includes an intention to consolidate the access network infrastructure of the incumbent Ooredoo and the Qatar National Broadband Network (‘QNBN’), both of which are deploying FTTP networks. The Communications Regulatory Authority (‘CRA’) granted Vodafone Qatar additional spectrum of 2x5MHz in the 1800MHz band and 2x10MHz in the 800MHz band, to support 4G deployment. During the CRA’s review of three retail mobile markets, the CRA amended the remedies applied to the Significant Market Power (‘SMP’) operator (Ooredoo) in those markets without notice or consultation. Both of these amendments were successfully appealed with the MICT’s Appeals Advisory Committee finding the amendments to be legally invalid. The CRA announced a shift in emphasis to wholesale regulation. This includes requesting reference offers for passive infrastructure from Ooredoo and QNBN. Vodafone and Ooredoo are also required to prepare reference offers for interconnection. 199 Additional information Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials

 


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Regulation (continued) In February 2015, the CRA issued the proposed revised MTRs. The rates proposed remain under consultation but are expected to take effect from 1 April 2015. The CRA has also proposed new rates for leased lines provided by the incumbent. In February 2015, the MICT commenced the Telecommunications Reform Project and issued the document which sets out the general principles proposed for the new Telecommunications Law. The new law is required to reflect the establishment of the MICT and the CRA. In March 2015, the draft Telecommunications Law was published for consultation and Vodafone Qatar has prepared and submitted its response. Overview of spectrum licences at 31 March 2015 800MHz 900MHz 1800MHz 2.1GHz 2.6GHz Quantity1 Quantity1 Quantity1 Quantity1 Quantity1 Country by region Expiry date Expiry date Expiry date Expiry date Expiry date Europe region Germany 20202 2025 2021 2x10 2025 2x12 2016 2x5 2016 2x10+ 5 2x5 2x15 + 5 2x20 + 25 2025 20183 2029 See note4 2030 2030 2015 20306 20217 2027 2029 20268 2016 2021 2029 20229 Italy 2x10 2029 2x10 2018 2x15 2x5 2x6 2x20 2x20 2x15 2x25 2x6 2x14 2x30 2x10 2x15 2x18 2x4 2x15 2x15 2029 See note4 2028 2030 2030 See note4 2030 20165 2022 UK Spain Netherlands Ireland 2x10 2x10 2x10 2x10 2033 2030 2029 2030 2x17 2x10 2x10 2x10 2x15 2x15 + 5 2x20 + 5 2X15 + 5 2x20 + 25 2x20 + 20 2x10 2033 2030 2030 n/a Portugal 2x10 2027 2x8 2x5 2x10 2x15 20217 20277 2029 2027 2x20 2016 2x20 + 25 2027 Romania Greece 2x10 2x10 2029 2030 2x15 + 5 2x20 + 5 2020 2021 1x15 2x20 + 20 2029 2030 Czech Republic 2x10 2029 2x10 2021 2x20 2025 2x20 2029 20229 20299 2016 20299 Hungary 2x10 2029 2x10 2x1 2x8 2x15 2019 2x20 + 25 Albania n/a 2x9 2x12 2x25 2016 2x15 + 5 2x5 2x20 + 5 2025 2029 2020 n/a Malta n/a 2x15 2026 2026 n/a Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific India10 Vodacom: South Africa Turkey n/a n/a n/a 2028 2015–203410 2015–203410 2030 See note11 2029 2016 n/a n/a n/a n/a 2x11 2x11 2x8 See note11 2023 2028 2x12 See note11 n/a annual 2x15 + 5 2x15 + 5 2x25 + 5 Australia12 2x10 (850MHz band) 2x30 Egypt New Zealand n/a 2031 2x12.5 2x15 2022 2031 2x10 2x25 2022 2021 2x15 2x25 + 10 2022 2021 n/a 2028 2x15 (700MHz band) 2x15 2x15 + 5 Safaricom: Kenya Trial 2x10 2x713 2x8 2x11 2024 2024 2019 2028 2x10 2x1013 2x10 2x20 2x5 2024 2024 2019 2028 2029 2x10 2022 n/a 202314 2028 Ghana Qatar n/a 2029 2x15 2x15 n/a n/a 2x10 Notes: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Single (or unpaired) blocks of spectrum are used for asymmetric data (non-voice) use. Block quantity has been rounded to the nearest whole number. Germany – 2x5MHz (out of 2x15MHz) of 2.1GHz spectrum will expire in December 2025. Italy – 2x5MHz (out of 2x20MHz) of 1800MHz spectrum will expire in 2029. UK – 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2.1GHz – indefinite licence with a five year notice of revocation. Netherlands – Ministry plans to extend licence to 2020 without an auction Ireland – The licence for 2x25MHz spectrum commences in 2015. Portugal – 2x3MHz (out of 2x13MHz) of 900MHz must be released by December 2015 . 2x5Mhz (out of 2x13MHz) of 900MHz and 2x14MHz (out of 2x20MHz) of 1800MHz spectrum does not expire until March 2027. Greece – 2x15MHz (out of 2x25MHz) of the 1800MHz spectrum will expire in August 2016. Hungary – 900MHz and 1800MHz – conditional options to extend these licences to 2034. 8 9 10 India comprises 22 separate service area licences with a variety of expiry dates, including those won in the March 2015 auction that are subject to a Supreme Court hearing – see note 30 “Contingent liabilities” to the consolidated financial statements. 11 Vodacom’s South African spectrum licences are renewed annually. As part of the migration to a new licensing regime the national regulator has issued Vodacom a service licence and a network licence which will permit Vodacom to offer mobile and fixed services. The service and network licences have a 20 year duration and will expire in 2028. Vodacom also holds licences to provide 2G and/or 3G services in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Mozambique and Tanzania. 12 Australia – VHA has 2x5MHz in 850MHz rural; 2x25MHz in 1800MHz and 2x20MHz in 2.1GHz in Brisbane/Adelaide/Perth; 2x5MHz in 1800MHz and 2x10MHz in 2.1GHz in Canberra/Darwin/ Hobart; 2x5MHz in 2.1GHz in rural 13 Safaricom: Kenya – Spectrum from acquisition of Essar Telecom Kenya Ltd 14 Ghana – The national regulator has issued provisional licences with the intention of converting these to full licences once the national regulator board has been reconvened. 200 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Unaudited information

 

 


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Mobile Termination Rates (‘MTRs’) National regulators are required to take utmost account of the Commission’s existing recommendation on the regulation of fixed and mobile termination rates. This recommendation requires MTRs to be set using a long run incremental cost methodology. Over the last three years MTRs effective for our subsidiaries were as follows: 20131 20141 20151 1 April 20152 Country by region Europe Germany (€ cents) Italy (€ cents) UK (GB £ pence) Spain (€ cents) Netherlands (€ cents) Ireland (€ cents) Portugal (€ cents) Romania (€ cents) Greece (€ cents) Czech Republic (CZK) Hungary (HUF) Albania (ALL) Malta (€ cents) 1.84 1.50 1.50 2.89 2.40 2.60 1.27 3.07 1.27 0.41 7.06 4.57 2.07 1.79 0.98 0.85 1.09 1.86 2.60 1.27 0.96 1.19 0.27 7.06 2.66 2.07 1.72 0.98 0.67 1.09 1.86 2.60 1.27 0.96 1.099 0.27 7.06 1.48 0.40 0.94 (from January 2016) 0.68 (from May 2015) 1.09 TBD TBD TBD 0.96 1.099 1.71 1.48 0.40 Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific India (rupees) Vodacom: South Africa (ZAR)4 Turkey (lira) Australia (AUD cents) Egypt (PTS/piastres) New Zealand (NZD cents) Safaricom: Kenya (shilling) Ghana (peswas) Qatar (dirhams) 0.143 0.20 0.0258 3.60 10.00 3.56 1.15 4.00 16.60 0.20 0.49 0.0258 4.80 10.00 3.97 1.44 4.50 16.60 0.20 0.40 0.0258 3.60 10.00 3.72 1.15 4.00 16.60 0.15 (from October 2015) 0.0258 5.00 9.00 Notes: 1 2 3 4 All MTRs are based on end of financial year values. MTRs established from 1 April 2015 are included where a glide path or a final decision has been determined by the regulatory authority. The MTR is under appeal. Please see Vodacom: South Africa on page 197. 201 Additional information Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials

 


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N on-GAAP information In the discussion of our 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. Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA is operating profit excluding share in results of associates, depreciation and amortisation, gains/losses on the disposal of fixed assets, impairment losses, restructuring costs, other operating income and expense and significant items that are not considered by management to be reflective of the underlying performance of the Group. We use adjusted EBITDA, in conjunction with other GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures such as adjusted operating profit, operating profit and net profit, to assess our operating performance. We believe that adjusted EBITDA is an operating performance measure, not a liquidity measure, as it includes non-cash changes in working capital and is reviewed by the Chief Executive to assess internal performance in conjunction with adjusted EBITDA margin, which is an alternative sales margin figure. We believe it is both useful and necessary to report adjusted EBITDA as a performance measure as it enhances the comparability of profit across segments. Because adjusted EBITDA does not take into account certain items that affect operations and performance, adjusted EBITDA has inherent limitations as a performance measure. To compensate for these limitations, we analyse adjusted EBITDA in conjunction with other GAAP and non-GAAP operating performance measures. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for a GAAP measure of operating performance. A reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to the closest equivalent GAAP measure, operating profit, is provided in above and in note 2 “Segmental analysis” to the consolidated financial statements. Group adjusted operating profit and adjusted earnings per share Group adjusted operating profit excludes non-operating income of associates, impairment losses, restructuring costs, amortisation of customer bases and brand intangible assets, other operating income and expense and other significant one-off items. Adjusted earnings per share also excludes certain foreign exchange rate differences, together with related tax effects. We believe that it is both useful and necessary to report these measures for the following reasons: a these measures are used for internal performance reporting; a these measures are used in setting director and management remuneration; and a they are useful in connection with discussion with the investment analyst community and debt rating agencies. A reconciliation of adjusted operating profit to the respective closest equivalent GAAP measure, operating profit, is provided above and in note 2 “Segmental analysis” to the consolidated financial statements. A reconciliation of adjusted earnings per share to basic earnings per share is provided in the “Operating results” on page 42. Cash flow measures In presenting and discussing our reported results, free cash flow and operating free cash flow are calculated and presented even though these measures are not recognised within IFRS. We believe that it is both useful and necessary to communicate free cash flow to investors and other interested parties, for the following reasons: a free cash flow allows us and external parties to evaluate our liquidity and the cash generated by our operations. Free cash flow does not include payments for licences and spectrum included within intangible assets, items determined independently of the ongoing business, such as the level of dividends, and items which are deemed discretionary, such as cash flows relating to acquisitions and disposals or financing activities. In addition, it does not necessarily reflect the amounts which we have an obligation to incur. However, it does reflect the cash available for such discretionary activities, to strengthen the consolidated statement of financial position or to provide returns to shareholders in the form of dividends or share purchases; a free cash flow facilitates comparability of results with other companies although our measure of free cash flow may not be directly comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies; a these measures are used by management for planning, reporting and incentive purposes; and a these measures are useful in connection with discussion with the investment analyst community and debt rating agencies. Cash generated by operations, operating free cash flow and free cash flow have been redefined to exclude restructuring costs for the year ended 31 March 2015 of £336 million (2014: £210 million, 2013: £167 million). A reconciliation of cash generated by operations, the closest equivalent GAAP measure, to operating free cash flow and free cash flow, is provided below. 202 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Unaudited information

 


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Restated1 2014 Restated1 2013 2015 £m £m £m Notes: 1 Operating free cash flow and free cash flow have been redefined to exclude restructuring costs for the year ended 31 March 2015 of £336 million (2014: £210 million; 2013: £167 million). 2 Other movements for the year ended 31 March 2015 include a £365 million UK pensions contribution payment and £116 million of KDG incentive scheme payments in respect of liabilities assumed on acquisition. Other Certain of the statements within the section titled “Chief Executive’s strategic review” on pages 14 to 17 contain forward-looking non-GAAP financial information for which at this time there is no comparable GAAP measure and which at this time cannot be quantitatively reconciled to comparable GAAP financial information. Certain of the statements within the section titled “Looking ahead” on page 39 contains forward-looking non-GAAP financial information which at this time cannot be quantitatively reconciled to comparable GAAP financial information. Organic growth 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. We believe that “organic growth”, which is not intended to be a substitute for or superior to reported growth, provides useful and necessary information to investors and other interested parties for the following reasons: a it provides additional information on underlying growth of the business without the effect of certain factors unrelated to the operating performance of the business; a it is used for internal performance analysis; and a it facilitates comparability of underlying growth with other companies, although the term “organic” is not a defined term under IFRS and may not, therefore, be comparable with similarly titled measures reported by other companies. For the 2015 financial year, the Group’s organic service revenue growth rate has been adjusted to exclude the beneficial impact of a settlement of an historical interconnect rate dispute in the UK, the beneficial impact of an upward revision to interconnect revenue in Egypt from a re-estimation by management of the appropriate historical mobile interconnection rate and the adverse impact of an adjustment to intercompany revenue. The adjustments in relation to Vodafone UK and Vodafone Egypt also impact the disclosed organic growth rates for those countries. Reconciliation of organic growth to reported growth is shown where used, or in the table below: Organic change % Other activity1 pps Foreign exchange pps Reported change % Period 31 March 2015 Group Revenue Service revenue Fixed line revenue Vodafone Global Enterprise service revenue Machine-to-machine revenue Adjusted EBITDA Percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin Adjusted operating profit Adjusted EBITDA FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY H2 (0.8) (1.6) 3.5 1.8 24.7 (6.9) (1.8) (24.1) (3.6) 17.8 17.7 38.6 – 29.5 21.4 1.2 11.0 18.4 (6.9) (6.7) (6.9) (4.0) (8.5) (7.0) (0.1) (5.5) (5.3) 10.1 9.4 35.2 (2.2) 45.7 7.5 (0.7) (18.6) 9.5 Europe Germany – mobile service revenue Germany – fixed line revenue Italy – mobile service revenue Italy – fixed line revenue Italy – operating expenses Italy – customer costs UK – mobile service revenue FY FY FY FY FY FY FY (3.5) (2.1) (12.1) 4.5 (3.1) (3.0) 0.5 0.1 38.7 902.8 1,022.0 1,079.3 775.9 – (6.6) (9.9) (124.4) (135.1) (149.3) (108.1) 0.0 (10.1) 26.7 766.3 891.4 926.9 664.8 0.6 203 Additional information Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials Cash generated by operations (refer to note 19) 10,397 12,14711,493 Capital expenditure (9,197) (6,313)(5,292) Working capital movement in respect of capital expenditure 762 45674 Disposal of property, plant and equipment 178 79105 Restructuring costs 336 210167 Other movements2 387 –– Operating free cash flow1 2,863 6,5796,547 Taxation (758) (3,449)(2,570) Dividends received from associates 224 2,8423,132 Dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders in subsidiaries (246) (264)(379) Interest received and paid (995) (1,315)(1,058) Free cash flow1 1,088 4,3935,672

 


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Non-GAAP information (continued) Organic change % Other activity1 pps Foreign exchange pps Reported change % Period UK – fixed line revenue Spain – mobile service revenue Spain – fixed line revenue Hungary – service revenue Germany – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin Italy – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin UK – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin Spain – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin Other Europe – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin Other Europe – service revenue Germany – service revenue Italy – service revenue UK – service revenue Spain – service revenue Other Europe – service revenue Germany – fixed line revenue Germany – fixed line revenue UK – fixed line revenue UK – fixed line revenue FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY Q3 Q4 Q4 Q4 Q4 Q4 H1 H2 H1 H2 (5.8) (12.7) 8.7 8.6 (3.1) (2.6) (2.5) (5.0) 0.1 (1.0) (3.1) (3.7) 0.6 (7.8) (0.8) (2.9) (1.2) (10.4) (1.3) 5.1 5.7 172.5 – 2.0 1.0 1.6 4.0 (0.2) 0.8 1.5 134.5 5.6 34.6 2.6 93.3 6.7 – 10.2 – (6.3) (19.4) (10.8) – (0.1) – – 0.1 (6.6) (10.0) (28.6) 0.1 (13.0) (10.6) (10.8) (8.6) – (0.1) (0.7) (13.3) 161.8 (2.2) (1.1) (1.7) (0.9) (1.0) – (6.8) (11.6) 102.2 6.3 13.8 (8.8) 79.6 (3.1) (10.4) 8.8 AMAP South Africa – service revenue South Africa – service revenue excluding the impact of MTR cuts Vodacom’s international operations – service revenue Turkey – service revenue Egypt – service revenue Ghana – service revenue New Zealand – service revenue Qatar – revenue India – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin Vodacom – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin Other AMAP – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin Vodacom – service revenue India – service revenue FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY Q4 Q4 (2.7) 1.4 4.8 9.4 2.8 18.9 (2.6) 16.0 0.9 (1.1) (0.4) (0.2) 12.1 – – – – 6.4 – – – – – (0.3) – – (9.7) (9.7) (5.3) (13.3) (5.5) (40.2) (2.7) (0.8) (0.1) (0.1) 0.5 1.4 9.3 (12.4) (8.3) (0.5) (3.9) 3.7 (21.3) (5.3) 15.2 0.8 (1.2) (0.2) 1.2 21.4 31 March 2014 Group Revenue Service revenue Adjusted EBITDA Percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin Adjusted operating profit Europe Germany – mobile in-bundle revenue Germany – mobile out-of-bundle revenue UK – mobile in-bundle revenue UK – mobile out-of-bundle revenue Spain – mobile in-bundle revenue Spain – fixed line revenue Spain – operating expenses Netherlands – service revenue Netherlands – mobile in-bundle revenue Portugal – service revenue Greece – service revenue Germany – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin UK – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin Spain – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin Other Europe – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin FY FY FY FY FY (2.2) (2.6) (6.9) (1.5) (22.0) 5.5 5.5 6.0 0.3 (15.4) (2.5) (2.4) (2.4) – 14.5 0.8 0.5 (3.3) (1.2) (22.9) FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY 2.7 (22.6) 0.6 (7.2) (0.4) (0.2) 9.4 (5.6) 3.4 (8.4) (14.1) (4.3) (1.0) (3.4) (2.1) - 0.3 – – – – – (0.6) – (0.6) (0.8) 0.8 (0.4) (0.4) 3.6 3.5 2.9 – – 3.4 3.4 (3.3) 3.4 3.5 3.3 3.2 0.1 – 0.1 0.1 6.2 (19.4) 0.6 (7.2) 3.0 3.2 6.1 (2.8) 6.9 (5.7) (11.7) (3.4) (1.4) (3.7) 1.6 204 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Unaudited information

 


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Organic change % Other activity1 pps Foreign exchange pps Reported change % Period AMAP South Africa – service revenue South Africa – data revenue Vodacom’s international operations – service revenue Turkey – service revenue Turkey – mobile in-bundle revenue Egypt – service revenue Ghana – service revenue India – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin Vodacom – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin Other AMAP – percentage point change in adjusted EBITDA margin FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY 0.3 23.5 18.9 7.9 25.0 2.6 19.3 2.0 (0.3) 0.1 – – – (0.5) – – (0.2) – 0.8 (0.4) (16.2) (20.3) (3.9) (11.6) (14.1) (11.2) (17.3) (0.2) (0.4) – (15.9) 3.2 15.0 (4.2) 10.9 (8.6) 1.8 1.8 0.1 (0.3) 31 March 2013 Group Revenue Service revenue Other revenue Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted operating profit FY FY FY FY FY 0.4 0.1 3.1 2.3 11.3 3.5 3.7 1.7 1.5 (1.4) (5.9) (5.9) (5.9) (6.1) (3.3) (2.0) (2.1) (1.1) (2.3) 6.6 Europe Revenue Service revenue Other revenue Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted operating profit FY FY FY FY FY (4.3) (4.2) (4.9) (4.4) (14.2) 5.4 5.6 2.8 2.3 (1.1) (4.5) (4.5) (4.1) (4.6) (4.5) (3.4) (3.1) (6.2) (6.7) (19.8) AMAP Revenue Service revenue Other revenue Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted operating profit FY FY FY FY FY 8.2 7.6 14.8 13.8 20.1 (0.3) (0.3) 0.1 (0.2) (2.5) (8.6) (8.5) (9.3) (9.3) (10.5) (0.7) (1.2) 5.6 4.3 7.1 Note: 1 “Other activity” includes the impact of M&A activity. Refer to “Organic growth” on page 212 for further detail. 205 Additional information Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials

 


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F orm 20-F cross reference guide This annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2015 has not been approved or disapproved by the SEC nor has the SEC passed judgement upon the adequacy or accuracy of this document. The table below sets out the location in this document of the information required by SEC Form 20-F. Item Form 20-F caption Location in this document Page 1 Identity of Directors, senior management and advisors Not applicable – 2 Offer statistics and expected timetable Not applicable – 3 Key information 3A Selected financial data Selected financial data Shareholder information: Inflation and foreign currency translation Not applicable Not applicable Principal risk factors and uncertainties 213 188 – – 32 to 37 3B Capitalisation and indebtedness 3C Reasons for the offer and use of proceeds 3D Risk factors 4 Information on the Company 4A History and development of the Company History and development Contact details Shareholder information: Registrar and transfer office Shareholder information: Articles of association and applicable English law Chief Executive’s strategic review Chief Financial Officer’s review Note 1 “Basis of preparation” Note 2 “Segmental analysis” Note 11 “Property, plant and equipment” Note 28 “Acquisitions and disposals” Note 29 “Commitments” Project Spring Performance highlights About us: How we are changing Project Spring Our business model: What we offer Our business model: Where we operate Our business model: How we make money Our business model: How we set ourselves apart Market overview: The telecommunications industry today Market overview: Where the industry is heading Our strategy: Consumer Europe Our strategy: Unified communications Our strategy: Consumer emerging markets Our strategy: Enterprise Operating results Financial position and resources Prior year operating results Note 2 “Segmental analysis” – Segmental revenue and profit Regulation Note 32 “Principal subsidiaries” Note 12 “Investments in associates and joint arrangements” Note 13 “Other investments” Our business model: How we make money Our business model: How we set ourselves apart Financial position and resources Note 11 “Property, plant and equipment” 194 Back cover 187 189 14 to 17 38 and 39 109 to 113 114 to 116 132 and 133 164 to 166 167 6 1 5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 22 and 23 24 and 25 26 27 40 to 46 46 to 48 175 to 179 115 195 to 201 171 to 173 134 to 136 137 10 11 46 to 48 132 and 133 4B Business overview 4C Organisational structure 4D Property, plant and equipment 4A Unresolved staff comments None – 206 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Unaudited information

 


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Item Form 20-F caption Location in this document Page 5 Operating and financial review and prospects 5A Operating results Operating results 40 to 46 Financial position and resources: Liquidity and capital resources 47 and 48 Prior year operating results 175 to 179 Note 21 “Borrowings” 144 to 148 Shareholder information: Inflation and foreign currency translation 188 Regulation 195 to 201 5B Liquidity and capital resources Financial position and resources: Liquidity and capital resources 47 and 48 Note 23 “Capital and financial risk management” 151 to 156 Note 22 “Liquidity and capital resources” 148 to 150 Note 21 “Borrowings” 144 to 148 Note 29 “Commitments” 167 5C Research and development, patents and licences, etc. Our strategy: Consumer Europe 22 and 23 Our strategy: Unified communications 24 and 25 Our strategy: Consumer emerging markets 26 Our strategy: Enterprise 27 Note 3 “Operating profit/(loss)” 117 Regulation: Licences 200 5D Trend information Chief Executive’s strategic review 14 to 17 Market overview: The telecommunications industry today 12 Market overview: Where the industry is heading 13 5E Off-balance sheet arrangements Note 22 “Liquidity and capital resources” – Off-balance sheet arrangements 150 Note 29 “Commitments” 167 Note 30 “Contingent liabilities” 168 to 170 5F Tabular disclosure of contractual obligations Financial position and resources: Contractual obligations and commitments 47 5G Safe harbor Forward-looking statements 209 and 210 6 Directors, senior management and employees 6A Directors and senior management Board of Directors 52 and 53 Executive Committee 54 and 55 6B Compensation Directors’ remuneration 75 to 91 Note 24 “Directors and key management compensation” 156 6C Board practices Compliance with the 2012 UK Corporate Governance Code 72 and 73 Shareholder information: Articles of association and applicable English law 189 Directors’ remuneration 75 to 91 Board of Directors 52 and 53 Board Committees 63 to 71 6D Employees Our people 28 and 29 Note 25 “Employees” 157 6E Share ownership Directors’ remuneration 75 to 91 Note 27 “Share-based payments” 162 and 163 7 Major shareholders and related party transactions 7A Major shareholders Shareholder information: Major shareholders 188 7B Related party transactions Directors’ remuneration 75 to 91 Note 30 “Contingent liabilities” 168 to 170 Note 31 “Related party transactions” 171 C Interests of experts and counsel Not applicable – 8 Financial information 8A Consolidated statements and other financial information Financials 105 to 179 Report of independent registered public accounting firm 98 and 99 Note 30 “Contingent liabilities” 168 to 170 Separate financial statements required by Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X B-1 to B-28 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm B-3 8B Significant changes Note 34 “Subsequent events” 174 Subsequent events A-1 207

 


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Form 20-F cross reference guide (continued) Unaudited information Item Form 20-F caption Location in this document Page 9 The offer and listing 9A Offer and listing details Shareholder information: Share price history 187 and 188 9B Plan of distribution Not applicable – 9C Markets Shareholder information: Markets 188 9D Selling shareholders Not applicable – 9E Dilution Not applicable – 9F Expenses of the issue Not applicable – 10 Additional information 10A Share capital Not applicable – 10B Memorandum and articles of association Shareholder information: Articles of association and applicable English law 189 10C Material contracts Shareholder information: Material contracts 191 10D Exchange controls Shareholder information: Exchange controls 191 10E Taxation Shareholder information: Taxation 191 to 193 10F Dividends and paying agents Not applicable – 10G Statement by experts Not applicable – 10H Documents on display Shareholder information: Documents on display 191 10I Subsidiary information Not applicable – 11 Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk Note 23 “Capital and financial risk management” 151 to 156 12 Description of securities other than equity securities 12A Debt securities Not applicable – 12B Warrants and rights Not applicable – 12C Other securities Not applicable – 12D American depositary shares ADR payment information C-1 13 Defaults, dividend arrearages and delinquencies Not applicable – 14 Material modifications to the rights of security holders and use of proceeds Not applicable – 15 Controls and procedures Governance 49 to 74 Board Committees: Oversight of the Group’s system of internal control including the internal control function 67 and 68 Directors’ statement of responsibility: Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting 95 Report of independent registered public accounting firm 98 and 99 16 16A Audit Committee financial expert Board Committees 63 to 71 16B Code of ethics Our US listing requirements 74 16C Principal accountant fees and services Note 3 “Operating profit/(loss)” 117 Board Committees: Audit and Risk Committee – Overseeing the relationship with and performance of, the external auditor 66 and 67 16D Exemptions from the listing standards for audit committees Not applicable – 16E Purchase of equity securities by the issuer and affiliated purchasers Not applicable – 16F Change in registrant’s certifying accountant Board Committees: Audit and Risk Committee – Overseeing the relationship with, and performance of, the external auditor 66 16G Corporate governance Our US listing requirements 74 16H Mine safety disclosure Not applicable – 17 Financial statements Not applicable – 18 Financial statements Financials 105 to 179 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 98 and 99 Separate financial statements required by Rule 3-09 of Regulation S-X B-1 to B-28 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm B-3 19 Exhibits Filed with the SEC Index to Exhibits  208

 


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F orward-looking statements meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 its working capital requirements and share buyback programmes, and businesses and certain of the Group’s plans and objectives. In particular, such forward-looking statements include statements and of scheduled or potential regulatory changes. limited to, the following: a general economic and political conditions in the jurisdictions in which or by third parties, including new mobile technologies, such as the market conditions, growth in the number of worldwide mobile to deploy new technologies, products and services in a timely usage and increased mobile penetration in emerging markets; a revenue and growth expected from the Group’s enterprise and total of new products and services to perform in accordance with expectations with respect to long-term shareholder value growth; marketing efforts; cuts, the Group’s ability to acquire spectrum, expected growth services with existing networks, technologies, products and services; a the Group’s ability to generate and grow revenue from both voice and and usage generally, and plans for sustained investment in high a slower than expected customer growth, reduced customer in existing investments, the timely completion of pending acquisition 209 Additional information Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the a expectations regarding the Group’s access to adequate funding for with respect to the Group’s financial condition, results of operations and the Group’s future dividends or its existing investments; and a the impact of regulatory and legal proceedings involving the Group with respect to: a the Group’s expectations and guidance regarding its financial and Forward-looking statements are sometimes, but not always, identified operating performance, including statements contained within the by their use of a date in the future or such words as “will”, “anticipates”, Chief Executive’s review on pages 14 to 17, statements regarding “aims”, “could”, “may”, “should”, “expects”, “believes”, “intends”, “plans” forward guidance on page 39, the performance of associates and or “targets”. By their nature, forward-looking statements are inherently joint ventures, other investments and newly acquired businesses predictive, speculative and involve risk and uncertainty because they including CWW, KDG and Ono, expectations regarding the Project relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the Spring organic investment programme and expectations regarding future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results fixed revenue and broadband customers; and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied a intentions and expectations regarding the development of products, by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not services and initiatives introduced by, or together with, Vodafone Vodafone M-Pesa money transfer service, M2M connections, the Group operates and changes to the associated legal, regulatory Vodafone Red, cloud hosting, tablets and an increase in download and tax environments; speeds, Vodafone One-Net, mWallet, Smartpass and 4G/3G services; a increased competition, from both existing competitors and new a expectations regarding the global economy and the market entrants, including mobile virtual network operators; Group’s operating environment and market position, including future a levels of investment in network capacity and the Group’s ability phone users and other trends, including increased mobile data manner, particularly data content and services; a rapid changes to existing products and services and the inability communications strategy, including data revenue growth, and its expectations, including as a result of third-party or vendor a mobile penetration and coverage rates, mobile termination rate a the ability of the Group to integrate new technologies, products and prospects in the Europe and AMAP regions and growth in customers speed data networks and the anticipated Group standardisation and non-voice services and achieve expected cost savings; simplification programme; a a lower than expected impact of new or existing products, services a anticipated benefits to the Group from cost efficiency programmes; or technologies on the Group’s future revenue, cost structure and a possible future acquisitions, including increases in ownership capital expenditure outlays; transactions and pending offers for investments, including licence retention, reductions or changes in customer spending and and spectrum acquisitions, and the expected funding required increased pricing pressure; to complete such acquisitions or investments;a the Group’s ability to expand its spectrum position, win 3G and 4G a expectations and assumptions regarding the Group’s future revenue, allocations and realise expected synergies and benefits associated operating profit, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, free cash with 3G and 4G; flow, depreciation and amortisation charges, foreign exchange rates, tax rates and capital expenditure; Unaudited information

 


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Forward-looking statements (continued) Unaudited information a the Group’s ability to secure the timely delivery of high quality, reliable handsets, network equipment and other key products from suppliers;  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” on pages 32 to 37 of this a loss of suppliers, disruption of supply chains and greater than anticipated prices of new mobile handsets; a changes in the costs to the Group of, or the rates the Group may charge for, terminations and roaming minutes; document. 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. a the impact of a failure or significant interruption to the Group’s telecommunications, networks, IT systems or data protection systems; a the Group’s ability to realise expected benefits from acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures, franchises, brand licences, platform sharing or other arrangements with third parties, particularly those related to the development of data and internet services; a acquisitions and divestments of Group businesses and assets and the pursuit of new, unexpected strategic opportunities which may have a negative impact on the Group’s financial condition and results of operations; a the Group’s ability to integrate acquired business or assets and the imposition of any unfavourable conditions, regulatory or otherwise, on any pending or future acquisitions or dispositions; a the extent of any future write-downs or impairment charges on the Group’s assets, or restructuring charges incurred as a result of an acquisition or disposition; a developments in the Group’s financial condition, earnings and distributable funds and other factors that the Board takes into account in determining the level of dividends; a the Group’s ability to satisfy working capital requirements through borrowing in capital markets, bank facilities and operations; a changes in foreign exchange rates, including particularly the exchange rate of pounds sterling to the euro, Indian rupee, South African rand and the US dollar; a changes in the regulatory framework in which the Group operates, including the commencement of legal or regulatory action seeking to regulate the Group’s permitted charging rates; a the impact of legal or other proceedings against the Group or other companies in the communications industry; and a changes in statutory tax rates and profit mix, the Group’s ability to resolve open tax issues and the timing and amount of any payments in respect of tax liabilities. Subject to compliance with applicable law and regulations, Vodafone does not intend to update these forward-looking statements and does not undertake any obligation to do so. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP has neither examined, compiled, nor performed any procedures with respect to the forward looking statements, and accordingly PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP does not express an opinion or provide any other form of assurance on such information. Deloitte LLP has neither examined, compiled, nor performed any procedures with respect to the forward looking statements, and accordingly Deloitte LLP does not express an opinion or provide any other form of assurance on such information. 210

 


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D efinition of terms 211 Additional information Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Overview Strategy review Performance Governance Financials 2G2G networks are operated using global system for mobile (‘GSM’) technology which offers services such as voice, text messaging and low speed data. In addition, all the Group’s controlled networks support general packet radio services (‘GPRS’), often referred to as 2.5G. GPRS allows mobile devices to access IP based data services such as the internet and email. 3GA cellular technology based on wide band CDMA delivering voice and faster data services. 4G/LTE 4G or long-term evolution (‘LTE’) technology offers voice and even faster data transfer speeds than 3G/HSPA. Acquisition costs The total of connection fees, trade commissions and equipment costs relating to new customer connections. ADR American depositary receipts is a mechanism designed to facilitate trading in shares of non-US companies in the US stock markets. The main purpose is to create an instrument which can easily be settled through US stock market clearing systems. ADS American depositary shares are shares evidenced by American depositary receipts. ADSs are issued by a depositary bank and represent one or more shares of a non-US issuer held by the depositary bank. The main purpose of ADSs is to facilitate trading in shares of non-US companies in the US markets and, accordingly, ADRs which evidence ADSs are in a form suitable for holding in US clearing systems. AGM Annual general meeting. AMAP The Group’s region: Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific. Applications (‘apps’) Apps are software applications usually designed to run on a smartphone or tablet device and provide a convenient means for the user to perform certain tasks. They cover a wide range of activities including banking, ticket purchasing, travel arrangements, social networking and games. For example, the My Vodafone app lets customers check their bill totals on their smartphone and see the minutes, texts and data allowance remaining. ARPU Average revenue per user, defined as mobile revenue and mobile incoming revenue divided by average customers. Capital expenditure (‘capex’)This measure includes the aggregate of capitalised property, plant and equipment additions and capitalised software costs. CDMA This is a channel access method used by various radio communication technologies. Churn Total gross customer disconnections in the period divided by the average total customers in the period. Cloud servicesThis means the customer has little or no equipment at their premises and all the equipment and capability associated with the service is run from the Vodafone network and data centres instead. This removes the need for customers to make capital investments and instead they have an operating cost model with a recurring monthly fee. Controlled and jointly controlled Controlled and jointly controlled measures include 100% for the Group’s mobile operating subsidiaries and the Group’s share for joint ventures and the Group’s proportionate share for joint operations. Customer costsCustomer costs include acquisition costs, retention costs and expenses related to ongoing commissions. Depreciation and otherThe accounting charge that allocates the cost of a tangible or intangible asset to the income statement amortisationover its useful life. This measure includes the profit or loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and computer software. Direct costs Direct costs include interconnect costs and other direct costs of providing services. Adjusted EBITDA Operating profit excluding share of results in associates, depreciation and amortisation, gains/losses on the disposal of fixed assets, impairment losses, restructuring costs and other operating income and expense. The Group’s definition of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable with similarly titled measures and disclosures by other companies. Enterprise The Group’s customer segment for businesses. FCA Financial Conduct Authority. Fixed broadband customer A fixed broadband customer is defined as a customer with a connection or access point to a fixed line data network. FRC Financial Reporting Council. Free cash flowOperating free cash flow after cash flows in relation to taxation, interest, dividends received from associates and investments and dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders in subsidiaries but before restructuring costs and licence and spectrum payments. For the year ended 31 March 2014 and 31 March 2013, the income dividends received from Verizon Wireless and payments in respect of a tax case settlement were also excluded. HSPA+ An evolution of high speed packet access (‘HSPA’) or third generation (‘3G’) technology that enhances the existing 3G network with higher speeds for the end user. IFRS International Financial Reporting Standards. ImpairmentA downward revaluation of an asset. Interconnect costs A charge paid by Vodafone to other fixed line or mobile operators when a Vodafone customer calls a customer connected to a different network. IP Internet protocol (‘IP’) is the format in which data is sent from one computer to another on the internet. IP-VPNA virtual private network (‘VPN’) is a network that uses a shared telecommunications infrastructure, such as the internet, to provide remote offices or individual users with secure access to their organisation’s network. M2MMachine-to-machine. M2M communications, or telemetry, enable devices to communicate with one another via built-in mobile SIM cards. Unaudited information

 


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Definition of terms (continued) 212 Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 Mark-to-marketMark-to-market or fair value accounting refers to accounting for the value of an asset or liability based on the current market price of the asset or liability. Mobile broadband Also known as mobile internet (see below). Mobile customerA mobile customer is defined as a subscriber identity module (‘SIM’), or in territories where SIMs do not exist, a unique mobile telephone number, which has access to the network for any purpose, including data only usage. Mobile internetMobile internet allows internet access anytime, anywhere through a browser or a native application using any portable or mobile device such as smartphone, tablet or laptop connected to a wireless network. Mobile termination rate (‘MTR’)A per minute charge paid by a telecommunications network operator when a customer makes a call to another mobile or fixed line network operator. MVNO Mobile virtual network operators, companies that provide mobile phone services under wholesale contracts with a mobile network operator, but do not have their own licence of spectrum or the infrastructure required to operate a network. Net debtLong-term borrowings, short-term borrowings and mark-to-market adjustments on financing instruments less cash and cash equivalents. Net promoter score (‘NPS’)Net promoter score is a customer loyalty metric used to monitor customer satisfaction. Operating expenses Operating expenses comprise primarily sales and distribution costs, network and IT related expenditure and business support costs. Operating free cash flowCash generated from operations after cash payments for capital expenditure (excludes capital licence and spectrum payments) and cash receipts from the disposal of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, but before restructuring costs. Organic growthAll amounts marked with an “*” represent organic growth which presents performance on a comparable basis, both in terms of merger and acquisition activity and movements in foreign exchange rates. For the 2015 financial year, the Group’s organic service revenue growth rate has been adjusted to exclude the beneficial impact of a settlement of an historical interconnect rate dispute in the UK, the beneficial impact of an upward revision to interconnect revenue in Egypt from a re-estimation by management of the appropriate historical mobile interconnection rate and the adverse impact of an adjustment to intercompany revenue. The adjustments in relation to Vodafone UK and Vodafone Egypt also impact the disclosed organic growth rates for those countries. Partner markets Markets in which the Group has entered into a partner agreement with a local mobile operator enabling a range of Vodafone’s global products and services to be marketed in that operator’s territory and extending Vodafone’s reach into such markets. Penetration Number of SIMs in a country as a percentage of the country’s population. Penetration can be in excess of 100% due to customers owning more than one SIM. PetabyteA petabyte is a measure of data usage. One petabyte is a million gigabytes. Pps Percentage points. RAN Radio access network is the part of a mobile telecommunications system which provides cellular coverage to mobile phones via a radio interface, managed by thousands of base stations installed on towers and rooftops across the coverage area, and linked to the core nodes through a backhaul infrastructure which can be owned, leased or a mix of both. Reported growthReported growth is based on amounts reported in pounds sterling as determined under IFRS. Retention costs The total of trade commissions, loyalty scheme and equipment costs relating to customer retention and upgrade. Roaming Allows customers to make calls, send and receive texts and data on other operators’ mobile networks, usually while travelling abroad. Service revenueService revenue comprises all revenue related to the provision of ongoing services including, but not limited to, monthly access charges, airtime usage, roaming, incoming and outgoing network usage by non-Vodafone customers and interconnect charges for incoming calls. Smartphone devices A smartphone is a mobile phone offering advanced capabilities including access to email and the internet. Smartphone penetrationThe number of smartphone devices divided by the number of registered SIMs (excluding data only SIMs) and telemetric applications. SME Small to medium-sized enterprise. SoHo Small-office home-office. Spectrum The radio frequency bands and channels assigned for telecommunication services. SupranationalAn international organisation, or union, whereby member states go beyond national boundaries or interests to share in the decision-making and vote on issues pertaining to the wider grouping. TabletsA tablet is a slate shaped, mobile data or portable computing device equipped with a finger operated touchscreen or stylus, for example, the Apple iPad. TelemetricsTelemetric applications include, but are not limited to, asset and equipment tracking, mobile payment and billing functionality, e.g. vending machines and meter readings, and include voice enabled customers whose usage is limited to a central service operation, e.g. emergency response applications in vehicles. Telemetric customers are not included in mobile customers. VZW Verizon Wireless, the Group’s former associate in the United States. Unaudited information

 


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S elected financial data Unaudited information The selected financial data shown below for the years ended 31 March 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is presented on a statutory basis. The financial data for the year ended 31 March 2011 has not been restated for the adoption of IFRS 11 “Joint Arrangements” in the year ended 31 March 2014 as it would involve unreasonable effort and expense. The financial data for the year ended 31 March 2011 therefore includes the Group’s joint ventures on a proportionate consolidation basis, rather than on an equity accounting basis. Overview Strategy review At/for the year ended 31 March 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Consolidated income statement data (£m) Revenue 42,227 38,346 38,041 38,821 45,884 Operating profit/(loss) 1,967 (3,913) (2,202) 5,618 1,085 Profit/(loss) before taxation 1,095 (5,270) (3,483) 4,144 5,057 Profit/(loss) for financial year from continuing operations 5,860 11,312 (3,959) 3,439 4,566 Profit for the financial year 5,917 59,420 657 6,994 7,870 Consolidated statement of financial position data (£m) Total assets 122,573 121,840 138,324 135,450 151,220 Total equity 67,733 71,781 72,488 78,202 87,561 Total equity shareholders’ funds 66,145 70,802 71,477 76,935 87,555 Earnings per share1,2 Weighted average number of shares (millions) – Basic 26,489 26,472 26,831 27,624 28,586 – Diluted 26,629 26,682 26,831 27,938 28,926 Basic earnings per ordinary share 21.75p 223.84p 1.54p 25.15p 27.87p Diluted earnings per ordinary share 21.63p 222.07p 1.54p 24.87p 27.55p Basic earnings per share from continuing operations 21.53p 42.10p (15.66p) 12.28p 16.32p Cash dividends1,3 Amount per ordinary share (pence) 11.22p 11.00p 10.19p 13.52p 8.90p Amount per ADS (pence) 111.2p 110.0p 101.9p 135.2p 89.0p Amount per ordinary share (US cents) 16.65c 18.31c 15.49c 21.63c 14.33c Amount per ADS (US cents) 166.5c 183.1c 154.9c 216.3c 143.3c Other data Ratio of earnings to fixed charges4 1.6 – 1.7 4.3 5.8 Deficiency between fixed charges and earnings (£m)4 – 654 – – –Notes: 1 See note 8 to the consolidated financial statements, “Earnings per share”. Earnings and dividends per ADS is calculated by multiplying earnings per ordinary share by ten, the number of ordinary shares per ADS. Dividend per ADS is calculated on the same basis. 2 On 19 February 2014, we announced a “6 for 11” share consolidation effective 24 February 2014. This had the effect of reducing the number of shares in issue from 52,821,751,216 ordinary shares (including 4,351,833,492 ordinary shares held in Treasury) as at the close of business on 18 February 2014 to 28,811,864,298 new ordinary shares in issue immediately after the share consolidation on 24 February 2014. Earnings per share for the years ended 31 March 2013, 2012 and 2011 have been restated accordingly. 3 The final dividend for the year ended 31 March 2015 was proposed by the Directors on 19 May 2015 and is payable on 5 August 2015 to holders of record as of 12 June 2015. The total dividends have been translated into US dollars at 31 March 2015 for purposes of the above disclosure but the dividends are payable in US dollars under the terms of the ADS depositary agreement. 4 For the purposes of calculating these ratios, earnings consist of loss or profit before tax adjusted for fixed charges, dividend income from associates, share of profits and losses from associates, interest capitalised and interest amortised. Fixed charges comprise one third of payments under operating leases, representing the estimated interest element of these payments, interest payable and similar charges, interest capitalised and preferred share dividends. Vodafone, the Vodafone Portrait, the Vodafone Speechmark, Vodacom, M-Pesa, Vodafone One Net, Vodafone Red and JustTextGiving are trade marks of the Vodafone Group. The Vodafone Rhombus is a registered design of the Vodafone Group. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trade marks of their respective owners. The content of our website (vodafone.com) should not be considered to form part of this annual report or our annual report on Form 20-F. © Vodafone Group 2015 Text printed on amadeus 75 silk which is made from 75% de-inked post-consumer waste and 25% virgin fibre. The cover is on amadeus 100 silk, made entirely from de-inked post-consumer waste. Both products are Forest Stewardship Council (‘FSC’) certified and produced using elemental chlorine free (‘ECF’) bleaching. The manufacturing mill also holds ISO 14001 accreditation for environmental management. Designed and produced by Radley Yeldar ry.com Vodafone Group Plc Annual Report on Form 20-F 2015 213

 


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Vodafone Group Plc Registered Office: Vodafone House The Connection Newbury Berkshire RG14 2FN England Registered in England No. 1833679 Telephone: +44 (0)1635 33251 Fax: +44 (0)1635 238080 vodafone.com Contact details: Shareholder helpline Telephone: +44 (0)870 702 0198 (In Ireland): +353 (0)818 300 999 Investor Relations ir@vodafone.co.uk vodafone.com/investor Media Relations vodafone.com/media/contact Sustainability vodafone.com/sustainability

 

 


Table of Contents

 

Events occurring subsequent to the approval of the Company’s Annual Report on 19 May 2015

 

On 5 June 2015 Vodafone confirmed that it was in the early stages of discussions with Liberty Global regarding a possible exchange of selected assets between the two companies. There is no certainty that any transaction will be agreed, nor is there certainty with respect to which assets will ultimately be involved. Vodafone is not in discussions with Liberty Global concerning a combination of the two companies.

 

A-1



Table of Contents

 

Cellco Partnership

(d/b/a Verizon Wireless)

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Financial Statements

For the years ended

December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

 

B-1



Table of Contents

 

Table of Contents

 

Cellco Partnership (d/b/a Verizon Wireless)

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

B-3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

B-4

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

B-5

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012

B-6

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

B-7

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital

 

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011

B-8

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

B-9 to B-28

 

B-2



Table of Contents

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Representatives of

Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Cellco Partnership and subsidiaries d/b/a Verizon Wireless (the “Partnership”) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in partners’ capital for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Partnership is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

New York, New York

February 27, 2014

 

B-3



Table of Contents

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

Cellco Partnership (d/b/a Verizon Wireless)

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

(dollars in millions)

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

Operating Revenue (including $102, $83 and $87 from affiliates)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service revenue

 

$

69,033

 

$

63,733

 

$

59,157

Equipment and other

 

 

11,990

 

 

12,135

 

 

10,997

Total operating revenue

 

 

81,023

 

 

75,868

 

 

70,154

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Costs and Expenses (including $2,295, $1,949 and $1,708 from affiliates)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of service (exclusive of items shown below)

 

 

7,295

 

 

7,711

 

 

7,994

Cost of equipment

 

 

16,353

 

 

16,779

 

 

16,092

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

22,663

 

 

21,696

 

 

19,655

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

8,202

 

 

7,960

 

 

7,962

Total operating costs and expenses

 

 

54,513

 

 

54,146

 

 

51,703

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

 

26,510

 

 

21,722

 

 

18,451

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income (Expenses)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

(65)

 

 

(442)

 

 

(610)

Other income, net

 

 

40

 

 

96

 

 

56

Income Before Provision for Income Taxes

 

 

26,485

 

 

21,376

 

 

17,897

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(150)

 

 

(201)

 

 

(947)

Net Income

 

$

26,335

 

$

21,175

 

$

16,950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

$

422

 

$

304

 

$

280

Net income attributable to Cellco Partnership

 

 

25,913

 

 

20,871

 

 

16,670

Net Income

 

$

26,335

 

$

21,175

 

$

16,950

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

B-4



Table of Contents

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Cellco Partnership (d/b/a/ Verizon Wireless)

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

(dollars in millions)

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

Net Income

 

$

26,335

 

$

21,175

 

$

16,950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges

 

 

(32)

 

 

21

 

 

3

Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Cellco Partnership

 

 

(32)

 

 

21

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Comprehensive Income

 

$

26,303

 

$

21,196

 

$

16,952

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

$

  422

 

$

304

 

$

280

Comprehensive income attributable to Cellco Partnership

 

 

25,881

 

 

20,892

 

 

16,672

Total Comprehensive Income

 

$

26,303

 

$

21,196

 

$

16,952

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

B-5



Table of Contents

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Cellco Partnership (d/b/a Verizon Wireless)

 

 

 

As of December 31,

(dollars in millions)

 

2013

 

2012

Assets

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

4,005

 

$

1,354

Receivables, net of allowances of $399 and $350

 

 

7,204

 

 

6,657

Due from affiliates, net

 

 

245

 

 

106

Inventories, net

 

 

990

 

 

1,044

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

1,459

 

 

525

Total current assets

 

 

13,903

 

 

9,686

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant, property and equipment, net

 

 

35,932

 

 

34,546

Wireless licenses

 

 

75,796

 

 

77,642

Goodwill

 

 

17,941

 

 

17,737

Other intangibles and other assets, net

 

 

2,249

 

 

2,102

Total assets

 

$

145,821

 

$

141,713

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term debt, including current maturities

 

$

41

 

$

1,448

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

7,012

 

 

7,534

Advance billings

 

 

2,750

 

 

2,550

Other current liabilities

 

 

337

 

 

274

Total current liabilities

 

 

10,140

 

 

11,806

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

 

5,231

 

 

8,665

Deferred tax liabilities, net

 

 

11,001

 

 

10,939

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

2,139

 

 

2,056

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partners’ capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital

 

 

114,979

 

 

106,119

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

52

 

 

84

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

2,279

 

 

2,044

Total Partners’ capital

 

 

117,310

 

 

108,247

Total liabilities and Partners’ capital

 

$

145,821

 

$

141,713

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

B-6



Table of Contents

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Cellco Partnership (d/b/a Verizon Wireless)

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

26,335

 

$

21,175

 

$16,950

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

8,202

 

7,960

 

7,962

 

Provision for uncollectible receivables

 

703

 

634

 

689

 

Provision for deferred income taxes

 

72

 

123

 

368

 

Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisition/disposition of businesses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

(1,371

)

(1,238

)

(624

)

Inventories, net

 

54

 

(137

)

166

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(35

)

(107

)

124

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

(120

)

674

 

(728

)

Other operating activities, net

 

(487

)

(419

)

371

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

33,353

 

28,665

 

25,278

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures (including capitalized software)

 

(9,425

)

(8,857

)

(8,973

)

Acquisitions of investments and businesses, net of cash acquired

 

(52

)

(188

)

(144

)

Acquisitions of wireless licenses

 

(14

)

(4,287

)

(26

)

Proceeds from dispositions of wireless licenses

 

2,111

 

 

 

Other investing activities, net

 

(873

)

843

 

(490

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(8,253

)

(12,489

)

(9,633

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

(4,960

)

(1,569

)

(4,862

)

Distributions to partners

 

(17,046

)

(25,681

)

(3,082

)

Other financing activities, net

 

(443

)

(328

)

(276

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(22,449

)

(27,578

)

(8,220

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

2,651

 

(11,402

)

7,425

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

1,354

 

12,756

 

5,331

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

 

$

4,005

 

$

1,354

 

$12,756

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

B-7



Table of Contents

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital

Cellco Partnership (d/b/a/ Verizon Wireless)

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

Partners’ Capital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

106,119

 

$

100,961

 

$

97,399

 

Net income attributable to Cellco Partnership

 

25,913

 

20,871

 

16,670

 

Contributed capital

 

(7)

 

(32)

 

(26

)

Distributions declared to partners

 

(17,046)

 

(15,681)

 

(13,082

)

Balance at end of year

 

114,979

 

106,119

 

100,961

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

84

 

63

 

61

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges

 

(32)

 

21

 

3

 

Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans

 

 

 

(1

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

(32)

 

21

 

2

 

Balance at end of year

 

52

 

84

 

63

 

Total Partners’ Capital Attributable to Cellco Partnership

 

115,031

 

106,203

 

101,024

 

 

Noncontrolling Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

2,044

 

1,952

 

1,962

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

422

 

304

 

280

 

Distributions

 

(403)

 

(342)

 

(280

)

Other

 

216

 

130

 

(10

)

Balance at end of year

 

2,279

 

2,044

 

1,952

 

 

Total Partners’ Capital

 

$

117,310

 

$

108,247

 

$

102,976

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Cellco Partnership (d/b/a Verizon Wireless)

 

1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Description of Business

 

Cellco Partnership (the Partnership), a Delaware general partnership doing business as Verizon Wireless, provides wireless communication services across one of the most extensive wireless networks in the United States (U.S.) and has the largest fourth-generation (4G) Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology and third-generation (3G) Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) networks of any U.S. wireless service provider. The Partnership has one segment and operates domestically only. References to “the Partners” refers to Verizon Communications, and its subsidiaries (Verizon) and Vodafone Group Plc, and its subsidiaries (Vodafone). At December 31, 2013 Verizon owned 55% of the Partnership and Vodafone owned 45% of the Partnership. On February 21, 2014, Verizon acquired Vodafone’s interest in the Partnership and now owns 100% of the Partnership.

 

These consolidated financial statements include transactions between the Partnership and Verizon and Vodafone (Affiliates) for the provision of services and financing pursuant to various agreements (see Notes 5 and 11).

 

Consolidated Financial Statements and Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Partnership include the accounts of its majority-owned subsidiaries and the partnerships in which the Partnership exercises control. Investments in businesses and partnerships which the Partnership does not control, but has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Investments and partnerships which the Partnership does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for under the cost method of accounting. Equity and cost method investments are included in Other intangibles and other assets, net in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

 

The Partnership has reclassified prior year amounts to conform to current year presentation.

 

The Partnership has evaluated subsequent events through February 27, 2014, the date these consolidated financial statements were available to be issued.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The Partnership prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Examples of significant estimates include: the allowances for doubtful accounts, the recoverability of plant, property and equipment, the recoverability of intangible assets and other long-lived assets, unbilled revenues, fair values of financial instruments, unrecognized tax benefits, valuation allowances on tax assets, accrued expenses, contingencies and allocation of purchase prices in connection with business combinations.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Partnership offers products and services to its customers through bundled arrangements. These arrangements involve multiple deliverables which may include products, services, or a combination of products and services.

 

The Partnership earns revenue primarily by providing access to and usage of its network. In general, access revenue is billed one month in advance and recognized when earned; the unearned portion is classified in Advance billings in the consolidated balance sheets. Usage revenue is generally billed in arrears and recognized when service is rendered and included in unbilled revenue, within Receivables, net in the consolidated balance sheets. Equipment sales revenue associated with the sale of wireless handsets and accessories is recognized when the products are

 

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delivered to and accepted by the customer, as this is considered to be a separate earnings process from providing wireless services. For agreements involving the resale of third-party services in which the Partnership is considered the primary obligor in the arrangements, the Partnership records revenue gross at the time of sale. For equipment sales, the Partnership generally subsidizes the cost of wireless devices. The amount of this subsidy is generally contingent on the arrangement and terms selected by the customer. In multiple deliverable arrangements which involve the sale of equipment and a service contract, the equipment revenue is recognized up to the amount collected when the wireless device is sold.

 

The Partnership reports taxes imposed by governmental authorities on revenue-producing transactions between the Partnership and its customers on a net basis.

 

Advertising Costs

 

Costs for advertising products and services as well as other promotional and sponsorship costs are charged to Selling, general and administrative expense in the periods in which they are incurred (see Note 9).

 

Vendor Rebates and Discounts

 

The Partnership recognizes vendor rebates or discounts for purchases of wireless devices from a vendor as a reduction of Cost of equipment when the related wireless devices are sold. Vendor rebates or discounts that have been earned as a result of completing the required performance under the terms of the underlying agreements but for which the wireless devices have not yet been sold are recognized as a reduction of inventory cost. Advertising credits are granted by a vendor to the Partnership as reimbursement of specific, incremental, identifiable advertising costs incurred by the Partnership in selling the vendor’s wireless devices. These advertising credits are restricted based upon a marketing plan agreed to by the vendor and the Partnership, and accordingly, advertising credits received are recorded as a reduction of those advertising costs when recognized in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of income.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Partnership considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of 90 days or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates quoted market value, and includes approximately $3.5 billion and $0.7 billion at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, held in money market funds that are considered cash equivalents.

 

Inventory

 

Inventory consists primarily of wireless equipment held for sale, which is carried at the lower of cost (determined using a first-in, first-out method) or market. The Partnership maintained inventory valuation reserves which were not significant as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.

 

Capitalized Software

 

Capitalized software consists primarily of direct costs incurred for professional services provided by third parties and compensation costs of employees which relate to software developed for internal use either during the application stage or for upgrades and enhancements that increase functionality. Costs are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Costs incurred in the preliminary project stage of development and maintenance are expensed as incurred. For a discussion of the Partnership’s impairment policy for capitalized software costs, see “Valuation of Assets” below. Also see Note 3 for additional detail of internal-use non-network software reflected in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets.

 

Plant, Property and Equipment

 

Plant, property and equipment primarily represents costs incurred to construct and expand capacity and network coverage on Mobile Telephone Switching Offices and cell sites. The cost of plant, property and equipment is depreciated on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life. Periodic reviews are performed to identify any

 

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category or group of assets within plant, property and equipment where events or circumstances may change the remaining estimated economic life. This principally includes changes in the Partnership’s plans regarding technology upgrades, enhancements, and planned retirements. Changes in these estimates resulted in an increase of $0.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011. Major improvements to existing plant and equipment are capitalized. Routine maintenance and repairs that do not extend the life of the plant and equipment are charged to expense as incurred. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the term of the related lease.

 

Upon the sale or retirement of plant, property and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization is deducted from the plant accounts and any gains or losses on disposition are recognized in income.

 

Interest expense and network engineering costs incurred during the construction phase of the Partnership’s network and real estate properties under development are capitalized as part of plant, property and equipment and recorded as construction in progress until the projects are completed and placed into service.

 

Valuation of Assets

 

Long-lived assets, including plant, property and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. The impairment loss would be measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

 

Wireless Licenses

 

The Partnership’s principal intangible assets are licenses, which provide the Partnership with the exclusive right to utilize designated radio frequency spectrum to provide wireless communication services. While licenses are issued for only a fixed time, generally ten years, such licenses are subject to renewal by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). License renewals have occurred routinely and at nominal costs, which are expensed as incurred. Moreover, the Partnership has determined that there are currently no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors that limit the useful life of the Partnership’s wireless licenses. As a result, the wireless licenses are treated as an indefinite lived intangible asset, and are not amortized. The Partnership reevaluates the useful life determination for wireless licenses at least annually to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life.

 

The Partnership tests its wireless licenses for potential impairment annually. In 2013, the Partnership performed a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of its wireless licenses was less than the carrying amount. As part of the assessment, the Partnership considered several qualitative factors including the business enterprise value of the Partnership, macroeconomic conditions (including changes in interest rates and discount rates), industry and market considerations (including industry revenue and EBITDA (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) margin projections), the projected financial performance of the Partnership, as well as other factors. Based on our assessment in 2013, we qualitatively concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of our wireless licenses significantly exceeded their carrying value and therefore, did not result in an impairment. In 2012, the Partnership’s quantitative assessment consisted of comparing the estimated fair value of the Partnership’s wireless licenses to the aggregated carrying amount as of the test date. Using the quantitative assessment, the Partnership evaluated its licenses on an aggregate basis using a direct value approach. The direct value approach estimates fair value using a discounted cash flow analysis to estimate what a marketplace participant would be willing to pay to purchase the aggregated wireless licenses as of the valuation date. If the fair value of the aggregated wireless licenses is less than the aggregated carrying amount of the licenses, an impairment is recognized. The Partnership’s annual quantitative impairment test for 2012 indicated that the fair value significantly exceeded the carrying value and, therefore, did not result in an impairment. The Partnership evaluated its wireless licenses for potential impairment as of December 15, 2013 and 2012.

 

Interest expense incurred while qualifying activities are performed to ready wireless licenses for their intended use is capitalized as part of wireless licenses. The capitalization period ends when a license is substantially complete and the license is ready for its intended use.

 

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Goodwill

 

Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of businesses over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Impairment testing for goodwill is performed annually in the fourth fiscal quarter or more frequently if impairment indicators are present. The Partnership has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if the fair value of the entity is less than its carrying value. However, the Partnership may elect to perform an impairment test even if no indications of a potential impairment exist. The impairment test for goodwill uses a two-step approach, which is performed for the Partnership’s one reporting unit. Step one compares the fair value of the reporting unit (calculated using a market approach and/or a discounted cash flow method) to its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, there is a potential impairment and step two must be performed. Step two compares the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to its implied fair value (i.e., fair value of reporting unit less the fair value of the unit’s assets and liabilities, including identifiable intangible assets). If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount of goodwill, an impairment is recognized. The Partnership completed its goodwill impairment test as of December 15, 2013 and 2012. The Partnership’s annual impairment tests for 2013 and 2012 indicated that the fair value significantly exceeded the carrying value and, therefore, did not result in an impairment.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The three-tier hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, which prioritizes the inputs used in the methodologies of measuring fair value for assets and liabilities, is as follows:

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities

Level 3 – No observable pricing inputs in the market

 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The Partnership’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.

 

See Note 4 for further details on the Partnership’s fair value measurements.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The functional currency for all of the Partnership’s operations is the U.S. dollar. However, the Partnership has transactions denominated in a currency other than the local currency, principally debt denominated in Euros and British Pounds Sterling. Gains and losses resulting from exchange-rate changes in transactions denominated in a foreign currency are included in earnings.

 

Derivative Instruments

 

The Partnership uses derivatives from time to time to manage the Partnership’s exposure to fluctuations in the cash flows of certain transactions. The Partnership measures all derivatives at fair value and recognizes them as either assets or liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets. The Partnership’s derivative instruments are valued primarily using models based on readily observable market parameters for all substantial terms of the Partnership’s derivative contracts and thus are classified as Level 2. Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments not qualifying as hedges or any ineffective portion of hedges are recognized in earnings in the current period. Changes in the fair values of derivative instruments used effectively as fair value hedges are recognized in earnings, along with changes in the fair value of the hedged item. Changes in the fair value of the effective portions of cash flow hedges are reported in Other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in earnings when the hedged item is recognized in earnings.

 

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Employee Benefit Plans

 

The Partnership maintains a defined contribution plan, the Verizon Wireless Savings and Retirement Plan (the Savings and Retirement Plan), for the benefit of its employees. The Savings and Retirement Plan includes both an employee savings and profit sharing component. Under the employee savings component, employees may contribute a percentage of eligible compensation to the Savings and Retirement Plan. Up to the first 6% of an employee’s eligible compensation contributed to the Savings and Retirement Plan is matched 100% by the Partnership. Under the profit sharing component, the Partnership may elect, at the sole discretion of the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Representatives, to contribute an additional amount in the form of a profit sharing contribution to the accounts of eligible employees (see Note 9).

 

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

 

The Partnership measures compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values (see Note 6).

 

Income Taxes

 

The Partnership is not a taxable entity for federal income tax purposes. Any federal taxable income or loss is included in the respective partners’ consolidated federal return. Certain states, however, impose taxes at the partnership level and such taxes are the responsibility of the Partnership and are included in the Partnership’s tax provision. The consolidated financial statements also include provisions for federal and state income taxes, prepared on a stand-alone basis, for all corporate entities within the Partnership. Deferred income taxes are recorded using enacted tax law and rates for the years in which the taxes are expected to be paid or refunds received. Deferred income taxes are provided for items when there is a temporary difference in recording such items for financial reporting and income tax reporting.

 

The Partnership uses a two-step approach for recognizing and measuring tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The first step is recognition: the Partnership determines whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Partnership presumes that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The second step is measurement: a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Differences between tax positions taken in a tax return and amounts recognized in the financial statements will generally result in one or more of the following: an increase in a liability for income taxes payable, a reduction of an income tax refund receivable, a reduction in a deferred tax asset, or an increase in a deferred tax liability.

 

The Partnership recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

 

Concentrations

 

The Partnership relies on local and long-distance telephone companies, some of whom are related parties (see Note 11), and other companies to provide certain communication services. Although management believes alternative telecommunications facilities could be found in a timely manner, any disruption of these services could potentially have an adverse impact on the Partnership’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

No single customer receivable is large enough to present a significant financial risk to the Partnership.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

During the first quarter of 2013, the Partnership adopted the accounting standard update regarding testing of intangible assets for impairment. This standard update allows companies the option to perform a qualitative

 

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assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. An entity is not required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset and perform the quantitative impairment test unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not the asset is impaired. The adoption of this standard update did not have an impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.

 

During the first quarter of 2013, the Partnership adopted the accounting standard update regarding reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income. This standard update requires companies to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of income if the amount being reclassified is required to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference to other required disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. See Note 12 for additional details.

 

During the third quarter of 2013, the Partnership adopted the accounting standard update regarding the ability to use the Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. Previously the interest rates on direct Treasury obligations of the U.S. government and the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) were considered to be the only benchmark interest rates. The adoption of this standard update did not have a significant impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Recent Accounting Standards

 

In July 2013, the accounting standard update relating to the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists was issued. The standard update provides that a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit should be offset against same jurisdiction deferred tax assets for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. The Partnership will adopt this standard update during the first quarter of 2014. The Partnership is currently evaluating the consolidated balance sheet impact related to this standard update.

 

2. Acquisitions and Divestitures

 

Wireless Transaction

 

On September 2, 2013, Verizon entered into a stock purchase agreement (the Stock Purchase Agreement) with Vodafone and Vodafone 4 Limited (Seller), pursuant to which Verizon agreed to acquire Vodafone’s indirect 45% interest in the Partnership, (and such interest, the Vodafone Interest) for aggregate consideration of approximately $130 billion.

 

On February 21, 2014, pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement, Verizon acquired (the Wireless Transaction) from Seller all of the issued and outstanding capital stock (the Transferred Shares) of Vodafone Americas Finance 1 Inc., a subsidiary of Seller (VF1 Inc.), which indirectly through certain subsidiaries (together with VF1 Inc., the Purchased Entities) owned the Vodafone Interest. In consideration for the Transferred Shares, upon completion of the Wireless Transaction, Verizon (i) paid approximately $58.89 billion in cash, (ii) issued approximately $60.15 billion of Verizon’s common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the Stock Consideration), (iii) issued senior unsecured Verizon notes in an aggregate principal amount of $5.0 billion (the Verizon Notes), (iv) sold Verizon’s indirectly owned 23.1% interest in Vodafone Omnitel N.V. (Omnitel, and such interest, the Omnitel Interest), valued at $3.5 billion and (v) provided other consideration of approximately $2.5 billion. As a result of the Wireless Transaction, Verizon issued approximately 1.27 billion shares. The total cash paid to Vodafone and the other costs of the Wireless Transaction, including financing, legal and bank fees, were financed through the incurrence of third-party indebtedness.

 

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Spectrum License Transactions

 

Since 2012, the Partnership has entered into several strategic spectrum transactions including:

 

·                   During the third quarter of 2012, after receiving the required regulatory approvals, the Partnership completed the following previously announced transactions in which the Partnership acquired wireless spectrum that will be used to deploy additional 4G LTE capacity:

 

·                   The Partnership acquired Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) spectrum in separate transactions with SpectrumCo, LLC (SpectrumCo) and Cox TMI Wireless, LLC for which it paid an aggregate of $3.9 billion at the time of the closings. The Partnership has also recorded a liability of $0.4 billion related to a three-year service obligation to SpectrumCo’s members pursuant to commercial agreements executed concurrently with the SpectrumCo transaction.

 

·                   The Partnership completed license purchase and exchange transactions with Leap Wireless, Savary Island Wireless, which is majority owned by Leap Wireless, and a subsidiary of T-Mobile USA, Inc. (T-Mobile USA). As a result of these transactions, the Partnership received an aggregate $2.6 billion of AWS and Personal Communication Services (PCS) licenses at fair value and net cash proceeds of $0.2 billion, transferred certain AWS licenses to T-Mobile USA and a 700 megahertz (MHz) lower A block license to Leap Wireless, and recorded an immaterial gain.

 

·                   During the first quarter of 2013, the Partnership completed license exchange transactions with T-Mobile License LLC and Cricket License Company, LLC, a subsidiary of Leap Wireless, to exchange certain AWS licenses. These non-cash exchanges include a number of intra-market swaps that the Partnership expects will enable it to make more efficient use of the AWS band. As a result of these exchanges, the Partnership received an aggregate $0.5 billion of AWS licenses at fair value and recorded an immaterial gain.

 

·                   During the third quarter of 2013, after receiving the required regulatory approvals, the Partnership sold 39 lower 700 MHz B block spectrum licenses to AT&T Inc. (AT&T) in exchange for a payment of $1.9 billion and the transfer by AT&T to the Partnership of AWS (10 MHz) licenses in certain markets in the western United States. The Partnership also sold certain lower 700 MHz B block spectrum licenses to an investment firm for a payment of $0.2 billion. As a result, the Partnership received $0.5 billion of AWS licenses at fair value and the Partnership recorded a pre-tax gain of approximately $0.4 billion in Selling, general and administrative expense on its consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

·                   During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Partnership entered into license exchange agreements with T-Mobile USA to exchange certain AWS and PCS licenses. These non-cash exchanges, which are subject to approval by the FCC and other customary closing conditions, are expected to close in the first half of 2014. The exchange includes a number of swaps that the Partnership expects will result in more efficient use of the AWS and PCS bands. As a result of these agreements, $0.9 billion of Wireless licenses are classified as held for sale and included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013. Upon completion of the transaction, the Partnership expects to record an immaterial gain.

 

·                   Subsequent to the transaction with T-Mobile USA in the fourth quarter of 2013, on January 6, 2014, the Partnership announced two agreements with T-Mobile USA with respect to its remaining 700 MHz A block spectrum licenses. Under one agreement, the Partnership will sell certain of these licenses to T-Mobile USA in exchange for cash consideration of approximately $2.4 billion, and under the second agreement the Partnership will exchange the remainder of these licenses for AWS and PCS spectrum licenses. These transactions are subject to the approval of the FCC as well as other customary closing conditions. These transactions are expected to close in the middle of 2014.

 

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Other

 

During 2013, the Partnership acquired various other wireless licenses and markets for cash consideration that was not significant. Additionally, the Partnership obtained control of previously unconsolidated wireless partnerships, which were previously accounted for under the equity method and are now consolidated, which resulted in an immaterial gain. The Partnership recorded $0.2 billion of goodwill as a result of these transactions.

 

During 2012, the Partnership acquired various other wireless licenses and markets for cash consideration that was not significant and recorded $0.2 billion of goodwill as a result of these transactions.

 

3. Wireless Licenses, Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net

 

Wireless Licenses

 

Changes in the carrying amount of Wireless licenses are as follows:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

Balance as of January 1, 2012

 

$

73,097

 

Acquisitions (Note 2)

 

4,544

 

Capitalized interest on wireless licenses

 

205

 

Reclassifications, adjustments and other

 

(204

)

Balance as of December 31, 2012

 

77,642

 

Acquisitions (Note 2)

 

579

 

Dispositions (Note 2)

 

(2,195

)

Capitalized interest on wireless licenses

 

540

 

Reclassifications, adjustments and other

 

(770

)

Balance as of December 31, 2013

 

$

75,796

 

 

Reclassifications, adjustments and other includes $0.9 billion of Wireless licenses that are classified as held for sale and included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013 as well as the exchanges of wireless licenses in 2013 and 2012. See Note 2 for additional details.

 

At December 31, 2013 and 2012, approximately $7.7 billion and $7.3 billion, respectively, of wireless licenses were under development for commercial service for which the Partnership was capitalizing interest costs.

 

The average remaining renewal period of the Partnership’s wireless license portfolio was 5.1 years as of December 31, 2013. See Note 1 for additional details.

 

Goodwill

 

Changes in the carrying amount of Goodwill are as follows:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2012

 

$

17,528

 

Acquisitions (Note 2)

 

209

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

 

17,737

 

Acquisitions (Note 2)

 

204

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

$

17,941

 

 

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Other Intangibles, net

 

Other intangibles, net are included in Other intangibles and other assets, net and consist of the following:

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013

 

At December 31, 2012

 

 

 

Gross

 

Accumulated

 

Net

 

Gross

 

Accumulated

 

Net

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Amout

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Amount

 

Customer lists (6 to 8 years)

 

$

2,232

 

$

(1,803

)

$

   429

 

$

2,187

 

$

(1,550

)

$

637

 

Non-network internal-use software

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5 to 7 years)

 

1,897

 

(802

)

1,095

 

1,462

 

(589

)

873

 

Other (2 to 3 years)

 

7

 

(1

)

6

 

26

 

(21

)

5

 

Total

 

$

4,136

 

$

(2,606

)

$

1,530

 

$

3,675

 

$

(2,160

)

$

1,515

 

 

The amortization expense for other intangible assets was as follows:

 

Years

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2013

 

$ 476

 

2012

 

465

 

2011

 

513

 

 

Estimated annual amortization expense for other intangible assets is as follows:

 

Years

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2014

 

$ 434

 

2015

 

360

 

2016

 

279

 

2017

 

192

 

2018

 

146

 

 

4. Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments

 

The following table presents the balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2013:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other intangibles and other assets, net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivative contracts—Cross currency swaps (Non-current)

 

$

 

$

166

 

$

 

$

166

 

 

Derivative contracts are valued using models based on readily observable market parameters for all substantial terms of the Partnership’s derivative contracts and thus are classified within Level 2. The Partnership uses mid-market pricing for fair value measurements of its derivative instruments. The Partnership’s derivative instruments are recorded on a gross basis.

 

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The Partnership recognizes transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the end of the reporting period. There were no transfers within the fair value hierarchy during 2013.

 

Fair Value of Short-term and Long-term Debt

 

The fair value of the Partnership’s debt is determined using various methods, including quoted market prices for identical terms and maturities, which is a Level 1 measurement, as well as quoted prices for similar terms and maturities in inactive markets and future cash flows discounted at current rates, which are Level 2 measurements. The fair value of the Partnership’s short-term and long-term debt, excluding capital leases, was as follows:

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013

 

At December 31, 2012

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Value

 

Value

 

Value

 

Value

 

Short- and long-term debt, excluding capital leases

 

$

5,211

 

$

6,386

 

$

10,105

 

$

12,235

 

 

Derivative Instruments

 

The Partnership has entered into derivative transactions to manage its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Partnership employs risk management strategies which may include the use of a variety of derivatives including cross currency swaps agreements. The Partnership does not hold derivatives for trading purposes.

 

Cross Currency Swaps

 

The Partnership previously entered into cross currency swaps designated as cash flow hedges to exchange approximately $1.6 billion of British Pound Sterling and Euro-denominated debt into U.S. dollars and to fix its future interest and principal payments in U.S. dollars, as well as to mitigate the impact of foreign currency transaction gains or losses. A portion of the gains and losses recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss) was reclassified to Other income, net to offset the related pretax foreign currency transaction gain or loss on the underlying debt obligations. The fair value of the outstanding swaps was not material at December 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012. During 2013 and 2012, the gains with respect to these swaps were not material.

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of temporary cash investments, trade receivables and derivative contracts. The Partnership’s policy is to deposit its temporary cash investments with major financial institutions. Counterparties to the Partnership’s derivative contracts are also major financial institutions. The financial institutions have all been accorded high ratings by primary rating agencies. The Partnership limits the dollar amount of contracts entered into with any one financial institution and monitors its counterparties’ credit ratings. The Partnership generally does not give or receive collateral on swap agreements due to its credit rating and those of its counterparties. While the Partnership may be exposed to credit losses due to the nonperformance of its counterparties, the Partnership considers the risk remote and does not expect the settlement of these transactions to have a material effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

 

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5. Debt

 

Changes to debt during 2013 are as follows:

 

 

 

Debt Maturing

 

Long-term

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

within One Year

 

Debt

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2013

 

$

1,448

 

$

8,665

 

$10,113

 

Repayments of long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations

 

(1,460

)

(3,500

)

(4,960

)

Other

 

53

 

66

 

119

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

$

41

 

$

5,231

 

$5,272

 

 

Outstanding long-term debt obligations are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

At December 31,

 

Interest Rates %

 

Maturities

 

2013

 

2012

 

Notes payable

 

8.5 - 8.88

 

2015 - 2018

 

$

3,931

 

$

8,635

 

Alltel assumed notes

 

6.80 - 7.88

 

2016 - 2032

 

1,300

 

1,500

 

Capital lease obligations (average rate of 4.4% and 1.2% in 2013 and 2012, respectively)

 

 

 

 

 

61

 

8

 

Unamortized discount, net of premium

 

 

 

 

 

(20

)

(30

)

Total long-term debt, including current maturities

 

 

 

 

 

5,272

 

10,113

 

Less long-term debt maturing within one year

 

 

 

 

 

41

 

1,448

 

Total long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

$

5,231

 

$

 8,665

 

 

Verizon Wireless Capital LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Partnership, is a limited liability company formed under the laws of Delaware on December 7, 2001 as a special purpose finance subsidiary to facilitate the offering of debt securities of the Partnership by acting as co-issuer. Other than the financing activities as a co-issuer of the Partnership’s indebtedness, Verizon Wireless Capital LLC has no material assets, operations or revenues. The Partnership is jointly and severally liable with Verizon Wireless Capital LLC for co-issued notes.

 

Discounts, premiums, and capitalized debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest method.

 

2013

 

During November 2013, $1.25 billion of 7.375% Notes and $0.2 billion of 6.50% Notes matured and were repaid. Also during November 2013, the Partnership redeemed $3.5 billion of 5.55% Notes, due February 1, 2014 at a redemption price of 101% of the principal amount of the notes. Any accrued and unpaid interest was paid to the date of redemption.

 

2012

 

During February 2012, $0.8 billion of 5.25% Notes matured and were repaid. During July 2012, $0.8 billion of 7.0% Notes matured and were repaid.

 

Term Notes Payable to Affiliate

 

Under the terms of a fixed rate promissory note with Verizon Financial Services LLC (VFSL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Verizon, the Partnership may borrow, repay and re-borrow up to a maximum principal amount of $0.8 billion. During July 2013, the maturity date of this note was extended to August 1, 2016 and the interest rate decreased from 5.8% to 4.5% per annum. As of December 31, 2013, outstanding borrowings under this note, included within Other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet, were immaterial.

 

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Debt Covenants

 

As of December 31, 2013, the Partnership is in compliance with all of its debt covenants.

 

Maturities of Long-Term Debt

Maturities of long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2013 are as follows:

 

Years

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2014

 

 

$

41

 

2015

 

 

699

 

2016

 

 

299

 

2017

 

 

7

 

2018

 

 

3,226

 

Thereafter

 

 

1,000

 

 

6. Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

Verizon Wireless Long-Term Incentive Plan (Wireless Plan)

 

The Wireless Plan provides compensation opportunities to eligible employees and other participating affiliates of the Partnership. The plan provides rewards that are tied to the long-term performance of the Partnership. Under the Wireless Plan, Value Appreciation Rights (VARs) were granted to eligible employees. As of December 31, 2013, all VARs were fully vested. The Partnership has not granted new VARs since 2004.

 

VARs reflect the change in the value of the Partnership, as defined in the Wireless Plan. Similar to stock options, the valuation is determined using a Black-Scholes model. Once VARs become vested, employees can exercise their VARs and receive a payment that is equal to the difference between the VAR price on the date of grant and the VAR price on the date of exercise, less applicable taxes. All outstanding VARs are fully exercisable and have a maximum term of 10 years. All VARs were granted at a price equal to the estimated fair value of the Partnership, as defined in the Wireless Plan, at the date of the grant.

 

The Partnership employs the income approach, a standard valuation technique, to arrive at the fair value of the Partnership on a quarterly basis using publicly available information. The income approach uses future net cash flows discounted at market rates of return to arrive at an estimate of fair value, as defined in the plan.

 

The following table summarizes the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model for the year ended December 31, 2013:

 

 

 

2013

 

 

End of Period

Risk-free rate

 

0.11%

Expected term (in years)

 

0.12

Expected volatility

 

43.27%

 

The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the measurement date. Expected volatility was based on a blend of the historical and implied volatility of publicly traded peer companies for a period equal to the VARs expected life ending on the measurement date.

 

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For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the intrinsic value of VARs exercised during the period was $0.1 billion, respectively.

 

Cash paid to settle VARs for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $0.1 billion, respectively.

 

Awards outstanding at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 under the Wireless Plan are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise Price

 

Vested

 

(shares in thousands)

 

VARs (a)

 

of VARs (a)

 

VARs (a)

 

Outstanding, January 1, 2011

 

11,569

 

$

13.11

 

11,569

 

Exercised

 

(3,303

)

14.87

 

 

 

Cancelled/Forfeited

 

(52

)

14.74

 

 

 

Outstanding, December 31, 2011

 

8,214

 

12.39

 

8,214

 

Exercised

 

(3,427

)

10.30

 

 

 

Cancelled/Forfeited

 

(21

)

11.10

 

 

 

Outstanding, December 31, 2012

 

4,766

 

13.89

 

4,766

 

Exercised

 

(1,916

)

13.89

 

 

 

Cancelled/Forfeited

 

(3

)

13.89

 

 

 

Outstanding, December 31, 2013

 

2,847

 

$

13.89

 

2,847

 

 

(a)                  The weighted average exercise price is presented in dollars; VARs are presented in units. At December 31, 2013 all outstanding VARs had an exercise price of $13.89 and substantially all of the VARs expire in March 2014.

 

As of December 31, 2013, the aggregate intrinsic value of VARs outstanding and vested was $0.1 billion.

 

Verizon Communications Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

The Verizon Communications Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the Verizon Plan) permits the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance stock units and other awards to Partnership employees. The maximum number of shares available for awards from the Verizon Plan is 119.6 million shares.

 

Restricted Stock Units

 

The Verizon Plan provides for grants of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) that generally vest at the end of the third year after the grant. The RSUs are classified as equity awards because the RSUs will be paid in Verizon common stock upon vesting. The RSU equity awards are measured using the grant date fair value of Verizon common stock and are not remeasured at the end of each reporting period. Dividend equivalent units are also paid to participants at the time the RSU award is paid, and in the same proportion as the RSU award.

 

The Partnership had approximately 4.1 million and 4.7 million RSUs outstanding under the Verizon Plan as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

Performance Stock Units

 

The Verizon Plan also provides for grants of Performance Stock Units (PSUs) that generally vest at the end of the third year after the grant. As defined by the Verizon Plan, the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors of Verizon determines the number of PSUs a participant earns based on the extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved over the three-year performance cycle. The PSUs are classified as liability awards because the PSU awards are paid in cash upon vesting. The PSU award liability is measured at its fair value at the end of each reporting period and, therefore, will fluctuate based on the price of

 

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Verizon common stock as well as performance relative to the targets. Dividend equivalent units are also paid to participants at the time that the PSU award is determined and paid, and in the same proportion as the PSU award.

 

The Partnership had approximately 6.0 million and 7.0 million PSUs outstanding under the Verizon Plans as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2013, unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested portion of the Partnership’s RSUs and PSUs was approximately $0.1 billion and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

For each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Partnership recognized compensation expense for stock based compensation related to VARs, RSUs and PSUs of $0.2 billion, $0.3 billion and $0.2 billion, respectively.

 

7. Income Taxes

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes consists of the following:

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

Current tax provision:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

47

 

$

106

 

$

476

 

State and local

 

31

 

(28

)

103

 

 

 

78

 

78

 

579

 

Deferred tax provision:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

60

 

35

 

369

 

State and local

 

12

 

88

 

(1

)

 

 

72

 

123

 

368

 

Provision for income taxes

 

$

150

 

$

201

 

$

947

 

 

A reconciliation of the income tax provision computed at the statutory tax rate to the Partnership’s effective tax rate is as follows:

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

Income tax provision at the statutory rate

 

 

$

9,270

 

 

$

7,481

 

 

$

6,264

 

State and local income taxes, net of U.S. federal benefit

 

 

45

 

 

47

 

 

57

 

Other

 

 

(28

)

 

3

 

 

(7

)

Partnership income not subject to federal or state income taxes

 

 

(9,137

)

 

(7,330

)

 

(5,367

)

Provision for income tax

 

 

$

150

 

 

$

201

 

 

$

947

 

 

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Deferred taxes arise because of differences in the book and tax bases of certain assets and liabilities. Significant components of the Partnership’s deferred taxes are shown in the following table:

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

At December 31,

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforward

 

$

165

 

 

$

122

 

 

Valuation allowance

 

(89

)

 

(55

)

 

Other

 

207

 

 

134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

283

 

 

201

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets

 

9,457

 

 

9,355

 

 

Plant, property and equipment

 

1,407

 

 

1,445

 

 

Other

 

354

 

 

264

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

11,218

 

 

11,064

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset-current (a)

 

66

 

 

76

 

 

Net deferred tax liability-non-current

 

$

11,001

 

 

$

10,939

 

 

 

(a)               Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

At December 31, 2013, the Partnership had state net operating loss carryforwards of $3.6 billion. These net operating loss carryforwards expire at various dates principally from December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2033.

 

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

Balance as of January 1

 

$306

 

$267

 

$

393

 

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

 

16

 

13

 

10

 

Additions for tax positions of prior years

 

9

 

72

 

53

 

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

 

(48

)

(49

)

(187)

 

Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations

 

(73

)

 

(2)

 

Settlements

 

 

3

 

 

Balance as of December 31

 

$210

 

$306

 

$

267

 

 

Included in the total unrecognized tax benefits balance is $0.1 billion, $0.2 billion and $0.2 billion as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective tax rate. The remaining unrecognized tax benefits relate to temporary items that would not affect the effective tax rate.

 

The after-tax accrual for the payment of interest and penalties in the balance sheet relating to the unrecognized tax benefits reflected above was not significant for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

 

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The net after-tax benefits (expenses) related to interest in the provision for income taxes were not significant for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

 

The Partnership or its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and local jurisdictions. The Partnership is generally no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2003. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is currently examining some of the Partnership’s subsidiaries. As a result of the anticipated resolution of various income tax matters within the next twelve months, the Partnership believes that it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits may be adjusted. An estimate of the amount of the change attributable to any such settlement cannot be made until issues are further developed or examinations close.

 

8. Leases

 

As Lessee

 

The Partnership has entered into operating leases for facilities and equipment used in its operations. Lease contracts contain renewal options that include rent expense adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index as well as annual and end-of-lease term adjustments. Rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the noncancelable lease term which is generally determined to be the initial lease term. Total rent expense under operating leases amounted to $2.0 billion in 2013, $1.8 billion in 2012 and $1.7 billion in 2011.

 

The aggregate future minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating leases, excluding renewal options that are not reasonably assured for the periods shown at December 31, 2013, are as follows:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Operating

 

Years

 

Leases  

 

2014

 

$

1,689

 

2015

 

1,518

 

2016

 

1,290

 

2017

 

1,043

 

2018

 

822

 

Thereafter

 

2,974

 

Total minimum rental commitments

 

$

9,336

 

 

9. Supplementary Financial Information

 

Supplementary Balance Sheet Information

 

 

 

At December 31,

(dollars in millions)

 

2013

 

2012

 

Receivables, Net:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

$6,228

 

$5,848

 

Other receivables

 

1,067

 

864

 

Unbilled revenue

 

308

 

295

 

 

 

7,603

 

7,007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(399

)

(350

)

Receivables, net

 

$7,204

 

$6,657

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

At December 31,

 

Lives (years)

 

2013

 

2012

 

Plant, Property and Equipment, Net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

 

$

244

 

$

244

 

Buildings

 

20-45

 

11,742

 

10,855

 

Wireless plant and equipment

 

3-15

 

60,550

 

54,867

 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

 

3-10

 

3,700

 

3,603

 

Leasehold improvements

 

5

 

4,728

 

4,310

 

Construction-in-progress (b)

 

 

2,283

 

2,572

 

 

 

 

 

83,247

 

76,451

 

Less: accumulated depreciation (c)

 

 

 

(47,315

)

(41,905

)

Plant, property and equipment, net (a)

 

 

 

$

35,932

 

$

34,546

 

 

(a)               Interest costs of $0.1 billion and network engineering costs of $0.5 billion and $0.4 billion were capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

(b)              Construction-in-progress includes $0.9 billion and $1.2 billion of accrued but unpaid capital expenditures as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

(c)               Depreciation of plant, property and equipment was $7.7 billion, $7.5 billion and $7.4 billion, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

At December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable, accrued interest and accrued expenses

 

$4,176

 

$4,538

 

Accrued payroll and related employee benefits

 

1,347

 

1,385

 

Taxes payable

 

651

 

687

 

Accrued commissions

 

838

 

924

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$7,012

 

$7,534

 

 

Supplementary Statements of Income Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

Advertising and Promotional Cost:

 

$

1,856

 

$

1,826

 

$

1,925

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee Benefit Plans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matching contribution expense

 

$

251

 

$

247

 

$

231

 

 

Profit sharing expense

 

152

 

60

 

82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Expense, Net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

$

(720

)

$

(776

)

$

(954

)

 

Capitalized interest

 

655

 

334

 

344

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

$

(65

)

$

(442

)

$

(610

)

 

 

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Supplementary Cash Flows Information

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

   2013

 

2012

 

   2011

 

Net cash paid for income taxes

 

$    179

 

$    245

 

 

$    505

 

Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized

 

130

 

464

 

 

610

 

 

10. Noncontrolling Interests

 

Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries were as follows:

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

At December 31,

 

2013

 

2012

 

Verizon Wireless of the East LP

 

$1,179

 

$1,179

 

Cellular partnerships - various

 

1,100

 

865

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

$2,279

 

$2,044

 

 

Verizon Wireless of the East LP

 

Verizon Wireless of the East LP is a limited partnership formed in 2002 and is controlled and managed by the Partnership. Verizon held the noncontrolling interest of Verizon Wireless of the East LP at December 31, 2013 and 2012. As per the agreement between the Partnership and Verizon, Verizon has not been allocated any of the profits of Verizon Wireless of the East LP.

 

11. Other Transactions with Affiliates

 

In addition to transactions with Affiliates in Note 5, other significant transactions with Affiliates are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

For the Years Ended December 31,

 

   2013

 

   2012

 

   2011

 

Revenue related to transactions with affiliated companies

 

$   102

 

$     83

 

$     87

 

Cost of service (a)

 

1,378

 

1,365

 

1,396

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (b)

 

917

 

584

 

312

 

 

(a)               Affiliate cost of service primarily represents charges for long distance, direct telecommunication and roaming services provided by affiliates.

 

(b)              Affiliate selling, general and administrative expenses include charges from affiliates for services provided, including insurance, leases, office telecommunications, and billing and lockbox services, as well as services billed from Verizon Corporate Services, Verizon Sourcing LLC, Verizon Corporate Resources Group and Verizon Data Solutions for functions performed under service level agreements.

 

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Other Transactions with Affiliates

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 include $68 million and $92 million, respectively, due to affiliates primarily comprised of costs associated with services provided in the normal course of business and roaming services.

 

Distributions to Partners

 

In May 2013, the Board of Representatives of the Partnership declared a distribution to its owners, which was paid in the second quarter of 2013 in proportion to their partnership interests on the payment date, in the aggregate amount of $7.0 billion. As a result, Vodafone received a cash payment of $3.15 billion and the remainder of the distribution was received by Verizon.

 

In November 2012, the Board of Representatives of the Partnership declared a distribution to its owners, which was paid in the fourth quarter of 2012 in proportion to their partnership interests on the payment date, in the aggregate amount of $8.5 billion. As a result, Vodafone received a cash payment of $3.8 billion and the remainder of the distribution was received by Verizon.

 

In July 2011, the Board of Representatives of the Partnership declared a distribution to its owners, which was paid in the first quarter of 2012 in proportion to their partnership interests on the payment date, in the aggregate amount of $10 billion. As a result, Vodafone received a cash payment of $4.5 billion and the remainder of the distribution was received by Verizon.

 

As required under the Partnership Agreement, the Partnership paid aggregate tax distributions of $10.0 billion, $7.2 billion and $3.1 billion to its Partners during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In addition to quarterly tax distributions to its Partners, its Partners have directed the Partnership to make supplemental tax distributions to them, subject to the Partnership’s board of representatives’ right to reconsider these distributions based on significant changes in overall business and financial conditions. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Partnership made supplemental tax distributions in the aggregate amount of $0.9 billion, which is included in the total distribution paid above.

 

During February 2014, the Partnership paid aggregate tax distributions of $1.8 billion to its Partners.

 

12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting Partners’ capital that, under U.S. GAAP, are excluded from net income.

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

The changes in the balances of Accumulated other comprehensive income by component are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Defined benefit

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized loss

 

pension and

 

 

 

 

 

on cash flow

 

postretirement

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

hedges

 

plans

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2013

 

$

80

 

$

4

 

84

 

Other comprehensive income

 

13

 

 

13

 

Amounts reclassified to net income

 

(45

)

 

(45

)

Net other comprehensive loss

 

(32

)

 

(32

)

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

$

48

 

$

4

 

52

 

 

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The amounts presented above in net other comprehensive loss are net of taxes and noncontrolling interests, which are not significant. For the year ended December 31, 2013, all other amounts reclassified to net income in the table above are included in Other income, net on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of income.

 

13. Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

Bell Atlantic, now known as Verizon Communications, and Vodafone entered into an alliance agreement to create a wireless business composed of both companies’ U.S. wireless assets, as amended, which the Partnership refers to as the “Alliance Agreement”. The Alliance Agreement contains a provision, subject to specified limitations, that requires Verizon and Vodafone to indemnify the Partnership for certain contingencies, excluding PrimeCo Personal Communications L.P. contingencies, arising prior to the formation of the Partnership.

 

Where it is determined, in consultation with counsel based on litigation and settlement risks, that a loss is probable and estimable in a given matter, the Partnership establishes an accrual. In none of the currently pending matters is the amount of accrual material. An estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of the amounts already accrued cannot be made at this time due to various factors typical in contested proceedings, including (1) uncertain damage theories and demands; (2) a less than complete factual record; (3) uncertainty concerning legal theories and their resolution by courts or regulators; and (4) the unpredictable nature of the opposing party and its demands. The Partnership continuously monitors these proceedings as they develop and adjusts any accrual or disclosure as needed. The Partnership does not expect that the ultimate resolution of any pending regulatory or legal matter in future periods will have a material effect on the Partnership’s financial condition, but it could have a material effect on the Partnership’s results of operations for a given reporting period.

 

Verizon has entered into reimbursement agreements with third-party lenders that permit these lenders to issue letters of credit to third parties on behalf of the Partnership and the Partnership’s subsidiaries.

 

The Partnership has several commitments primarily to purchase handsets and peripherals, equipment, software, programming and network services, and marketing activities, which will be used or sold in the ordinary course of business, from a variety of suppliers totaling $15.6 billion. Of this total amount, $13.6 billion is attributable to 2014, $1.0 billion is attributable to 2015 through 2016, $0.5 billion is attributable to 2017 through 2018 and $0.5 billion is attributable to years thereafter. These amounts do not represent the Partnership’s entire anticipated purchases in the future, but represent only those items that are the subject of contractual obligations. The Partnership’s commitments are generally determined based on the noncancelable quantities or termination amounts. Purchases against the Partnership’s commitments for 2013 totaled approximately $9.8 billion. The Partnership also purchases products and services as needed with no firm commitment.

 

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20F Disclosure – Description of American Depositary Shares (Item 12D)

 

Fees payable By ADR Holders

 

The Bank of New York Mellon, the depositary, collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADRs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADRs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors, including in connection with the payment of dividends, by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.

 

 

Persons depositing or withdrawing

shares must pay:

 

For:

$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADRs (or portion of 100 ADRs)

·   Issuance of ADRs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property

 

·   Cancellation of ADRs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates

 

$.02 (or less) per ADR (or portion thereof). The current per ADR fee to be charged for an interim dividend is $0.015 per ADR and for a final dividend is $0.02 per ADR.

 

·   Any cash distribution to ADR registered holders

A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADRs

 

·   Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities which are distributed by the depositary to ADR registered holders

Registration or transfer fees

·   Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares

 

Expenses of the depositary

·   Cable, telex, facsimile transmissions and delivery expenses (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)

 

·   Converting foreign currency to US dollars

 

Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian have to pay on any ADR or share underlying an ADR, for example, stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes

 

·   As necessary

 

Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities

 

·   As necessary

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Fees Payable By The Depositary To The Issuer

 

As set out above, pursuant to the deposit agreement, the depositary may charge up to $0.02 per ADR in respect of dividends paid by us. We have agreed with the depositary that any dividend fee collected by it is paid to us, net of any dividend collection fee charged by it. For the year ended 31 March 2015, we agreed with the depositary that it will charge $0.015 per ADR in respect of any interim dividend and $0.02 per ADR in respect of any final dividend paid during that year.

 

As at 31 March 2015, we have received approximately $15.4 million arising out of fees charged in respect of dividends paid during the year. We also have an agreement with the depositary that it will absorb any of its out-of-pocket maintenance costs for servicing the holders of the ADRs up to $1,000,000 per calendar year. However, any of the depositary’s out-of-pocket maintenance costs which exceed the $1,000,000 annual aggregate limits will be reimbursed by us.

 

C-2



Table of Contents

 

Index to Exhibits

 

Index of Exhibits to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2015

 

1.1

 

Articles of Association, as adopted on June 30, 1999 and including all amendments made on July 25, 2001, July 26, 2005, July 25, 2006, July 24, 2007, July 29, 2008, July 28, 2009, July 27, 2010 and January 28, 2014, of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2014 (File No. 001-10086)).

 

 

 

2.1

 

Indenture, dated as of February 10, 2000, between the Company and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee, including forms of debt securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) of Post Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-10762), dated November 24, 2000).

 

 

 

2.2

 

Agreement of Resignation, Appointment and Acceptance dated as of July 24, 2007, among the Company, Citibank N.A. and The Bank of New York Mellon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2008 (File No. 001-10086)).

 

 

 

2.3

 

Twelfth Supplemental Trust Deed dated 4 August 2014 between Vodafone Group Plc and law Debenture Trust Corporation p.l.c. further modifying and restating the provisions of the Trust Deed dated 16 July 1999 relating to a Euro 30,000,000,000 Euro Medium Term Note Programme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.6

 

Agreement for €3,860,000,000 five year Revolving Credit Facility dated March 28, 2014 among the Company and various lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2014 (File No. 001-10086)).

 

 

 

4.7

 

Vodafone Group 1999 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2001 (File No. 001-10086)).

 

 

 

4.8

 

Vodafone Group 2005 Global Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2006 (File No. 001-10086)).

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.9

 

Facility Agreement dated 27 February 2015 US$3,935,000,000 revolving credit facility for Vodafone Group Plc

 

 

 

4.10

 

Letter of Appointment of Anne Lauvergeon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2006 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.11

 

Letter of Appointment of Luc Vandevelde (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2004 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.12

 

Letter of Appointment of Anthony Watson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.26 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2006 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.13

 

Letter of Appointment of Philip Yea (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.27 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2006 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.14

 

Service Agreement of Vittorio Colao (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2009 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.15

 

Letter of Appointment of Alan Jebson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.23 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2007 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.16

 

Letter of Appointment of Nick Land (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.24 to the Company’s Annual

 



Table of Contents

 

 

 

Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2007 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.17

 

Letter of Appointment of Samuel Jonah (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.26 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2009 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.18

 

Service Agreement of Stephen Pusey (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.28 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2009 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.19

 

Letter of Indemnification for Steve Pusey (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.27 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2010 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.20

 

Letter of Indemnification for Philip Yea (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.29 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2010 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.21

 

Letter of Indemnification for Luc Vandevelde (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.30 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2010 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.22

 

Letter of Appointment of Renee James (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.35 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2011 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.23

 

Letter of Appointment of Gerard Kleisterlee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.36 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2011 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.24

 

Letter of Appointment of Omid Kordestani (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.28 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2013 (File No. 001-10086) ).

 

 

 

4.25

 

Letter of Appointment of Valerie Gooding (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.30 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2014 (File No. 001-10086)).

 

 

 

4.26

 

Service Agreement of Nicholas Read (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.31 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2014 (File No. 001-10086)).

 

 

 

4.27

 

Letter of Appointment of Sir Crispin Davis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.32 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2014 (File No. 001-10086)).

 

 

 

4.28

 

Letter of Appointment of Dame Clara Furse (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.33 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2014 (File No. 001-10086)).

 

 

 

4.29

 

Letter of indemnification for Nick Read.

 

 

 

4.30

 

Letter of appointment for Dr Matthias Döpfner

 

 

 

4.31

 

Stock Purchase Agreement dated September 2, 2013, by and among Verizon Communications Inc., Vodafone Group Plc and Vodafone 4 Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.34 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2014 (File No. 001-10086)).

 

 

 

4.32

 

First Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement dated December 5, 2013 by and among Vodafone Group Plc, Vodafone 4 Limited and Verizon Communications Inc, amending the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement dated September 2, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.35 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2014 (File No. 001-10086)).

 

 

 

7.

 

Unaudited Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges for the financial years ended March 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

 

 

 

8.

 

The list of the Company’s subsidiaries is incorporated by reference to Note 32 to the Consolidated

 



Table of Contents

 

 

 

Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2015.

 

 

 

12.

 

Rule 13a – 14(a) Certifications.

 

 

 

13.

 

Rule 13a – 14(b) Certifications. These certifications are furnished only and are not filed as part of the Annual Report on Form 20-F for the financial year ended March 31, 2015.

 

 

 

15.1

 

Consent letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

 

 

 

15.2

 

Consent letter of Deloitte LLP, London.

 

 

 

15.3 Consent letter of Deloitte & Touche LLP, New York.

 

15.4 Letter dated 8 June 2015 of Deloitte LLP in respect of Item 16.F

 



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURE

 

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

 

VODAFONE GROUP PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

/s/ R E S Martin

 

Rosemary E S Martin

 

Group General Counsel and Company Secretary

Date: 8 June 2015

 

 


 

Exhibit 2.3

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

 

 

TWELFTH SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST DEED

 

 

 

 

 

4 AUGUST 2014

 

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

and

 

THE LAW DEBENTURE TRUST CORPORATION p.l.c.

 

further modifying and restating the provisions of

the Trust Deed dated 16 July 1999

 

relating to a

€30,000,000,000

Euro Medium Term Note Programme

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allen & Overy LLP

 



 

THIS TWELFTH SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST DEED is made on 4 August 2014

 

BETWEEN :

 

(1)                               VODAFONE GROUP PLC , a company incorporated with limited liability in England and Wales with registered number 1833679, whose registered office is Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England (the Issuer ); and

 

(2)                               THE LAW DEBENTURE TRUST CORPORATION p.l.c. , a company incorporated with limited liability in England and Wales with registered number 1675231, whose registered office is at Fifth Floor, 100 Wood Street, London EC2V 7EX, England (the Trustee , which expression shall, wherever the context so admits, include such company and all other persons or companies for the time being the trustee or trustees of these presents) as trustee for the Noteholders and the Couponholders.

 

WHEREAS :

 

(A)                            This Twelfth Supplemental Trust Deed is supplemental to:

 

(i)                                   the Trust Deed dated 16 July 1999 (hereinafter called the Principal Trust Deed ) made between the Issuer and the Trustee and relating to the Euro Medium Term Note Programme (the Programme ) established by the Issuer;

 

(ii)                               the First Supplemental Trust Deed dated 4 May 2000 (the First Supplemental Trust Deed ) made between the Issuer and the Trustee modifying and restating the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed;

 

(iii)                           the Second Supplemental Trust Deed dated 31 May 2001 (the Second Supplemental Trust Deed ) made between the Issuer and the Trustee further modifying and restating the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed;

 

(iv)                           the Third Supplemental Trust Deed dated 6 June 2002 (the Third Supplemental Trust Deed ) made between the Issuer and the Trustee further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed;

 

(v)                               the Fourth Supplemental Trust Deed dated 19 July 2005 (the Fourth Supplemental Trust Deed ) made between the Issuer and the Trustee further modifying and restating the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed;

 

(vi)                           the Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed dated 19 July 2006 (the Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed ) made between the Issuer and the Trustee further modifying and restating the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed;

 

(vii)                       the Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed dated 1 August 2007 (the Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed ) made between the Issuer and the Trustee further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed;

 

(viii)                   the Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed dated 14 July 2008 (the Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed ) made between the Issuer and the Trustee further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed;

 

1



 

(ix)                           the Eighth Supplemental Trust Deed dated 10 July 2009 (the Eighth Supplemental Trust Deed ) made between the Issuer and the Trustee further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed;

 

(x)                               the Ninth Supplemental Trust Deed dated 13 July 2010 (the Ninth Supplemental Trust Deed ) made between the Issuer and the Trustee further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed;

 

(xi)                           the Tenth Supplemental Trust Deed dated 8 July 2011 (the Tenth Supplemental Trust Deed ) made between the Issuer and the Trustee further modifying the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed; and

 

(xii)                       the Eleventh Supplemental Trust Deed dated 11 July 2013 (the Eleventh Supplemental Trust Deed , and, together with the Principal Trust Deed, the First Supplemental Trust Deed, the Second Supplemental Trust Deed, the Third Supplemental Trust Deed, the Fourth Supplemental Trust Deed, the Fifth Supplemental Trust Deed, the Sixth Supplemental Trust Deed, the Seventh Supplemental Trust Deed, the Eighth Supplemental Trust Deed, the Ninth Supplemental Trust Deed and the Tenth Supplemental Trust Deed, the Subsisting Trust Deeds ) made between the Issuer and the Trustee further modifying and restating the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed.

 

(B)                             On 4 August 2014 the Issuer published a modified and updated Prospectus (the Prospectus ) relating to the Programme.

 

NOW THIS TWELFTH SUPPLEMENTAL TRUST DEED WITNESSES AND IT IS HEREBY AGREED AND DECLARED as follows:

 

1.                                     SUBJECT as hereinafter provided and unless there is something in the subject matter or context inconsistent therewith all words and expressions defined in the Principal Trust Deed (as modified and restated as aforesaid) shall have the same meanings in this Twelfth Supplemental Trust Deed.

 

2.                                     SAVE:

 

(a)                                in relation to all Series of Notes the first Tranche of which was issued on or prior to the day last preceding the date of this Twelfth Supplemental Trust Deed; and

 

(b)                               for the purpose (where necessary) of construing the provisions of this Twelfth Supplemental Trust Deed,

 

with effect on and from the date of this Twelfth Supplemental Trust Deed:

 

(i)                                   the Principal Trust Deed (as modified and/or restated as aforesaid) is further modified in such manner as would result in the Principal Trust Deed as so modified being in the form set out in the Schedule hereto; and

 

(ii)                               the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed (as modified and/or restated as aforesaid) insofar as the same still have effect shall cease to have effect and in lieu thereof the provisions of the Principal Trust Deed as so modified and restated (and being in the form set out in the Schedule hereto) shall have effect.

 

3.                                     FOR the avoidance of doubt, the Principal Trust Deed (without the modifications made hereby but, where applicable, as modified and/or restated as aforesaid) shall continue to have effect in relation to all Series of Notes the first Tranche of which was issued on or prior to the day last preceding the date of this Twelfth Supplemental Trust Deed.

 

2



 

4.                                     THE Subsisting Trust Deeds shall henceforth be read and construed as one document with this Twelfth Supplemental Trust Deed.

 

5.                                     A Memorandum of the Twelfth Supplemental Trust Deed shall be endorsed by the Trustee on the Principal Trust Deed and by the Issuer on its duplicate thereof.

 

IN WITNESS whereof this Twelfth Supplemental Trust Deed has been executed by the Issuer and the Trustee as a deed and delivered on the day and year first above written.

 

3



 

THE SCHEDULE

 

FORM OF MODIFIED PRINCIPAL TRUST DEED

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRUST DEED

 

 

 

16 JULY 1999

 

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

and

 

THE LAW DEBENTURE TRUST CORPORATION p.l.c.

 

 

 

relating to a

€30,000,000,000

Euro Medium Term Note Programme

 



 

CONTENTS

 

Clause

Page

 

 

 

1.

Definitions

6

2.

Amount and issue of the Notes

17

3.

Forms of the Notes

19

4.

Fees, Duties and Taxes

22

5.

Covenant of Compliance

22

6.

Cancellation of Notes and Records

22

7.

Enforcement

23

8.

Proceedings, Action and Indemnification

23

9.

Application of Moneys

24

10.

Notice of Payments

24

11.

Investment by Trustee

24

12.

Partial Payments

25

13.

Covenants

25

14.

Remuneration and Indemnification of Trustee

28

15.

Supplement to Trustee Acts

29

16.

Trustee’s Liability

33

17.

Trustee contracting with the Issuer

33

18.

Waiver, Authorisation and Determination

34

19.

Holder of Definitive Bearer Note assumed to be Couponholder

35

20.

Substitution and consolidation merger, Conveyance, Transfer Or Lease

35

21.

Currency Indemnity

38

22.

New Trustee

39

23.

Trustee’s Retirement and Removal

39

24.

Trustee’s powers to be additional

40

25.

Notices

40

26.

Governing Law

40

27.

Counterparts

41

28.

Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999

41

 

 

 

Schedule

 

 

 

 

1.

Terms and Conditions of the Notes

42

2.

Forms of Global and Definitive Notes, Certificates, Coupons and Talons

73

 

Part 1

Form of Temporary Global Note

73

 

Part 2

Form of Permanent Global Note

82

 

Part 3

Form of Regulation S Global Certificate

92

 

Part 4

Form of DTC Restricted Global Certificate

97

 

Part 5

Form of Definitive Note

103

 

Part 6

Form of Coupon

107

 

Part 7

Form of Talon

108

 

Part 8

Form of Regulation S Certificate

110

 

Part 9

Form of DTC Restricted Certificate

115

3.

Provisions for Meetings of Noteholders

120

 

 

 

Signatories

128

 



 

THIS TRUST DEED is made on 16 July 1999

 

BETWEEN :

 

(1)                               VODAFONE GROUP PLC , a company incorporated with limited liability in England and Wales with registered number 1833679, whose registered office is Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England (the Issuer ); and

 

(2)                               THE LAW DEBENTURE TRUST CORPORATION p.l.c. , a company incorporated with limited liability in England and Wales with registered number 1675231, whose registered office is at Fifth Floor, 100 Wood Street, London EC2V 7EX, England (the Trustee , which expression shall, wherever the context so admits, include such company and all other persons or companies for the time being the trustee or trustees of these presents) as trustee for the Noteholders and the Couponholders (each as defined below).

 

WHEREAS :

 

(1)                               By a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer passed on 24 May 1999 the Issuer has resolved to establish a Euro Medium Term Note Programme pursuant to which the Issuer may from time to time issue Notes as set out therein and herein. Notes up to a maximum nominal amount (calculated in accordance with Clause 3.5 of the Programme Agreement (as defined below)) from time to time outstanding of €30,000,000,000 (subject to increase as provided in the Programme Agreement) (the Programme Limit ) may be issued pursuant to the said Programme.

 

(2)                               The Trustee has agreed to act as trustee of these presents for the benefit of the Noteholders and the Couponholders upon and subject to the terms and conditions of these presents.

 

NOW THIS TRUST DEED WITNESSES AND IT IS AGREED AND DECLARED as follows:

 

1.                                     DEFINITIONS

 

1.1                             In these presents unless there is anything in the subject or context inconsistent therewith the following expressions shall have the following meanings:

 

Agents means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the other Paying Agents, the Calculation Agent, the Registrar, the other Transfer Agents or any of them;

 

Agency Agreement means the amended and restated agency agreement dated 4 August 2014, as amended and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, pursuant to which the Issuer has appointed the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent and the other Agents in relation to all or any Series of the Notes and any other agreement for the time being in force appointing further or other Agents in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, or in connection with their duties, the terms of which have previously been approved in writing by the Trustee, together with any agreement for the time being in force amending or modifying with the prior written approval of the Trustee any of the aforesaid agreements;

 

Appointee means any attorney, manager, agent, delegate or other person appointed by the Trustee under these presents;

 

Auditors means the auditors for the time being of the Issuer or, in the event of their being unable or unwilling promptly to carry out any action requested of them pursuant to the provisions of these

 

6



 

presents, such other firm of accountants as may be nominated or approved by the Trustee for the purposes of these presents;

 

Bearer Note means a Note that is in bearer form;

 

Calculation Agency Agreement means in relation to all or any Series of the Notes an agreement in or substantially in the form of Schedule I to the Agency Agreement;

 

Calculation Agent means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, the person appointed as such from time to time pursuant to the provisions of the Calculation Agency Agreement or any Successor calculation agent in relation thereto;

 

Certificate means a Definitive or Global Certificate representing one or more Registered Notes of the same Series and, save as provided in the Conditions, comprising the entire holding by a Noteholder of his Registered Notes of that Series;

 

CGN means a Temporary Global Note or a Permanent Global Note and in either case in respect of which the applicable Final Terms do not specify that it is a New Global Note;

 

Clearstream, Luxembourg means Clearstream Banking, société anonyme ;

 

Conditions means, in relation to the Notes of any Series, the terms and conditions endorsed on or incorporated by reference into the Note or Notes constituting or Certificate or certificates representing such Series, such terms and conditions being in or substantially in the form set out in the First Schedule or in such other form, having regard to the terms of issue of the Notes of the relevant Series, as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s) as completed and/or (in the case of Exempt Notes) modified and/or replaced by the Final Terms applicable to the Notes of the relevant Series, in each case as from time to time modified in accordance with the provisions of these presents;

 

Coupon means an interest coupon appertaining to a Definitive Bearer Note (other than a Zero Coupon Note), such coupon being:

 

(a)                                if appertaining to a Fixed Rate Note, in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part 6 A of the Second Schedule or in such other form, having regard to the terms of issue of the Notes of the relevant Series, as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s); or

 

(b)                               if appertaining to a Floating Rate Note or an Inflation Linked Interest Note, in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part 6 B of the Second Schedule or in such other form, having regard to the terms of issue of the Notes of the relevant Series, as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s); or

 

(c)                                if appertaining to a Definitive Note which is neither a Fixed Rate Note nor a Floating Rate Note nor an Inflation Linked Interest Note, in such form as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s),

 

and includes, where applicable, the Talon(s) appertaining thereto and any replacements for Coupons and Talons issued pursuant to Condition 11;

 

Couponholders means the several persons who are for the time being holders of the Coupons and includes, where applicable, the holders of the Talons;

 

7



 

Dealers means the entities named as Dealers in the Programme Agreement and any other entity which the Issuer may appoint as a Dealer and notice of whose appointment has been given to the Agent and the Trustee by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement but excluding any entity whose appointment has been terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement and notice of which termination has been given to the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent and the Trustee by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement and references to a relevant Dealer or relevant Dealer(s)  mean, in relation to any Tranche or Series of Notes, the Dealer or Dealers with whom the Issuer has agreed the issue of the Notes of such Tranche or Series and Dealer means any one of them;

 

Definitive Bearer Note means a bearer Note in definitive form issued or, as the case may require, to be issued by the Issuer in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s), the Agency Agreement and these presents in exchange for either a Temporary Global Note or part thereof or a Permanent Global Note (all as indicated in the applicable Final Terms), such bearer Note in definitive form being in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part 5 of the Second Schedule with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s) and having the Conditions endorsed thereon or, if permitted by the relevant Stock Exchange, incorporating the Conditions by reference (where applicable to this Trust Deed) as indicated in the applicable Final Terms and having the relevant information completing the Conditions appearing in the applicable Final Terms endorsed thereon or attached thereto and (except in the case of a Zero Coupon Note in bearer form) having Coupons and, where appropriate, Talons attached thereto on issue;

 

Definitive Certificate means a definitive Regulation S Certificate or DTC Restricted Certificate in or substantially in the form set out in Parts 8 and 9 of the Second Schedule, respectively with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee, the Registrar and the relevant Dealer(s), representing one or more Regulation S Registered Notes or DTC Restricted Registered Notes, respectively of the same Series;

 

DTC means The Depository Trust Company;

 

DTC Restricted Certificate means a Definitive Certificate representing DTC Restricted Registered Notes in or substantially in the form set out in Part 9 of the Second Schedule, with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee, the Registrar and the relevant Dealer(s), bearing the Rule 144A Legend and includes any replacement thereof issued pursuant to the Conditions and any DTC Restricted Global Certificate;

 

DTC Restricted Global Certificate means a Global Certificate in or substantially in the form set out in Part 4 of the Second Schedule with such modification (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee, the Registrar and the relevant Dealer(s), and bearing the Rule 144A Legend and the legends required by DTC;

 

DTC Restricted Registered Note means a Registered Note represented by a DTC Restricted Global Certificate or DTC Restricted Certificate, as the case may be;

 

Early Redemption Amount has the meaning set out in Condition 7(e);

 

Early Termination Event has the meaning set out in Condition 5(i)(ii)(E);

 

Euroclear means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.;

 

Eurosystem-eligible NGN means a NGN which is intended to be held in a manner which would allow Eurosystem eligibility, as stated in the applicable Final Terms;

 

8



 

Event of Default means any of the conditions, events or acts provided in Condition 10(A) to be Events of Default (being events upon the happening of which the Notes of any Series would, subject only to declaration by the Trustee as therein provided, become immediately due and repayable);

 

Exchangeable Bearer Note means a Bearer Note that is exchangeable in accordance with its terms for a Registered Note;

 

Exempt Notes has the meaning set out in the Programme Agreement;

 

Extraordinary Resolution has the meaning set out in paragraph 20 of the Third Schedule in relation to any Series of Notes;

 

Final Terms has the meaning set out in the Programme Agreement;

 

Fixed Rate Note means a Note on which interest is calculated at a fixed rate payable in arrear on a fixed date or fixed dates in each year and on redemption or on such other dates as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) (as indicated in the applicable Final Terms);

 

Floating Rate Note means a Note on which interest is calculated at a floating rate payable one-, two-, three-, six- or twelve-monthly or in respect of such other period or on such date(s) as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) (as indicated in the applicable Final Terms);

 

Indexation Adviser has the meaning set out in Condition 5(a);

 

Global Certificate means a Regulation S Global Certificate or a DTC Restricted Global Certificate in or substantially in the forms set out in Part 3 and Part 4 of the Second Schedule, respectively, with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee, the Registrar and the relevant Dealer(s), representing Regulation S Registered Notes or DTC Restricted Registered Notes, respectively, or one or more Tranches of the same Series that are registered in the name of a nominee for Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg and/or DTC and/or any other clearing system;

 

Global Note means a Temporary Global Note and/or a Permanent Global Note, as the context may require;

 

Holding Company has the meaning set out in Condition 15;

 

Inflation Linked Interest Note means a Note in respect of which the amount payable in respect of interest is calculated by reference to such index and/or formula or to changes in the prices of securities or commodities or to such other factors as the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) may agree (as indicated in the applicable Final Terms);

 

Inflation Linked Note means an Inflation Linked Interest Note and/or an Inflation Linked Redemption Amount Note, as applicable;

 

Inflation Linked Redemption Amount Note means a Note in respect of which the amount payable in respect of principal is calculated by reference to such index and/or formula or to changes in the prices of securities or commodities or to such other factors as the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) may agree (as indicated in the applicable Final Terms);

 

Interest Commencement Date means, in the case of interest-bearing Notes, the date specified in the applicable Final Terms from (and including) which such Notes bear interest, which may or may not be the Issue Date;

 

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Interest Payment Date means, in relation to any Floating Rate Note or Inflation Linked Interest Note, either:

 

(a)                                the date which falls the number of months or other period specified as the Specified Period in the applicable Final Terms after the preceding Interest Payment Date or the Interest Commencement Date (in the case of the first Interest Payment Date); or

 

(b)                               such date or dates as are indicated in the applicable Final Terms;

 

Issue Date means, in respect of any Note, the date of issue and purchase of such Note pursuant to and in accordance with the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s);

 

Issue Price means the price, generally expressed as a percentage of the nominal amount of the Notes, at which the Notes will be issued;

 

Issuing and Principal Paying Agent means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes HSBC Bank plc at its office at 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, England, or, if applicable, any Successor agent in relation thereto;

 

Liability means any loss, damage, cost, charge, claim, demand, expense, judgment, action, proceeding or other liability whatsoever (including, without limitation, in respect of taxes, duties, levies, imposts and other charges) and including any amount in respect of value added tax or similar tax charged or chargeable in respect thereof and legal fees and expenses on a full indemnity basis;

 

London Business Day has the meaning set out in Condition 4(b)(vii);

 

London Stock Exchange means the London Stock Exchange plc or such other body to which its functions have been transferred;

 

Market means the London Stock Exchange’s regulated market which is a regulated market for the purposes of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive;

 

Markets in Financial Instruments Directive means Directive 2004/39/EC;

 

Maturity Date means the date on which a Note is expressed to be redeemable;

 

NGN means a Temporary Global Note or a Permanent Global Note and in either case in respect of which the applicable Final Terms specify that the Global Note is a New Global Note;

 

Note means a note issued pursuant to the Programme and denominated in such currency or currencies as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) which:

 

(a)                                has such maturity as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s), subject to such minimum or maximum maturity as may be allowed or required from time to time by the relevant central bank (or equivalent body) or any laws or regulations applicable to the Issuer or the relevant currency; and

 

(b)                               has such denomination as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s), subject to such minimum denomination as may be allowed or required from time to time by the relevant central bank (or equivalent body) or any laws or regulations applicable to the relevant currency,

 

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issued or to be issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s), the Agency Agreement and these presents and which may be issued in bearer or registered form. Notes which are issued in bearer form shall initially be represented by, and comprised in, either (i) a Temporary Global Note which may (in accordance with the terms of such Temporary Global Note) be exchanged for Definitive Bearer Notes or Registered Notes or a Permanent Global Note, which Permanent Global Note may (in accordance with the terms of such Permanent Global Note) in turn be exchanged for Definitive Bearer Notes or Registered Notes or (ii) a Permanent Global Note which may (in accordance with the terms of such Permanent Global Note) be exchanged for Definitive Bearer Notes or Registered Notes and which shall, in the case of Registered Notes, initially be represented by, and comprised in, a Regulation S Global Certificate and/or a DTC Restricted Global Certificate each of which may, in accordance with their terms, in turn be exchanged for Definitive Certificates (all as indicated in the applicable Final Terms) and includes any replacements for a Note issued pursuant to Condition 11;

 

Noteholder and holder have the meanings set out in the Conditions;

 

notice means, in respect of a notice to be given to Noteholders, a notice validly given pursuant to Condition 14;

 

NSS means the New Safekeeping Structure for registered global securities which are intended to constitute eligible collateral for Eurosystem monetary policy operations;

 

Official List has the meaning set out in Section 103 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;

 

outstanding in relation to the Notes, means all Notes issued other than:

 

(a)                                those Notes which have been redeemed pursuant to these presents or the Conditions;

 

(b)                               those Notes in respect of which the date for redemption in accordance with the Conditions has occurred and the redemption moneys (including all interest payable thereon) have been duly paid to the Trustee or have been duly paid to the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent in the manner provided in the Agency Agreement (and where appropriate notice to that effect has been given to the relative Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14) and remain available for payment against presentation of the relevant Notes, Certificates and/or Coupons;

 

(c)                                those Notes which have been purchased and cancelled in accordance with Conditions 7(f) and (g);

 

(d)                               those Notes which have become void under Condition 9;

 

(e)                                those mutilated or defaced Bearer Notes which have been surrendered and cancelled and in respect of which replacements have been issued pursuant to Condition 11;

 

(f)                                 (for the purpose only of ascertaining the nominal amount of the Notes outstanding and without prejudice to the status for any other purpose of the relevant Notes) those Bearer Notes which are alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed and in respect of which replacements have been issued pursuant to Condition 11;

 

(g)                                those Exchangeable Bearer Notes that have been exchanged for Registered Notes; and

 

(h)                               any Temporary Global Note to the extent that it shall have been exchanged for Definitive Bearer Notes or a Permanent Global Note and any Permanent Global Note to the extent that

 

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it shall have been exchanged for Definitive Bearer Notes in each case pursuant to its provisions, the provisions of these presents and the Agency Agreement,

 

PROVIDED THAT for each of the following purposes, namely:

 

(i)                                   the right to attend and vote at any meeting of the holders of the Notes of any Series;

 

(j)                                   the determination of how many and which Notes of any Series are for the time being outstanding for the purposes of Clause 8.1, Conditions 10 and 15 and paragraphs 2, 5, 6 and 9 of the Third Schedule;

 

(k)                               any discretion, power or authority (whether contained in these presents or vested by operation of law) which the Trustee is required, expressly or impliedly, to exercise in or by reference to the interests of the holders of the Notes of any Series; and

 

(l)            the determination by the Trustee whether any event, circumstance, matter or thing is, in its opinion, materially prejudicial to the interests of the holders of the Notes of any Series,

 

those Notes of the relevant Series (if any) which are for the time being held by or on behalf of the Issuer, any Holding Company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer or such Holding Company, in each case as beneficial owner, shall (unless and until ceasing to be so held) be deemed not to remain outstanding. Save for the purposes of the proviso herein, in the case of each NGN, the Trustee shall rely on the records of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg in relation to any determination of the nominal amount outstanding of each NGN;

 

Paying Agents means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, the several institutions (including, where the context permits, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent) at their respective specified offices initially appointed as paying agents in relation to such Notes by the Issuer pursuant to the Agency Agreement and/or, if applicable, any Successor paying agents in relation thereto;

 

Permanent Global Note means a global note in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part 2 of the Second Schedule with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), together with the copy of the applicable Final Terms annexed thereto, comprising some or all of the Notes of the same Series, issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s), the Agency Agreement and these presents;

 

Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organisation or government, or any agency or political sub-division thereof;

 

Potential Event of Default means any condition, event or act which, with the lapse of time and/or the giving of notice and/or the issue of any certificate, would constitute an Event of Default;

 

Programme means the Euro Medium Term Note Programme established by, or otherwise contemplated in, the Programme Agreement;

 

Programme Agreement means the agreement of even date herewith between the Issuer and the Dealers named therein concerning the purchase of Notes to be issued pursuant to the Programme together with any agreement for the time being in force amending, replacing, novating or modifying such agreement;

 

Reference Banks means, in relation to the Notes of any relevant Series, the several banks initially appointed as reference banks and/or, if applicable, any Successor reference banks in relation thereto;

 

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Register means the register maintained by the Registrar;

 

Registered Notes means those of the Notes which are for the time being in registered form and represented by a Certificate;

 

Registrar means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, HSBC Bank USA, National Association at its office at 452 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10018-2708, or, if applicable, any Successor Registrar in relation thereto;

 

Regulation S means Regulation S under the Securities Act;

 

Regulation S Certificate means a Definitive Certificate representing Regulation S Registered Notes in or substantially in the form set out in Part 8 of the Second Schedule, with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee, the Registrar and the relevant Dealer(s), and includes any replacement thereof issued pursuant to the Conditions and any Regulation S Global Certificate;

 

Regulation S Global Certificate means a Global Certificate in or substantially in the form set out in Part 3 of the Second Schedule, with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee, the Registrar and the relevant Dealer(s);

 

Regulation S Registered Note means a Registered Note represented by a Regulation S Certificate or a Regulation S Global Certificate, as the case may be;

 

Relevant Date has the meaning set out in Condition 8;

 

Relevant Jurisdiction has the meaning set out in Condition 8;

 

Renminbi Currency Event has the meaning set out in Condition 6(g);

 

Reorganisation means the conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Issuer substantially as an entirety to any Person that guarantees the Issuer’s obligations under these presents in accordance with this Clause;

 

repay, redeem and pay shall each include both the others and cognate expressions shall be construed accordingly;

 

Rule 144A Legend means the transfer restriction legend under the Securities Act set out in the form of DTC Restricted Certificate in Part 9 of the Second Schedule and the DTC Restricted Global Certificate in Part 4 of the Second Schedule;

 

Securities Act means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

 

Series  means a Tranche of Notes together with any further Tranche or Tranches of Notes which are (a) expressed to be consolidated and form a single series and (b) identical in all respects (including as to listing) except for their respective Issue Dates, Interest Commencement Dates and/or Issue Prices and the expressions Notes of the relevant Series, holders of Notes of the relevant Series  and related expressions shall be construed accordingly;

 

Stock Exchange means the London Stock Exchange or any other or further stock exchange(s) on which any Notes may from time to time be listed, and references in these presents to the relevant Stock Exchange shall, in relation to any Notes, be references to the Stock Exchange on which such Notes are, from time to time, or are intended to be, listed;

 

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Subsidiary means:

 

(a)                                a subsidiary within the meaning of Section 736 of the Companies Act 1985, as amended by Section 144 of the Companies Act 1989; and

 

(b)                               unless the context otherwise requires, a subsidiary undertaking within the meaning of Section 1162 of the Companies Act 2006;

 

Successor means, in relation to the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the other Paying Agents, the Reference Banks, the Calculation Agent, the Registrar and the Transfer Agents, any successor to any one or more of them in relation to the Notes which shall become such pursuant to the provisions of these presents and/or the Agency Agreement (as the case may be) and/or such other or further issuing and principal paying agent, paying agents, reference banks, calculation agent, registrar and transfer agents (as the case may be) in relation to the Notes as may (with the prior approval of, and on terms previously approved by, the Trustee in writing) from time to time be appointed as such, and/or, if applicable, such other or further specified offices (in the former case being within the same city as those for which they are substituted) as may from time to time be nominated, in each case by the Issuer and (except in the case of the initial appointments and specified offices made under and specified in the Conditions and/or the Agency Agreement, as the case may be) notice of whose appointment or, as the case may be, nomination has been given to the Noteholders;

 

Successor in Business means any company which, as the result of any amalgamation, merger or reconstruction the terms of which have previously been approved in writing by the Trustee:

 

(a)                                owns beneficially the whole or substantially the whole of the undertaking, property and assets owned by the Issuer immediately prior thereto; and

 

(b)                               carries on, as successor to the Issuer, the whole or substantially the whole of the business carried on by the Issuer immediately prior thereto;

 

Talons means the talons (if any) appertaining to, and exchangeable in accordance with the provisions therein contained for further Coupons appertaining to, the Definitive Bearer Notes (other than the Zero Coupon Notes), such talons being in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part 7 of the Second Schedule or in such other form as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s) and includes any replacements for Talons issued pursuant to Condition 11;

 

TARGET2 System has the meaning set out in Condition 4(b)(i);

 

Temporary Global Note means a temporary global note in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part 1 of the Second Schedule with such modifications (if any) as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), together with the copy of the applicable Final Terms annexed thereto, comprising some or all of the Notes of the same Series, issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Programme Agreement or any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s), the Agency Agreement and these presents;

 

these presents means this Trust Deed and the Schedules and any trust deed supplemental hereto and the Schedules (if any) thereto and the Notes, the Certificates, the Coupons, the Talons, the Conditions and, unless the context otherwise requires, the Final Terms, all as from time to time modified in accordance with the provisions herein or therein contained;

 

Tranche means all Notes which are identical in all respects (including as to listing);

 

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Transfer Agents means, in relation to all or any Series of the Notes, the several institutions at their respective specified offices initially appointed as transfer agents in relation to such Notes by the Issuer pursuant to the Agency Agreement and/or, if applicable, any Successor transfer agents in relation thereto;

 

Trust Corporation means a corporation entitled by rules made under the Public Trustee Act 1906 of Great Britain or entitled pursuant to any other comparable legislation applicable to a trustee in any other jurisdiction to carry out the functions of a custodian trustee;

 

Trustee Acts means the Trustee Act 1925 and the Trustee Act 2000;

 

UK Listing Authority means the Financial Service Authority in its capacity as competent authority under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;

 

United States has the meaning set out in Condition 8;

 

Zero Coupon Note means a Note on which no interest is payable;

 

words denoting the singular shall include the plural and vice versa ;

 

words denoting one gender only shall include the other genders; and

 

words denoting persons only shall include firms and corporations and vice versa .

 

1.2                             (a)                                All references in these presents to principal and/or principal amount and/or interest in respect of the Notes or to any moneys payable by the Issuer under these presents shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed in accordance with Condition 6(f).

 

(b)                               All references in these presents to any statute or any provision of any statute shall be deemed also to refer to any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof or any statutory instrument, order or regulation made thereunder or under any such modification or re-enactment.

 

(c)                                All references in these presents to guarantees or to an obligation being guaranteed shall be deemed to include respectively references to indemnities or to an indemnity being given in respect thereof.

 

(d)                               All references in these presents to any action, remedy or method of proceeding for the enforcement of the rights of creditors shall be deemed to include, in respect of any jurisdiction other than England, references to such action, remedy or method of proceeding for the enforcement of the rights of creditors available or appropriate in such jurisdiction as shall most nearly approximate to such action, remedy or method of proceeding described or referred to in these presents.

 

(e)                                All references in these presents to Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg and/or DTC shall, whenever the context so permits (but not in the case of any NGN or any Registered Global Note held under the NSS), be deemed to include references to any additional or alternative clearing system as is approved by the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent and the Trustee.

 

(f)                                 Unless the context otherwise requires words or expressions used in these presents shall bear the same meanings as in the Companies Act 2006 of Great Britain.

 

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(g)                                In this Trust Deed references to Schedules, Clauses, subclauses, paragraphs and subparagraphs shall be construed as references to the Schedules to this Trust Deed and to the Clauses, subclauses, paragraphs and subparagraphs of this Trust Deed respectively.

 

(h)                               In these presents tables of contents and Clause headings are included for ease of reference and shall not affect the construction of these presents.

 

(i)                                   All references in these presents involving compliance by the Trustee with a test of reasonableness shall be deemed to include a reference to a requirement that such reasonableness shall be determined by reference solely to the interests of the holders of the Notes of the relevant one or more series as a class.

 

(j)                                   All references in these presents to the records of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg shall be to the records that each of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg holds for its customers which reflect the amount of such customer’s interest in the Notes.

 

1.3                             Words and expressions defined in these presents or the Agency Agreement or used in the applicable Final Terms shall have the same meanings where used herein unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise stated and provided that, in the event of inconsistency between the Agency Agreement and these presents, these presents shall prevail and, in the event of inconsistency between the Agency Agreement or these presents and the applicable Final Terms, the applicable Final Terms shall prevail.

 

1.4                             All references in these presents to the relevant currency shall be construed as references to the currency in which payments in respect of the Notes and/or Coupons of the relevant Series are to be made as indicated in the applicable Final Terms.

 

1.5                             All references in these presents to Notes (other than Exempt Notes) being “listed” or “having a listing” shall (i) in relation to the London Stock Exchange, be construed to mean that such Notes have been admitted to the Official List by the UK Listing Authority and to trading on the Market and (ii) in relation to any other European Economic Area Stock Exchange, be construed to mean that such Notes have been admitted to trading on a market with that jurisdiction which is a regulated market for the purposes of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive and all references in these presents to Exempt Notes being “listed” or “having a listing” shall be construed to mean that such Exempt Notes have been admitted to trading on such other or further stock exchange(s) or markets (other than a stock exchange or market which is a regulated market for the purposes of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive) as may be agreed between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer and all references in these presents to “listing” or “listed” shall include references to “quotation” and “quoted” respectively.

 

1.6                             Wherever in these presents there is a requirement for the consent of, or a request from, the Noteholders, then, for so long as any of the Registered Notes is registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and represented by a DTC Restricted Global Certificate, DTC may send an omnibus proxy to the Issuer in accordance with and in the form used by DTC as part of its usual procedures from time to time. Such omnibus proxy shall assign the right to give such consent or, as the case may be, make such request to DTC’s direct participants as of the record date specified therein any such assignee participant may give the relevant consent or, as the case may be make the relevant request in accordance with these presents.

 

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2.                                     AMOUNT AND ISSUE OF THE NOTES

 

2.1                             Amount of the Notes, Final Terms and Legal Opinions

 

The Notes will be issued in Series in an aggregate nominal amount from time to time outstanding not exceeding the Programme Limit from time to time and for the purpose of determining such aggregate nominal amount Clause 3.5 of the Programme Agreement shall apply.

 

By not later than 10.00 a.m. (London time) on the London Business Day preceding each proposed Issue Date, the Issuer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee a draft of the applicable Final Terms and drafts of all legal opinions (if any) to be given in relation to the proposed issue and shall notify the Trustee in writing without delay of the relevant Issue Date and the nominal amount of the Notes to be issued and upon the issue of the relevant Notes shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee a copy of the final form of the applicable Final Terms. Upon the issue of the relevant Notes, such Notes shall become constituted by these presents without further formality.

 

Before the first issue of Notes occurring after each anniversary of this Trust Deed , and on such other occasions as the Trustee so requests (if (a) the Trustee considers it necessary in view of a change (or proposed change) in applicable law or regulations (or the interpretation or application thereof) affecting the Issuer, these presents, the Programme Agreement or the Agency Agreement, or (b) the Trustee has other reasonable grounds for such request), the Issuer will procure that a further legal opinion or further legal opinions in such form and with such content as the Trustee may require from the legal advisers specified in the Programme Agreement or such other legal advisers as the Trustee may require is/are delivered to the Trustee. Whenever such a request is made with respect to any Notes to be issued, the receipt of such opinion(s) in a form satisfactory to the Trustee shall be a further condition precedent to the issue of those Notes.

 

2.2                             Covenant to repay principal and to pay interest

 

The Issuer covenants with the Trustee that it will, as and when the Notes of any Series or any of them becomes due to be redeemed in accordance with the Conditions, unconditionally pay or procure to be paid to or to the order of the Trustee, in the case of any relevant currency other than euro, in the principal financial centre for the relevant currency and, in the case of euro, in a city in which banks have access to the TARGET2 System in each case in immediately available funds the principal amount in respect of the Notes of such Series becoming due for redemption on that date and (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes) shall (subject to the provisions of the Conditions) in the meantime and until redemption in full of the Notes of such Series (both before and after any judgment or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction) unconditionally pay or procure to be paid to or to the order of the Trustee as aforesaid interest (which shall accrue from day to day) on the nominal amount of the Notes outstanding of such Series at rates and/or in amounts calculated from time to time in accordance with, or specified in, and on the dates provided for in, the Conditions (subject to Clause 2.4) PROVIDED THAT:

 

(a)                                every payment of principal or interest or other sum due in respect of the Notes made to or to the order of the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent in the manner provided in the Agency Agreement shall be in satisfaction pro tanto of the relative covenant by the Issuer in this Clause contained in relation to the Notes of such Series (including, in the case of Notes represented by a NGN, whether or not the corresponding entries have been made in the records of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg) except to the extent that there is a default in the subsequent payment thereof in accordance with the Conditions to the relevant Noteholders or Couponholders (as the case may be);

 

(b)                               in the case of any payment of principal made to the Trustee or the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent after the due date or on or after accelerated maturity following an Event of

 

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Default interest shall continue to accrue on the nominal amount of the relevant Notes (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes to which the provisions of Condition 7(h) shall apply) (both before and after any judgment or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction) at the rates aforesaid (or, if higher, the rate of interest on judgment debts for the time being provided by English law) up to and including the date which the Trustee determines to be the date on and after which payment is to be made in respect thereof as stated in a notice given to the holders of such Notes (such date to be not later than 30 days after the day on which the whole of such principal amount, together with an amount equal to the interest which has accrued and is to accrue pursuant to this proviso up to and including that date, has been received by the Trustee or the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent); and

 

(c)                                in any case where payment of the whole or any part of the principal amount of any Note is improperly withheld or refused upon due presentation thereof or of the Certificate in respect thereof (other than in circumstances contemplated by 2.2(b) above), interest shall accrue on the nominal amount of such Note (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes to which the provisions of Condition 7(h) shall apply) payment of which has been so withheld or refused (both before and after any judgment or other order of a court of competent jurisdiction) at the rates aforesaid (or, if higher, the rate of interest on judgment debts for the time being provided by English law) from the date of such withholding or refusal until the date on which, upon further presentation of the relevant Note or Certificate, as the case may be, payment of the full amount (including interest as aforesaid) in the relevant currency payable in respect of such Note is made or (if earlier) the seventh day after notice is given to the relevant Noteholder(s) (whether individually or in accordance with Condition 14) that the full amount (including interest as aforesaid) in the relevant currency in respect of such Note is available for payment, provided that, upon further presentation thereof being duly made, such payment is made.

 

The Trustee will hold the benefit of this covenant on trust for the Noteholders and the Couponholders and itself in accordance with these presents.

 

2.3                             Trustee’s requirements regarding Agents etc

 

At any time after an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default shall have occurred or the Trustee shall have received any money which it proposes to pay under Clause 9 to the relevant Noteholders and/or Couponholders, the Trustee may:

 

(a)                                by notice in writing to the Issuer and the Agents require the Agents pursuant to the Agency Agreement:

 

(i)                                   to act thereafter as Agents of the Trustee in relation to payments to be made by or on behalf of the Trustee under the terms of these presents mutatis mutandis on the terms provided in the Agency Agreement (save that the Trustee’s liability under any provisions thereof for the indemnification, remuneration and payment of out-of-pocket expenses of the Agents shall be limited to the amounts for the time being held by the Trustee on the trusts of these presents relating to the Notes of the relevant Series and the relative Certificates and Coupons and available for such purpose) and thereafter to hold all Notes and Coupons and all sums, documents and records held by them in respect of Notes, Certificates and Coupons on behalf of the Trustee; or

 

(ii)                               to deliver up all Notes, Certificates and Coupons and all sums, documents and records held by them in respect of Notes, Certificates and Coupons, in each case held by them in their capacity as Agent, to the Trustee or as the Trustee shall direct in such notice provided that such notice shall be deemed not to apply to any

 

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documents or records which the relevant Agent is obliged not to release by any law or regulation; and

 

(b)                               by notice in writing to the Issuer require it to make all subsequent payments in respect of the Notes and Coupons to or to the order of the Trustee and not to the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent and, with effect from the issue of any such notice to the Issuer and until such notice is withdrawn, proviso (i) to subclause 2.2 of this Clause relating to the Notes shall cease to have effect.

 

2.4                             Rate of interest after Notes due and repayable under Condition 10(A)

 

If the Floating Rate Notes or Inflation Linked Interest Notes of any Series become immediately due and repayable under Condition 10(A) the rate and/or amount of interest payable in respect of them will be calculated at the same intervals as if such Notes had not become due and repayable, the first of which will commence on the expiry of the Interest Period during which the Notes of the relevant Series become so due and repayable mutatis mutandis in accordance with the provisions of Condition 4(b) except that the rates of interest need not be published.

 

2.5                             Currency of payments

 

All payments in respect of, under and in connection with these presents and the Notes of any Series to the relevant Noteholders and Couponholders shall be made in the relevant currency.

 

2.6                             Further Notes

 

The Issuer shall be at liberty from time to time (but subject always to the provisions of these presents) without the consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders to create and issue further Notes ranking pari passu in all respects (or in all respects save for the date from which interest thereon accrues and the amount of the first payment of interest on such further Notes) and so that the same shall be consolidated and form a single series with the outstanding Notes of a particular Series.

 

2.7                             Separate Series

 

The Notes of each Series shall form a separate Series of Notes and accordingly, unless for any purpose the Trustee in its absolute discretion shall otherwise determine, the provisions of this Clause and of Clauses 3 to 21 (both inclusive) and 22.2 and the Third Schedule shall apply mutatis mutandis separately and independently to the Notes of each Series and in such Clauses and Schedule the expressions Notes, Noteholders, Coupons, Couponholders and Talons shall be construed accordingly.

 

3.                                     FORMS OF THE NOTES

 

3.1                             Global Notes

 

(a)                                The Notes of each Tranche will initially be represented by either:

 

(i)                                   in the case of Bearer Notes, a single Temporary Global Note which shall be exchangeable for either Definitive Bearer Notes together with, where applicable, (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes) Coupons and, where applicable, Talons attached or a Permanent Global Note or (in the case of Exchangeable Bearer Notes) Registered Notes, in each case in accordance with the provisions of such Temporary Global Note. Each Permanent Global Note shall be exchangeable for Definitive Bearer Notes together with, where applicable, (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes) Coupons and, where applicable, Talons attached or (in the case of

 

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Exchangeable Bearer Notes) Registered Notes, in accordance with the provisions of such Permanent Global Note; or

 

(ii)                               in the case of Bearer Notes, a single Permanent Global Note which shall be exchangeable for Definitive Bearer Notes together with, where applicable, (except in the case of Zero Coupon Notes) Coupons and, where applicable, Talons attached or (in the case of Exchangeable Bearer Notes) Registered Notes, in accordance with provisions of such Permanent Global Note; or

 

(iii)                           in the case of Registered Notes which are sold outside the United States in “offshore transactions” within the meaning of Regulation S, a Regulation S Global Certificate which will be exchangeable for Regulation S Certificates and/or Notes represented by a DTC Restricted Global Certificate in accordance with the provisions of such Regulation S Global Certificates; or

 

(iv)                           in the case of Registered Notes which are sold in the United States, to qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A, a DTC Restricted Global Certificate which will be exchangeable for DTC Restricted Certificates and/or Notes represented by a Regulation S Global Certificate in accordance with the provisions of such DTC Restricted Global Certificate.

 

All Global Notes shall be prepared, completed and delivered to a common depositary (in the case of a CGN) or common safekeeper (in the case of a NGN or Registered Notes held under the NSS) for Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, each Regulation S Global Certificate shall be prepared, completed and delivered to, and registered in the name of a nominee of, a common depositary or common safekeeper for Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg and each DTC Restricted Global Certificate shall be prepared, completed and delivered to a custodian for and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC, in each case in accordance with the provisions of the Programme Agreement or to or with or in the name of another appropriate custodian, nominee or depositary in accordance with any other agreement between the Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) and, in each case, the Agency Agreement.

 

(b)                               Each Temporary Global Note shall be printed or typed in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part 1 of the Second Schedule and may be a facsimile. Each Temporary Global Note shall have annexed thereto a copy of the applicable Final Terms and shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on behalf of the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent and shall, in the case of a Eurosystem-eligible NGN, be effectuated by the common safekeeper acting on the instructions of the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent. Each Temporary Global Note so executed and authenticated (and effectuated, if applicable) shall be a binding and valid obligation of the Issuer and title thereto shall pass by delivery.

 

(c)                                Each Permanent Global Note shall be printed or typed in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part 2 of the Second Schedule and may be a facsimile. Each Permanent Global Note shall have annexed thereto a copy of the applicable Final Terms and shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on behalf of the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent and shall, in the case of a Eurosystem-eligible NGN, be effectuated by the common safekeeper acting on the instructions of the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent. Each Permanent Global Note so executed and authenticated (and effectuated, if applicable) shall be a binding and valid obligation of the Issuer and title thereto shall pass by delivery.

 

(d)                               Each Regulation S Global Certificate shall be printed or typed in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part 3 of the Second Schedule and may be a facsimile. Each Regulation S Global

 

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Certificate shall have annexed thereto a copy of the applicable Final Terms and shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on behalf of the Registrar and shall, in the case of Notes intended to be held under the NSS, be effectuated by the common safekeeper acting on the instructions of the Issuer. Each Regulation S Global Certificate shall be valid evidence of binding and valid obligations of the Issuer and title thereto shall pass upon registration in the Register.

 

(e)                                Each DTC Restricted Global Certificate shall be printed or typed in the form or substantially in the form set out in Part 4 of the Second Schedule and may be a facsimile. Each DTC Restricted Global Certificate shall have annexed thereto a copy of the applicable Final Terms and shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on behalf of the Registrar. Each DTC Restricted Global Certificate shall be valid evidence of binding and valid obligations of the Issuer and title thereto shall pass upon registration in the Register.

 

3.2                             Definitive Bearer Notes

 

(a)           The Definitive Bearer Notes, the Coupons and the Talons shall be to bearer in the respective forms or substantially in the respective forms set out in Parts 5, 6 and 7 respectively, of the Second Schedule. The Definitive Bearer Notes, the Coupons and the Talons shall be serially numbered and, if listed or quoted, shall be security printed in accordance with the requirements (if any) from time to time of the relevant Stock Exchange and the relevant Conditions shall be incorporated by reference (where applicable to these presents) into such Definitive Bearer Notes if permitted by the relevant Stock Exchange (if any), or, if not so permitted, the Definitive Bearer Notes shall be endorsed with or have attached thereto the relevant Conditions, and, in either such case, the Definitive Bearer Notes shall have endorsed thereon or attached thereto a copy of the applicable Final Terms (or the relevant provisions thereof). Title to the Definitive Bearer Notes, the Coupons and the Talons shall pass by delivery.

 

(b)                               The Definitive Bearer Notes shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on behalf of the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent. The Definitive Bearer Notes so executed and authenticated, and the Coupons and Talons, upon execution and authentication of the relevant Definitive Bearer Notes, shall be binding and valid obligations of the Issuer. The Coupons and the Talons shall not be signed. No Definitive Bearer Note and none of the Coupons or Talons appertaining to such Definitive Bearer Note shall be binding or valid until such Definitive Bearer Note shall have been executed and authenticated as aforesaid.

 

3.3                             Definitive Certificates

 

(a)                                The DTC Restricted Certificates and Regulation S Certificates shall be in the respective forms or substantially in the respective forms set out in Parts 8 and 9, respectively of the Second Schedule and shall be printed in accordance with applicable legal and stock exchange requirements. Title to such certificates shall pass upon registration in the Register.

 

(b)           The DTC Restricted Certificates and Regulation S Certificates shall be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised by the Issuer on behalf of the Issuer and shall be authenticated by or on behalf of the Registrar. The DTC Restricted Certificates and Regulation S Certificates so executed and authenticated shall be valid evidence of binding and valid obligations of the Issuer. Title to such Certificates shall pass upon registration in the Register.

 

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3.4                             Facsimile signatures

 

The Issuer may use the facsimile signature of any person who at the date such signature is affixed to a Global Note or a Definitive Bearer Note or a Certificate is duly authorised by the Issuer notwithstanding that at the time of issue of such Note or Certificate he may have ceased for any reason to be so authorised or to hold such office.

 

4.                                     FEES, DUTIES AND TAXES

 

The Issuer will pay any stamp, issue, registration, documentary and other fees, duties or taxes (if any), including interest and penalties, payable (a) in the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg and the United States of America on or in connection with (i) the execution and delivery of these presents and (ii) the constitution and original issue of the Notes, the Certificates and the Coupons and (b) in any jurisdiction on or in connection with any action taken by or on behalf of the Trustee or (where permitted under these presents so to do) any Noteholder or Couponholder to enforce, or to resolve any doubt concerning, or for any other purpose in relation to, these presents.

 

5.                                     COVENANT OF COMPLIANCE

 

The Issuer covenants with the Trustee that it will comply with and perform and observe all the provisions of these presents which are expressed to be binding on it. The Notes and the Coupons shall be held subject to the provisions contained in these presents and the Conditions shall be binding on the Issuer, the Trustee, the Noteholders and the Couponholders and all persons claiming through or under them. The Trustee shall be entitled to enforce the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes, the Coupons and the Conditions in the manner therein provided as if the same were set out and contained in this Trust Deed, which shall be read and construed as one document with the Notes and the Coupons. The Trustee shall hold the benefit of this covenant upon trust for itself and the Noteholders and the Couponholders according to its and their respective interests.

 

6.                                     CANCELLATION OF NOTES AND RECORDS

 

6.1                             The Issuer shall procure that all Notes issued by it (a) redeemed or (b) purchased for cancellation by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer and surrendered for cancellation or (c) which, being Bearer Notes which have been mutilated or defaced, have been surrendered and replaced pursuant to Condition 11 or (d) exchanged as provided in these presents (together in each case, in the case of Definitive Bearer Notes, with all unmatured Coupons attached thereto or delivered therewith) and, in the case of Definitive Bearer Notes, all relative Coupons paid in accordance with the relevant Conditions or which, being mutilated or defaced, have been surrendered and replaced pursuant to Condition 11 shall forthwith be cancelled by or on behalf of the Issuer and a certificate stating:

 

(a)           the aggregate nominal amount of Notes which have been redeemed and the amounts paid in respect thereof and the aggregate amounts in respect of Coupons which have been paid;

 

(b)           the serial numbers of such Notes in definitive form or the Certificates representing Registered Notes;

 

(c)           the total numbers (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of such Coupons;

 

(d)           the aggregate amount of interest paid (and the due dates of such payments) on Global Notes and Registered Notes;

 

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(e)                                the aggregate nominal amount of Notes (if any) which have been purchased by or on behalf of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer and cancelled and the serial numbers of such Notes in definitive form or of the Certificates representing Registered Notes and, in the case of Definitive Bearer Notes, the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of the Coupons and Talons attached thereto or surrendered therewith;

 

(f)                                 the aggregate nominal amounts of Notes and the aggregate amounts in respect of Coupons which have been so exchanged or surrendered and replaced and the serial numbers of such Notes in definitive form or of the Certificates representing Registered Notes and the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of such Coupons and Talons; and

 

(g)                                the total number (where applicable, of each denomination) by maturity date of Talons which have been exchanged for further Coupons,

 

shall be given to the Trustee by or on behalf of the Issuer as soon as possible and in any event within four months after the date of such redemption, purchase, payment, exchange or replacement (as the case may be). The Trustee may accept such certificate as conclusive evidence of redemption, purchase, exchange or replacement pro tanto of the Notes or payment of interest thereon or exchange of the relative Talons respectively and of cancellation of the relative Notes and Coupons.

 

6.2                             The Issuer shall procure (a) that the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent and/or the Registrar shall keep a full and complete record of all Notes, Coupons and Talons issued by it (other than serial numbers of Coupons) and of their redemption or purchase and cancellation and of all replacement notes, coupons or talons issued in substitution for lost, stolen, mutilated, defaced or destroyed Bearer Notes, Coupons or Talons and of all transfers and exchanges of Registered Notes (b) that the Agent and the Registrar shall, in respect of the Coupons of each maturity where the relevant Bearer Note is redeemed prior to its maturity date, retain until the expiry of 10 years from the Relevant Date in respect of such Coupons a list of the Coupons of that maturity still remaining unpaid or unexchanged and (c) that such records shall be made available to the Trustee during normal business hours.

 

7.                                     ENFORCEMENT

 

7.1                             The Trustee may at any time, at its discretion and without notice, take such proceedings and/or other action as it may think fit against or in relation to the Issuer to enforce its obligations under these presents.

 

7.2                             Proof that as regards any specified Note or Coupon the Issuer has made default in paying any amount due in respect of such Note or Coupon shall (unless the contrary be proved) be sufficient evidence that the same default has been made as regards all other Notes or Coupons (as the case may be) in respect of which the relevant amount is due and payable.

 

8.                                     PROCEEDINGS, ACTION AND INDEMNIFICATION

 

8.1                             The Trustee shall not be bound to take any proceedings mentioned in Condition 10 or any other action in relation to these presents unless respectively directed or requested to do so (a) by an Extraordinary Resolution or (b) in writing by the holders of at least one-quarter in nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding and in either case then only if it shall be indemnified and/or secured and/or prefunded by the relevant Noteholders to its satisfaction against all proceedings, claims and demands to which it may be liable and against all costs, charges, liabilities and expenses which may be incurred by it in connection with such enforcement, including the costs of its managements’ time and/or other internal resources, calculated using its normal hourly rates in force from time to time.

 

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8.2                             Only the Trustee may enforce the provisions of these presents. No Noteholder or Couponholder shall be entitled to proceed directly against the Issuer to enforce the performance of any of the provisions of these presents unless the Trustee having become bound as aforesaid to take proceedings fails to do so within a reasonable period and such failure is continuing.

 

9.                                     APPLICATION OF MONEYS

 

All moneys received by the Trustee under these presents from the Issuer (including any moneys which represent principal or interest in respect of Notes or Coupons which have become void, or in respect of claims which have become prescribed, under Condition 9) shall, unless and to the extent attributable, in the opinion of the Trustee, to a particular Series of the Notes, be apportioned pari passu and rateably between each Series of the Notes, and all moneys received by the Trustee under these presents from the Issuer to the extent attributable in the opinion of the Trustee to a particular Series of the Notes or which are apportioned to such Series as aforesaid, be held by the Trustee upon trust to apply them (subject to Clause 11):

 

FIRST in payment or satisfaction of all amounts then due and unpaid under Clauses 14 and/or 15(j) to the Trustee and/or any Appointee;

 

SECONDLY in or towards payment pari passu and rateably of all principal and interest then due and unpaid in respect of the Notes of that Series;

 

THIRDLY in or towards payment pari passu and rateably of all principal and interest then due and unpaid in respect of the Notes of each other Series; and

 

FOURTHLY in payment of the balance (if any) to the Issuer (without prejudice to, or liability in respect of, any question as to how such payment to the Issuer shall be dealt with as between the Issuer and any other person),

 

PROVIDED ALWAYS that any payment required to be made by the Trustee pursuant to these presents shall only be made subject to any applicable laws and regulations.

 

10.                             NOTICE OF PAYMENTS

 

The Trustee shall give notice to the relevant Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14 of the day fixed for any payment to them under Clause 9. Such payment may be made in accordance with Condition 6 and any payment so made shall be a good discharge to the Trustee.

 

11.                             INVESTMENT BY TRUSTEE

 

11.1        If the amount of the moneys at any time available for the payment of principal and interest in respect of the Notes issued by the Issuer under Clause 9 shall be less than 10% of the nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding the Trustee may at its discretion invest such moneys in some or one of the investments authorised below. The Trustee at its discretion may vary such investments and may accumulate such investments and the resulting income until the accumulations, together with any other funds for the time being under the control of the Trustee and available for such purpose, amount to at least 10% of the nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding and then such accumulations and funds shall be applied under Clause 9.

 

11.2                     Any moneys which under the trusts of these presents ought to or may be invested by the Trustee may be invested in the name or under the control of the Trustee (or, if required to comply with applicable law a custodian, co-trustee or separate trustee appointed by it) in any investments for the time being authorised by law for the investment by trustees of trust moneys or in any other investments whether similar to the aforesaid or not which may be selected by the Trustee or by placing the same on

 

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deposit in the name or under the control of the Trustee (or, if required to comply with applicable law a custodian, co-trustee or separate trustee appointed by it) at such bank or other financial institution and in such currency as the Trustee may think fit. If that bank or institution is the Trustee or a Subsidiary, holding or associated company of the Trustee, it need only account for an amount of interest equal to the amount of interest which would, at then current rates, be payable by it on such a deposit to an independent customer. The Trustee may at any time vary any such investments for or into other investments or convert any moneys so deposited into any other currency and shall not be responsible for any loss resulting from any such investments or deposits, whether due to depreciation in value, fluctuations in exchange rates or otherwise.

 

12.                             PARTIAL PAYMENTS

 

Upon any payment under Clause 9 (other than payment in full against surrender of a Note, Certificate or Coupon) the Note, Certificate or Coupon in respect of which such payment is made shall (except in the case of a NGN or a Registered Global Note held under the NSS) be produced to the Trustee or the Paying Agent by or through whom such payment is made and the Trustee shall or shall cause such Paying Agent to enface thereon a memorandum of the amount and the date of payment but the Trustee may in any particular case dispense with such production and enfacement upon such indemnity being given as it shall think sufficient.

 

13.                             COVENANTS

 

The Issuer covenants with the Trustee that, so long as any of the Notes remains outstanding (or, in the case of paragraphs (f), (g), (i), (k) and (q), so long as any of the Notes or the relative Coupons remains liable to prescription or, in the case of subparagraph (m), until the expiry of a period of 30 days after the Relevant Date) it shall:

 

(a)                                give or procure to be given to the Trustee such opinions, certificates and information as it shall reasonably require and in such form as it shall reasonably require (including without limitation the procurement of all such certificates called for by the Trustee pursuant to Clause 16.3 and advice of the Indexation Adviser pursuant to Condition 5) for the purpose of the discharge or exercise of the duties, trusts, powers, authorities and discretions vested in it under these presents or by operation of law;

 

(b)           at all times keep and procure its Subsidiaries to keep proper books of account and, following the occurrence of an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or if the Trustee reasonably considers that any such event is likely to occur, allow and procure its Subsidiaries to allow the Trustee and any person appointed by the Trustee to whom the Issuer or the relevant Subsidiary (as the case may be) shall have no reasonable objection free access to such books of account during normal business hours;

 

(c)                                send to the Trustee (in addition to any copies to which it may be entitled as a holder of any securities of the Issuer) two copies in English of every balance sheet, profit and loss account, report, circular and notice of general meeting and every other document (other than documents of a promotional, advertising or marketing nature only) issued or sent to its shareholders together with any of the foregoing, and every document issued or sent to holders of securities other than its shareholders (including the Noteholders) as soon as practicable after the issue or publication thereof;

 

(d)                               forthwith give notice in writing to the Trustee of the happening of any Event of Default or any Potential Event of Default, Renminbi Currency Event or Early Termination Event;

 

(e)                                give to the Trustee (i) within 14 days after demand by the Trustee therefor and (ii) (without the necessity for any such demand) promptly after the publication of its audited accounts in

 

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respect of each financial year commencing with the financial year ended 31 March 1999 and in any event not later than 180 days after the end of each such financial year a certificate signed by two Directors of the Issuer to the effect that, to the best of the knowledge, information and belief of the persons so certifying, they having made all reasonable enquiries, as at a date not more than seven days before delivering such certificate (the relevant certification date ) there did not exist and had not existed since the relevant certification date of the previous certificate (or in the case of the first such certificate the date hereof) any Event of Default or any Potential Event of Default (or if such exists or existed specifying the same) and that during the period from and including the relevant certification date of the last such certificate (or in the case of the first such certificate the date hereof) to and including the relevant certification date of such certificate the Issuer has complied with all its obligations contained in these presents or (if such is not the case) specifying the respects in which it has not complied;

 

(f)                                 so far as permitted by law, at all times execute all such further documents and do all such acts and things as may in the opinion of the Trustee be necessary at any time or times to give effect to the terms and conditions of these presents;

 

(g)                                at all times maintain an Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, other Paying Agents, a Calculation Agent, Reference Banks, a Registrar and Transfer Agents in accordance with the Conditions;

 

(h)                               use all reasonable endeavours to procure the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent to notify the Trustee forthwith in the event that it does not, on or before the due date for any payment in respect of the Notes or any of them or any of the relative Coupons, receive unconditionally pursuant to the Agency Agreement payment of the full amount in the relevant currency of the moneys payable on such due date on all such Notes or Coupons as the case may be;

 

(i)                                   in the event of the unconditional payment to the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent or the Trustee of any sum due in respect of the Notes or any of them or any of the relative Coupons being made after the due date for payment thereof forthwith give or procure to be given notice to the relevant Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14 that such payment has been made;

 

(j)                                   if the applicable Final Terms indicates that the Notes are listed, use all reasonable endeavours to maintain the quotation or listing on the relevant Stock Exchange of those of the Notes which are quoted or listed on the relevant Stock Exchange or, if it is unable to do so having used all reasonable endeavours, use all reasonable endeavours to obtain and maintain a quotation or listing of such Notes on such other stock exchange or exchanges or securities market or markets as the Issuer may (with the prior written approval of the Trustee) decide and shall also upon obtaining a quotation or listing of such Notes on such other stock exchange or exchanges or securities market or markets enter into a trust deed supplemental to this Trust Deed to effect such consequential amendments to these presents as the Trustee may require or as shall be requisite to comply with the requirements of any such stock exchange or securities market;

 

(k)           give notice to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14 of any appointment, resignation or removal of any Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, Calculation Agent, Reference Bank, other Paying Agent, Registrar or Transfer Agent (other than the appointment of the initial Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, Calculation Agent, Reference Banks, other Paying Agents, Registrar and Transfer Agents) after having obtained the prior written approval of the Trustee thereto or any change of any Paying Agent’s or Reference Bank’s or Registrar’s or Transfer Agents’ specified office and (except as provided by the

 

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Agency Agreement or the Conditions); PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT so long as any of the Notes or Coupons remains liable to prescription in the case of the termination of the appointment of the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent or the Calculation Agent or the Registrar no such termination shall take effect until a new Issuing and Principal Paying Agent or Calculation Agent or the Registrar (as the case may be) has been appointed on terms previously approved in writing by the Trustee;

 

(l)                                   obtain the prior written approval of the Trustee to, and promptly give to the Trustee two copies of, the form of every notice given to the holders of any Notes issued by it in accordance with Condition 14 (such approval, unless so expressed, not to constitute approval for the purposes of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 of Great Britain (the FSMA ) of a communication within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA);

 

(m)                           if payments of principal or interest in respect of the Notes or the relative Coupons by the Issuer shall become subject generally to the taxing jurisdiction of any territory or any political sub-division or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax other than or in addition to the Relevant Jurisdiction or any political sub-division or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax, immediately upon becoming aware thereof notify the Trustee of such event and (unless the Trustee otherwise agrees) enter forthwith into a trust deed supplemental to this Trust Deed in form and manner satisfactory to the Trustee, such trust deed to modify Condition 8 (but not the proviso thereto) so that, in substitution for (or, as the case may be, addition to) the references therein to the Relevant Jurisdiction or any political sub-division thereof or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax, such Condition makes reference to that other or additional territory or any political sub-division thereof or any authority therein or thereof having power to tax to whose taxing jurisdiction such payments shall have become subject as aforesaid and Condition 7(b) shall be modified accordingly;

 

(n)           comply with and perform all its obligations under the Agency Agreement and use all reasonable endeavours to procure that the Agents comply with and perform all their respective obligations thereunder and any notice given by the Trustee pursuant to Clause 2.3(a) and that the Calculation Agent complies with and performs all its obligations under the Calculation Agency Agreement and not make any amendment to the Agency Agreement or the Calculation Agency Agreement without the prior written approval of the Trustee;

 

(o)                               in order to enable the Trustee to ascertain the nominal amount of the Notes of each Series for the time being outstanding for any of the purposes referred to in the proviso to the definition of outstanding in Clause 1 deliver to the Trustee as soon as practicable upon being so requested in writing by the Trustee a certificate in writing signed by two Directors of the Issuer setting out the total number and aggregate nominal amount of the Notes of each Series issued by it which:

 

(i)                                   up to and including the date of such certificate have been purchased by the Issuer, any Holding Company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer or such Holding Company and cancelled; and

 

(ii)                               are at the date of such certificate held by, for the benefit of, or on behalf of, the Issuer, any Holding Company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer or such Holding Company;

 

(p)                               if, in accordance with the provisions of the Conditions, interest in respect of the Notes becomes payable at the specified office of any Paying Agent in the United States of America promptly give notice thereof to the relative Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14;

 

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(q)                               procure that each of its Subsidiaries observes the restrictions contained in Condition 7(f);

 

(r)                                  give prior written notice to the Trustee of any proposed redemption pursuant to Condition 7(b) or (c) and, if it shall have given notice to the Noteholders of its intention to redeem any Notes pursuant to Condition 7(c), duly proceed to make drawings (if appropriate) and to redeem Notes accordingly;

 

(s)                                 promptly provide the Trustee with copies of all supplements and/or amendments and/or restatements of the Programme Agreement; and

 

(t)                                   use all reasonable endeavours to procure that Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (as the case may be) issue(s) any record, certificate or other document requested by the Trustee under Clause 15(w) or otherwise as soon as practicable after such request.

 

14.                             REMUNERATION AND INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEE

 

14.1                     The Issuer shall pay to the Trustee remuneration for its services as trustee of these presents at such rate and on such dates as shall be agreed from time to time between the Issuer and the Trustee. Such remuneration shall accrue from day to day and be payable (in priority to payments to Noteholders and Couponholders) up to and including the date when, all the Notes having become due for redemption, the redemption moneys and interest thereon to the date of redemption have been paid to the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent or the Trustee PROVIDED THAT if upon due presentation of any Note or Coupon or any Certificate in respect thereof or any cheque payment of the moneys due in respect thereof is improperly withheld or refused, remuneration will commence again to accrue until payment to such Noteholder or Couponholder is duly made.

 

14.2        In the event of the occurrence of an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default or the Trustee considering it expedient or necessary or being requested by the Issuer to undertake duties which the Trustee and the Issuer agree to be of an exceptional nature or otherwise outside the scope of the normal duties of the Trustee under these presents the Issuer shall pay to the Trustee such additional remuneration, which may be calculated at the Trustee’s normal hourly rates in force from time to time.

 

14.3                     The Issuer shall in addition pay to the Trustee an amount equal to the amount (if any) of any value added tax or similar tax chargeable in respect of its remuneration under these presents.

 

14.4        In the event of the Trustee and the Issuer failing to agree:

 

(a)                                (in a case to which subclause 14.1 above applies) upon the amount of the remuneration; or

 

(b)                               (in a case to which subclause 14.2 above applies) upon whether such duties shall be of an exceptional nature or otherwise outside the scope of the normal duties of the Trustee under these presents, or upon such additional remuneration,

 

such matters shall be determined by an investment bank or other person (acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator) selected by the Trustee and approved by the Issuer or, failing such approval, nominated (on the application of the Trustee) by the President for the time being of The Law Society of England and Wales (the expenses involved in such nomination and the fees of such investment bank being payable by the Issuer) and the determination of any such investment bank or other person shall be final and binding upon the Trustee and the Issuer.

 

14.5                     The Issuer shall also pay or discharge all Liabilities incurred by the Trustee in relation to the preparation and execution of, the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties under, and in any other manner in relation to, these presents, including but not limited to legal and travelling

 

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expenses and any stamp, issue, registration, documentary and other taxes or duties paid or payable by the Trustee in connection with any action taken or contemplated by or on behalf of the Trustee for enforcing, or resolving any doubt concerning, or for any other purpose in relation to, these presents.

 

14.6        All amounts due and payable pursuant to subclause 14.5 above and/or Clause 15(j) shall be payable by the Issuer on the date specified in a written demand by the Trustee, such demand to specify the reason for such demand, and in the case of payments actually made by the Trustee prior to such demand shall (if not paid within 10 days after such demand and the Trustee so requires) carry interest from the date such payment was made or such later date as specified in such demand at the rate of the Trustee’s cost of funding, and in all other cases shall (if not paid on the date specified in such demand or, if later, within 10 days after such demand and, in either case, the Trustee so requires) carry interest at such rate from the date specified in such demand. All remuneration payable to the Trustee shall carry interest at such rate from the due date therefor.

 

14.7        Unless otherwise specifically stated in any discharge of these presents the provisions of this Clause and Clause 15(j) shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding such discharge.

 

14.8                     The Trustee shall be entitled in its absolute discretion to determine in respect of which Series of Notes any Liabilities incurred under these presents have been incurred or to allocate any such Liabilities between the Notes of any Series.

 

15.                             SUPPLEMENT TO TRUSTEE ACTS

 

Section 1 of the Trustee Act 2000 shall not apply to the duties of the Trustee in relation to the trusts constituted by these presents. Where there are any inconsistencies between the Trustee Acts and the provisions of these presents, the provisions of these presents shall, to the extent allowed by law, prevail and, in the case of any such inconsistency with the Trustee Act 2000, the provisions of these presents shall constitute a restriction or exclusion for the purposes of that Act. The Trustee shall have all the powers conferred upon trustees by the Trustee Act 1925 of England and Wales and by way of supplement thereto it is expressly declared as follows:

 

(a)                                The Trustee may in relation to these presents act on the advice or opinion of or any information obtained from any lawyer, valuer, accountant, surveyor, banker, broker, auctioneer or other expert (including without limitation, an Indexation Adviser) whether obtained by the Issuer, the Trustee or otherwise and shall not be responsible for any Liability occasioned by so acting.

 

(b)           Any such advice, opinion or information may be sent or obtained by letter, telegram, facsimile transmission or cable and the Trustee shall not be liable for acting on any advice, opinion or information purporting to be conveyed by any such letter, telegram, facsimile transmission or cable although the same shall contain some error or shall not be authentic.

 

(c)                                The Trustee may call for and shall be at liberty to accept as sufficient evidence of any fact or matter or the expediency of any transaction or thing a certificate signed by any two Directors of the Issuer, and the Trustee shall not be bound in any such case to call for further evidence or be responsible for any Liability that may be occasioned by it or any other person acting on such certificate.

 

(d)                               The Trustee shall be at liberty to hold or to place these presents and any other documents relating thereto or to deposit them in any part of the world with any banker or banking company or company whose business includes undertaking the safe custody of documents or lawyer or firm of lawyers considered by the Trustee to be of good repute and the Trustee shall not be responsible for or required to insure against any Liability incurred in connection

 

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with any such holding or deposit and may pay all sums required to be paid on account of or in respect of any such deposit.

 

(e)                                The Trustee shall not be responsible for the receipt or application of the proceeds of the issue of any of the Notes by the Issuer, the exchange of any Global Note or Certificate for another Global Note or Certificate or Definitive Bearer Notes or the delivery of any Global Note, Certificate or Definitive Notes to the person(s) entitled to it or them.

 

(f)                                 The Trustee shall not be bound to give notice to any person of the execution of any documents comprised or referred to in these presents or to take any steps to ascertain whether any Early Termination Event, Renminbi Currency Event, Event of Default or any Potential Event of Default has occurred and, until it shall have actual knowledge or express notice pursuant to these presents to the contrary, the Trustee shall be entitled to assume that no Early Termination Event, Renminbi Currency Event, Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has occurred and that the Issuer is observing and performing all its obligations under these presents.

 

(g)                                Save as expressly otherwise provided in these presents, the Trustee shall have absolute and uncontrolled discretion as to the exercise or non-exercise of its trusts, powers, authorities and discretions under these presents (the exercise or non-exercise of which as between the Trustee and the Noteholders and Couponholders shall be conclusive and binding on the Noteholders and Couponholders) and shall not be responsible for any Liability which may result from their exercise or non-exercise.

 

(h)           The Trustee shall not be liable to any person by reason of having acted upon any Extraordinary Resolution in writing or any Extraordinary Resolution or other resolution purporting to have been passed at any meeting of the holders of Notes of all or any Series in respect whereof minutes have been made and signed even though subsequent to its acting it may be found that there was some defect in the constitution of the meeting or the passing of the resolution, (in the case of an Extraordinary Resolution in writing) that not all such holders had signed the Extraordinary Resolution or that for any reason the resolution was not valid or binding upon such holders and the relative and Couponholders.

 

(i)                                   The Trustee shall not be liable to any person by reason of having accepted as valid or not having rejected any Note, Certificate or Coupon reasonably believed by it to be such and subsequently found to be forged or not authentic.

 

(j)            Without prejudice to the right of indemnity by law given to trustees, the Issuer shall indemnify the Trustee and every Appointee and keep it or him indemnified against all Liabilities to which it or he may be or become subject or which may be properly incurred by it or him in the execution of any of its or his trusts, powers, authorities and discretions under these presents or its or his functions under any such appointment or in respect of any other matter or thing done or omitted in any way relating to these presents or any such appointment.

 

(k)                               Any consent or approval given by the Trustee for the purposes of these presents may be given on such terms and subject to such conditions (if any) as the Trustee thinks fit and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these presents may be given retrospectively.

 

(l)                                   The Trustee shall not (unless and to the extent ordered so to do by a court of competent jurisdiction) be required to disclose to any Noteholder or Couponholder any information (including, without limitation, information of a confidential, financial or price sensitive nature) made available to the Trustee by the Issuer or any other person in connection with

 

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the trusts of these presents and no Noteholder or Couponholder shall be entitled to take any action to obtain from the Trustee any such information.

 

(m)                           Where it is necessary or desirable for any purpose in connection with these presents to convert any sum from one currency to another it shall (unless otherwise provided by these presents or required by law) be converted at such rate or rates, in accordance with such method and as at such date for the determination of such rate of exchange, as may be agreed by the Trustee in consultation with the Issuer and any rate, method and date so agreed shall be binding on the Issuer, the Noteholders and the Couponholders.

 

(n)                               The Trustee may certify whether or not any of the conditions, events and acts set out in paragraphs (b), (c), (e) and (f) of Condition 10(A) (each of which conditions, events and acts shall, unless in any case the Trustee in its absolute discretion shall otherwise determine, for all the purposes of these presents be deemed to include the circumstances resulting therein and the consequences resulting therefrom) is in its opinion materially prejudicial to the interests of the Holders and any such certificate shall be conclusive and binding upon the Issuer, the Noteholders and the Couponholders.

 

(o)                               The Trustee as between itself and the Noteholders and the Couponholders may determine all questions and doubts arising in relation to any of the provisions of these presents. Every such determination, whether or not relating in whole or in part to the acts or proceedings of the Trustee, shall be conclusive and shall bind the Trustee and the Noteholders and the Couponholders.

 

(p)                               In connection with the exercise by it of any of its trusts, powers, authorities or discretions under these presents (including, without limitation, any modification, waiver, authorisation or determination), the Trustee shall have regard to the general interests of the Noteholders as a class but shall not have regard to any interests arising from circumstances particular to individual Noteholders or Couponholders (whatever their number) and, in particular but without limitation, shall not have regard to the consequences of such exercise for individual Noteholders or Couponholders (whatever their number) resulting from their being for any purpose domiciled or resident in, or otherwise connected with, or subject to the jurisdiction of, any particular territory or any political sub-division thereof and the Trustee shall not be entitled to require, nor shall any Noteholder or Couponholder be entitled to claim, from the Issuer, the Trustee or any other person any indemnification or payment in respect of any tax consequence of any such exercise upon individual Noteholders or Couponholders except to the extent already provided for in Condition 8 and/or any undertaking given in addition thereto or in substitution therefor under these presents.

 

(q)                               The Trustee may whenever it thinks fit delegate by power of attorney or otherwise to any person or persons or fluctuating body of persons (whether being a joint trustee of these presents or not) all or any of its trusts, powers, authorities and discretions vested in the Trustee by these presents. Such delegation may be made upon such terms (including power to sub-delegate) and subject to such conditions and regulations as the Trustee may in the interests of the Noteholders think fit. Provided that the Trustee has taken reasonable care in selecting such delegate, it shall not be under any obligation to supervise the proceedings or acts of any such delegate or sub-delegate or be in any way responsible for any Liability incurred by reason of any misconduct or default on the part of any such delegate or sub-delegate. The Trustee shall within a reasonable time after any such delegation or any renewal, extension or termination thereof give notice thereof to the Issuer.

 

(r)                                  The Trustee may in the conduct of the trusts of these presents instead of acting personally employ and pay an agent (whether being a lawyer or other professional person) to transact or conduct, or concur in transacting or conducting, any business and to do, or concur in doing,

 

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all acts required to be done in connection with these presents (including the receipt and payment of money). Provided that the Trustee has taken reasonable care in selecting such agent, it shall not be in any way responsible for any Liability incurred by reason of any misconduct or default on the part of any such agent or be bound to supervise the proceedings or acts of any such agent.

 

(s)            The Trustee shall not be responsible for the execution, delivery, legality, effectiveness, adequacy, genuineness, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of these presents or any other document relating or expressed to be supplemental thereto and shall not be liable for any failure to obtain any licence, consent or other authority for the execution, delivery, legality, effectiveness, adequacy, genuineness, validity, performance, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of these presents or any other document relating or expressed to be supplemental thereto.

 

(t)                                   The Trustee shall not be responsible to any person for failing to request, require or receive any legal opinion relating to any Notes or for checking or commenting upon the content of any such legal opinion.

 

(u)                               Any certificate or report of the Auditors or any other person called for by or provided to the Trustee in accordance with or for the purposes of the Notes may be relied upon by the Trustee as sufficient evidence of the facts stated therein whether or not such certificate or report is addressed to the Trustee and whether or not such certificate or report and/or any engagement letter or other document entered into by the Trustee in connection therewith contains a monetary or other limit on the liability of the Auditors (or such other expert or other person) in respect thereof.

 

(v)                               So long as any Global Note is, or any Registered Notes represented by a Global Certificate are, held on behalf of a clearing system, in considering the interests of Noteholders, the Trustee may have regard to any information provided to it by such clearing system or its operator as to the identity (either individually or by category) of its accountholders or participants with entitlements to any such Global Note or the Registered Notes and may consider such interests on the basis that such accountholders or participants were the holder(s) thereof.

 

(w)                            The Trustee may call for and shall rely on any records, certificate or other document of or to be issued by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg in relation to any determination of the principal amount of Notes represented by a NGN. Any such records, certificate or other document shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes. The Trustee shall not be liable to any person by reason of having accepted as valid or not having rejected any such records, certificate or other document to such effect purporting to be issued by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg and subsequently found to be forged or not authentic.

 

(x)                               No provision of these presents shall require the Trustee to do anything which may in its opinion be illegal or contrary to applicable law or regulation.

 

(y)                               Any trustee being a banker, lawyer, broker or other person engaged in any profession or business shall be entitled to charge and be paid all usual professional and other charges for business transacted and acts done by him or his partner or firm on matters arising in connection with the trusts of these presents and also his properly incurred charges in addition to disbursements for all other work and business done and all time spent by him or his partner or firm on matters arising in connection with these presents, including matters which might or should have been attended to in person by a trustee not being a banker, lawyer, broker or other professional person.

 

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(z)                                Nothing contained in these presents shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion hereunder if it has grounds for believing the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against, or security for, such risk or liability is not assured to it.

 

(aa)                         The Trustee shall not be bound to take any steps to enforce the performance of any provisions of these presents, the Notes or the Coupons or to appoint an independent financial advisor pursuant to the Conditions unless it shall be indemnified and/or secured and/or prefunded by the relevant Noteholders and/or Couponholders to its satisfaction against all proceedings, claims and demands to which it may be liable and against all costs, charges, liabilities and expenses which may be incurred by it in connection with such enforcement or appointment, including the cost of its managements’ time and/or other internal resources, calculated using its normal hourly rates in force from time to time.

 

(bb)                       When determining whether an indemnity or any security is satisfactory to it, the Trustee shall be entitled to evaluate its risk in given circumstances by considering the worst-case scenario and, for this purpose, it may take into account, without limitation, the potential costs of defending or commencing proceedings in England or elsewhere and the risk however remote, of any award of damages against it in England or elsewhere.

 

(cc)                         The Trustee shall be entitled to require that any indemnity or security given to it by the Noteholders or any of them be given on a joint and several basis and be supported by evidence satisfactory to it as to the financial standing and creditworthiness of each counterparty and/or as to the value of the security and an opinion as to the capacity, power and authority of each counterparty and/or the validity and effectiveness of the security.

 

16.                             TRUSTEE’S LIABILITY

 

Nothing in these presents shall in any case in which the Trustee has failed to show the degree of care and diligence required of it as trustee having regard to the provisions of these presents conferring on it any trusts, powers, authorities or discretions exempt the Trustee from or indemnify it against any liability for breach of trust of which it may be guilty in relation to its duties under these presents.

 

17.                             TRUSTEE CONTRACTING WITH THE ISSUER

 

Neither the Trustee (which for the purpose of this Clause shall include the Holding Company of any corporation acting as trustee hereof or any Subsidiary of such Holding Company) nor any director or officer or Holding Company, Subsidiary or associated company of a corporation acting as a trustee under these presents shall by reason of its or his fiduciary position be in any way precluded from:

 

(a)                                entering into or being interested in any contract or financial or other transaction or arrangement with the Issuer or any person or body corporate associated with the Issuer (including without limitation any contract, transaction or arrangement of a banking or insurance nature or any contract, transaction or arrangement in relation to the making of loans or the provision of financial facilities or financial advice to, or the purchase, placing or underwriting of or the subscribing or procuring subscriptions for or otherwise acquiring, holding or dealing with, or acting as paying agent in respect of, the Notes or any other notes, bonds, stocks, shares, debenture stock, debentures or other securities of, the Issuer or any person or body corporate associated as aforesaid); or

 

(b)                               accepting or holding the trusteeship of any other trust deed constituting or securing any other securities issued by or relating to the Issuer or any such person or body corporate so

 

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associated or any other office of profit under the Issuer or any such person or body corporate so associated,

 

and each shall be entitled to exercise and enforce its rights, comply with its obligations and perform its duties under or in relation to any such contract, transaction or arrangement as is referred to in 17(a) above or, as the case may be, any such trusteeship or office of profit as is referred to in 17(b) above without regard to the interests of the Noteholders and notwithstanding that the same may be contrary or prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders and shall not be responsible for any Liability occasioned to the Noteholders thereby and shall be entitled to retain and shall not be in any way liable to account for any profit made or share of brokerage or commission or remuneration or other amount or benefit received thereby or in connection therewith.

 

Where any Holding Company, Subsidiary or associated company of the Trustee or any director or officer of the Trustee acting other than in his capacity as such a director or officer has any information, the Trustee shall not thereby be deemed also to have knowledge of such information and, unless it shall have actual knowledge of such information, shall not be responsible for any loss suffered by Noteholders resulting from the Trustee’s failing to take such information into account in acting or refraining from acting under or in relation to these presents.

 

18.                             WAIVER, AUTHORISATION AND DETERMINATION

 

18.1                     The Trustee may without the consent or sanction of the Noteholders or the Couponholders and without prejudice to its rights in respect of any subsequent breach, Event of Default or Potential Event of Default from time to time and at any time but only if and in so far as in its opinion the interests of the Noteholders shall not be materially prejudiced thereby waive or authorise any breach or proposed breach by the Issuer of any of the covenants or provisions contained in these presents or any Condition or determine that any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default shall not be treated as such for the purposes of these presents or any Condition PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT the Trustee shall not exercise any powers conferred on it by this Clause in contravention of any express direction given by Extraordinary Resolution or by a request under Condition 10(A) but so that no such direction or request shall affect any waiver, authorisation or determination previously given or made. Any such waiver, authorisation or determination may be given or made on such terms and subject to such conditions (if any) as the Trustee may determine, shall be binding on the Noteholders and the Couponholders and, if, but only if, the Trustee shall so require, shall be notified by the Issuer to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14 as soon as practicable thereafter.

 

MODIFICATION

 

18.2                     The Trustee may without the consent or sanction of the Noteholders or the Couponholders at any time and from time to time concur with the Issuer in making any modification (a) to these presents or any Condition which in the opinion of the Trustee it may be proper to make PROVIDED THAT the Trustee is of the opinion that such modification will not be materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders or (b) to these presents or any Condition if in the opinion of the Trustee such modification is of a formal, minor or technical nature or to correct a manifest error or to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Any such modification may be made on such terms and subject to such conditions (if any) as the Trustee may determine, shall be binding upon the Noteholders and the Couponholders and, unless the Trustee agrees otherwise, shall be notified by the Issuer to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14 as soon as practicable thereafter.

 

BREACH

 

18.3                     Any breach of or failure to comply with any such terms and conditions as are referred to in subclauses 18.1 and 18.2 of this Clause shall constitute a default by the Issuer in the performance or observance of a covenant or provision binding on it under or pursuant to these presents.

 

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19.                             HOLDER OF DEFINITIVE BEARER NOTE ASSUMED TO BE COUPONHOLDER

 

19.1                     Wherever in these presents the Trustee is required or entitled to exercise a power, trust, authority or discretion under these presents, except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or as required by applicable law, the Trustee shall, notwithstanding that it may have express notice to the contrary, assume that each holder of a Definitive Bearer Note is the holder of all Coupons appertaining to each Definitive Bearer Note of which he is the holder.

 

NO NOTICE TO COUPONHOLDERS

 

19.2        Neither the Trustee nor the Issuer shall be required to give any notice to the Couponholders for any purpose under these presents and the Couponholders shall be deemed for all purposes to have notice of the contents of any notice given to the holders of Definitive Bearer Notes in accordance with Condition 14.

 

20.          SUBSTITUTION AND CONSOLIDATION MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

 

20.1        (a)                                The Trustee may without the consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders at any time agree with the Issuer to the substitution in place of the Issuer (or of the previous substitute under this Clause) as the principal debtor under these presents and the Deed Poll of either (i) a Successor in Business to the Issuer or (ii) a Holding Company of the Issuer or (iii) any Subsidiary of the Issuer (such substituted company being hereinafter called the New Company ) provided that in each case a trust deed is executed or some other form of undertaking is given by the New Company in form and manner reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, agreeing to be bound by the provisions of these presents with any consequential amendments which the Trustee may deem appropriate as fully as if the New Company had been named in these presents as the principal debtor in place of the Issuer (or of the previous substitute under the Clause) and provided further that (save in the case of a substitution of a Successor in Business to the Issuer) the Issuer unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees all amounts payable under these presents to the satisfaction of the Trustee.

 

(b)                               The following further conditions shall apply to 20.1(a) above:

 

(i)            the Issuer and the New Company shall comply with such other requirements as the Trustee may direct in order to ensure that the interests of the Noteholders are not materially prejudiced (and taking into account the proviso in paragraph 20.1(c) below);

 

(ii)           undertakings or covenants shall be given by the New Company in terms corresponding to the provisions of Condition 8 and Condition 7(b) shall be modified accordingly;

 

(iii)      without prejudice to the rights of reliance of the Trustee under the immediately following paragraph (iv), the Trustee is satisfied that the relevant transaction is not materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders, provided that in determining such material prejudice the Trustee shall not take into account any prejudice to the interests of the Noteholders as a result of the New Company not being required pursuant to the undertakings or covenants given pursuant to the preceding paragraph (ii) to pay any additional amounts for or on account of any Taxes imposed by the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein); and

 

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(iv)                           if two Directors of the New Company (or other officers acceptable to the Trustee) shall certify that the New Company is solvent at the time at which the relevant transaction is proposed to be effected (which certificate the Trustee may rely upon absolutely) the Trustee shall not be under any duty to have regard to the financial condition, profits or prospects of the New Company or to compare the same with those of the Issuer or any previous substitute under this Clause as applicable.

 

(c)                                Any such trust deed or undertaking shall, if so expressed, operate to release the Issuer or the previous substitute as aforesaid from all of its obligations as principal debtor under these presents. Not later than 14 days after the execution of such documents and compliance with such requirements, the New Company shall give notice thereof in a form previously approved by the Trustee to the Noteholders in the manner provided in Condition 14. Upon the execution of such documents and compliance with such requirements, the New Company shall be deemed to be named in these presents as the principal debtor in place of the Issuer (or in place of the previous substitute under this Clause) under these presents and these presents shall be deemed to be modified in such manner as shall be necessary to give effect to the above provisions and, without limitation, references in these presents to the Issuer shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to be or include references to the New Company.

 

20.2                     (a)                                The Issuer may consolidate with or merge (which term shall include for the avoidance of doubt a scheme of arrangement) into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, and the Issuer may permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into the Issuer or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to the Issuer, provided that:

 

(i)                                   if the Issuer shall consolidate with or merge into another Person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the properties and assets of the Issuer substantially as an entirety shall be a corporation, partnership or trust, shall be organised and validly existing under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction and shall expressly assume (including, in the case of a Reorganisation, by way of a full and unconditional guarantee subject to the proviso to this subclause) by a trust deed supplemental hereto executed and delivered to the Trustee on behalf of the Noteholders in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all the Notes and the performance or observance of every covenant of these presents on the part of the Issuer to be performed or observed; provided, however, that in the case of a Reorganisation;

 

(A)                            such assumption shall be effected by means of a supplemental trust deed executed by the guarantor in which:

 

I.          the guarantor covenants to the Trustee to guarantee irrevocably and unconditionally the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all the Notes, and all other amounts payable by the Issuer under these presents, which guarantee shall ( inter alia ) not be subject to any requirement for presentment or demand and shall not be affected, modified or impaired upon the happening from time to time of any event, including without limitation (x) the waiver, surrender, compromise, settlement, release, termination or modification of any or all of the obligations, covenants or agreements of the Issuer under these presents; (y) the bankruptcy or

 

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insolvency of the Issuer; and (z) to the extent permitted by law, the release or discharge by operation of law of the Issuer from the performance or observance of any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in these presents; and

 

II.                                   the guarantor covenants to be bound by each and every obligation of the Issuer contained in these presents, including without limitation the obligation to pay additional amounts with respect to any payment made under the guarantee to the extent and subject to the exceptions, mutatis mutandis , set out in Condition 8, and to be subject to each Event of Default specified in Condition 10(A) or in any Notes or Certificates in respect thereof and to each Potential Event of Default, as though in each case, each reference to the Issuer in connection with such obligations or Events of Default were to the guarantor; provided, however, that the reference to specific statutes in Condition 10(A)(e) shall be modified, if applicable, to reflect the laws of the jurisdiction of incorporation of the guarantor; and

 

(B)                             the Trustee shall have received an opinion of legal counsel (which may be an employee of the guarantor), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee to the effect that such guarantee is the valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the guarantor;

 

(ii)                               immediately prior to and after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Issuer as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Issuer at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default shall have happened and be continuing;

 

(iii)                           the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to whom the Issuer has conveyed, transferred or leased its properties or assets (if such Person is incorporated or organised and validly existing under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States, any State thereof, or the District of Columbia, or England and Wales) agrees to indemnify the Trustee and the holder of each Note and Coupon against (A) any tax, assessment or governmental charge imposed on the Trustee or any such holder or required to be withheld or deducted from any payment to the Trustee or such holder as a consequence of such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease; and (B) any costs or expenses of the act of such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease;

 

(iv)                           the Issuer (and, in the case of a guarantee as provided above, the guarantor) has delivered to the Trustee a Certificate signed by two of its Directors (or other officers acceptable to the Trustee) and an opinion of legal counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental trust deed is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental trust deed complies with this Clause, that such supplemental trust deed is valid, binding and enforceable and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with;

 

(v)                               undertakings or covenants shall be given by such Person in terms corresponding to the provisions of Condition 8 and Condition 7(b) shall be modified accordingly;

 

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(vi)          without prejudice to the rights of reliance of the Trustee under the immediately following paragraph (vii), the Trustee is satisfied that the relevant transaction is not materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders, provided that in determining such material prejudice the Trustee shall not take into account any prejudice to the interests of the Noteholders as a result of the Person pursuant to the undertakings or covenants given pursuant to the preceding paragraph (v) not being required to pay any additional amounts for or on account of any Taxes imposed by the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein); and

 

(vii)                       if two Directors of the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to whom the Issuer has conveyed, transferred or leased its properties or assets (or other officers acceptable to the Trustee) shall certify that such Person is solvent at the time at which the relevant transaction is proposed to be effected (which certificate the Trustee may rely upon absolutely) the Trustee shall not be under any duty to have regard to the financial condition, profits or prospects of such Person or to compare the same with those of the Issuer.

 

(b)           Upon any consolidation of the Issuer with, or merger of the Issuer into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and assets of the Issuer substantially as an entirety in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subclause 20.2, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to and be substituted for, except in the case of an assumption by way of a full and unconditional guarantee made in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subclause 20.2 (in which event, the Issuer shall remain an obligor under these presents), and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under these presents with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Issuer in these presents, as the case may be, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under these presents.

 

(c)                                Not later than 21 days after completion of the relevant transaction as referred to in paragraph (a) of this subclause 20.2 the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Person resulting from any such consolidation or merger shall give notice thereof in a form previously approved by the Trustee to the Noteholders in the manner provided in Condition 14.

 

21.                             CURRENCY INDEMNITY

 

The Issuer shall severally indemnify the Trustee, every Appointee, the Noteholders and the Couponholders and keep them indemnified against:

 

(a)                                any loss or damage incurred by any of them arising from the non-payment by the Issuer of any amount due to the Trustee or the holders of the Notes issued by the Issuer and the relative or Couponholders under these presents by reason of any variation in the rates of exchange between those used for the purposes of calculating the amount due under a judgment or order in respect thereof and those prevailing at the date of actual payment by the Issuer; and

 

(b)                               any deficiency arising or resulting from any variation in rates of exchange between (i) the date as of which the local currency equivalent of the amounts due or contingently due under these presents (other than this Clause) is calculated for the purposes of any bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation of the Issuer and (ii) the final date for ascertaining the amount of claims in such bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation. The amount of such deficiency shall be deemed not to be reduced by any variation in rates of exchange occurring between the said

 

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final date and the date of any distribution of assets in connection with any such bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation.

 

The above indemnities shall constitute obligations of the Issuer and separate and independent from its other obligations under the other provisions of these presents and shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted by the Trustee or the Noteholders or the Couponholders from time to time and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the judgment or filing of any proof or proofs in any bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation of the Issuer for a liquidated sum or sums in respect of amounts due under these presents (other than this Clause). Any such deficiency as aforesaid shall be deemed to constitute a loss suffered by the Noteholders and the Couponholders and no proof or evidence of any actual loss shall be required by the Issuer or its liquidator or liquidators.

 

22.                             NEW TRUSTEE

 

22.1                     The power to appoint a new trustee of these presents shall be vested in the Issuer but no person shall be appointed who shall not previously have been approved by an Extraordinary Resolution. One or more persons may hold office as trustee or trustees of these presents but such trustee or trustees shall be or include a Trust Corporation. Whenever there shall be more than two trustees of these presents the majority of such trustees shall be competent to execute and exercise all the duties, powers, trusts, authorities and discretions vested in the Trustee by these presents provided that a Trust Corporation shall be included in such majority. Any appointment of a new trustee of these presents shall as soon as practicable thereafter be notified by the Issuer to the Agent and in accordance with Condition 14 to the Noteholders.

 

Separate and Co-Trustees

 

22.2                     Notwithstanding the provisions of subclause 22.1 above, the Trustee may, upon giving prior notice to the Issuer (but without the consent of the Issuer, the Noteholders or the Couponholders), appoint any person established or resident in any jurisdiction (whether a Trust Corporation or not) to act either as a separate trustee or as a co-trustee jointly with the Trustee:

 

(a)                                if the Trustee considers such appointment to be in the interests of the Noteholders;

 

(b)                               for the purposes of conforming to any legal requirements, restrictions or conditions in any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts is or are to be performed; or

 

(c)                                for the purposes of obtaining a judgment in any jurisdiction or the enforcement in any jurisdiction of either a judgment already obtained or any of the provisions of these presents against the Issuer.

 

The Issuer irrevocably appoints the Trustee to be its attorney in its name and on its behalf to execute any such instrument of appointment. Such a person shall (subject always to the provisions of these presents) have such trusts, powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those conferred on the Trustee by these presents) and such duties and obligations as shall be conferred or imposed by the instrument of appointment. The Trustee shall have power in like manner to remove any such person. Such reasonable remuneration as the Trustee may pay to any such person, together with any attributable costs, charges and expenses incurred by it in performing its function as such separate trustee or co-trustee, shall for the purposes of these presents be treated as costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Trustee.

 

23.                             TRUSTEE’S RETIREMENT AND REMOVAL

 

A trustee of these presents may retire at any time on giving not less than three months’ prior written notice to the Issuer without giving any reason and without being responsible for any Liabilities

 

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incurred by reason of such retirement. The Noteholders shall have the power exercisable by Extraordinary Resolution to remove any trustee or trustees for the time being of these presents. The Issuer undertakes that in the event of the only trustee of these presents which is a Trust Corporation giving notice under this Clause or being removed by Extraordinary Resolution it will use all reasonable endeavours to procure that a new trustee of these presents being a Trust Corporation is appointed as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter. The retirement or removal of any such trustee shall not become effective until a successor trustee being a Trust Corporation is appointed.

 

24.                             TRUSTEE’S POWERS TO BE ADDITIONAL

 

The powers conferred upon the Trustee by these presents shall be in addition to any powers which may from time to time be vested in the Trustee by the general law or as a holder of any of the Notes or Coupons.

 

25.                             NOTICES

 

Any notice or demand to the Issuer or the Trustee required to be given, made or served for any purposes under these presents shall be given, made or served by sending the same by pre-paid post (first class if inland, first class airmail if overseas) or facsimile transmission or by delivering it by hand as follows:

 

to the Issuer:

Vodafone House

 

The Connection

 

Newbury

 

Berkshire RG14 2FN

 

England

 

 

 

(Attention: the Director of Treasury)

 

Facsimile No.: 01635 676746

 

 

to the Trustee:

Fifth Floor

 

100 Wood Street

 

London EC2V 7EX

 

England

 

 

 

(Attention: the Manager, Commercial Trusts)

 

Facsimile No.: 020 7696 5261

 

or to such other address or facsimile number as shall have been notified (in accordance with this Clause) to the other party hereto and any notice or demand sent by post as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been given, made or served upon receipt. Any notice or demand sent by facsimile transmission as aforesaid shall be deemed to have been given, made or served upon receipt provided that in the case of a notice or demand given by facsimile transmission such notice or demand shall forthwith be confirmed by post.

 

26.                             GOVERNING LAW

 

The Trust Deed, the Notes, the Coupons, and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with them, are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law.

 

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27.                             COUNTERPARTS

 

This Trust Deed and any trust deed supplemental hereto may be executed and delivered in counterparts, both of which, taken together, shall constitute one and the same deed and either party to this Trust Deed or any party to any trust deed supplemental hereto may enter into the same by executing and delivering a counterpart.

 

28.                             CONTRACTS (RIGHTS OF THIRD PARTIES) ACT 1999

 

A person who is not a party to this Trust Deed or any trust deed supplemental hereto has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Trust Deed or any trust deed supplemental hereto, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act.

 

IN WITNESS whereof this Trust Deed has been executed as a deed by the Issuer and the Trustee and delivered on the date stated on page 1.

 

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SCHEDULE 1

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE NOTES

 

Notes issued by Vodafone Group Plc (formerly called Vodafone AirTouch Plc) (the “ Issuer ”) are constituted by a Trust Deed dated 16 July 1999 (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the “ Trust Deed ”) made between the Issuer and The Law Debenture Trust Corporation p.l.c. (the “ Trustee ”, which expression shall include any successor as trustee).

 

The Notes and the Coupons (as defined below) have the benefit of an amended and restated Agency Agreement dated 11 July 2013 (such Agency Agreement as amended and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the “ Agency Agreement ”) made between the Issuer, HSBC Bank plc as issuing and principal paying agent and agent bank (the “ Issuing and Principal Paying Agent ”, which expression shall include any successor issuing and principal paying agent), the other paying agents named therein (together with the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the “ Paying Agents ”, which expression shall include any additional or successor paying agents), HSBC Bank USA, National Association as exchange agent (the “ Exchange Agent ”, which expression shall include any successor exchange agent) and HSBC Bank USA, National Association as registrar (the “ Registrar ”, which expression shall include any successor registrar) and a transfer agent and the other transfer agents named therein (together with the Registrar, the “ Transfer Agents ”, which expression shall include any additional or successor transfer agent) and the Trustee.

 

The Noteholders (as defined below) and the holders (the “ Couponholders ”) of the interest coupons (the “ Coupons ”) relating to interest bearing Notes in bearer form and, where applicable in the case of such Notes, talons for further Coupons (the “ Talons ”) are entitled to the benefit of, are bound by, and are deemed to have notice of, all the provisions of the Trust Deed and are deemed to have notice of those provisions applicable to them of the Agency Agreement. Any reference herein to Coupons or coupons shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to include a reference to Talons or talons. References in these Terms and Conditions to “ Exempt Notes ” are to Notes for which no prospectus is required to be published under the Prospectus Directive (as defined below).

 

If this Note is not an Exempt Note, the final terms for this Note (or the relevant provisions thereof) are attached to or endorsed on this Note (the “ Final Terms ”). Part A of the Final Terms completes these Terms and Conditions for the purposes of this Note. References to the “ applicable Final Terms ” are to Part A of the Final Terms (or the relevant provisions thereof). If this Note is an Exempt Note, the pricing supplement for this Note (or the relevant provisions thereof) are attached to or endorsed on this Note (the “ Pricing Supplement ”). Part A of the Pricing Supplement completes these Terms and Conditions for the purposes of this Note and may specify other terms and conditions which shall, to the extent so specified or to the extent inconsistent with these Terms and Conditions, replace or modify these Terms and Conditions for the purposes of this Note. In the case of Exempt Notes, any subsequent reference in these Terms and Conditions to “ Final Terms ” shall be deemed to include reference to “ Pricing Supplement ” so far as the context admits.

 

The Trustee acts for the benefit of the Noteholders and the Couponholders, (which expression shall, unless the context otherwise requires, include the holders of the Talons), in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Deed.

 

As used herein, “ Tranche ” means Notes which are identical in all respects (including as to listing) and “ Series ” means a Tranche of Notes together with any further Tranche or Tranches of Notes which are (i) expressed to be consolidated and form a single series and (ii) identical in all respects (including as to listing) except for their respective Issue Dates, Interest Commencement Dates and/or Issue Prices.

 

Copies of the Trust Deed and the Agency Agreement are available for inspection during normal business hours at the registered office for the time being of the Trustee (being at Fifth Floor, 100 Wood Street, London EC2V 7EX, England) and at the specified office of each of the Paying Agents. In addition, the applicable Final Terms will be available for viewing on the website of the Regulatory News Service operated by the London Stock Exchange plc at www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-home.html or otherwise published in accordance with Article 14 of Directive 2003/71/EC (which includes the amendments made by Directive 2010/73/EU to the extent that such amendments have been implemented in a relevant Member State of the European Economic Area) (the “ Prospectus Directive ”). If this Note is an Exempt Note, the applicable Pricing Supplement will only be obtainable by a Noteholder holding one or more Notes and such Noteholder must produce evidence satisfactory to the Paying Agent for the time being in London as to the identity of such holder. The Noteholders and the Couponholders are deemed to have notice of, and are entitled to the benefit of, all the provisions of the Trust Deed, the Agency Agreement and the applicable Final Terms which are applicable to them. The statements in these Terms and Conditions include summaries of, and are subject to, the detailed provisions of the

 

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Trust Deed. Words and expressions defined in the Trust Deed and/or the Agency Agreement or used in the applicable Final Terms shall have the same meanings where used in these Terms and Conditions unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise stated and provided that, in the event of inconsistency between the Agency Agreement and the Trust Deed, the Trust Deed shall prevail and, in the event of inconsistency between the Agency Agreement or the Trust Deed and the applicable Final Terms, the applicable Final Terms will prevail.

 

References herein to “ RMB Notes ” are to Notes denominated in Renminbi. References herein to “ Renminbi ”, “ RMB ” and “ CNY ” are to the lawful currency of the People’s Republic of China (the “ PRC ”) which, for the purposes of the Conditions, excludes the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan.

 

1.              Form, Denomination and Title

 

The Notes are issued in bearer form (“ Bearer Notes ”, which expression includes Notes that are specified to be Exchangeable Bearer Notes), in registered form (“ Registered Notes ”) or in bearer form exchangeable for Registered Notes (“ Exchangeable Bearer Notes ”) in each case in the Specified Denomination(s) shown hereon.

 

All Registered Notes shall have the same Specified Denomination. Where Exchangeable Bearer Notes are issued, the Registered Notes for which they are exchangeable shall have the same Specified Denomination as the lowest denomination of Exchangeable Bearer Notes.

 

The Notes may be Fixed Rate Notes, Floating Rate Notes, Zero Coupon Notes, Inflation Linked Interest Notes or a combination of any of the foregoing, depending upon the Interest Basis shown in the applicable Final Terms.

 

The Notes may be redeemable at par or may be Inflation Linked Redemption Notes, depending on the Redemption Basis shown in the applicable Final Terms.

 

If this Note is an Exempt Note, this Note may include terms and conditions not contemplated by these Terms and Conditions, in which event the relevant provisions will be included in the applicable Pricing Supplement.

 

Bearer Notes are serially numbered and are issued with Coupons attached, unless they are Zero Coupon Notes, in which case references to Coupons and Couponholders in these Terms and Conditions are not applicable.

 

Registered Notes are represented by registered certificates (“ Certificates ”) and, save as provided in Condition 2(c), each Certificate shall represent the entire holding of Registered Notes by the same holder.

 

Title to the Bearer Notes and Coupons will pass by delivery. Title to the Registered Notes will pass by registration in the register that the Issuer will procure to be kept by the Registrar in accordance with the provisions of the Agency Agreement (the “ Register ”). The Issuer, any Paying Agent, the Registrar, the Transfer Agents, the Exchange Agent and the Trustee may (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws) deem and treat the holder (as defined below) of any Note or Coupon as the absolute owner for all purposes (whether or not the Note or Coupon shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing on the Note or Coupon (or on the Certificate representing it) or any notice of previous loss or theft of the Note or Coupon (or that of the related Certificate) or of trust or any interest therein) and shall not be required to obtain any proof thereof or as to the identity of such holder and no person shall be liable for so treating the holder.

 

In these Terms and Conditions, “ Noteholder ” means the bearer of any Bearer Note or the person in whose name a Registered Note is registered (as the case may be), “ holder ” (in relation to a Note or Coupon) means the bearer of any Bearer Note or Coupon or the person in whose name a Registered Note is registered (as the case may be) and capitalised terms have the meanings given to them in the applicable Final Terms, the absence of any such meaning indicating that such term is not applicable to the Notes.

 

2.              Exchanges of Exchangeable Bearer Notes and Transfers of Registered Notes

 

(a)             Exchange of Exchangeable Bearer Notes

 

Subject as provided in Condition 2(f), Exchangeable Bearer Notes may be exchanged for the same nominal amount of Registered Notes at the request in writing of the relevant Noteholder (in substantially the same form set out in Schedule 3 of the Agency Agreement) and upon surrender of each Exchangeable Bearer Note to be exchanged,

 

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together with all unmatured Coupons relating to it, at the specified office of any Transfer Agent; provided, however, that where an Exchangeable Bearer Note is surrendered for exchange after the Record Date (as defined in Condition 6(c)) for any payment of interest, the Coupon in respect of that payment of interest need not be surrendered with it. Registered Notes may not be exchanged for Bearer Notes. Bearer Notes of one Specified Denomination may not be exchanged for Bearer Notes of another Specified Denomination. Bearer Notes that are not Exchangeable Bearer Notes may not be exchanged for Registered Notes.

 

(b)             Transfer of Registered Notes

 

One or more Registered Notes may be transferred upon the surrender (at the specified office of the Registrar or any Transfer Agent) of the Certificate representing such Registered Notes to be transferred, together with the form of transfer endorsed on such Certificate, (or another form of transfer substantially in the same form and containing the same representations and certifications (if any), unless otherwise agreed by the issuer), duly completed and executed and any other evidence as the Registrar or Transfer Agent may reasonably require. In the case of a transfer of part only of a holding of Registered Notes represented by one Certificate, a new Certificate shall be issued to the transferee in respect of the part transferred and a further new Certificate in respect of the balance of the holding not transferred shall be issued to the transferor.

 

(c)             Partial Redemption in Respect of Registered Notes

 

In the case of a partial redemption of a holding of Registered Notes represented by a single Certificate, a new Certificate shall be issued to the holder in respect of the balance of the holding not redeemed. New Certificates shall only be issued against surrender of the existing Certificates to the Registrar or any Transfer Agent. In the case of a transfer of Registered Notes to a person who is already a holder of Registered Notes, a new Certificate representing the enlarged holding shall only be issued against surrender of the Certificate representing the existing holding.

 

(d)             Delivery of New Certificates

 

Each new Certificate to be issued pursuant to Conditions 2(a), (b) or (c) above shall only be available for delivery within three business days of receipt of the request for exchange, form of transfer or Put Notice (as defined in Condition 7(d)) and surrender of the Certificate for exchange. Delivery of the new Certificate(s) shall be made at the specified office of the Transfer Agent or of the Registrar (as the case may be) to whom delivery or surrender of such request for exchange, form of transfer, Put Notice or Certificate shall have been made or, at the option of the holder making such delivery or surrender as aforesaid and as specified in the relevant request for exchange, form of transfer, Put Notice or other in writing, be mailed by uninsured post at the risk of the holder entitled to the new Certificate to such address as may be so specified, unless such holder requests otherwise and pays in advance to the relevant Transfer Agent the costs of such other method of delivery and/or such insurance as it may specify. In this Condition (d), “ business day ” means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which banks are open for business in the place of the specified office of the relevant Transfer Agent or the Registrar (as the case may be).

 

(e)             Exchange or Transfer Free of Charge

 

Exchange and transfer of Notes and Certificates on registration, transfer and exercise of an option or partial redemption shall be effected without charge by or on behalf of the Issuer, the Registrar or the Transfer Agents, but upon payment of any tax or other governmental charges that may be imposed in relation to it (or the giving of such indemnity as the Registrar or the relevant Transfer Agent may require).

 

(f)             Closed Periods

 

No Noteholder may require the transfer of a Registered Note to be registered or an Exchangeable Bearer Note to be exchanged for one or more Registered Note(s) (i) during the period of 15 days prior to any date on which Notes may be called for redemption by the Issuer at its option pursuant to Condition 7(c), (ii) after any such Note has been called for redemption or (iii) during the period of seven days ending on (and including) any Record Date. An Exchangeable Bearer Note called for redemption may, however, be exchanged for one or more Registered Note(s) in respect of which the Certificate is simultaneously surrendered not later than the relevant Record Date.

 

3.              Status of the Notes

 

The Notes and any relative Coupons are direct, unconditional and unsecured obligations of the Issuer and rank and will rank pari passu , without any preference among themselves, with all other, present and future, outstanding unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Issuer (other than obligations preferred by law).

 

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4.              Interest

 

(a)             Interest on Fixed Rate Notes

 

Each Fixed Rate Note bears interest from (and including) the Interest Commencement Date at the rate(s) per annum equal to the Rate(s) of Interest. Interest will be payable in arrear on the Interest Payment Date(s) in each year and on the Maturity Date.

 

In the case of RMB Notes, if:

 

(i)

Interest Payment Date Adjustment is specified as applying in the applicable Final Terms; and

 

 

(ii)

(x) there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which an Interest Payment Date should occur or (y) any Interest Payment Date would otherwise fall on a day which is not a Business Day,

 

then such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day unless it would thereby fall into the next calendar month, in which event such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day.

 

For these purposes, “ Business Day ” has the meaning given to in Condition 4(b) below.

 

If the Notes are in definitive form, except as provided in the applicable Final Terms, the amount of interest payable on each Interest Payment Date in respect of the Fixed Interest Period ending on (but excluding) such date will amount to the Fixed Coupon Amount. Payments of interest on any Interest Payment Date will, if so specified in the applicable Final Terms, amount to the Broken Amount so specified.

 

As used in these Terms and Conditions, “ Fixed Interest Period ” means the period from (and including) an Interest Payment Date (or the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the next (or first) Interest Payment Date.

 

Except in the case of Notes in definitive form where a Fixed Coupon Amount or Broken Amount is specified in the applicable Final Terms, interest shall be calculated in respect of any period by applying the Rate of Interest to:

 

(i)

in the case of Fixed Rate Notes which are represented by a Global Note, the aggregate outstanding nominal amount of the Fixed Rate Notes represented by such Global Note; or

 

 

(ii)

in the case of Fixed Rate Notes in definitive form, the Calculation Amount;

 

and, in each case, multiplying such sum by the applicable Fixed Day Count Fraction, and rounding the resultant figure to the nearest sub-unit of the relevant Specified Currency, half of any such sub-unit being rounded upwards or otherwise in accordance with applicable market convention. Where the Specified Denomination of a Fixed Rate Note in definitive form comprises more than one Calculation Amount, the amount of interest payable in respect of such Fixed Rate Note shall be the aggregate of the amounts (determined in the manner provided above) for each Calculation Amount comprising the Specified Denomination without any further rounding.

 

In these Terms and Conditions:

 

Fixed Day Count Fraction ” means, in respect of the calculation of an amount of interest in accordance with this Condition 4(a):

 

(i)                                      if “ Actual/Actual (ICMA) ” is specified in the applicable Final Terms:

 

 (a)                               in the case of Notes where the number of days in the relevant period from (and including) the most recent Interest Payment Date (or, if none, the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the relevant payment date (the “ Accrual Period ”) is equal to or shorter than the Determination Period during which the Accrual Period ends, the number of days in such Accrual Period divided by the product of (1) the number of days in such Determination Period and (2) the number of Determination Dates (as specified in the applicable Final Terms) that would occur in one calendar year; or

 

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(b)                                  in the case of Notes where the Accrual Period is longer than the Determination Period during which the Accrual Period ends, the sum of:

 

(1)                                                  the number of days in such Accrual Period falling in the Determination Period in which the Accrual Period begins divided by the product of (x) the number of days in such Determination Period and (y) the number of Determination Dates (as specified in the applicable Final Terms) that would occur in one calendar year; and

 

(2)                                                  the number of days in such Accrual Period falling in the next Determination Period divided by the product of (x) the number of days in such Determination Period and (y) the number of Determination Dates that would occur in one calendar year assuming interest was to be payable in respect of the whole of that year;

 

(ii)                                   if “ 30/360 ” is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the number of days in the period from (and including) the most recent Interest Payment Date (or, if none, the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the relevant payment date (such number of days being calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days with 12 30-day months) divided by 360; and

 

(iii)                                if “ Actual/365 (Fixed) ” is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the actual number of days in the relevant period divided by 365.

 

In these Terms and Conditions:

 

Determination Period ” means each period from (and including) a Determination Date to (but excluding) the next Determination Date (including, where either the Interest Commencement Date or the final Interest Payment Date is not a Determination Date, the period commencing on the first Determination Date prior to, and ending on the first Determination Date falling after, such date); and

 

sub-unit ” means, with respect to any currency other than euro, the lowest amount of such currency that is available as legal tender in the country of such currency and, with respect to euro, means one cent.

 

(b)                                  Interest on Floating Rate Notes and Inflation Linked Interest Notes

 

(i)                                      Interest Payment Dates

 

Each Floating Rate Note and Inflation Linked Interest Note bears interest from (and including) the Interest Commencement Date and such interest will be payable in arrear on either:

 

(A)                                 the Specified Interest Payment Date(s) (each an “ Interest Payment Date ”) in each year specified in the applicable Final Terms; or

 

(B)                                 if no Specified Interest Payment Date(s) is/are specified in the applicable Final Terms, each date (each an “ Interest Payment Date ”) which falls the number of months or other period specified as the Specified Period in the applicable Final Terms after the preceding Interest Payment Date or, in the case of the first Interest Payment Date, after the Interest Commencement Date.

 

Such interest will be payable in respect of each Interest Period (which expression shall, in these Terms and Conditions, mean the period from (and including) an Interest Payment Date (or the Interest Commencement Date) to (but excluding) the next (or first) Interest Payment Date).

 

If a Business Day Convention is specified in the applicable Final Terms and (x) if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which an Interest Payment Date should occur or (y) if any Interest Payment Date would otherwise fall on a day which is not a Business Day, then, if the Business Day Convention specified is:

 

(1)            in any case where Specified Periods are specified in accordance with Condition 4(b)(i)(B), the Floating Rate Convention, such Interest Payment Date (i) in the case of (x) above, shall be the last day that is a Business Day in the relevant month and the provisions of (B) below shall apply mutatis mutandis or (ii) in the case of (y) above, shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day unless it would thereby fall into the next calendar month, in which event (A) such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the

 

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immediately preceding Business Day and (B) each subsequent Interest Payment Date shall be the last Business Day in the month which falls the Specified Period after the preceding applicable Interest Payment Date occurred; or

 

(2)                                  the Following Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day; or

 

(3)                                  the Modified Following Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be postponed to the next day which is a Business Day unless it would thereby fall into the next calendar month, in which event such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day; or

 

(4)                                  the Preceding Business Day Convention, such Interest Payment Date shall be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day.

 

In these Terms and Conditions, “ Business Day ” means a day which is both:

 

(A)                                 a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London and any Additional Business Centre specified in the applicable Final Terms; and

 

(B)                                 either (1) in relation to any sum payable in a Specified Currency other than euro or Renminbi, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant Specified Currency (which, if the Specified Currency is Australian dollars or New Zealand dollars, shall be Sydney or Wellington, respectively), (2) in relation to any sum payable in euro, a day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET2) System (the “ TARGET2 System ”) is open or (3) in relation to any sum payable in Renminbi, a day (other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday) on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets in Hong Kong are generally open for business and settlement for Renminbi payments in Hong Kong.

 

(ii)                                   Rate of Interest for Floating Rate Notes

 

The Rate of Interest payable from time to time in respect of Floating Rate Notes will be determined in the manner specified in the applicable Final Terms.

 

(A)            ISDA Determination for Floating Rate Notes

 

Where ISDA Determination is specified in the applicable Final Terms as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, the Rate of Interest for each Interest Period will be the relevant ISDA Rate plus or minus (as indicated in the applicable Final Terms) the Margin (if any). For the purposes of this sub-paragraph (A), “ ISDA Rate ” for an Interest Period means a rate equal to the Floating Rate that would be determined by the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent under an interest rate swap transaction if the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent were acting as Calculation Agent for that swap transaction under the terms of an agreement incorporating the 2006 ISDA Definitions (as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. and amended and updated as at the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes) (the “ ISDA Definitions ”) and under which:

 

(1)

the Floating Rate Option is as specified in the applicable Final Terms;

 

 

(2)

the Designated Maturity is a period specified in the applicable Final Terms; and

 

 

(3)

the relevant Reset Date is either (i) if the applicable Floating Rate Option is based on the London inter-bank offered rate (“ LIBOR ”) or on the Euro-zone inter-bank offered rate (“ EURIBOR ”) for a currency, the first day of that Interest Period or (ii) in any other case, as specified in the applicable Final Terms.

 

For the purposes of this sub-paragraph (A), (i) “ Floating Rate ”, “ Calculation Agent ”, “ Floating Rate Option ”, “ Designated Maturity ” and “ Reset Date ” have the meanings given to those terms in the ISDA Definitions, (ii) the definition of “ Banking Day ” in the ISDA Definitions shall be amended to insert after the

 

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words “are open for” in the second line the word “general” and (iii) “ Euro-zone ” means the region comprised of Member States of the European Union that adopt the single currency in accordance with the Treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the Treaty on European Union.

 

(B)             Screen Rate Determination for Floating Rate Notes

 

Where Screen Rate Determination is specified in the applicable Final Terms as the manner in which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, the Rate of Interest for each Interest Period will, subject as provided below, be either:

 

(1)

the offered quotation; or

 

 

(2)

the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place, with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the offered quotations,

 

(expressed as a percentage rate per annum) for the Reference Rate which appears or appear, as the case may be, on the Relevant Screen Page (or such replacement page on that service which displays the information) as at the Relevant Time on the Interest Determination Date in question plus or minus (as indicated in the applicable Final Terms) the Margin (if any), all as determined by the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent. If five or more of such offered quotations are available on the Relevant Screen Page, the highest (or, if there is more than one such highest quotation, one only of such quotations) and the lowest (or, if there is more than one such lowest quotation, one only of such quotations) shall be disregarded by the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent for the purpose of determining the arithmetic mean (rounded as provided above) of such offered quotations.

 

If the Relevant Screen Page is not available or if, in the case of Condition 4(b)(ii)(B)(1) above, no such offered quotation appears or, in the case of Condition 4(b)(ii)(B)(2) above, fewer than three such offered quotations appear, in each case as at the time specified in the preceding paragraph above, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent shall request each of the Reference Banks to provide the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent with its offered quotation (expressed as a percentage rate per annum) for the Reference Rate, at approximately the Relevant Time, on the Interest Determination Date in question. If two or more of the Reference Banks provide the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent with such offered quotations, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of such offered quotations plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any), all as determined by the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent.

 

If on any Interest Determination Date one only or none of the Reference Banks provides the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent with such offered quotations as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Rate of Interest for the relevant Interest Period shall be the rate per annum which the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent determines as being the arithmetic mean (rounded if necessary to the fifth decimal place, with 0.000005 being rounded upwards) of the rates, as communicated to (and at the request of) the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent by the Reference Banks or any two or more of them, at which such banks were offered, at approximately the Relevant Time, on the relevant Interest Determination Date, deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate by leading banks in, if the Reference Rate is LIBOR, the London inter-bank market or, if the Reference Rate is EURIBOR, the Euro-zone inter-bank market or, if the Reference Rate is TIBOR, the Tokyo inter-bank market or, if the Reference Rate is CDOR, the Toronto inter-bank market or, if the Reference Rate is JIBAR, the Johannesburg inter-bank market, as the case may be, plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any) or, if fewer than two of the Reference Banks provide the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent with such offered rates, the offered rate for deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate, or the arithmetic mean (rounded as provided above) of the offered rates for deposits in the Specified Currency for a period equal to that which would have been used for the Reference Rate, at approximately the Relevant Time, on the relevant Interest Determination Date, any one or more banks (which bank or banks is or are in the opinion of the Issuer suitable for such purpose) informs the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent it is quoting to leading banks in, if the Reference Rate is LIBOR, the London inter-bank market or, if the Reference Rate is EURIBOR, the Euro-zone inter-bank market or, if the Reference Rate is TIBOR, the Tokyo inter-bank market or, if the Reference Rate is CDOR, the Toronto inter-bank market or, if the Reference Rate is JIBAR, the Johannesburg inter-bank market, as the case may be, plus or minus (as appropriate) the Margin (if any), provided that, if the Rate of Interest cannot be determined

 

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in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, the Rate of Interest shall be determined as at the last preceding Interest Determination Date (though substituting, where a different Margin is to be applied to the relevant Interest Period from that which applied to the last preceding Interest Period, the Margin relating to the relevant Interest Period, in place of the Margin relating to that last preceding Interest Period).

 

In these Terms and Conditions:

 

Interest Determination Date ” means:

 

(i)                                      if the Reference Rate is LIBOR (other than Sterling or Euro LIBOR), the second London business day prior the start of each Interest Period;

 

(ii)                                   if the Reference Rate is Sterling LIBOR, the first day of each Interest Period;

 

(iii)                                if the Reference Rate is Euro LIBOR or EURIBOR, the second day on which the TARGET2 System is open prior to the start of each Interest Period;

 

(iv)                                if the Reference Rate is the Tokyo inter-bank offered rate (“ TIBOR ”), the second Tokyo Business Day prior to the start of each Interest Period;

 

(v)                                   if the Reference Rate is the Canadian Dollar offered rate (“ CDOR ”), the first day of each Interest Period; and

 

(vi)                                if the Reference Rate is the Johannesburg inter-bank agreed rate (“ JIBAR ”), the first day of each Interest Period;

 

Reference Banks ” means, in the case of a determination of LIBOR, the principal London office of four major banks in the London inter-bank market, in the case of a determination of EURIBOR, the principal office of four major banks in the Euro-zone inter-bank market, in the case of a determination of TIBOR, the principal Tokyo office of ten major banks in the Tokyo inter-bank market, in the case of a determination of CDOR, four major Canadian Schedule I chartered banks, in the case of a determination of JIBAR, the principal Johannesburg office of four major banks in the Johannesburg inter-bank market, in each case selected by the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent;

 

Reference Rate ” means (i) LIBOR, (ii) EURIBOR, (iii) TIBOR, (iv) CDOR or (v) JIBAR, in each case for the relevant period, as specified in the applicable Final Terms;

 

Relevant Financial Centre ” means (i) London, in the case of a determination of LIBOR, (ii) Brussels, in the case of a determination of EURIBOR, (iii) Tokyo, in the case of a determination of TIBOR, (iv) Toronto, in the case of a determination of CDOR and (v) Johannesburg, in the case of a determination of JIBAR; and

 

Relevant Time ” means (i) in the case of LIBOR, 11.00 a.m., (ii) in the case of EURIBOR, 11.00 a.m., (iii) in the case of TIBOR, 11.00 a.m., (iv) in the case of CDOR, 10.00 a.m. and (v) in the case of JIBAR, 11.00 a.m., in each case in the Relevant Financial Centre.

 

(iii)             Rate of Interest for Inflation Linked Interest Notes

 

The Rate of Interest in respect of Inflation Linked Interest Notes for each Interest Period will be as specified in the applicable Final Terms. Amounts of interest payable in respect of Inflation Linked Interest Notes determined by reference to the applicable Rate of Interest shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with Condition 5.

 

(iv)             Minimum Rate of Interest and/or Maximum Rate of Interest

 

If the applicable Final Terms specifies a Minimum Rate of Interest for any Interest Period, then, in the event that the Rate of Interest in respect of such Interest Period determined in accordance with the provisions of sub-paragraph (ii) above is less than such Minimum Rate of Interest, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be such Minimum Rate of Interest.

 

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If the applicable Final Terms specifies a Maximum Rate of Interest for any Interest Period, then, in the event that the Rate of Interest in respect of such Interest Period determined in accordance with the provisions of sub-paragraph (ii) above is greater than such Maximum Rate of Interest, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be such Maximum Rate of Interest.

 

(v)            Determination of Rate of Interest and calculation of Interest Amounts

 

The Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, in the case of Floating Rate Notes, and the Calculation Agent, in the case of Inflation Linked Interest Notes, will at or as soon as practicable after each time at which the Rate of Interest is to be determined, determine the Rate of Interest for the relevant Interest Period. In the case of Inflation Linked Interest Notes, the Calculation Agent will notify the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent of the Rate of Interest for the relevant Interest Period as soon as practicable after calculating the same.

 

The Issuing and Principal Paying Agent will calculate the amount of interest (the “ Interest Amount ”) payable on the Floating Rate Notes or Inflation Linked Interest Notes for the relevant Interest Period by applying the Rate of Interest to:

 

(A)                                 in the case of Floating Rate Notes or Inflation Linked Interest Notes which are represented by a Global Note, the aggregate outstanding nominal amount of the Notes represented by such Global Note; or

 

(B)                                 in the case of Floating Rate Notes or Inflation Linked Interest Notes in definitive form, the Calculation Amount;

 

and, in each case, multiplying such sum by the applicable Day Count Fraction, and rounding the resultant figure to the nearest sub-unit of the relevant Specified Currency, half of any such sub-unit being rounded upwards or otherwise in accordance with applicable market convention. Where the Specified Denomination of a Floating Rate Note or an Inflation Linked Interest Note in definitive form comprises more than one Calculation Amount, the Interest Amount payable in respect of such Note shall be the aggregate of the amounts (determined in the manner provided above) for each Calculation Amount comprising the Specified Denomination without any further rounding

 

Day Count Fraction ” means, in respect of the calculation of an amount of interest for any Interest Period:

 

(i)                                      if “ Actual/Actual-ISDA ” or “ Actual/Actual ” is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365 (or, if any portion of that Interest Period falls in a leap year, the sum of (A) the actual number of days in that portion of the Interest Period falling in a leap year divided by 366 and (B) the actual number of days in that portion of the Interest Period falling in a non-leap year divided by 365);

 

(ii)                                   if “ Actual/365 (Sterling) ” is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365 or, in the case of an Interest Payment Date falling in a leap year, 366;

 

(iii)                                if “ Actual/365 (Fixed) ” is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 365;

 

(iv)                                if “ Actual/360 ” is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the actual number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360;

 

(v)                                   if “ 30/360 ”, “ 360/360 ” or “ Bond Basis ” is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360, calculated on a formula basis as follows:

 

Day Count Fraction =

 

where:

 

Y 1 ” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls;

 

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Y 2 ” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

 

M 1 ” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls;

 

M 2 ” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

 

D 1 ” is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless such number is 31, in which case D 1  will be 30; and

 

D 2 ” is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31 and D 1  is greater than 29, in which case D 2  will be 30;

 

(vi)           if “ 30E/360 ” or “ Eurobond Basis ” is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360, calculated on a formula basis as follows:

 

Day Count Fraction =

 

where:

 

Y 1 ” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls;

 

Y 2 ” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

 

M 1 ” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls;

 

M 2 ” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

 

D 1 ” is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31, in which case D 1  will be 30; and

 

D 2 ” is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless such number would be 31, in which case D 2  will be 30; and

 

(vii)                             if “ 30E/360 (ISDA) ” is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the number of days in the Interest Period divided by 360, calculated on a formula basis as follows:

 

Day Count Fraction =

 

where:

 

Y 1 ” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls;

 

Y 2 ” is the year, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

 

M 1 ” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the first day of the Interest Period falls;

 

M 2 ” is the calendar month, expressed as a number, in which the day immediately following the last day of the Interest Period falls;

 

D 1 ” is the first calendar day, expressed as a number, of the Interest Period, unless (i) that day is the last day of February or (ii) such number would be 31, in which case D 1  will be 30; and

 

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D 2 ” is the calendar day, expressed as a number, immediately following the last day included in the Interest Period, unless (i) that day is the last day of February but not the Maturity Date or (ii) such number would be 31, in which case D 2  will be 30.

 

(vi)             Linear Interpolation

 

Where Linear Interpolation is specified as applicable in respect of an Interest Period in the applicable Final Terms, the Rate of Interest for such Interest Period shall be calculated by the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent by straight line linear interpolation by reference to two rates based on the relevant Reference Rate (where Screen Rate Determination is specified as applicable in the applicable Final Terms) or the relevant Floating Rate Option (where ISDA Determination is specified as applicable in the applicable Final Terms), one of which shall be determined as if the Designated Maturity were the period of time for which rates are available next shorter than the length of the relevant Interest Period and the other of which shall be determined as if the Designated Maturity were the period of time for which rates are available next longer than the length of the relevant Interest Period provided however that if there is no rate available for a period of time next shorter or, as the case may be, next longer, then the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent shall determine such rate at such time and by reference to such sources as it determines appropriate.

 

Designated Maturity ” means, in relation to Screen Rate Determination, the period of time designated in the Reference Rate.

 

(vii)           Notification of Rate of Interest and Interest Amounts

 

The Issuing and Principal Paying Agent will cause the Rate of Interest and each Interest Amount for each Interest Period and the relevant Interest Payment Date to be notified to the Issuer and any stock exchange on which the relevant Floating Rate Notes or Inflation Linked Interest Notes are for the time being listed and notice thereof to be published in accordance with Condition 14 as soon as possible after their determination but in no event later than the fourth London Business Day thereafter. Each Interest Amount and Interest Payment Date so notified may subsequently be amended (or appropriate alternative arrangements made by way of adjustment) without prior notice in the event of an extension or shortening of the Interest Period. Any such amendment will be promptly notified to each stock exchange on which the relevant Floating Rate Notes or Inflation Linked Interest Notes are for the time being listed and to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14. For the purposes of this paragraph, the expression “ London Business Day ” means a day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks and foreign exchange markets are open for business in London.

 

(viii)           Determination or Calculation by Trustee

 

If for any reason at any relevant time the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent or, as the case may be, the Calculation Agent defaults in its obligation to determine the Rate of Interest or the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent defaults in its obligation to calculate any Interest Amount in accordance with sub-paragraph (ii)(A) or (B) above, as the case may be, and in each case in accordance with sub-paragraph (v) above, the Trustee or an agent appointed by the Trustee shall determine the Rate of Interest at such rate as, in its absolute discretion (having such regard as it shall think fit to the foregoing provisions of this Condition 4, but subject always to any Minimum or Maximum Rate of Interest specified in the applicable Final Terms), it shall deem fair and reasonable in all the circumstances or, as the case may be, the Trustee shall calculate the Interest Amount(s) in such manner as it shall deem fair and reasonable in all the circumstances and each such determination or calculation shall be deemed to have been made by the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent or the Calculation Agent, as applicable.

 

(ix)             Certificates to be final

 

All certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions of this Condition 4, whether by the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent or, if applicable, the Calculation Agent or the Trustee, shall (in the absence of wilful default, bad faith or manifest error) be binding on the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Calculation Agent (if applicable), the other Paying Agents and all Noteholders and Couponholders and (in the absence as aforesaid) no liability to the Issuer, the Noteholders or the Couponholders shall attach to the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent or, if applicable, the Calculation Agent or the Trustee in connection with the exercise or non-exercise by it of its powers, duties and discretions pursuant to such provisions.

 

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(c)             Accrual of interest

 

Each Note (or in the case of the redemption of part only of a Note, that part only of such Note) will cease to bear interest (if any) from the date for its redemption unless payment of principal is improperly withheld or refused. In such event, interest will continue to accrue as provided in the Trust Deed.

 

5.              Inflation Linked Notes

 

This Condition 5 is applicable only if the applicable Final Terms specifies the Notes as Inflation Linked Interest Notes and/or Inflation Linked Redemption Notes (“ Inflation Linked Notes ”).

 

(a)             U.K. Retail Price Index

 

Where RPI (as defined below) is specified as the Index in the applicable Final Terms, Conditions 5(a) to 5(f) will apply. For purposes of Conditions 5(a) to 5(f), unless the context otherwise requires, the following defined terms shall have the meanings set out below:

 

Base Index Figure ” means (subject to Condition 5(c)(i)) the base index figure as specified in the applicable Final Terms;

 

Calculation Agent ” means the person appointed by the Issuer as calculation agent in relation to a Series of Inflation Linked Notes and specified in the applicable Final Terms, and shall include any successor calculation agent appointed in respect of such Notes;

 

Her Majesty’s Treasury ” means Her Majesty’s Treasury or any officially recognised party performing the function of a calculation agent (whatever such party’s title), on its or its successor’s behalf, in respect of the Reference Gilt;

 

Index ” or “ Index Figure ” means, subject as provided in Condition 5(c)(i), the U.K. Retail Price Index (RPl) (for all items) published by the Office for National Statistics (January 1987 = 100) or any comparable index which may replace the U.K. Retail Price Index for the purpose of calculating the amount payable on repayment of the Reference Gilt (the “ RPI ”). Any reference to the Index Figure:

 

(i)                                      applicable to a particular month, shall, subject as provided in Conditions 5(c) and 5(e), be construed as a reference to the Index Figure published in the seventh month prior to that particular month and relating to the month before that of publication; or

 

(ii)                                   applicable to the first calendar day of any month shall, subject as provided in Conditions 5(c) and 5(e), be construed as a reference to the Index Figure published in the second month prior to that particular month and relating to the month before that of publication; or

 

(iii)                                applicable to any other day in any month shall, subject as provided in Conditions 5(c) and 5(e), be calculated by linear interpolation between (x) the Index Figure applicable to the first calendar day of the month in which the day falls, calculated as specified in sub-paragraph (ii) above and (y) the Index Figure applicable to the first calendar day of the month following, calculated as specified in sub-paragraph (ii) above and rounded to the nearest fifth decimal place;

 

Index Ratio ” applicable to any month or date, as the case may be, means the Index Figure applicable to such month or date, as the case may be, divided by the Base Index Figure and rounded to the nearest fifth decimal place;

 

Limited Index Ratio ” means (a) in respect of any month or date, as the case may be, prior to the relevant Issue Date, the Index Ratio for that month or date, as the case may be, (b) in respect of any Limited Indexation Date after the relevant Issue Date, the product of the Limited Indexation Factor for that month or date, as the case may be, and the Limited Index Ratio as previously calculated in respect of the month or date, as the case may be, twelve months prior thereto; and (c) in respect of any other month, the Limited Index Ratio as previously calculated in respect of the most recent Limited Indexation Month;

 

Limited Indexation Date ” means any date falling during the period specified in the applicable Final Terms for which a Limited Indexation Factor is to be calculated;

 

Limited Indexation Factor ” means, in respect of a Limited Indexation Month or Limited Indexation Date, as the case may be, the ratio of the Index Figure applicable to that month or date, as the case may be, divided by the Index Figure

 

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applicable to the month or date, as the case may be, twelve months prior thereto, provided that (a) if such ratio is greater than the Maximum Indexation Factor specified in the applicable Final Terms, it shall be deemed to be equal to such Maximum Indexation Factor and (b) if such ratio is less than the Minimum Indexation Factor specified in the applicable Final Terms, it shall be deemed to be equal to such Minimum Indexation Factor;

 

Limited Indexation Month ” means any month specified in the applicable Final Terms for which a Limited Indexation Factor is to be calculated;

 

Limited Index Linked Notes ” means Inflation Linked Notes to which a Maximum Indexation Factor and/or a Minimum Indexation Factor (as specified in the applicable Final Terms) applies; and

 

Reference Gilt ” means the index-linked Treasury Stock or Treasury Gilt specified as such in the applicable Final Terms for so long as such gilt is in issue, and thereafter such issue of index-linked Treasury Stock or Treasury Gilt determined to be appropriate by a gilt-edged market maker or other adviser selected by the Issuer (an “ Indexation Adviser ”).

 

(b)             Application of the Index Ratio

 

Each payment of interest (in the case of Inflation Linked Interest Notes) and principal (in the case of Inflation Linked Redemption Notes) in respect of the Notes shall be the amount provided in, or determined in accordance with, these Terms and Conditions, multiplied by the Index Ratio or Limited Index Ratio in the case of Limited Index Linked Notes applicable to the month or date, as the case may be, on which such payment falls to be made and rounded in accordance with Condition 4(b)(v).

 

(c)             Changes in Circumstances Affecting the Index

 

(i)                                      Change in base: If at any time and from time to time the Index is changed by the substitution of a new base therefor, then with effect from the month from and including that in which such substitution takes effect or the first date from and including that on which such substitution takes effect, as the case may be, (1) the definition of “ Index ” and “ Index Figure ” in Condition 5(a) shall be deemed to refer to the new date or month in substitution for January 1987 (or, as the case may be, to such other date or month as may have been substituted therefor), and (2) the new Base Index Figure shall be the product of the existing Base Index Figure and the Index Figure for the date on which such substitution takes effect, divided by the Index Figure for the date immediately preceding the date on which such substitution takes effect.

 

(ii)                                   Delay in publication of Index if sub-paragraph (i) of the definition of Index Figure is applicable: If the Index Figure which is normally published in the seventh month and which relates to the eighth month (the “ relevant month ”) before the month in which a payment is due to be made is not published on or before the fourteenth business day before the date on which such payment is due (the “ date for payment ”), the Index Figure applicable to the month in which the date for payment falls shall be (1) such substitute index figure (if any) as the Trustee considers (acting solely on the advice of the Indexation Adviser) to have been published by the United Kingdom Debt Management Office or the Bank of England, as the case may be, for the purposes of indexation of payments on the Reference Gilt or, failing such publication, on any one or more issues of index-linked Treasury Stock selected by an Indexation Adviser (and approved by the Trustee (acting solely on the advice of the Indexation Adviser)) or (2) if no such determination is made by such Indexation Adviser within seven days, the Index Figure last published (or, if later, the substitute index figure last determined pursuant to Condition 5(c)(i)) before the date for payment.

 

(iii)                                Delay in publication of Index if sub-paragraph (ii) and/or (iii) of the definition of Index Figure is applicable: If the Index Figure relating to any month (the “ calculation month ”) which is required to be taken into account for the purposes of the determination of the Index Figure for any date is not published on or before the fourteenth business day before the date on which such payment is due (the “ date for payment ”), the Index Figure applicable for the relevant calculation month shall be (1) such substitute index figure (if any) as the Trustee considers (acting solely on the advice of the Indexation Adviser) to have been published by the United Kingdom Debt Management Office or the Bank of England, as the case may be, for the purposes of indexation of payments on the Reference Gilt or, failing such publication, on any one or more issues of index-linked Treasury Stock selected by an Indexation Adviser (and approved by the Trustee (acting solely on the advice of the Indexation Adviser)) or (2) if no such determination is made by such Indexation Adviser within seven days, the Index Figure last published (or, if later, the substitute index figure last determined pursuant to Condition 5(c)(i)) before the date for payment.

 

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(d)             Application of Changes

 

Where the provisions of Condition 5(c)(ii) or Condition 5(c)(iii) apply, the determination of the Indexation Adviser as to the Index Figure applicable to the month in which the date for payment falls or the date for payment, as the case may be, shall be conclusive and binding. If, an Index Figure having been applied pursuant to Condition 5(c)(ii)(2) or Condition 5(c)(iii)(2), the Index Figure relating to the relevant month or relevant calculation month, as the case may be, is subsequently published while a Note is still outstanding, then:

 

(i)                                      in relation to a payment of interest (in the case of Inflation Linked Interest Notes) and/or principal (in the case of Inflation Linked Redemption Notes) in respect of such Note other than upon final redemption of such Note, the interest and/or principal (as the case may be) next payable after the date of such subsequent publication shall be increased or reduced, as the case may be, by an amount equal to the shortfall or excess, as the case may be, of the amount of the relevant payment made on the basis of the Index Figure applicable by virtue of Condition 5(c)(ii)(2) or Condition 5(c)(iii)(2) below or above the amount of the relevant payment that would have been due if the Index Figure subsequently published had been published on or before the fourteenth business day before the date for payment; and

 

(ii)                                   in relation to a payment of interest (in the case of Inflation Linked Interest Notes) and/or principal (in the case of Inflation Linked Redemption Notes) upon final redemption, no subsequent adjustment to amounts paid will be made.

 

(e)             Material Changes or Cessation of the Index

 

(i)                            Material changes to the Index: If notice is published by Her Majesty’s Treasury, or on its behalf, following a change to the coverage or the basic calculation of the Index, then the Calculation Agent shall make any such adjustments to the Index consistent with any adjustments made to the Index as applied to the Reference Gilt.

 

(ii)                         Cessation of the Index: If the Trustee and the Issuer have been notified by the Calculation Agent that the Index has ceased to be published, or if Her Majesty’s Treasury, or a person acting on its behalf, announces that it will no longer continue to publish the Index, then the Calculation Agent shall determine a successor index in lieu of any previously applicable index (the “ Successor Index ”) by using the following methodology:

 

(a)                    if at any time a successor index has been designated by Her Majesty’s Treasury in respect of the Reference Gilt, such successor index shall be designated the “ Successor Index ” for the purposes of all subsequent Interest Payment Dates, notwithstanding that any other Successor Index may previously have been determined under paragraphs (b) or (c) below; or

 

(b)                    if a Successor Index has not been determined under paragraph (a) above, the Issuer and the Trustee (acting solely on the advice of the Indexation Adviser) together shall seek to agree for the purpose of the Notes one or more adjustments to the Index or a substitute index (with or without adjustments) with the intention that the same should leave the Issuer and the Noteholders in no better and no worse position than they would have been had the Index not ceased to be published; or

 

(c)                     if the Issuer and the Trustee (acting solely on the advice of the Indexation Adviser) fail to reach agreement as mentioned above within 20 business days following the giving of notice as mentioned in paragraph (ii), a bank or other person in London shall be appointed by the Issuer and the Trustee or, failing agreement on and the making of such appointment within 20 business days following the expiry of the 20 business day period referred to above, by the Trustee (acting solely on the advice of the Indexation Adviser) (in each case, such bank or other person so appointed being referred to as the “ Expert ”), to determine for the purpose of the Notes one or more adjustments to the Index or a substitute index (with or without adjustments) with the intention that the same should leave the Issuer and the Noteholders in no better and no worse position than they would have been had the Index not ceased to be published. Any Expert so appointed shall act as an expert and not as an arbitrator and all fees, costs and expenses of the Expert and of any Indexation Adviser and of any of the Issuer and the Trustee in connection with such appointment shall be borne by the Issuer.

 

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(iii)                      Adjustment or replacement: The Index shall be adjusted or replaced by a substitute index pursuant to the foregoing paragraphs, as the case may be, and references in these Terms and Conditions to the Index and to any Index Figure shall be deemed amended in such manner as the Trustee (acting solely on the advice of the Indexation Adviser) and the Issuer agree are appropriate to give effect to such adjustment or replacement. Such amendments shall be effective from the date of such notification and binding upon the Issuer, the Trustee and the Noteholders, and the Issuer shall give notice to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14 of such amendments as promptly as practicable following such notification or adjustment.

 

(f)             Redemption for Index Reasons

 

If either (i) the Index Figure for three consecutive months is required to be determined on the basis of an Index Figure previously published as provided in Condition 5(c)(ii)(2) and the Trustee has been notified by the Calculation Agent that publication of the Index has ceased or (ii) notice is published by Her Majesty’s Treasury, or on its behalf, following a change in relation to the Index, offering a right of redemption to the holders of the Reference Gilt, and (in either case) no amendment or substitution of the Index shall have been designated by Her Majesty’s Treasury in respect of the Reference Gilt and such circumstances are continuing, the Issuer may, upon giving not more than 60 nor less than 30 days’ notice to the Noteholders (or such other notice period as may be specified in the applicable Final Terms) in accordance with Condition 14, redeem all, but not some only, of the Notes at their Early Redemption Amount referred to in Condition 6(f) below together (if appropriate) with interest accrued to (but excluding) the date of redemption (in each case adjusted in accordance with Condition 5(b)).

 

(g)             HICP

 

Where HICP (as defined below) is specified as the Index in the applicable Final Terms, the Conditions 5(g) to 5(j) will apply. For purposes of Conditions 5(g) to 5(j), unless the context otherwise requires, the following defined terms shall have the meanings set out below:

 

Base Index Level ” means the base index level as specified in the applicable Final Terms;

 

Calculation Agent ” means the person appointed by the Issuer as calculation agent in relation to a Series of Inflation Linked Notes and specified in the applicable Final Terms, and shall include any successor calculation agent appointed in respect of such Notes;

 

Index ” or “ Index Level ” means (subject as provided in Condition 5(i)) the non-revised Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices excluding tobacco or relevant Successor Index (as defined in Condition 5(i)(ii)), measuring the rate of inflation in the European Monetary Union excluding tobacco, expressed as an index and published by Eurostat (the “ HICP ”). The first publication or announcement of a level of such index for a calculation month (as defined in Condition 5(i)(i)(A)) shall be final and conclusive and later revisions to the level for such calculation month will not be used in any calculations. Any reference to the Index Level which is specified in these Conditions as applicable to any day (“d”) in any month (“m”) shall, subject as provided in Condition 5(i), be calculated as follows:

 

 

where:

 

I d  is the Index Level for the day d

 

HICP ” m-2 is the level of HICP for month m-2

 

HICP ” m-3 is the level of HICP for month m-3

 

nbd ” is the actual number of days from and excluding the first day of month m to but including day d;

 

and

 

q m  is the actual number of days in month m,

 

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provided that if Condition 5(i)applies, the Index Level shall be the Substitute Index Level determined in accordance with such Condition.

 

Index Business Day ” means a day on which the TARGET System is operating;

 

Index Determination Date ” means in respect of any date for which the Index Level is required to be determined, the fifth Index Business Day prior to such date;

 

Index Ratio ” applicable to any date means the Index Level applicable to the relevant Index Determination Date divided by the Base Index Level and rounded to the nearest fifth decimal place, 0.000005 being rounded upwards;

 

Related Instrument ” means an inflation-linked bond selected by the Calculation Agent that is a debt obligation of one of the governments (but not any government agency) of France, Italy, Germany or Spain and which pays a coupon or redemption amount which is calculated by reference to the level of inflation in the European Monetary Union with a maturity date which falls on (a) the same day as the Maturity Date or (b) the next longest maturity date after the Maturity Date or the next shortest maturity for the Maturity Date at its sole discretion, if there is no such bond maturing on the Maturity Date. The Calculation Agent will select the Related Instrument from such of those inflation-linked bonds issued on or before the relevant Issue Date and, if there is more than one such inflation-linked bond maturing on the same date, the Related Instrument shall be selected by the Calculation Agent from such bonds at its sole discretion. If the Related Instrument is redeemed the Calculation Agent will select a new Related Instrument on the same basis, but selected from all eligible bonds in issue at the time the originally selected Related Instrument is redeemed (including any bond for which the redeemed originally selected Related Instrument is exchanged).

 

(h)             Application of the Index Ratio

 

Each payment of interest (in the case of Inflation Linked Interest Notes) and principal (in the case of Inflation Linked Redemption Notes) in respect of the Notes shall be the amount provided in, or determined in accordance with, these Terms and Conditions, multiplied by the Index Ratio applicable to the date on which such payment falls to be made and rounded in accordance with Condition 4(b)(v)

 

(i)             Changes in Circumstances Affecting the Index

 

(i)                                      Delay in publication of Index

 

 (A)                              If the Index Level relating to any month (the “ calculation month ”) which is required to be taken into account for the purposes of the determination of the Index Level for any date (the “ Relevant Level ”) has not been published or announced by the day that is five Business Days before the date on which such payment is due (the “ Affected Payment Date ”), the Calculation Agent shall determine a Substitute Index Level (as defined below) (in place of such Relevant Level) by using the following methodology:

 

(1)                                  if applicable, the Calculation Agent will take the same action to determine the “ Substitute Index Level ” for the Affected Payment Date as that taken by the calculation agent (or any other party performing the function of a calculation agent (whatever such party’s title)) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Related Instrument;

 

(2)                                  if (1) above does not result in a Substitute Index Level for the Affected Payment Date for any reason, then the Calculation Agent shall determine the Substitute Index Level as follows:

 

Substitute Index Level = Base Level x (Latest Level / Reference Level)

 

Where:

 

Base Level ” means the level of the Index (excluding any flash estimates) published or announced by Eurostat (or any successor entity which publishes such index) in respect of the month which is 12 calendar months prior to the month for which the Substitute Index Level is being determined;

 

Latest Level ” means the latest level of the Index (excluding any flash estimates) published or announced by Eurostat (or any successor entity which publishes such index) prior to the month in respect of which the Substitute Index Level is being calculated; and

 

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Reference Level ” means the level of the Index (excluding any flash estimates) published or announced by Eurostat (or any successor entity which publishes such index) in respect of the month that is 12 calendar months prior to the month referred to in “Latest Level” above.

 

 (B)                              If a Relevant Level is published or announced at any time after the day that is five Business Days prior to the next Interest Payment Date, such Relevant Level will not be used in any calculations. The Substitute Index Level so determined pursuant to this Condition 5(i)(i) will be the definitive level for that calculation month.

 

(ii)                                   Cessation of publication: If the Index Level has not been published or announced for two consecutive months or Eurostat announces that it will no longer continue to publish or announce the Index then the Calculation Agent shall determine a successor index in lieu of any previously applicable Index (the Successor Index ) by using the following methodology:

 

(A)                                 if at any time (other than after an Early Termination Event (as defined below) has been designated by the Calculation Agent pursuant to paragraph (E) below) a successor index has been designated by the calculation agent (or any other party performing the function of a calculation agent (whatever such party’s title)) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Related Instrument, such successor index shall be designated the “ Successor Index ” for the purposes of all subsequent Interest Payment Dates, notwithstanding that any other Successor Index may previously have been determined under paragraphs (B), (C) or (D) below; or

 

(B)            if a Successor Index has not been determined under paragraph (A) above (and there has been no designation of an Early Termination Event pursuant to paragraph (E) below), and a notice has been given or an announcement has been made by Eurostat (or any successor entity which publishes such index) specifying that the Index will be superseded by a replacement index specified by Eurostat (or any such successor), and the Calculation Agent determines that such replacement index is calculated using the same or substantially similar formula or method of calculation as used in the calculation of the previously applicable Index, such replacement index shall be the Index from the date that such replacement index comes into effect; or

 

(C)                                if a Successor Index has not been determined under paragraphs (A) or (B) above (and there has been no designation of an Early Termination Event pursuant to paragraph (E) below), the Calculation Agent shall ask five leading independent dealers to state what the replacement index for the Index should be. If four or five responses are received, and of those four or five responses, three or more leading independent dealers state the same index, this index will be deemed the “Successor Index”. If three responses are received, and two or more leading independent dealers state the same index, this index will be deemed the “Successor Index”. If fewer than three responses are received, the Calculation Agent will proceed to paragraph (D) below;

 

(D)                                if no Successor Index has been determined under paragraphs (A), (B) or (C) above on or before the fifth Index Business Day prior to the next Affected Payment Date the Calculation Agent will determine an appropriate alternative index for such Affected Payment Date, and such index will be deemed the “Successor Index”;

 

(E)            if the Calculation Agent determines that there is no appropriate alternative index, the Issuer shall, in conjunction with the Calculation Agent, determine in good faith an appropriate alternative index. If the Issuer, in conjunction with the Calculation Agent, does not decide on an appropriate alternative index within a period of ten Business Days, then an “ Early Termination Event ” will be deemed to have occurred and the Issuer will redeem the Notes pursuant to Condition 5(j).

 

(iii)                                Rebasing of the Index: If the Calculation Agent determines that the Index has been or will be rebased at any time, the Index as so rebased (the Rebased Index ) will be used for the purposes of determining each relevant Index Level from the date of such rebasing; provided, however, that the Calculation Agent shall make such adjustments as are made by the calculation agent (or any other party performing the function of a calculation agent (whatever such party s title)) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Related Instrument to the levels of the Rebased Index so that the Rebased Index levels reflect the same rate of inflation as the Index before it was rebased. Any such rebasing shall not affect any prior payments made.

 

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(iv)                                Material Modification Prior to Interest Payment Date: If, on or prior to the day that is five Business Days before an Interest Payment Date, Eurostat announces that it will make a material change to the Index then the Calculation Agent shall make any such adjustments to the Index consistent with adjustments made to the Related Instrument.

 

(v)                                   Manifest Error in Publication: If, within thirty days of publication, the Calculation Agent determines that Eurostat (or any successor entity which publishes such index) has corrected the level of the Index to remedy a manifest error in its original publication, the Calculation Agent will notify the parties of (A) that correction, (B) the amount that is payable, in respect of interest payments falling after such correction, as a result of that correction and (C) take such other action as it may deem necessary to give effect to such correction.

 

(j)             Redemption for Index Reasons

 

If an Early Termination Event as described under Condition 5(i)(ii)(E) is deemed to have occurred, the Issuer will, upon giving not more than 60 nor less than 30 days’ notice to the Noteholders (or such other notice period as may be specified in the applicable Final Terms) in accordance with Condition 14, redeem all, but not some only, of the Notes at their Early Redemption Amount referred to in Condition 6(f) below together (if appropriate) with interest accrued to (but excluding) the date of redemption (in each case adjusted in accordance with Condition 5(h)).

 

6.              Payments

 

(a)             Method of payment

 

Subject as provided below:

 

(i)                                      payments in a Specified Currency other than euro or Renminbi will be made by credit or transfer to an account in the relevant Specified Currency (which, in the case of a payment in Japanese yen to a non-resident of Japan, shall be a non-resident account) maintained by the payee with, or, at the option of the payee, by a cheque in such Specified Currency drawn on, a bank in the principal financial centre of the country of such Specified Currency (which, if the Specified Currency is Australian dollars or New Zealand dollars, shall be Sydney or Wellington, respectively);

 

(ii)                                   payments in euro will be made by credit or transfer to a euro account (or to any other account to which euro may be credited or transferred) specified by the payee or, at the option of the payee, by a euro cheque; and

 

(iii)                                payments in Renminbi will be made by transfer to a Renminbi account maintained by or on behalf of the payee with a bank in Hong Kong.

 

Payments will be subject in all cases to (i) any fiscal or other laws and regulations applicable thereto in the place of payment, but without prejudice to the provisions of Condition 8, and (ii) any withholding or deduction required pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “ Code ”) or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any regulations or agreements thereunder, any official interpretations thereof, or (without prejudice to the provisions of Condition 8) any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto.

 

(b)             Presentation of Bearer Notes and Coupons

 

Payments of principal in respect of Bearer Notes will be made in the manner provided in paragraph (a) above only against presentation and surrender (or, in the case of part payment of any sum due, endorsement) of Bearer Notes, and payments of interest in respect of Bearer Notes will (subject as provided below) be made as aforesaid only against presentation and surrender (or, in the case of part payment of any sum due, endorsement) of Coupons, in each case at the specified office of any Paying Agent outside the United States (which expression, as used herein, means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia and its possessions)).

 

Fixed Rate Notes in bearer form (other than Fixed Rate Notes which specify Interest Payment Date Adjustment as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms or Inflation Linked Notes) should be presented for payment together with all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto (which expression shall for this purpose include Coupons falling to be issued on exchange of matured Talons), failing which the amount of any missing unmatured Coupon (or, in the case of payment not being made in full, the same proportion of the amount of such missing unmatured Coupon as the sum so paid bears to the sum due) will be deducted from the sum due for payment. Each amount of principal so deducted will be paid in the manner mentioned above against surrender of the relative missing Coupon at any time

 

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before the expiry of 10 years after the Relevant Date (as defined in Condition 8) in respect of such principal (whether or not such Coupon would otherwise have become void under Condition 9) or, if later, five years from the date on which such Coupon would otherwise have become due, but in no event thereafter.

 

Upon any Fixed Rate Note in bearer form becoming due and repayable prior to its Maturity Date, all unmatured Talons (if any) appertaining thereto will become void and no further Coupons will be issued in respect thereof.

 

Upon the date on which any Floating Rate Note, Fixed Rate Note which specifies Interest Payment Date Adjustment as being applicable in the applicable Final Terms or Inflation Linked Interest Note in bearer form becomes due and repayable, unmatured Coupons and Talons (if any) relating thereto (whether or not attached) shall become void and no payment or, as the case may be, exchange for further Coupons shall be made in respect thereof.

 

If the due date for redemption of any definitive Bearer Note is not an Interest Payment Date, interest (if any) accrued in respect of such Note from (and including) the preceding Interest Payment Date or, as the case may be, the Interest Commencement Date shall be payable only against surrender of the relevant definitive Bearer Note.

 

(c)            Payments in respect of Registered Notes

 

(i)             Payments of principal in respect of Registered Notes shall be made against presentation and surrender of the relevant Certificates at the specified office of any of the Transfer Agents or of the Registrar and in the manner provided in the sub-paragraph (ii) below.

 

(ii)                                   Interest on Registered Notes shall be paid to the person shown on the Register at the close of business on the fifteenth day before the due date for payment thereof (the “ Record Date ”). Payments of interest on each Registered Note shall be made in the relevant currency by cheque drawn on a Bank and mailed to the holder (or to the first named of joint holders) of such Note at its address appearing in the Register on the Record Date. Upon application by the holder to the specified office of the Registrar or any Transfer Agent before the Record Date, such payment of interest may be made by transfer to an account in the relevant currency maintained by the payee with a Bank.

 

(iii)                                Payments of principal and interest in respect of Registered Notes registered in the name of, or in the name of a nominee for, The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) and denominated in a Specified Currency other than U.S. dollars will be made or procured to be made by transfer by the Registrar to an account in the relevant Specified Currency of the Exchange Agent on behalf of DTC or its nominee in accordance with the following provisions. The amounts in such Specified Currency payable by the Registrar or its agent to DTC with respect to Registered Notes held by DTC or its nominee will be received from the Issuer by the Registrar who will make payments in such Specified Currency by wire transfer of same day funds to the designated bank account in such Specified Currency of those DTC participants entitled to receive the relevant payment who have made an irrevocable election to DTC, in the case of interest payments, on or prior to the third DTC Business Day after the Record Date for the relevant payment of interest and, in the case of payments of principal, at least 12 DTC Business Days prior to the relevant payment date, to receive that payment in such Specified Currency. The Registrar, after the Exchange Agent has converted amounts in such Specified Currency into U.S. dollars, will deliver such U.S. dollar amount in same day funds to DTC for payment through its settlement system to those DTC participants entitled to receive the relevant payment who did not elect to receive such payment in such Specified Currency. The Agency Agreement sets out the manner in which such conversions are to be made. For the purposes of this Condition 6(c), “ DTC Business Day ” means any day on which DTC is open for business.

 

(d)            General provisions applicable to payments

 

The holder of a Global Note or a Global Certificate shall be the only person entitled to receive payments in respect of Notes represented by such Global Note or Global Certificate and the Issuer will be discharged by payment to, or to the order of, the holder of such Global Note or Global Certificate in respect of each amount so paid. Each of the persons shown in the records of Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg or DTC as the beneficial holder of a particular nominal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note or Global Certificate must look solely to Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg or DTC, as the case may be, for his share of each payment so made by the Issuer to, or to the order of, the holder of such Global Note or Global Certificate.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Condition, if any amount of principal and/or interest in respect of Bearer Notes is payable in U.S. dollars, such U.S. dollar payments of principal and/or interest in respect of such Notes will be made at the specified office of a Paying Agent in the United States if:

 

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(i)                                      the Issuer has appointed Paying Agents with specified offices outside the United States with the reasonable expectation that such Paying Agents would be able to make payment in U.S. dollars at such specified offices outside the United States of the full amount of principal and interest on the Notes in the manner provided above when due; and

 

(ii)                                   payment of the full amount of such principal and interest at all such specified offices outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions on the full payment or receipt of principal and interest in U.S. dollars; and

 

(iii)           such payment is then permitted under United States law without involving, in the opinion of the Issuer, adverse tax consequences to the Issuer.

 

(e)            Payment Day

 

If the date for payment of any amount in respect of any Note or Coupon is not a Payment Day, the holder thereof shall not be entitled to payment until the next following Payment Day in the relevant place and shall not be entitled to further interest or other payment in respect of such delay. For these purposes, “ Payment Day ” means any day which (subject to Condition 9) is:

 

(i)                                      a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in:

 

(A)                                 in the case of Notes in definitive form only, the relevant place of presentation;

 

(B)                                 any Additional Financial Centre specified in the applicable Final Terms; and

 

(ii)                                   either (1) in relation to any sum payable in a Specified Currency other than euro or Renminbi, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant Specified Currency (which, if the Specified Currency is Australian dollars or New Zealand dollars, shall be Sydney or Wellington, respectively), (2) in relation to any sum payable in euro, a day on which the TARGET2 System is open or (3) in relation to any sum payable in Renminbi, a day (other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday) on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets in Hong Kong are generally open for business and settlement for Renminbi payments in Hong Kong.

 

(f)             Interpretation of principal and interest

 

Any reference in these Terms and Conditions to principal in respect of the Notes shall be deemed to include, as applicable:

 

(i)             any additional amounts which may be payable with respect to principal under Condition 7 or under any undertakings given in addition thereto or in substitution therefor pursuant to the Trust Deed;

 

(ii)                                   the Final Redemption Amount of the Notes;

 

(iii)                                the Early Redemption Amount of the Notes;

 

(iv)                                the Optional Redemption Amount(s) (if any) of the Notes;

 

(v)                                   in relation to Zero Coupon Notes, the Amortised Face Amount (as defined in Condition 7(e)); and

 

(vi)           any premium and any other amounts (other than interest) which may be payable by the Issuer under or in respect of the Notes.

 

Any reference in these Terms and Conditions to interest in respect of the Notes shall be deemed to include, as applicable, any additional amounts which may be payable with respect to interest under Condition 8 or any undertakings given in addition thereto or in substitution therefor pursuant to the Trust Deed.

 

(g)                                  Renminbi Currency Event

 

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If Renminbi Currency Event is specified as applying in the applicable Final Terms and a Renminbi Currency Event (as defined below) occurs, the Issuer, on giving not less than five nor more than thirty days’ irrevocable notice in accordance with Condition 14 to the Noteholders and the Trustee prior to any due date for payment, shall be entitled to satisfy its obligations in respect of such payment (in whole or in part) by making such payment in U.S. dollars on the basis of the Spot Rate for the relevant Determination Date as promptly notified to the Issuer, the Trustee and the Paying Agents by the Calculation Agent.

 

In such event, any payment of U.S. dollars will be made by transfer to a U.S. dollar denominated account maintained by the payee with, or by a U.S. dollar denominated cheque drawn on, a bank in New York City and the definition of “ Payment Day ” in Condition 6(e) shall mean any day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealing in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in: (A) in the case of Notes in definitive form only, the relevant place of presentation; and (B) London and New York City.

 

For the purpose of this Condition:

 

Determination Business Day ” means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange) in Hong Kong, London and New York City;

 

Determination Date ” means the day which is three Determination Business Days before the due date of the relevant payment under the Notes;

 

Government Authority ” means any de facto or de jure government (or any agency or instrumentality thereof), court, tribunal, administrative or other governmental authority or any other entity (private or public) charged with the regulation of the financial markets (including the central bank) of Hong Kong;

 

Local Time ” means the time of day in the jurisdiction in which the Calculation Agent, appointed in connection with the Notes, is located;

 

Renminbi Currency Event ” means any one of Renminbi Illiquidity, Renminbi Non-Transferability and Renminbi Inconvertibility;

 

Renminbi Dealer ” means an independent foreign exchange dealer of international repute active in the Renminbi exchange market in Hong Kong reasonably selected by the Issuer;

 

Renminbi Illiquidity ” means the general Renminbi exchange market in Hong Kong becomes illiquid as a result of which the Issuer cannot obtain sufficient Renminbi in order to satisfy its obligation to pay interest or principal (in whole or in part) in respect of the Notes, as determined by the Issuer acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner following consultation with two Renminbi Dealers;

 

Renminbi Inconvertibility ” means the occurrence of any event that makes it impossible for the Issuer to convert any amount due in respect of the Notes into Renminbi in the general Renminbi exchange market in Hong Kong, other than where such impossibility is due solely to the failure of the Issuer to comply with any law, rule or regulation enacted by any Governmental Authority (unless such law, rule or regulation is enacted after the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes and it is impossible for the Issuer, due to an event beyond its control, to comply with such law, rule or regulation);

 

Renminbi Non-Transferability ” means the occurrence of any event that makes it impossible for the Issuer to transfer Renminbi between accounts inside Hong Kong or from an account inside Hong Kong to an account outside Hong Kong (including where the Renminbi clearing and settlement system for participating banks in Hong Kong is disrupted or suspended), other than where such impossibility is due solely to the failure of the Issuer to comply with any law, rule or regulation enacted by any Governmental Authority (unless such law, rule or regulation is enacted after the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes and it is impossible for the Issuer, due to an event beyond its control, to comply with such law, rule or regulation); and

 

Spot Rate ” means the spot CNY/U.S. dollar exchange rate for the purchase of U.S. dollars with Renminbi in the over-the-counter Renminbi exchange market in Hong Kong for settlement in three Determination Business Days, as determined by the Calculation Agent at or around 11.00 a.m. (Local Time) on the Determination Date, on a deliverable basis by reference to Reuters Screen Page TRADCNY3, or if no such rate is available, on a non-deliverable basis by reference to Reuters Screen Page TRADNDF. If neither rate is available, the Calculation Agent shall in good faith and

 

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in a commercially reasonable manner determine the Spot Rate at or around 11:00 a.m. (Local Time) on the Determination Date as the most recently available CNY/U.S. dollar official fixing rate for settlement in two Determination Business Days reported by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the PRC, which is reported on the Reuters Screen Page CNY=SAEC. Reference to a page on the Reuters Screen means the display page so designated on the Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service (or any successor service) or such other page as may replace that page for the purpose of displaying a comparable currency exchange rate.

 

If for any reason at any relevant time the Calculation Agent defaults in its obligation to determine the Spot Rate, the Trustee shall determine (or, at the expense of the Issuer, appoint an expert to determine) the Spot Rate in such manner as, in its absolute discretion (having such regard as it shall think fit to the foregoing provisions of this Condition), it shall deem fair and reasonable in all the circumstances and each such determination shall be deemed to have been made by the Calculation Agent.

 

All certificates, communications, opinions, determinations, calculations, quotations and decisions given, expressed, made or obtained for the purposes of the provisions of this Condition 6(h), whether by the Calculation Agent or the Trustee, shall (in the absence of wilful default, bad faith or manifest error) be binding on the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the other Paying Agents and all Noteholders and Couponholders and (in the absence as aforesaid) no liability to the Issuer, the Noteholders or the Couponholders shall attach to the Calculation Agent or the Trustee in connection with the exercise or non-exercise by it if its powers, duties and discretions pursuant to such provision.

 

7.              Redemption and Purchase

 

(a)            Redemption at maturity

 

Unless previously redeemed or purchased and cancelled as specified below, each Note will be redeemed by the Issuer at its Final Redemption Amount specified in the applicable Final Terms in the relevant Specified Currency on the Maturity Date.

 

(b)            Redemption for tax reasons

 

The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer in whole, but not in part, at any time (if this Note is neither a Floating Rate Note nor an Inflation Linked Interest Note) or on any Interest Payment Date (if this Note is either a Floating Rate Note or an Inflation Linked Interest Note), on giving not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice to the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent and, in accordance with Condition 14, the Noteholders (which notice shall be irrevocable), if:

 

(i)                                      on the occasion of the next payment due in respect of the Notes, the Issuer would be required to pay additional amounts as provided or referred to in Condition 8 as a result of any change in, or amendment to, the laws or regulations of the Relevant Jurisdiction (as defined in Condition 8) (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein), or any change in the application or official interpretation of such laws or regulations, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the date on which agreement is reached to issue the first Tranche of the Notes; and

 

(ii)                                   such requirement cannot be avoided by the Issuer taking reasonable measures available to it, provided that no such notice of redemption shall be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which the Issuer would be required to pay such additional amounts were a payment in respect of the Notes then due.

 

Prior to the publication of any notice of redemption pursuant to this Condition, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee a certificate signed by two Directors of the Issuer stating that the requirement referred to in sub-paragraph (i) above will apply on the occasion of the next payment due in respect of the Notes and cannot be avoided by the Issuer taking reasonable measures available to it and the Trustee shall be entitled to accept the certificate as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set out above, in which event it shall be conclusive and binding on the Noteholders and the Couponholders. Upon the expiry of any such notice as is referred to in this paragraph, the Issuer shall be bound to redeem the Notes in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph.

 

Notes redeemed pursuant to this Condition 7(b)will be redeemed at their Early Redemption Amount referred to in paragraph (e) below together (if appropriate) with interest accrued to (but excluding) the date of redemption.

 

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(c)            Redemption at the option of the Issuer (Issuer Call)

 

If Issuer Call is specified in the applicable Final Terms, the Issuer may, having given:

 

(i)             notice within the Issuer Call Period to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14; and

 

(ii)            not less than 10 days before the giving of the notice referred to in sub-paragraph (i) above, notice to the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent and the Trustee.

 

(which notices shall be irrevocable and shall specify the date fixed for redemption), redeem all or some only of the Notes then outstanding on any Optional Redemption Date and at the Optional Redemption Amount(s) specified in the applicable Final Terms together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the relevant Optional Redemption Date. Any such redemption must be of a nominal amount equal to the Minimum Redemption Amount or a Higher Redemption Amount. In the case of a partial redemption of Notes, the Notes to be redeemed (“ Redeemed Notes ”) will be selected individually by lot, in the case of Redeemed Notes represented by definitive Notes, not more than 30 days prior to the date fixed for redemption (such date of selection being hereinafter called the “ Selection Date ”). In the case of Redeemed Notes represented by definitive Notes, a list of the serial numbers of such Redeemed Notes will be published in accordance with Condition 14 not less than 15 days prior to the date fixed for redemption.

 

(d)            Redemption at the option of the Noteholders (Investor Put)

 

If Investor Put is specified in the applicable Final Terms, upon the holder of any Note giving to the Issuer in accordance with Condition 14 notice within the Investor Put Period the Issuer will, upon the expiry of such notice, redeem, subject to, and in accordance with, the terms specified in the applicable Final Terms, in whole (but not in part), such Note on the Optional Redemption Date and at the Optional Redemption Amount together, if appropriate, with interest accrued to (but excluding) the Optional Redemption Date.

 

To exercise this option the holder must deposit (in the case of Bearer Notes) such Note (together with all unmatured Coupons) with any Paying Agent or (in the case of Registered Notes) the Certificate representing such Note(s) with the Registrar or any Transfer Agent at its specified office, accompanied by a duly completed and signed notice of exercise (a “Put Notice” in the form (for the time being current) obtainable from any specified office of any Paying Agent, the Registrar or any Transfer Agent (as applicable) within the notice period and in which the holder must specify a bank account (or, if payment is required to be made by cheque, an address) to which payment is to be made under this Condition.

 

(e)                                  Early Redemption Amounts

 

For the purpose of paragraph (b) above and Condition 10, each Note will be redeemed at the Early Redemption Amount calculated as follows:

 

(i)                                      in the case of a Note (other than a Zero Coupon Note), at the amount specified in the applicable Final Terms or, if no such amount or manner is so specified in the applicable Final Terms, at its nominal amount; or

 

(ii)                                   in the case of a Zero Coupon Note, at an amount (the “ Amortised Face Amount ”) calculated in accordance with the following formula:

 

Early Redemption Amount = RP x (1 +AY) Y

 

where:

 

RP                        means the Reference Price;

 

AY                         means the Accrual Yield expressed as a decimal; and

 

y                                   is the Day Count Fraction specified in the applicable Final Terms which will be either (i) 30/360 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the number of days (calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of 12 months of 30 days each) from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 360) or (ii) Actual/360 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the actual number of days from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to

 

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(but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 360) or (iii) Actual/365 (in which case the numerator will be equal to the actual number of days from (and including) the Issue Date of the first Tranche of the Notes to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Note becomes due and repayable and the denominator will be 365)

 

(f)             Purchases

 

The Issuer or any Subsidiary (as defined in the Trust Deed) of the Issuer may at any time purchase Notes (provided that, in the case of Bearer Notes, all unmatured Coupons and Talons appertaining thereto are purchased therewith) at any price in the open market or otherwise.

 

(g)            Cancellation

 

All Notes which are (a) redeemed or (b) purchased by or on behalf of the Issuer will forthwith be cancelled (together with all Certificates or unmatured Coupons and Talons attached thereto or surrendered therewith at the time of redemption) and accordingly may not be reissued or resold. Any Notes which are purchased by or on behalf of any of the Issuer’s Subsidiaries may, at the option of the purchaser, be held or resold or surrendered to a Paying Agent for cancellation.

 

(h)            Late payment on Zero Coupon Notes

 

If the amount payable in respect of any Zero Coupon Note upon redemption of such Zero Coupon Note pursuant to paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) above or upon its becoming due and repayable as provided in Condition 10 is improperly withheld or refused, the amount due and repayable in respect of such Zero Coupon Note shall be the amount calculated as provided in paragraph e(ii) above as though the references therein to the date fixed for the redemption or the date upon which such Zero Coupon Note becomes due and payable were replaced by references to the date which is the earlier of:

 

(i)             the date on which all amounts due in respect of such Zero Coupon Note have been paid; and

 

(ii)            five days after the date on which the full amount of the moneys payable in respect of such Zero Coupon Notes has been received by the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent or the Trustee and notice to that effect has been given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14.

 

8.              Taxation

 

All payments in respect of the Notes and Coupons by the Issuer will be made without withholding or deduction for any present or future taxes, assessments or other governmental charges (“ Taxes ”) of the Issuer’s jurisdiction of incorporation (the “ Relevant Jurisdiction ”) (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein), unless the withholding or deduction of the Taxes is required by law. In that event, the Issuer will pay such additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the net amount paid to each holder of any Note or Coupon who, with respect to any such Tax is not resident in the Relevant Jurisdiction, after such withholding or deduction shall be not less than the respective amount to which such holder would have been entitled in respect of such Note or Coupon, as the case may be, in the absence of the withholding or deduction; provided however that the Issuer shall not be required to pay any additional amounts (i) for or on account of any such Tax imposed by the United States (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) or (ii) for or on account of:

 

(a)                                  any Tax which would not have been imposed but for (i) the existence of any present or former connection between a holder (or between a fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member or shareholder of, or possessor of a power over, such holder, if such holder is an estate, trust, partnership or corporation) and the Relevant Jurisdiction or any political subdivision or territory or possession thereof or area subject to its jurisdiction, including, without limitation, such holder (or such fiduciary, settlor, beneficiary, member, shareholder or possessor) being or having been a citizen or resident thereof or being or having been present or engaged in trade or business therein or having or having had a permanent establishment therein or (ii) the presentation of such Note or Coupon (x) for payment on a date more than 30 days after the Relevant Date (as defined below) or (y) in the Relevant Jurisdiction;

 

(b)            any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

 

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(c)                                   any Tax which is payable otherwise than by withholding or deduction from payments of (or in respect of) principal of, or any interest on, such Note or Coupon;

 

(d)                                  any Tax that is imposed or withheld by reason of the failure by the holder or any beneficial owner of such Note or Coupon to comply with a request of the Issuer given to the holder in accordance with Condition 14 (i) to provide information concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the holder or any beneficial owner or (ii) to make any declaration or other similar claim or satisfy any information or reporting requirements, which, in the case of (i) or (ii), is required or imposed by a statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of the Relevant Jurisdiction as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such Tax;

 

(e)                                  any Tax imposed on a payment to an individual which is required to be made pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC (as amended from time to time) or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such Directive;

 

(f)                                     any Tax payable with respect to a Note or Coupon presented for payment by or on behalf of a holder who would have been able to avoid such withholding or deduction by presenting the relevant Note or Coupon to another Paying Agent in a Member State of the European Union; or

 

(g)            any combination of items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) above,

 

nor shall the Issuer be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to any payment of the principal of, or any interest on, any Note or Coupon to any holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the Relevant Jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) to be included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner which would not have been entitled to such additional amounts had it been the holder of such Note or Coupon.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Terms and Conditions, any amounts to be paid on the Notes by or on behalf of the Issuer, will be paid net of any deduction or withholding imposed or required pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (or any regulations thereunder or official interpretations thereof) or an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and another jurisdiction facilitating the implementation thereof (or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices implementing such an intergovernmental agreement) (and any such withholding or deduction, a “ FATCA Withholding ”). Neither the Issuer nor any other person will be required to pay any additional amounts in respect of FATCA Withholding.

 

As used herein:

 

Relevant Date ” means the date on which such payment first becomes due, except that, if the full amount of the moneys payable has not been duly received by the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent or the Trustee on or prior to such due date, it means the date on which, the full amount of such moneys having been so received, notice to that effect is duly given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14; and

 

United States ” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia) and its possessions (including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands).

 

9.              Prescription

 

The Notes and Coupons will become void unless a claim for payment is made within a period of 10 years (in the case of principal) and five years (in the case of interest) after the Relevant Date (as defined in Condition 8) therefor (subject to the provisions of Condition 6(b)).

 

There shall not be included in any Coupon sheet issued on exchange of a Talon any Coupon the claim for payment in respect of which would be void pursuant to this Condition or Condition 6(b) or any Talon which would be void pursuant to Condition6(b).

 

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10.           Events of Default and Enforcement

 

(A)            Events of Default

 

The Trustee at its discretion may, and if so requested in writing by the holders of at least one-quarter in nominal amount of the Notes then outstanding or if so directed by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Noteholders shall (subject in each case to being indemnified and/or secured and/or prefunded to its satisfaction), give notice to the Issuer that the Notes are, and they shall accordingly forthwith become, immediately due and repayable at their Early Redemption Amount as referred to in Condition 7(e) together (if applicable) with accrued interest as provided in the Trust Deed, in any of the following events (“ Events of Default ”):

 

(a)                                  if default is made in the payment of any principal or any interest due in respect of the Notes or any of them and the default continues for a period of 14 days in the case of a payment of principal or 21 days in the case of a payment of interest; or

 

(b)                                  if the Issuer fails to perform or observe any of its other obligations under these Terms and Conditions or the Trust Deed and (except in any case where the Trustee considers the failure to be incapable of remedy when no such continuation or notice as is hereinafter mentioned will be required) the failure continues for the period of 30 days (or such longer period as the Trustee may permit) next following the service by the Trustee on the Issuer of notice requiring the same to be remedied; or

 

(c)                                   if any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of the Issuer becomes due and repayable prematurely by reason of an event of default (however described) or the Issuer fails to make any payment in respect of any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money on the due date for payment (as extended by any originally applicable grace period) or any security given by the Issuer for any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money becomes enforceable by reason of default in relation thereto and steps are taken to enforce such security or if default is made by the Issuer in making any payment due under any guarantee and/or indemnity (at the expiry of any originally applicable grace period) given by it in relation to any Indebtedness for Borrowed Money of any other person, provided that no event shall constitute an Event of Default unless the Indebtedness for Borrowed Money or other relative liability either alone or when aggregated with other Indebtedness for Borrowed Money and/or other liabilities relative to all (if any) other events which shall have occurred equals or exceeds (i) £50,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in relation to any such event falling on or before 1 August 2014 and (ii) £150,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) in relation to any such event falling after 1 August 2014; or

 

(d)                                  if any order is made by any competent court or resolution passed for the winding up or dissolution of the Issuer, save for the purposes of a reorganisation on terms approved in writing by the Trustee; or

 

(e)                                  if the Issuer stops payment of, or is unable to, or admits inability to, pay, its debts (or any class of its debts) as they fall due, or is deemed unable to pay its debts (within the meaning of section 123(1)(e) or (2) of the Insolvency Act 1986), or is adjudicated or found bankrupt or insolvent or shall enter into any composition or other similar arrangements with its creditors under section 1 of the Insolvency Act 1986; or

 

(f)                                     if (i) an administrative or other receiver, manager, administrator or other similar official is appointed in relation to the Issuer or, as the case may be, in relation to the whole or a substantial part of the undertaking or assets of it, or an encumbrancer takes possession of the whole or a substantial part of the undertaking or assets of it, or a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other process is levied, enforced upon, sued out or put in force against the whole or a substantial part of the undertaking or assets of it and (ii) in any case (other than the appointment of an administrator) is not discharged, removed or paid within 45 days;

 

PROVIDED, in the case of any Event of Default other than those described in paragraphs (a) and (d) above, the Trustee shall have certified in writing to the Issuer that the Event of Default is, in its opinion, materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders.

 

For the purposes of this Condition, “ Indebtedness for Borrowed Money ” means any present or future indebtedness (whether being principal, premium, interest or other amounts) for or in respect of (i) money borrowed, (ii) liabilities under or in respect of any acceptance or acceptance credit or (iii) any bonds, notes, debentures, debenture stock or loan stock.

 

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(B)           Enforcement

 

The Trustee may at any time, at its discretion and without notice, take such proceedings against the Issuer as it may think fit to enforce the provisions of the Trust Deed, the Notes and the Coupons, but it shall not be bound to take any such proceedings or any other action in relation to the Trust Deed, the Notes or the Coupons unless (i) it shall have been so directed by an Extraordinary Resolution of the relevant Noteholders or so requested in writing by the holders of at least one-quarter in nominal amount of the relevant Notes then outstanding, and (ii) it shall have been indemnified to its satisfaction.

 

Save as otherwise provided herein, no Noteholder or Couponholder shall be entitled to proceed directly against the Issuer unless the Trustee, having become bound so to proceed, fails so to do within a reasonable period and the failure shall be continuing.

 

11.           Replacement of Notes, Certificates, Coupons and Talons

 

Should any Note, Certificate, Coupon or Talon be lost, stolen, mutilated, defaced or destroyed, it may be replaced at the specified office of the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent (in the case of Bearer Notes, Coupons or Talons) and of the Registrar (in the case of Certificates) upon payment by the claimant of such costs and expenses as may be incurred in connection therewith and on such terms as to evidence and indemnity as the Issuer may reasonably require. Mutilated or defaced Notes, Certificates, Coupons or Talons must be surrendered before replacements will be issued.

 

12.           Agents

 

The names of the initial Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the other Paying Agents, the Registrar and the Transfer Agents and their initial specified offices are set out below.

 

The Issuer is entitled, with the prior written approval of the Trustee, to vary or terminate the appointment of the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, any other Paying Agent, the Registrar or any Transfer Agent and/or appoint additional or other Paying Agents or Transfer Agents or another Registrar and/or approve any change in the specified office through which any such agent acts, provided that:

 

(i)             there will at all times be an Issuing and Principal Paying Agent;

 

(ii)            there will at all times be a Registrar and a Transfer Agent in relation to Registered Notes;

 

(iii)                                so long as the Notes are listed on any stock exchange, there will at all times be a Paying Agent with a specified office in such place as may be required by the rules and regulations of the relevant stock exchange or other relevant authority;

 

(iv)                                there will at all times be a Paying Agent with a specified office in a city approved by the Trustee outside the Relevant Jurisdiction; and

 

(v)            save where it may from time to time be otherwise agreed with the Trustee that it is unduly onerous or not current market practice at the relevant time to do so and save to the extent that the following requirement is not met by virtue of sub-paragraph (iii) above and there will at all times be a Paying Agent with a specified office in a European Union member state that is not obliged to withhold or deduct tax pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC (as amended from time to time) or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such Directive.

 

In addition, the Issuer shall forthwith appoint a Paying Agent having a specified office in New York City in the circumstances described in Condition 6(d).

 

Any variation, termination, appointment or change shall only take effect (other than in the case of insolvency, when it shall be of immediate effect) after not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice thereof shall have been given to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14.

 

In acting under the Agency Agreement, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Paying Agents, the Registrar and the Transfer Agents act solely as agents of the Issuer and, in certain limited circumstances, of the Trustee and do not

 

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assume any obligation to, or relationship of agency or trust with, any Noteholders or Couponholders. The Agency Agreement contains provisions permitting any entity into which any Paying Agent or Registrar or Transfer Agent is merged or converted or with which it is consolidated or to which it transfers all or substantially all of its assets to become the successor paying agent, registrar or transfer agent, as the case may be.

 

13.           Exchange of Talons

 

On and after the Interest Payment Date on which the final Coupon comprised in any Coupon sheet matures, the Talon (if any) forming part of such Coupon sheet may be surrendered at the specified office of the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent or any other Paying Agent in exchange for a further Coupon sheet including (if such further Coupon sheet does not include Coupons to (and including) the final date for the payment of interest due in respect of the Note to which it appertains) a further Talon, subject to the provisions of Condition 9.

 

14.           Notices

 

Notices to the holders of Registered Notes shall be mailed to them at their respective addresses in the Register and deemed to have been given on the fourth weekday (being a day other than a Saturday or Sunday) after the date of mailing

 

Notices to the holders of Bearer Notes will be deemed to be validly given if published in a leading English language daily newspaper of general circulation in the United Kingdom. It is expected that such publication will be made in the Financial Times . The Issuer shall also ensure that notices are duly published in a manner which complies with the rules and regulations of any stock exchange or any other relevant authority on which the Notes are for the time being listed. Any such notice will be deemed to have been given on the date of the first publication.

 

Notices to be given by any Noteholder shall be in writing and given by lodging the same, together (in the case of any Note in definitive form) with the relative Note or Notes, with the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent (in the case of Bearer Notes) or the Registrar (in the case of Registered Notes). Couponholders shall be deemed for all purposes to have notice of the contents of any notice given to the holders of Bearer Notes in accordance with this Condition.

 

15.           Meeting of Noteholders, Modification, Authorisation, Waiver, Determination and Substitution

 

(a)            Meetings

 

The Trust Deed contains provisions for convening meetings of the Noteholders to consider any matter affecting their interests, including the sanctioning by Extraordinary Resolution of a modification of any of the provisions of these Terms and Conditions, the Notes, the Coupons or the Trust Deed. Such a meeting may be convened by the Issuer or by Noteholders holding not less than 10 per cent. in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding. The quorum at any such meeting for passing an Extraordinary Resolution will be one or more persons holding or representing a clear majority in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding, or at any adjourned meeting one or more persons being or representing Noteholders whatever the nominal amount of the Notes so held or represented. An Extraordinary Resolution passed at any meeting of the Noteholders shall be binding on all the Noteholders, whether or not they are present at the meeting, and on all and Couponholders.

 

(b)            Modification, Authorisation, Waiver, Determination, Substitution etc.

 

The Trustee may agree, without the consent of the Noteholders or the Couponholders, to any modification of, or to the waiver or authorisation of any breach or proposed breach of, any of these Terms and Conditions or any of the provisions of the Trust Deed or determine, without any such consent as aforesaid, that any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default (as defined in the Trust Deed) shall not be treated as such, which in any such case is not, in the opinion of the Trustee, materially prejudicial to the interests of the Noteholders or may agree, without any such consent as aforesaid, to any modification which is of a formal, minor or technical nature or to correct a manifest error.

 

In connection with the exercise by it of any of its trusts, powers, authorities and discretions (including, without limitation, any modification, waiver, authorisation, determination or substitution), the Trustee shall have regard to the general interests of the Noteholders as a class but shall not have regard to any interests arising from circumstances particular to individual Noteholders or Couponholders (whatever their number) and, in particular but without limitation, shall not have regard to the consequences of any such exercise for individual Noteholders or Couponholders (whatever their number) resulting from their being for any purpose domiciled or resident in, or otherwise connected with, or subject to the jurisdiction of, any particular territory or any political sub-division thereof and the Trustee shall

 

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not be entitled to require, nor shall any Noteholder or Couponholder be entitled to claim, from the Issuer, the Trustee or any other person any indemnification or payment in respect of any tax consequence of any such exercise upon individual Noteholders or Couponholders except to the extent already provided for in Condition 8 and/or any undertaking given in addition to, or in substitution for, Condition 8 pursuant to the Trust Deed.

 

The Trustee may, without the consent of the Noteholders or Couponholders, agree with the Issuer to the substitution in place of the Issuer (or of any previous substitute under this Condition) as principal debtor in respect of the Notes and the Coupons and under the Trust Deed of either (i) a Successor in Business (as defined in the Trust Deed) to the Issuer or (ii) a Holding Company of the Issuer or (iii) a Subsidiary of the Issuer, in each case subject to the Trustee being satisfied that the interests of the Noteholders will not be materially prejudiced thereby provided that in determining such material prejudice the Trustee shall not take into account any prejudice to the interests of the Noteholders as a result of such substituted company not being required pursuant to proviso (i) to Condition 8 to pay any additional amounts for or on account of any Taxes imposed by the United States of America or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein and certain other conditions set out in the Trust Deed being complied with.

 

The Trust Deed contains provisions permitting the Issuer to consolidate with or merge into any other person or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person provided that (i) in the case of a consolidation or merger (except where the Issuer is the continuing entity) such person agrees to be bound by the terms of the Notes, the Coupons and the Trust Deed as principal debtor in place of the Issuer; (ii) in the case of a conveyance, transfer or lease, such person guarantees the obligations of the Issuer under the Notes, the Coupons and the Trust Deed and (iii) certain other conditions set out in the Trust Deed are complied with.

 

Any such modification, waiver, authorisation, determination or substitution shall be binding on the Noteholders and the Couponholders and, unless the Trustee otherwise agrees, any such modification or substitution shall be notified to the Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14 as soon as practicable thereafter.

 

For the purposes of this Condition “ Holding Company ” means, in relation to a person, an entity of which that person is a Subsidiary.

 

16.                              Further Issues

 

The Issuer shall be at liberty from time to time without the consent of the Noteholders or the Couponholders to create and issue further notes having terms and conditions the same as the Notes or the same in all respects save for the amount and date of the first payment of interest thereon and so that the same shall be consolidated and form a single Series with the outstanding Notes. The Trust Deed contains provisions for convening a single meeting of the Noteholders and the holders of notes of other Series in certain circumstances where the Trustee so decides.

 

17.                              Indemnification of the Trustee and its Contracting with the Issuer

 

The Trust Deed contains provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee and for its relief from responsibility, including provisions relieving it from taking action unless indemnified to its satisfaction.

 

The Trust Deed also contains provisions pursuant to which the Trustee is entitled, inter alia , (i) to enter into business transactions with the Issuer and/or any of its Subsidiaries and to act as trustee for the holders of any other securities issued or guaranteed by, or relating to, the Issuer and/or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) to exercise and enforce its rights, comply with its obligations and perform its duties under or in relation to any such transactions or, as the case may be, any such trusteeship without regard to the interests of, or consequences for, the Noteholders or Couponholders, and (iii) to retain and not be liable to account for any profit made or any other amount or benefit received thereby or in connection therewith.

 

18.                              Third Party Rights

 

No rights are conferred on any person under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of the Notes, but this does not affect any right or remedy of any person which exists or is available apart from that Act.

 

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19.                              Governing Law

 

The Trust Deed, the Notes and the Coupons, and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with any of them, are governed by and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. The Agency Agreement is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with English law.

 

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AGENT

HSBC Bank plc

8 Canada Square

London E14 5HQ

 

OTHER PAYING AGENTS

 

Credit Suisse First Boston

Banque Internationale à Luxembourg,

Uetlibergstrasse 231

société anonyme

8045 Zurich

69 route d’Esch

 

L-2953 Luxembourg

 

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SCHEDULE 2

 

FORMS OF GLOBAL AND DEFINITIVE NOTES, CERTIFICATES, COUPONS AND TALONS

 

PART 1

 

FORM OF TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

(the Issuer)

( incorporated with limited liability in England and Wales )

 

TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE

 

This Note is a Temporary Global Note in respect of a duly authorised issue of Notes of the Issuer (the Notes ) of the Nominal Amount, Specified Currency(ies) and Specified Denomination(s) as are specified in the Final Terms or Pricing Supplement, as the case may be, applicable to the Notes (the Final Terms ), a copy of which is annexed hereto. References herein to the Conditions shall be to the Terms and Conditions of the Notes as set out in the Schedule 1 to the Trust Deed (as defined below) as completed and/or (in the case of Exempt Notes) modified and/or replaced by the Final Terms but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Conditions and the information in the Final Terms, the Final Terms will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this Global Note. This Global Note is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the Trust Deed ) dated 16 July 1999 and made between the Issuer (under its then name of Vodafone AirTouch Plc) and The Law Debenture Trust Corporation p.l.c. as trustee for the holders of the Notes.

 

The Issuer, subject as hereinafter provided and subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the bearer hereof on the Maturity Date and/or on such earlier date(s) as all or any of the Notes represented by this Global Note may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable under the Conditions in respect of such Notes on each such date and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of the Notes from time to time represented by this Global Note calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed, upon presentation and, at maturity, surrender of this Global Note to or to the order of the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent or any of the other Paying Agents located outside the United States, its territories and possessions (except as provided in the Conditions) from time to time appointed by the Issuer in respect of the Notes.

 

If the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is intended to be a New Global Note, the nominal amount of Notes represented by this Global Note shall be the aggregate amount from time to time entered in the records of both Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. ( Euroclear ) and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme ( Clearstream, Luxembourg and together with Euroclear, the relevant Clearing Systems ). The records of the relevant Clearing Systems (which expression in this Global Note means the records that each relevant Clearing System holds for its customers which reflect the amount of such customer’s interest in the Notes) shall be conclusive evidence of the nominal amount of Notes represented by this Global Note and, for these purposes, a statement issued by a relevant Clearing System (which statement shall be made available to the bearer upon request) stating the nominal amount of Notes represented by this Global Note at any time shall be conclusive evidence of the records of the relevant Clearing System at that time.

 

If the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is not intended to be a New Global Note, the nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be the amount stated in the applicable Final Terms or, if lower, the nominal amount most recently entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in the relevant column in Part II, or III of Schedule One hereto or in Schedule Two hereto.

 

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On any redemption of, or payment of interest being made in respect of, or purchase and cancellation of, any of the Notes represented by this Global Note the Issuer shall procure that:

 

(a)                                if the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is intended to be a New Global Note, details of such redemption, payment or purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be entered pro rata in the records of the relevant Clearing Systems, and, upon any such entry being made, the nominal amount of the Notes recorded in the records of the relevant Clearing Systems and represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the aggregate nominal amount of the Notes so redeemed or purchased and cancelled; or

 

(b)                               if the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is not intended to be a New Global Note, details of such redemption, payment or purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule One hereto and the relevant space in Schedule One hereto recording any such redemption, payment or purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer. Upon any such redemption or purchase and cancellation, the nominal amount of this Global Note and the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the nominal amount of such Notes so redeemed or purchased and cancelled.

 

Payments due in respect of Notes for the time being represented by this Global Note shall be made to the bearer of this Global Note and each payment so made will discharge the Issuer’s obligations in respect thereof. Any failure to make entries referred to above shall not affect such discharge.

 

Payments of principal and interest (if any) due prior to the Exchange Date (as defined below) will only be made to the bearer hereof to the extent that there is presented to the Agent by Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear a certificate to the effect that it has received from or in respect of a person entitled to a beneficial interest in a particular nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note (as shown by its records) a certificate of non-US beneficial ownership in the form required by it. The bearer of this Global Note will not (unless upon due presentation of this Global Note for exchange, delivery of the appropriate number of Definitive Bearer Notes (together, if applicable, with the Coupons and Talons appertaining thereto in or substantially in the forms set out in Parts 5, 6 and 7 of Schedule 2 to the Trust Deed) or, as the case may be, issue and delivery (or, as the case may be, endorsement) of the Permanent Global Note is improperly withheld or refused and such withholding or refusal is continuing at the relevant payment date) be entitled to receive any payment hereon due on or after the Exchange Date.

 

If this Temporary Global Note is an Exchangeable Bearer Note then, subject to Condition 2(f), this Temporary Global Note may be exchanged in whole or from time to time in part for one or more Registered Notes in accordance with the Conditions on or after the Issue Date but before its Exchange Date referred to below by its presentation to any Transfer Agent at its specified office. On or after the Exchange Date, the outstanding nominal amount of this Temporary Global Note may be exchanged for Definitive Bearer Notes and Registered Notes in accordance with the next paragraph.

 

On or after the date (the Exchange Date ) which is the 40th day after the Issue Date, this Global Note may be exchanged (free of charge) in whole or in part for, as specified in the Final Terms, either (a) Definitive Bearer Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons (on the basis that all the appropriate details have been included on the face of such Definitive Bearer Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons and the relevant information completing the Conditions appearing in the Final Terms has been endorsed on or attached to such Definitive Bearer Notes) or (b) either (if the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is intended to be a New Global Note) interests recorded in the records of the relevant Clearing Systems in a Permanent Global Note or (if the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is not intended to be a New Global Note) a Permanent Global Note which, in either case, is in or substantially in the form set out in Part 2 of the Schedule 2 to the Trust Deed (together with the Final Terms attached thereto) or (if this Global Note is an Exchangeable Bearer Note) for Registered Notes upon notice being given by Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in this Global Note and subject, in the case of Definitive Bearer Notes, to such notice period as is specified in the Final Terms.

 

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If Definitive Bearer Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons have already been issued in exchange for all the Notes represented for the time being by the Permanent Global Note, then this Global Note may only thereafter be exchanged for Definitive Bearer Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons pursuant to the terms hereof. This Global Note may be exchanged by the bearer hereof on any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London.

 

The Issuer shall procure that Definitive Bearer Notes or (as the case may be) the Permanent Global Note shall be issued and delivered and (in the case of the Permanent Global Note where the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is intended to be a New Global Note) interests in the Permanent Global Note shall be recorded in the records of the relevant Clearing Systems in exchange for only that portion of this Global Note in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Principal Paying Agent by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg a certificate to the effect that it has received from or in respect of a person entitled to a beneficial interest in a particular nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note (as shown by its records) a certificate of non-US beneficial ownership in the form required by it.

 

On an exchange of the whole of this Global Note, this Global Note shall be surrendered to or to the order of the Principal Paying Agent. The Issuer shall procure that:

 

(a)                                if the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is intended to be a New Global Note, on an exchange of the whole or part only of this Global Note, details of such exchange shall be entered pro rata in the records of the relevant Clearing Systems such that the nominal amount of Notes represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the nominal amount of this Global Note so exchanged; or

 

(b)                               if the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is not intended to be a New Global Note, on an exchange of part only of this Global Note details of such exchange shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule Two hereto and the relevant space in Schedule Two hereto recording such exchange shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer, whereupon the nominal amount of this Global Note and the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the nominal amount of this Global Note so exchanged. On any exchange of this Global Note for a Permanent Global Note, details of such exchange shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule Two to the Permanent Global Note and the relevant space in Schedule Two thereto recording such exchange shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer.

 

Until the exchange of the whole of this Global Note as aforesaid, the bearer hereof shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits as if he were the bearer of Definitive Bearer Notes and the relative Coupons and/or Talons (if any) in the form(s) set out in Part 5, Part 6 and Part 7 (as applicable) of the Schedule 2 to the Trust Deed.

 

The holder of this Global Note shall be treated at any meeting of the Noteholders as having one vote in respect of each Definitive Bearer Note for which this Global Note would be exchangeable.

 

In considering the interests of Noteholders while this Global Note is held on behalf of a clearing system, the Trustee may have regard to any information provided to it by such clearing system or its operator as to the identity (either individually or by category) of its accountholders with entitlements to this Global Note and may consider such interests as if such accountholders were the holder of this Global Note.

 

This Global Note does not confer on a third party any right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Global Note, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act.

 

This Global Note, and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it, are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law.

 

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This Global Note shall not be valid unless authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Issuing and Principal Paying Agent and, if the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is intended to be held in a manner which would allow Eurosystem eligibility, effectuated by the entity appointed as common safekeeper by the relevant Clearing Systems.

 

IN WITNESS whereof the Issuer has caused this Global Note to be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised on its behalf.

 

Issued as of

 

 

 

 

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Duly Authorised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authenticated by

 

HSBC Bank plc

 

as Issuing and Principal Paying Agent.

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorised Officer

 

 

 

 

1 Effectuated without recourse,

 

warranty or liability by

 

 

 

 

 

 

as common safekeeper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 


1

 

This should only be completed where the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is intended to be held in a manner which would allow Eurosytem eligibility.

 

76



 

Schedule One*

 

PART I

 

INTEREST PAYMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Confirmation of

 

 

Interest Payment

 

Total amount of

 

Amount of interest

 

payment by or on

Date made

 

Date

 

interest payable

 

paid

 

behalf of the Issuer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Schedule One should only be completed where the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is not intended to be a New Global Note.

 

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PART II

 

REDEMPTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remaining nominal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

amount of this

 

Confirmation of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Global Note

 

redemption by or

 

 

Total amount of

 

Amount of

 

following such

 

on behalf of the

Date made

 

principal payable

 

principal paid

 

redemption*

 

Issuer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* See most recent entry in Part II or III of Schedule Two in order to determine this amount.

 

78



 

PART III

 

PURCHASES AND CANCELLATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

Remaining nominal

 

 

 

 

 

 

amount of this Global

 

Confirmation of

 

 

Part of nominal amount

 

Note following such

 

purchase and

 

 

of this Global Note

 

purchase and

 

cancellation by or on

Date made

 

purchased and cancelled

 

cancellation*

 

behalf of the Issuer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* See most recent entry in Part II or III of Schedule Two in order to determine this amount.

 

79



 

Schedule Two*

 

EXCHANGES

FOR DEFINITIVE BEARER NOTES, REGISTERED NOTES OR PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE

 

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for Definitive Bearer Notes or Registered Notes or a part of a Permanent Global Note have been made:

 

 

 

Nominal amount of this

 

 

 

 

 

 

Global Note exchanged

 

 

 

 

 

 

for Definitive Bearer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes, Registered Notes

 

Remaining nominal

 

 

 

 

or a part of a Permanent

 

amount of this Global

 

 

 

 

Global Note (stating

 

Note following such

 

Notation made by or on

Date made

 

which)

 

exchange*

 

behalf of the Issuer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*       Schedule Two should only be completed where the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is not intended to be a New Global Note.

*       See most recent entry in Part II or III of Schedule One or in this Schedule Two in order to determine this amount.

 

80



 

ANNEX

 

[attach Final Terms that relate to this Global Note]

 

81



 

PART 2

 

FORM OF PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE

 

[ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.] 1

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

(the Issuer)

( incorporated with limited liability in England and Wales )

 

PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE

 

This Note is a Permanent Global Note in respect of a duly authorised issue of Notes of the Issuer (the Notes ) of the Nominal Amount, Specified Currency(ies) and Specified Denomination(s) as are specified in the Final Terms or Pricing Supplement, as the case may be, applicable to the Notes (the Final Terms ), a copy of which is annexed hereto. References herein to the Conditions shall be to the Terms and Conditions of the Notes as set out in the Schedule 1 to the Trust Deed (as defined below) as completed and/or (in the case of Exempt Notes) modified and/or replaced by the Final Terms but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Conditions and the information in the Final Terms, the Final Terms will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this Global Note. This Global Note is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the Trust Deed ) dated 16 July 1999 and made between the Issuer (under its then name of Vodafone AirTouch Plc) and The Law Debenture Trust Corporation p.l.c. as trustee for the holders of the Notes.

 

The Issuer, subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the bearer hereof on the Maturity Date and/or on such earlier date(s) as all or any of the Notes represented by this Global Note may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable under the Conditions in respect of such Notes on each such date and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of the Notes from time to time represented by this Global Note calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed, upon presentation and, at maturity, surrender of this Global Note at the specified office of the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent at 8 Canada Square, London EC2V 7EX, England or such other specified office as may be specified for this purpose in accordance with the Conditions or at the specified office of any of the other Paying Agents located outside the United States, its territories and possessions (except as provided in the Conditions) from time to time appointed by the Issuer in respect of the Notes.

 

If the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is intended to be a New Global Note, the nominal amount of Notes represented by this Global Note shall be the aggregate amount from time to time entered in the records of both Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. ( Euroclear ) and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme ( Clearstream, Luxembourg and together with Euroclear, the relevant Clearing Systems ). The records of the relevant Clearing Systems (which expression in this Global Note means the records that each relevant Clearing System holds for its customers which reflect the amount of such customer’s interest in the Notes) shall be conclusive evidence of the nominal amount of Notes represented by this Global Note and, for these purposes, a statement issued by a relevant Clearing System (which statement shall be made available to the

 


1                                             Include where the original maturity of the Notes is more than 365 days where TEFRA D is specified in the applicable Final Terms or Pricing Supplement, as the case may be.

 

82



 

bearer upon request) stating the nominal amount of Notes represented by this Global Note at any time shall be conclusive evidence of the records of the relevant Clearing System at that time.

 

If the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is not intended to be a New Global Note, the nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be the amount stated in the applicable Final Terms or, if lower, the nominal amount most recently entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in the relevant column in Part II or Part III of Schedule One hereto or in Schedule Two hereto.

 

On any redemption of, or payment of interest being made in respect of, or purchase and cancellation of, any of the Notes represented by this Global Note the Issuer shall procure that:

 

(a)                                if the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is intended to be a New Global Note, details of such redemption, payment or purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be entered pro rata in the records of the relevant Clearing Systems and, upon any such entry being made, the nominal amount of the Notes recorded in the records of the relevant Clearing Systems and represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the aggregate nominal amount of the Notes so redeemed or purchased and cancelled; or

 

(b)                               if the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is not intended to be a New Global Note, details of such redemption, payment or purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule One hereto and the relevant space in Schedule One hereto recording any such redemption, payment or purchase and cancellation (as the case may be) shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer. Upon any such redemption or purchase and cancellation, the nominal amount of this Global Note and the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be reduced by the nominal amount of such Notes so redeemed or purchased and cancelled.

 

Payments due in respect of Notes for the time being represented by this Global Note shall be made to the bearer of this Global Note and each payment so made will discharge the Issuer’s obligations in respect thereof and any failure to make entries referred to above shall not affect such discharge.

 

If the Notes represented by this Global Note were, on issue, represented by a Temporary Global Note then on any exchange of such Temporary Global Note for this Global Note or any part hereof, the Issuer shall procure that:

 

(a)                                if the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is intended to be a New Global Note, details of such exchange shall be entered in the records of the relevant Clearing Systems such that the nominal amount of Notes represented by this Global Note shall be increased by the nominal amount of the Temporary Global Note so exchanged; or

 

(b)                               if the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is not intended to be a New Global Note, details of such exchange shall be entered by or on behalf of the Issuer in Schedule Two hereto and the relevant space in Schedule Two hereto recording such exchange shall be signed by or on behalf of the Issuer, whereupon the nominal amount of this Global Note and the Notes represented by this Global Note shall be increased by the nominal amount of the Temporary Global Note so exchanged.

 

This Global Note may be exchanged (free of charge) in whole, but, except as provided below, not in part, for Definitive Bearer Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons in or substantially in the forms set out in Part 5, Part 6 and Part 7 of the Schedule 2 to the Trust Deed (on the basis that all the appropriate details have been included on the face of such Definitive Bearer Notes and (if applicable) Coupons and/or Talons and the relevant information completing the Conditions appearing in the Final Terms has been endorsed on or attached to such Definitive Bearer Notes) or (if this Global Note is an Exchangeable Bearer Note) Registered Notes represented by the Certificates described in the Trust Deed:

 

83



 

(a)                                if specified in the applicable Final Terms, upon not less than 60 days’ written notice being given to the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent by Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in this Global Note); or

 

(b)                               if specified in the applicable Final Terms, only upon the occurrence of an Exchange Event; or

 

(c)                                if this Global Note is an Exchangeable Bearer Note then, subject to Condition 2(f), by the holder hereof giving notice to the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent of its election to exchange the whole or a part of this Global Note for Registered Notes.

 

An Exchange Event means (unless otherwise specified in the applicable Final Terms):

 

(i)                                   an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(ii)           the Issuer has been notified that both Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg have been closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days (other than by reason of holiday, statutory or otherwise) or have announced an intention permanently to cease business or have in fact done so and no alternative clearing system satisfactory to the Trustee is available; or

 

(iii)          the Issuer has or will become obliged to pay additional amounts as provided for or referred to in Condition 8 which would not be required were the Bearer Notes in definitive form.

 

Upon the occurrence of an Exchange Event:

 

(A)                            the Issuer will promptly give notice to Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14 of the occurrence of such Exchange Event; and

 

(B)                             Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in this Global Note) or the Trustee may give notice to the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent requesting exchange and, in the event of the occurrence of an Exchange Event as described in (iii) above, the Issuer may also give notice to the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent requesting exchange.

 

This Global Note is exchangeable in part only if this Global Note is an Exchangeable Bearer Note and the part thereof submitted for exchange is to be exchanged for Registered Notes.

 

Any such exchange shall occur on a date specified in the notice not later than 60 days (or, in the case of an exchange for Registered Notes, 5 days) after the date of receipt of the first relevant notice by the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent.

 

The first notice requesting exchange in accordance with the above provisions shall give rise to the issue of Definitive Bearer Notes for the total nominal amount of Notes represented by this Global Note.

 

Any such exchange as aforesaid will be made upon presentation of this Global Note by the bearer hereof on any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for business in London at the office of the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent specified above.

 

The aggregate nominal amount of Definitive Bearer Notes or Registered Notes issued upon an exchange of this Global Note will be equal to the aggregate nominal amount of this Global Note submitted for exchange. Upon exchange in full of this Global Note, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent shall cancel it or procure that it is cancelled.

 

84



 

Certificates issued upon exchange for Registered Notes shall not be Global Certificates unless the holder so requests and certifies to the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent that it is, or is acting as, a nominee for Clearstream, Luxembourg or Euroclear.

 

Until the exchange of the whole of this Global Note as aforesaid, the bearer hereof shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits as if he were the bearer of Definitive Bearer Notes and the relative Coupons and/or Talons (if any) in the form(s) set out in Part 5, Part 6 and Part 7 (as applicable) of the Schedule 2 to the Trust Deed.

 

The holder of this Global Note shall be treated at any meeting of the Noteholders as having one vote in respect of each Definitive Bearer Note for which this Global Note would be exchangeable.

 

In considering the interests of Noteholders while this Global Note is held on behalf of a clearing system, the Trustee may have regard to any information provided to it by such clearing system or its operator as to the identity (either individually or by category) of its accountholders with entitlements to this Global Note and may consider such interests as if such accountholders were the holder of this Global Note.

 

This Global Note does not confer on a third party any right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Global Note, but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act.

 

This Global Note, and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it, are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law.

 

This Global Note shall not be valid unless authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Issuing and Principal Paying Agent and, if the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is intended to be held in a manner which would allow Eurosystem eligibility, effectuated by the entity appointed as common safekeeper by the relevant Clearing Systems.

 

85



 

IN WITNESS whereof the Issuer has caused this Global Note to be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised on its behalf.

 

Issued as of

 

 

 

 

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Duly Authorised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authenticated by

 

HSBC Bank plc

 

as Issuing and Principal Paying Agent.

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Authorised Officer

 

 

 

1 Effectuated without recourse,

 

warranty or liability by

 

 

 

 

 

as common safekeeper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


1                                             This should only be completed where the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is intended to be held in a manner which would allow Eurosytem eligibility.

 

86



 

Schedule One*

 

PART I

 

INTEREST PAYMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Confirmation of

 

 

Interest Payment

 

Total amount of

 

Amount of interest

 

payment by or on

Date made

 

Date

 

interest payable

 

paid

 

behalf of the Issuer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*       Schedule One should only be completed where the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is not intended to be a New Global Note.

 

87



 

PART II

 

REDEMPTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remaining nominal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

amount of this

 

Confirmation of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Global Note

 

redemption by or

 

 

Total amount of

 

Amount of

 

following such

 

on behalf of the

Date made

 

principal payable

 

principal paid

 

redemption*

 

Issuer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*       See most recent entry in Part II or III of Schedule Two in order to determine this amount.

 

88



 

PART III

 

PURCHASES AND CANCELLATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

Remaining nominal

 

 

 

 

 

 

amount of this Global

 

Confirmation of

 

 

Part of nominal amount

 

Note following such

 

purchase and

 

 

of this Global Note

 

purchase and

 

cancellation by or on

Date made

 

purchased and cancelled

 

cancellation*

 

behalf of the Issuer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*       See most recent entry in Part II or III of Schedule Two in order to determine this amount.

 

89



 

Schedule Two*

 

EXCHANGES

 

The following exchanges of a part of this the Temporary Global Note for a part of this Global Note or a part of this Global Note for Registered Notes have been made:

 

 

 

Nominal amount of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary Global Note

 

 

 

 

 

 

exchanged for this

 

Increased/decreased

 

 

 

 

Global Note or of this

 

nominal amount of this

 

 

 

 

Global Note exchanged

 

Global Note following

 

Notation made by or on

Date made

 

for Registered Notes

 

such exchange*

 

behalf of the Issuer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*       See most recent entry in Part II or III of Schedule One or in this Schedule Two in order to determine this amount.

 

*       Schedule Two should only be completed where the Final Terms indicates that this Global Note is not intended to be a New Global Note.

 

90



 

ANNEX

 

[ attach the Final Terms that relate to this Global Note ]

 

91



 

PART 3

 

FORM OF REGULATION S GLOBAL CERTIFICATE

 

THE NOTES REPRESENTED BY THIS REGULATION S GLOBAL CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), OR WITH ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

(the Issuer)

( incorporated with limited liability in England and Wales )

 

REGULATION S GLOBAL CERTIFICATE

 

This Regulation S Global Certificate is issued in respect of a duly authorised issue of Notes of the Issuer (the Notes ) of the Nominal Amount, Specified Currency(ies) and Specified Denomination(s) as are specified in the Final Terms or Pricing Supplement, as the case may be, applicable to the Notes (the Final Terms ), a copy of which is annexed hereto. This Regulation S Global Certificate certifies that the person whose name is entered in the Register is the registered holder (the Registered Holder ) of such nominal amount of the Notes specified in the Final Terms at the date hereof.

 

Interpretation and Definitions

 

References in this Regulation S Global Certificate to the Conditions are to the Terms and Conditions of the Notes as set out in the Schedule 1 to the Trust Deed (as defined below) as completed and/or (in the case of Exempt Notes) modified and/or replaced by the Final Terms but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Conditions and the information in the Final Term; the Final Terms will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this Regulation S Global Certificate. This Regulation S Global Certificate is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the Trust Deed) dated 16 July 1999 and made between the Issuer (under its then name of Vodafone AirTouch Plc) and The Law Debenture Trust Corporation p.l.c as Trustee for the holders of the Notes.

 

Promise to Pay

 

The Issuer, subject as hereinafter provided and subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the holder of the Notes represented by this Regulation S Global Certificate on the Maturity Date and/or on such earlier date(s) as all or any of the Notes represented by this Regulation S Global Certificate may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable under the Conditions in respect of such Notes on each such date and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of the Notes from time to time represented by this Regulation S Global Certificate calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed.

 

For the purposes of this Regulation S Global Certificate, (a) the Issuer certifies that the Registered Holder is, at the date hereof, entered in the Register as the holder of the Notes represented by this Regulation S Global Certificate, (b) this Regulation S Global Certificate is evidence of entitlement only, (c) title to the Notes represented by this Regulation S Global Certificate passes only on due registration on the Register, (d) only the holder of the Notes, as on the immediately preceding Clearing System Business Day, represented by this

 

92



 

Regulation S Global Certificate is entitled to payments in respect of the Notes represented by this Regulation S Global Certificate, and (e) the nominal amount of Notes represented by this Regulation S Global Certificate from time to time shall be that amount shown in the Register as being registered in the name of the Registered Holder hereof at such time.

 

For the purposes hereof “ Clearing System Business Day ” means any day other than (i) Saturdays or Sundays and (ii) 1 January and 25 December.

 

Transfer of Notes represented by Regulation S Global Certificates

 

If the Final Terms state that the Notes are to be represented by a Regulation S Global Certificate on issue, transfers of the holding of Notes represented by this Regulation S Global Certificate pursuant to Condition 2(b) may only be made in part:

 

(a)                                if the Notes represented by this Regulation S Global Certificate are held on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any other clearing system (an Alternative Clearing System ) and any such clearing system is closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days (other than by reason of holiday, statutory or otherwise) or announces an intention permanently to cease business or does in fact do so and no alternative clearing system satisfactory to the Trustee is available; or

 

(b)                               an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; or

 

(c)                                with the consent of the Issuer,

 

provided that, in the case of the first transfer of part of a holding pursuant to (a) or (b) above, the holder of the Notes represented by this Regulation S Global Certificate has given the Registrar not less than 30 days’ notice at its specified office of such holder’s intention to effect such transfer. Where the holding of Notes represented by this Regulation S Global Certificate is only transferable in its entirety, the Certificate issued to the transferee upon transfer of such holding shall be a Regulation S Global Certificate. Where transfers are permitted in part, Certificates issued to transferees shall not be Regulation S Global Certificates unless the transferee so requests and certifies to the Registrar that it is, or is acting as a nominee for, Clearstream, Luxembourg, Euroclear and/or an Alternative Clearing System.

 

Interests in a Regulation S Global Certificate will be exchangeable, free of charge to the holder, for definitive Regulation S Certificates only upon the occurrence of an Exchange Event. An Exchange Event means (unless otherwise specified in the applicable Final Terms) that:

 

(i)                                   an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; or

 

(ii)                               the Issuer has been notified that both Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg have been closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days (other than by reason of holiday, statutory or otherwise) or have announced an intention permanently to cease business or have in fact done so and, in any such case, no successor clearing system is available; or

 

(iii)                           the Issuer has or will become subject to adverse tax consequences which would not be suffered were the Notes represented by definitive Regulation S Certificates.

 

Upon the occurrence of an Exchange Event:

 

(A)                            the Issuer will promptly give notice to Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14; and

 

(B)                             Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg (acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in such Regulation S Global Certificate) may give notice to the Registrar requesting

 

93



 

exchange and, in the event of an Exchange Event as described in (iii) above, the Issuer many also give notice to the Registrar requesting exchange.

 

Any such exchange shall occur not later than 10 days after the date of receipt of the first relevant notice by the Registrar.

 

Meetings

 

At any meeting of Noteholders, the holder of the Notes represented by this Regulation S Global Certificate shall be treated as having one vote in respect of each nominal amount of Notes equal to the minimum Specified Denomination of the Notes.

 

This Regulation S Global Certificate shall not become valid for any purpose until authenticated by or on behalf of the Registrar and, if the applicable Final Terms indicates that this Regulation S Global Certificate is intended to be held under the New Safekeeping Structure, effectuated by the entity appointed as common safekeeper by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg.

 

This Regulation S Global Certificate, and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.

 

IN WITNESS whereof the Issuer has caused this Regulation S Global Certificate to be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised on its behalf.

 

Dated as of the Issue Date.

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Duly Authorised

 

 

 

Authenticated

 

by HSBC Bank USA, National Association as Registrar

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Authorised Officer

 

 

 

1 Effectuated without recourse,

 

warranty or liability by

 

 

 

 

 

as common safekeeper

 

 

 

 

 

 

By: 

 

 

 

 

 

 


1                       This should only be completed where the Final Terms indicates that this Regulation S Global Certificate is intended to be held under the NSS.

 

94



 

Form of Transfer

 

For value received the undersigned transfers to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS OF TRANSFEREE)

 

[ · ] nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Regulation S Global Certificate, and all rights under them.

 

Dated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed 

 

 

Certifying Signature

 

 

Notes:

 

(a)                                The signature of the person effecting a transfer shall conform to a list of duly authorised specimen signatures supplied by the holder of the Notes represented by this Regulation S Global Certificate or (if such signature corresponds with the name as it appears on the face of this Regulation S Global Certificate) be certified by a notary public or a recognised bank or be supported by such other evidence as a Transfer Agent or the Registrar may reasonably require.

 

(b)                               A representative of the Noteholder should state the capacity in which he signs e.g. executor.

 

95



 

ANNEX

 

[ attach Final Terms that relate to this Global Certificate ]

 

96



 

PART 4

 

FORM OF DTC RESTRICTED GLOBAL CERTIFICATE

 

THE NOTES REPRESENTED BY THIS DTC RESTRICTED GLOBAL CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT ) OR WITH ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (1) IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ( RULE 144A ) TO A PERSON THAT THE HOLDER AND ANY PERSON ACTING ON ITS BEHALF REASONABLY BELIEVE IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A (A QIB ) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QIB, (2) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ( REGULATION S ) TO A NON-US PERSON (AS DEFINED IN THE REGULATIONS) OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) , IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALES OF THE NOTES REPRESENTED BY THIS DTC RESTRICTED CERTIFICATE.

 

Unless this DTC Restricted Global Certificate is presented by an authorised representative of The Depository Trust Company, a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of New York ( DTC ), to the Issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any definitive Note issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as is requested by an authorised representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorised representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL in as much as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

(the Issuer)

( incorporated with limited liability in England and Wales )

 

DTC RESTRICTED GLOBAL CERTIFICATE

 

Registered Holder:

 

Address of Registered Holder:

 

Nominal amount of Notes

represented by this DTC Restricted Global

Certificate:

 

This DTC Restricted Global Certificate is issued in respect of a duly authorised issue of Notes of the Issuer (the Notes ) of the Nominal Amount, Specified Currency(ies) and Specified Denomination(s) as are specified in the Final Terms or Pricing Supplement, as the case may be, applicable to the Notes (the Final Terms ), a copy of which is annexed hereto. This DTC Restricted Global Certificate certifies that the Registered Holder (as defined above) is registered as the holder of such nominal amount of the Notes at the date hereof.

 

97



 

Interpretation and Definitions

 

References in this DTC Restricted Global Certificate to the Conditions are to the Terms and Conditions or the Notes as set out in the Schedule 1 to the Trust Deed (as defined below) as completed and/or (in the case of Exempt Notes) modified and/or replaced by the Final Terms but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Conditions and the information in the Final Terms, the Final Terms will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this DTC Restricted Global Certificate. This DTC Restricted Global Certificate is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the Trust Deed) dated 16 July 1999 and made between the Issuer (under its then name of Vodafone AirTouch Plc) and The Law Debenture Trust Corporation p.l.c as Trustee for the holders of the Notes.

 

Promise to Pay

 

The Issuer, subject as hereinafter provided and subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the holder of the Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate on the Maturity Date and/or on such earlier date(s) as all or any of the Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable under the Conditions in respect of such Notes on each such date and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of the Notes from time to time represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed.

 

For the purposes of this DTC Restricted Global Certificate, (a) the Issuer certifies that the Registered Holder is, at the date hereof, entered in the Register as the holder of the Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate, (b) this DTC Restricted Global Certificate is evidence of entitlement only, (c) title to the Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate passes only on due registration on the Register, (d) only the holder of the Notes as on the immediately preceding Clearing System Business Day, represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate is entitled to payments in respect of the Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate, and (e) the nominal amount of Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate from time to time shall be that amount shown in the Register as being registered in the name of the Registered Holder hereof at such time.

 

For the purposes hereof “ Clearing System Business Day ” means any day other than (i) Saturdays or Sundays and (ii) 1 January and 25 December.

 

Transfer of Notes represented by DTC Restricted Global Certificates

 

If the Final Terms state that the Notes are to be represented by a DTC Restricted Global Certificate on issue, transfers of the holding of Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate pursuant to Condition 2(b) may only be made in part:

 

(a)                                if the Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate are held on behalf of DTC or any other clearing system (an Alternative Clearing System ) and any such clearing system is closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days (other than by reason of holiday, statutory or otherwise) or announces an intention permanently to cease business or does in fact do so and no alternative clearing system satisfactory to the Trustee is available; or

 

(b)                               an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; or

 

(c)                                with the consent of the Issuer,

 

provided that, in the case of the first transfer of part of a holding pursuant to (a) or (b) above, the holder of the Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate has given the Registrar not less than 30 days’

 

98



 

notice at its specified office of such holder’s intention to effect such transfer. Where the holding of Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate is only transferable in its entirety, the Certificate issued to the transferee upon transfer of such holding shall be a DTC Restricted Global Certificate. Where transfers are permitted in part, Certificates issued to transferees shall not be DTC Restricted Global Certificates unless the transferee so requests and certifies to the Registrar that it is, or is acting as a nominee for, DTC and/or an Alternative Clearing System.

 

Interests in a DTC Restricted Global Certificate will be exchangeable, free of charge to the holder, for definitive DTC Restricted Certificates only upon the occurrence of an Exchange Event. An Exchange Event means (unless otherwise specified in the applicable Final Terms) that:

 

(i)                                   an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; or

 

(ii)                               either DTC has notified the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as depositary for the Notes and no alternative clearing system is available or DTC has ceased to constitute a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; or

 

(iii)                           the Issuer has or will become subject to adverse tax consequences which would not be suffered were the Notes represented by definitive DTC Restricted Certificates.

 

Upon the occurrence of an Exchange Event:

 

(A)                            the Issuer will promptly give notice to Noteholders in accordance with Condition 14; and

 

(B)                             DTC (acting on the instructions of any holder of an interest in such DTC Restricted Global Certificate) may give notice to the Registrar requesting exchange and, in the event of an Exchange Event as described in (iii) above, the Issuer many also give notice to the Registrar requesting exchange.

 

Any such exchange shall occur not later than 10 days after the date of receipt of the first relevant notice by the Registrar.

 

Covenants

 

The statements set forth in the legend above are an integral part of the Notes in respect of which this DTC Restricted Global Certificate representing DTC Restricted Registered Notes is issued and by acceptance hereof each holder of such Notes agrees to be subject to and bound by the terms and provisions set forth in such legend.

 

Meetings

 

At any meeting of Noteholders, the holder of the Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate shall be treated as having one vote in respect of each nominal amount of Notes equal to the minimum Specified Denomination of the Notes.

 

This DTC Restricted Global Certificate shall not become valid for any purpose until authenticated by or on behalf of the Registrar.

 

This DTC Restricted Global Certificate, and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.

 

99



 

IN WITNESS whereof the Issuer has caused this DTC Restricted Global Certificate to be signed manually or in facsimile by a person duly authorised on its behalf.

 

Dated as of the Issue Date.

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Duly Authorised

 

 

 

Authenticated

 

by HSBC Bank USA, National Association as Registrar

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

Authorised Officer

 

 

100



 

Form of Transfer

 

For value received the undersigned transfers to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS OF TRANSFEREE)

 

[ · ] nominal amount of the Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate, and all rights under them.

 

Dated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed 

 

 

Certifying Signature

 

 

Notes:

 

(a)                                The signature of the person effecting a transfer shall conform to a list of duly authorised specimen signatures supplied by the holder of the Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Global Certificate or (if such signature corresponds with the name as it appears on the face of this DTC Restricted Global Certificate) be certified by a notary public or a recognised bank or be supported by such other evidence as a Transfer Agent or the Registrar may reasonably require.

 

(b)                               A representative of the Noteholder should state the capacity in which he signs e.g. executor.

 

101



 

ANNEX

 

[ attach Final Terms that relate to this Global Certificate ]

 

102



 

PART 5

 

FORM OF DEFINITIVE NOTE

 

[ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED.] 1

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

(the Issuer)

( incorporated with limited liability in England and Wales )

 

[Specified Currency and Nominal Amount of Tranche]

NOTES DUE

[Year of Maturity]

 

This Note is one of a Series of Notes of [Specified Currency(ies) and Specified Denomination(s)] each of the Issuer ( Notes ). References herein to the Conditions shall be to the Terms and Conditions [endorsed hereon/set out in the Schedule 1 to the Trust Deed (as defined below) which shall be incorporated by reference herein and have effect as if set out herein] as completed by and/or (in the case of the Exempt Notes) modified and/or replaced the relevant information (appearing in the Final Terms or Pricing Supplement, as the case may be, (the Final Terms )) endorsed hereon but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the said Conditions and such information in the Final Terms, such information will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this Note. This Note is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the Trust Deed ) dated 16 July 1999 and made between the Issuer (under its then name of Vodafone AirTouch Plc) and The Law Debenture Trust Corporation p.l.c. as trustee for the holders of the Notes.

 

The Issuer, subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the bearer hereof on the Maturity Date or on such earlier date as this Note may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable on redemption of this Note and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of this Note calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed.

 

This Note shall not be valid unless authenticated by HSBC Bank plc as Issuing and Principal Paying Agent.

 

 

 


1                                             Include where the original maturity of the Notes is more than 365 days where TEFRA D is specified in the applicable Final Terms or Pricing Supplement, as the case may be.

 

103



 

IN WITNESS whereof this Note has been executed on behalf of the Issuer.

 

Issued as of

 

 

 

 

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

 

 

 

By: 

 

 

 

Duly Authorised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authenticated by

 

HSBC Bank plc

 

as Issuing and Principal Paying Agent.

 

 

 

 

By: 

 

 

 

Authorised Officer

 

 

104



 

[Conditions]

 

[Conditions to be as set out in the Schedule 1 to this Trust Deed or such other form as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), but shall not be endorsed if not required by the relevant Stock Exchange]

 

105



 

Final Terms

 

[Here to be set out the text of the relevant information completing the Conditions which appears in the Final Terms relating to the Notes]

 

106



 

PART 6

 

FORM OF COUPON

 

On the front:

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

[Specified Currency and Nominal Amount of Tranche]

NOTES DUE

[Year of Maturity]

 

Series No. [     ]

 

[Coupon appertaining to a Note in the denomination of [Specified Currency and Specified Denomination]]. 1

 

Part A

 

[ For Fixed Rate Notes:

This Coupon is payable to bearer, separately

Coupon for

negotiable and subject to the Terms and

[       ]

Conditions of the said Notes.

due on [       ], [       ]]

 

Part B

 

[ For Floating Rate Notes or Inflation Linked Interest Notes:

 

Coupon for the amount due in accordance with the Terms and Conditions endorsed on, attached to or incorporated by reference into the said Notes on [the Interest Payment Date falling in [       ] [       ]/[]].

 

This Coupon is payable to bearer, separately negotiable and subject to such Terms and Conditions, under which it may become void before its due date.]

 

[ANY UNITED STATES PERSON (WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED.] 2

 

 

 

 


1                                        Delete where the Notes are all of the same denomination.

2                                        Include where the original maturity of the Notes is more than 365 days where TEFRA D is specified in the applicable Final Terms or Pricing Supplement, as the case may be.

 

107



 

PART 7

 

FORM OF TALON

 

On the front:

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

[Specified Currency and Nominal Amount of Tranche]

NOTES DUE

[Year of Maturity]

 

Series No. [     ]

 

[Talon appertaining to a Note in the denomination of [Specified Currency and Specified Denomination]]. 1

 

On and after [             ] further Coupons [and a further Talon] 2  appertaining to the Note to which this Talon appertains will be issued at the specified office of any of the Paying Agents set out on the reverse hereof (and/or any other or further Paying Agents and/or specified offices as may from time to time be duly appointed and notified to the Noteholders) upon production and surrender of this Talon.

 

This Talon may, in certain circumstances, become void under the Terms and Conditions endorsed on the Note to which this Talon appertains.

 

[ANY UNITED STATES PERSON WHO HOLDS THIS OBLIGATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS UNDER THE UNITED STATES INCOME TAX LAWS, INCLUDING THE LIMITATIONS PROVIDED IN SECTIONS 165(j) AND 1287(a) OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED.] 3

 

 

 

 


1                                             Delete where the Notes are all of the same denomination.

2                                             Not required on last Coupon sheet.

3                                             Include where the original maturity of the Notes is more than 365 days where TEFRA D is specified in the applicable Final Terms or Pricing Supplement, as the case may be.

 

108



 

On the back of Coupons and Talons:

 

ISSUING AND PRINCIPAL PAYING AGENT

 

HSBC Bank plc

8 Canada Square

London E14 5HQ

 

OTHER PAYING AGENTS

 

Credit Suisse First Boston

Banque Internationale à Luxembourg, société

Uetlibergstrasse 231

anonyme

8045 Zurich

69 route d’Esch

 

L-2953 Luxembourg

 

109



 

PART 8

 

FORM OF REGULATION S CERTIFICATE

 

On the front:

 

THE NOTES REPRESENTED BY THIS REGULATION S GLOBAL CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT), OR WITH ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

(the Issuer)

(incorporated with limited liability in England and Wales)

 

[Specified Currency and Nominal Amount of Tranche]

NOTES DUE

[Year of Maturity]

 

This Regulation S Certificate certifies that [ · ] (the Registered Holder ) is, as at the date hereof, registered as the holder of [nominal amount] of the Notes referred to above (the Notes ) of the Issuer. References herein to the Conditions shall be to the Terms and Conditions [endorsed hereon/set out in the Schedule 1 to the Trust Deed (as defined below) which shall be incorporated by reference herein and have effect as if set out herein] as completed and/or (in the case of Exempt Notes) modified and/or replaced by the relevant information (appearing in the Final Terms or Pricing Supplement, as the case may be, (the Final Terms )) endorsed hereon but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the said Conditions and such information in the Final Terms, such information will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this Certificate. This Certificate is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the Trust Deed ) dated 16 July 1999 and made between the Issuer (under its then name of Vodafone AirTouch Plc) and The Law Debenture Trust Corporation p.l.c. as trustee for the holders of the Notes.

 

The Issuer, subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the Registered Holder hereof on the Maturity Date or on such earlier date as the Notes represented by this Certificate may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable on redemption of such Notes and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of such Notes calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed.

 

For the purposes of this Regulation S Certificate, (a) the Issuer certifies that the Registered Holder is, at the date hereof, entered in the Register as the holder of the Note(s) represented by this Regulation S Certificate, (b) this Regulation S Certificate is evidence of entitlement only, (c) title to the Note(s) represented by this Regulation S Certificate passes only on due registration on the Register, and (d) only the holder of the Note(s) represented by this Regulation S Certificate is entitled to payments in respect of the Note(s) represented by this Regulation S Certificate.

 

This Regulation S Certificate shall not become valid for any purpose until authenticated by or on behalf of the Registrar.

 

110



 

This Regulation S Certificate, and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.

 

IN WITNESS whereof this Regulation S Certificate has been executed on behalf of the Issuer.

 

Dated as of the Issue Date.

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

By: 

 

 

 

Duly Authorised

 

 

 

 

Authenticated by HSBC Bank USA, National Association as Registrar.

 

 

 

By: 

 

 

 

Authorised Officer

 

 

111



 

On the back:

 

Terms and Conditions of the Notes

 

[Conditions to be as set out in the Schedule 1 to this Trust Deed or such other form as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Registrar, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), but shall not be endorsed if not required by the relevant Stock Exchange.]

 

112



 

Final Terms

 

[Here to be set out the text of the relevant information completing the Conditions which appears in the Final Terms relating to the Notes.]

 

113



 

Form of Transfer

 

For value received the undersigned transfers to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS OF TRANSFEREE)

 

[ · ] nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Regulation S Certificate, and all rights under them.

 

Dated

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certifying Signature

 

 

 

Signed

 

 

 

Notes:

 

(a)           The signature of the person effecting a transfer shall conform to a list of duly authorised specimen signatures supplied by the holder of the Notes represented by this Regulation S Certificate or (if such signature corresponds with the name as it appears on the face of this Regulation S Certificate) be certified by a notary public or a recognised bank or be supported by such other evidence as a Transfer Agent or the Registrar may reasonably require.

 

(b)           A representative of the Noteholder should state the capacity in which he signs.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires capitalised terms used in this Form of Transfer have the same meaning as in the Trust Deed.

 

[TO BE COMPLETED BY TRANSFEREE:

 

[INSERT ANY REQUIRED TRANSFEREE REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, ETC.]]

 

ISSUING AND PRINCIPAL PAYING AGENT, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

 

HSBC Bank plc

8 Canada Square

London E14 5HQ

 

PAYING AGENT AND TRANSFER AGENT

 

HSBC Bank USA, National Association

452 Fifth Avenue

New York

NY 10018-2708

 

114



 

PART 9

 

FORM OF DTC RESTRICTED CERTIFICATE

 

On the front:

 

THE NOTES REPRESENTED BY THIS DEFINITIVE REGISTERED NOTE HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE SECURITIES ACT ), OR WITH ANY SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (1) IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ( RULE 144A ) TO A PERSON THAT THE HOLDER AND ANY PERSON ACTING ON ITS BEHALF REASONABLY BELIEVE IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A (A QIB ) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QIB, (2) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT ( REGULATION S ) TO A NON-U.S. PERSION (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED UNDER REGULATION S) OR (3) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE NOTES REPRESENTED BY THIS DEFINITIVE REGISTERED NOTE.

 

[FOR PURPOSES OF SECTIONS 1271 ET. SEQ. OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THIS NOTE HAS ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT OF [currency][amount] PER EACH [currency][amount] OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS NOTE; THE ISSUE PRICE OF THIS NOTE IS [currency][amount]; THE ISSUE DATE IS [date]; AND THE YIELD TO MATURITY (COMPOUNDED [semi-annually]) IS [yield].]* o

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

(the Issuer)

 

( incorporated with limited liability in England and Wales )

 

[Specified Currency and Nominal Amount of Tranche]

NOTES DUE

[Year of Maturity]

 

This DTC Restricted Certificate certifies that [ · ] (the Registered Holder ) is, as at the date hereof, registered as the holder of [nominal amount] of the Notes referred to above (the Notes ) of the Issuer. References herein to the Conditions shall be to the Terms and Conditions [endorsed hereon/set out in Schedule 1 to the Trust Deed (as defined below) which shall be incorporated by reference herein and have effect as if set out herein] as completed and/or (in the case of Exempt Notes) modified and/or replaced by the relevant information (appearing in the Final Terms or Pricing Supplement, as the case may be, (the Final Terms )) endorsed hereon but, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the said Conditions and such information in the Final Terms, such information will prevail. Words and expressions defined in the Conditions shall bear the same meanings when used in this DTC Restricted Certificate. This DTC Restricted Certificate is issued subject to, and with the benefit of, the Conditions and a Trust Deed (such Trust Deed as modified and/or supplemented and/or restated from time to time, the Trust Deed ) dated 16 July 1999 and made between the

 

 


*                                             Legend to be borne by any Definitive Certificate issued with “original issue discount” for U.S federal income tax purposes.

 

115



 

Issuer (under its then name of Vodafone AirTouch Plc) and The Law Debenture Trust Corporation p.l.c. as trustee for the holders of the Notes.

 

The Issuer, subject to and in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, promises to pay to the Registered Holder hereof on the Maturity Date or on such earlier date as the Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Certificate may become due and repayable in accordance with the Conditions and the Trust Deed, the amount payable on redemption of such Notes and to pay interest (if any) on the nominal amount of such Notes calculated and payable as provided in the Conditions and the Trust Deed together with any other sums payable under the Conditions and the Trust Deed.

 

The statements set forth in the legend above are an integral part of the Notes in respect of which this DTC Restricted Certificate is issued and by acceptance hereof each holder of such Notes agrees to be subject to and bound by the terms and provisions set forth in such legend.

 

For so long as the Notes are outstanding, the Issuer will, during the period in which the Issuer is neither subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor exempt from reporting pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) thereunder, provide to the holder hereof, or to any prospective purchaser hereof designated by such holder, upon request, the information required to be provided by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

For the purposes of this DTC Restricted Certificate, (a) the Issuer certifies that the Registered Holder is, at the date hereof, entered in the Register as the holder of the Note(s) represented by this DTC Restricted Certificate, (b) this DTC Restricted Certificate is evidence of entitlement only, (c) title to the Note(s) represented by this DTC Restricted Certificate passes only on due registration on the Register, and (d) only the holder of the Note(s) represented by this DTC Restricted Certificate is entitled to payments in respect of the Note(s) represented by this DTC Restricted Certificate.

 

This DTC Restricted Certificate shall not become valid for any purpose until authenticated by or on behalf of the Registrar.

 

This DTC Restricted Certificate, and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.

 

IN WITNESS whereof this DTC Restricted Certificate has been executed on behalf of the Issuer.

 

Dated as of the Issue Date.

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

By: 

 

 

 

Duly Authorised

 

 

 

 

Authenticated by HSBC Bank USA, National Association as Registrar.

 

 

 

By: 

 

 

 

Authorised Officer

 

 

116



 

On the back:

 

Terms and Conditions of the Notes

 

[Conditions to be as set out in the Schedule 1 to this Trust Deed or such other form as may be agreed between the Issuer, the Issuing and Principal Paying Agent, the Registrar, the Trustee and the relevant Dealer(s), but shall not be endorsed if not required by the relevant Stock Exchange.]

 

117



 

Final Terms

 

[Here to be set out the text of the relevant information completing the Conditions which appears in the Final Terms relating to the Notes.]

 

118



 

Form of Transfer

 

For value received the undersigned transfers to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS OF TRANSFEREE)

 

[ · ] nominal amount of the Notes represented by this Regulation S Certificate, and all rights under them.

 

Dated

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certifying Signature

 

 

 

Signed

 

 

 

 

Notes:

 

(a)           The signature of the person effecting a transfer shall conform to a list of duly authorised specimen signatures supplied by the holder of the Notes represented by this DTC Restricted Certificate or (if such signature corresponds with the name as it appears on the face of this DTC Restricted Certificate) be certified by a notary public or a recognised bank or be supported by such other evidence as a Transfer Agent or the Registrar may reasonably require.

 

(b)           A representative of the Noteholder should state the capacity in which he signs.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires capitalised terms used in this Form of Transfer have the same meaning as in the Trust Deed.

 

[TO BE COMPLETED BY TRANSFEREE:

 

[INSERT ANY REQUIRED TRANSFEREE REPRESENTATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, ETC.]]

 

ISSUING AND PRINCIPAL PAYING AGENT, TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

 

HSBC Bank plc

8 Canada Square

London E14 5HQ

 

PAYING AGENT AND TRANSFER AGENT

HSBC Bank USA, National Association

452 Fifth Avenue

New York

NY 10018-2708

 

119



 

SCHEDULE 3

 

PROVISIONS FOR MEETINGS OF NOTEHOLDERS

 

1.                                     (a)                                As used in this Schedule the following expressions shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(i)                                   voting certificate shall mean an English language certificate issued by a Paying Agent and dated in which it is stated:

 

(A)                            that on the date thereof Bearer Notes (whether in definitive form or represented by a Global Note and not being Bearer Notes in respect of which a block voting instruction has been issued and is outstanding in respect of the meeting specified in such voting certificate or any adjourned such meeting) were deposited with such Paying Agent or (to the satisfaction of such Paying Agent) were held to its order or under its control or blocked in an account with a clearing system and that no such Bearer Notes will cease to be so deposited or held or blocked until the first to occur of:

 

I.                                        the conclusion of the meeting specified in such certificate or, if later, of any adjourned such meeting; and

 

II.                                   the surrender of the certificate to the Paying Agent who issued the same; and

 

(B)                             that the bearer thereof is entitled to attend and vote at such meeting and any adjourned such meeting in respect of the Bearer Notes represented by such certificate;

 

(ii)                               block voting instruction shall mean an English language document issued by a Paying Agent and dated in which:

 

(A)                            it is certified that Bearer Notes (whether in definitive form or represented by a Global Note and not being Bearer Notes in respect of which a voting certificate has been issued and is outstanding in respect of the meeting specified in such block voting instruction and any adjourned such meeting) have been deposited with such Paying Agent or (to the satisfaction of such Paying Agent) were held to its order or under its control or blocked in an account with a clearing system and that no such Bearer Notes will cease to be so deposited or held or blocked until the first to occur of:

 

I.                                        the conclusion of the meeting specified in such document or, if later, of any adjourned such meeting; and

 

II.                                   the surrender to the Paying Agent not less than 48 hours before the time for which such meeting or any adjourned such meeting is convened of the receipt issued by such Paying Agent in respect of each such deposited Bearer Note which is to be released or (as the case may require) the Bearer Note or Bearer Notes ceasing with the agreement of the Paying Agent to be held to its order or under its control or so blocked and the giving of notice by the Paying Agent to the Issuer in accordance with paragraph 17 hereof of the necessary amendment to the block voting instruction;

 

120



 

(B)                             it is certified that each holder of such Bearer Notes has instructed such Paying Agent that the vote(s) attributable to the Bearer Note or Bearer Notes so deposited or held or blocked should be cast in a particular way in relation to the resolution or resolutions to be put to such meeting or any adjourned such meeting and that all such instructions are during the period commencing 48 hours prior to the time for which such meeting or any adjourned such meeting is convened and ending at the conclusion or adjournment thereof neither revocable nor capable of amendment;

 

(C)                             the aggregate nominal amount of the Bearer Notes so deposited or held or blocked are listed distinguishing with regard to each such resolution between those in respect of which instructions have been given as aforesaid that the votes attributable thereto should be cast in favour of the resolution and those in respect of which instructions have been so given that the votes attributable thereto should be cast against the resolution; and

 

(D)                            one or more persons named in such document (each hereinafter called a proxy ) is or are authorised and instructed by such Paying Agent to cast the votes attributable to the Bearer Notes so listed in accordance with the instructions referred to in (C) above as set out in such document;

 

(iii)                           24 hours shall mean a period of 24 hours including all or part of a day upon which banks are open for business in both the place where the relevant meeting is to be held and in each of the places where the Paying Agents have their specified offices (disregarding for this purpose the day upon which such meeting is to be held) and such period shall be extended by one period or, to the extent necessary, more periods of 24 hours until there is included as aforesaid all or part of a day upon which banks are open for business in all of the places as aforesaid; and

 

(iv)                           48 hours shall mean a period of 48 hours including all or part of two days upon which banks are open for business both in the place where the relevant meeting is to be held and in each of the places where the Paying Agents have their specified offices (disregarding for this purpose the day upon which such meeting is to be held) and such period shall be extended by one period or, to the extent necessary, more periods of 24 hours until there is included as aforesaid all or part of two days upon which banks are open for business in all of the places as aforesaid.

 

(b)                               A holder of a Bearer Note (whether in definitive form or represented by a Global Note) may obtain a voting certificate in respect of such Bearer Note from a Paying Agent or require a Paying Agent to issue a block voting instruction in respect of such Note by depositing such Bearer Note with such Paying Agent or (to the satisfaction of such Paying Agent) by such Bearer Note being held to its order or under its control or being blocked in an account with a clearing system, in each case not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the relevant meeting and on the terms set out in sub-paragraph (a)(i)(A) or (a)(ii)(A) above (as the case may be), and (in the case of a block voting instruction) instructing such Paying Agent to the effect set out in sub-paragraph (a)(ii)(B) above. The holder of any voting certificate or the proxies named in any block voting instruction shall for all purposes in connection with the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting of Noteholders be deemed to be the holder of the Bearer Notes to which such voting certificate or block voting instruction relates and the Paying Agent with which such Bearer Notes have been deposited or the person holding the same to the order or under the control of such Paying Agent or the clearing system in which such Bearer Notes have been blocked shall be deemed for such purposes not to be the holder of those Bearer Notes.

 

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(c)                                (i)                                   A holder of Registered Notes (whether in definitive form or represented by a Global Certificate (other than a Registered Note referred to in (iv) below)) may, by an instrument in writing in the English language (a form of proxy ) signed by the holder or, in the case of a corporation, executed under its common seal or signed on its behalf by an attorney or a duly authorised officer of the corporation and delivered to the specified office of the Registrar not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the relevant meeting, appoint any person (a proxy ) to act on his or its behalf in connection with any meeting of the Noteholders and any adjourned such meeting.

 

(ii)           Any holder of Registered Notes (whether in definitive form or represented by a Global Certificate) which is a corporation may by resolution of its directors or other governing body authorise any person to act as its representative (a representative ) in connection with any meeting of the Noteholders and any adjourned such meeting.

 

(iii)                           Any proxy appointed pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) above or representative appointed pursuant to sub-paragraph (ii) above shall so long as such appointment remains in force be deemed, for all purposes in connection with the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting of the Noteholders, to be the holder of the Registered Notes to which such appointment relates and the holder of the Registered Notes shall be deemed for such purposes not to be the holder.

 

(iv)                           For so long as any of the Registered Notes is represented by a Global Certificate registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, DTC may mail an Omnibus Proxy to the relevant Issuer in accordance with and in the form used by DTC as part of its usual procedures from time to time in relation to meetings of Noteholders. Such Omnibus Proxy shall assign the voting rights in respect of the relevant meeting to DTC’s direct participants as of the record date specified therein. Any such assignee participant may, by an instrument in writing in the English language signed by such assignee participant, or, in the case of a corporation, executed under its common seal or signed on its behalf by an attorney or a duly authorised officer of the corporation and delivered to the specified office of the Registrar or any Transfer Agent before the time fixed for the relevant meeting, appoint any person (a sub-proxy ) to act on his or its behalf in connection with any meeting of Noteholders and any adjourned such meeting. All references to proxy or proxies in this Schedule other than in this paragraph shall be read so as to include references to “sub-proxy” or “sub-proxies”.

 

2.                                     The Issuer or the Trustee may at any time and the Issuer shall upon a requisition in writing in the English language signed by the holders of not less than one-tenth in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding convene a meeting of the Noteholders and if the Issuer makes default for a period of seven days in convening such a meeting the same may be convened by the Trustee or the requisitionists. Every such meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Trustee may appoint or approve.

 

3.                                     At least 21 days’ notice (exclusive of the day on which the notice is given and the day on which the meeting is to be held) specifying the place, day and hour of meeting shall be given to the holders of the relevant Notes prior to any meeting of such holders in the manner provided by Condition 14. Such notice, which shall be in the English language, shall state generally the nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting thereby convened but (except for an Extraordinary Resolution) it shall not be necessary to specify in such notice the terms of any resolution to be proposed. Such notice shall include statements, if applicable, to the effect that (i) Bearer Notes may, not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting, be deposited with Paying Agents or (to their satisfaction) held to their order or under their control or blocked in an account with a clearing system for the purpose of obtaining voting certificates or appointing proxies and (ii) the holders of Registered Notes may appoint proxies by executing and delivering a form of proxy in the English language to the specified

 

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office of the Registrar not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting or, in the case of corporations, may appoint representatives by resolution of their directors or other governing body and delivering a certified copy thereof to the specified office of the Registrar. A copy of the notice shall be sent by post to the Trustee (unless the meeting is convened by the Trustee) and to the Issuer (unless the meeting is convened by the Issuer) and to each Agent (other than the Calculation Agent).

 

4.                                     A person (who may but need not be a Noteholder) nominated in writing by the Trustee shall be entitled to take the chair at the relevant meeting or adjourned meeting but if no such nomination is made or if at any meeting or adjourned meeting the person nominated shall not be present within 15 minutes after the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting the Noteholders present shall choose one of their number to be Chairman, failing which the Issuer may appoint a Chairman. The Chairman of an adjourned meeting need not be the same person as was Chairman of the meeting from which the adjournment took place.

 

5.                                     At any such meeting one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies or representatives and holding or representing in the aggregate not less than one-twentieth of the nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding shall (except for the purpose of passing an Extraordinary Resolution) form a quorum for the transaction of business and no business (other than the choosing of a Chairman) shall be transacted at any meeting unless the requisite quorum be present at the commencement of the relevant business. The quorum at any such meeting for passing an Extraordinary Resolution shall (subject as provided below) be one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies or representatives and holding or representing in the aggregate a clear majority in nominal amount of the Notes for the time being outstanding.

 

6.                                     If within 15 minutes (or such longer period not exceeding 30 minutes as the Chairman may decide) after the time appointed for any such meeting a quorum is not present for the transaction of any particular business, then, subject and without prejudice to the transaction of the business (if any) for which a quorum is present, the meeting shall if convened upon the requisition of Noteholders be dissolved. In any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week (or if such day is a public holiday the next succeeding business day) at the same time and place (except in the case of a meeting at which an Extraordinary Resolution is to be proposed in which case it shall stand adjourned for such period, being not less than 13 clear days nor more than 42 clear days, and to such place as may be appointed by the Chairman either at or subsequent to such meeting and approved by the Trustee). If within 15 minutes (or such longer period not exceeding 30 minutes as the Chairman may decide) after the time appointed for any adjourned meeting a quorum is not present for the transaction of any particular business, then, subject and without prejudice to the transaction of the business (if any) for which a quorum is present, the Chairman may either (with the approval of the Trustee) dissolve such meeting or adjourn the same for such period, being not less than 13 clear days (but without any maximum number of clear days), and to such place as may be appointed by the Chairman either at or subsequent to such adjourned meeting and approved by the Trustee, and the provisions of this sentence shall apply to all further adjourned such meetings. At any adjourned meeting one or more persons present holding Definitive Notes or voting certificates or being proxies or representatives (whatever the nominal amount of the Notes so held or represented by them) shall form a quorum and shall have power to pass any resolution and to decide upon all matters which could properly have been dealt with at the meeting from which the adjournment took place had the requisite quorum been present.

 

7.                                     Notice of any adjourned meeting at which an Extraordinary Resolution is to be submitted shall be given in the same manner as notice of an original meeting but as if 10 were substituted for 21 in paragraph 3 above and such notice shall state the required quorum. Subject as aforesaid it shall not be necessary to give any notice of an adjourned meeting.

 

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8.                                     Every question submitted to a meeting shall be decided in the first instance by a show of hands and in case of equality of votes the Chairman shall both on a show of hands and on a poll have a casting vote in addition to the vote or votes (if any) to which he may be entitled as a Noteholder or as a holder of a voting certificate or as a proxy or as a representative.

 

9.                                     At any meeting unless a poll is (before or on the declaration of the result of the show of hands) demanded by the Chairman, the Issuer, the Trustee or any person present holding a Definitive Note of the relevant Series or a voting certificate or being a proxy or representative (whatever the nominal amount of the Notes so held or represented by him) a declaration by the Chairman that a resolution has been carried or carried by a particular majority or lost or not carried by a particular majority shall be conclusive evidence of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against such resolution.

 

10.                             Subject to paragraph 12 below, if at any such meeting a poll is so demanded it shall be taken in such manner and subject as hereinafter provided either at once or after an adjournment as the Chairman directs and the result of such poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the meeting at which the poll was demanded as at the date of the taking of the poll. The demand for a poll shall not prevent the continuance of the meeting for the transaction of any business other than the motion on which the poll has been demanded.

 

11.                             The Chairman may with the consent of (and shall if directed by) any such meeting adjourn the same from time to time and from place to place but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting except business which might lawfully (but for lack of required quorum) have been transacted at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.

 

12.                             Any poll demanded at any such meeting on the election of a Chairman or on any question of adjournment shall be taken at the meeting without adjournment.

 

13.                             The Trustee and its lawyers and any director, officer or employee of a corporation being a trustee of these presents and any director or officer of the Issuer and its or their lawyers and any other person authorised so to do by the Trustee may attend and speak at any meeting. Save as aforesaid, but without prejudice to the proviso to the definition of “outstanding” in Clause 1, no person shall be entitled to attend and speak nor shall any person be entitled to vote at any meeting of Noteholders or join with others in requesting the convening of such a meeting or to exercise the rights conferred on Noteholders by Condition 11 unless he either produces the Definitive Bearer Note or Definitive Bearer Notes of which he is the holder or a voting certificate or is a proxy or a representative or is the holder of a Registered Note or Registered Notes in definitive form. No person shall be entitled to vote at any meeting in respect of Notes held by, for the benefit of, or on behalf of, the Issuer, any Holding Company of the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer or any such Holding Company. Nothing herein shall prevent any of the proxies named in any block voting instruction or form of Proxy from being a director, officer or representative of or otherwise connected with the Issuer.

 

14.                             Subject as provided in paragraph 13 hereof at any meeting:

 

(a)                                on a show of hands every person who is present in person and produces a Definitive Bearer Note or voting certificate or is a holder of a Registered Note in definitive form or is a proxy or representative shall have one vote; and

 

(b)                               on a poll every person who is so present shall have one vote in respect of each €1.00 or such other amount as the Trustee may in its absolute discretion stipulate (or, in the case of meetings of holders of Notes denominated in another currency, such amount in such other currency as the Trustee in its absolute discretion may stipulate) in nominal amount of the Definitive Bearer Notes so produced or represented by the voting certificate so produced or

 

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in respect of which he is a proxy or representative or in respect of which (being a Registered Note in definitive form) he is the registered holder.

 

Without prejudice to the obligations of the proxies named in any block voting instruction or form of proxy any person entitled to more than one vote need not use all his votes or cast all the votes to which he is entitled in the same way.

 

15.                             The proxies named in any block voting instruction or form of proxy need not be Noteholders.

 

16.                             Each block voting instruction together (if so requested by the Trustee) with proof satisfactory to the Trustee of its due execution on behalf of the relevant Paying Agent and each form of proxy or resolution appointing a representative shall be deposited by the relevant Paying Agent (or as the case may be) by the Registrar or the relevant Transfer Agent at such place as the Trustee shall approve not less than 24 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the proxies named in the block voting instruction or form of proxy propose to vote and in default the block voting instruction or form of proxy or resolution appointing a representative shall not be treated as valid unless the Chairman of the meeting decides otherwise before such meeting or adjourned meeting proceeds to business. A certified copy of each block voting instruction or form of proxy or resolution appointing a representative shall be deposited with the Trustee before the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting but the Trustee shall not thereby be obliged to investigate or be concerned with the validity of or the authority of the proxies named in any such block voting instruction or form of proxy or of the representative named in such resolution.

 

17.                             Any vote given in accordance with the terms of a block voting instruction or form of proxy or resolution appointing a representative shall be valid notwithstanding the previous revocation or amendment of the block voting instruction or form of proxy or of any of the relevant Noteholders’ instructions pursuant to which it was executed provided that no intimation in writing of such revocation or amendment shall have been received from the relevant Paying Agent or in the case of Registered Note from the holder thereof by the Issuer at its registered office (or such other place as may have been required or approved by the Trustee for the purpose) by the time being 24 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the block voting instruction or form of proxy is to be used.

 

18.                             A meeting of the Noteholders shall in addition to the powers hereinbefore given have the following powers exercisable only by Extraordinary Resolution (subject to the provisions relating to quorum contained in paragraphs 5 and 6 above) namely:

 

(a)                                Power to sanction any compromise or arrangement proposed to be made between the Issuer, the Trustee, any Appointee and the Noteholders and Couponholders or any of them.

 

(b)                               Power to sanction any abrogation, modification, compromise or arrangement in respect of the rights of the Trustee, any Appointee, the Noteholders, the Couponholders, the Issuer against any other or others of them or against any of their property whether such rights shall arise under these presents or otherwise.

 

(c)                                Power to assent to any modification of the provisions of these presents which shall be proposed by the Issuer, the Trustee or any Noteholder.

 

(d)                               Power to give any authority or sanction which under the provisions of these presents is required to be given by Extraordinary Resolution.

 

(e)                                Power to appoint any persons (whether Noteholders or not) as a committee or committees to represent the interests of the Noteholders and to confer upon such committee or committees

 

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any powers or discretions which the Noteholders could themselves exercise by Extraordinary Resolution.

 

(f)                                 Power to approve of a person to be appointed a trustee and power to remove any trustee or trustees for the time being of these presents.

 

(g)                                Power to discharge or exonerate the Trustee and/or any Appointee from all liability in respect of any act or omission for which the Trustee and/or such Appointee may have become responsible under these presents.

 

(h)                               Power to authorise the Trustee and/or any Appointee to concur in and execute and do all such deeds, instruments, acts and things as may be necessary to carry out and give effect to any Extraordinary Resolution.

 

(i)                                   Power to sanction any scheme or proposal for the exchange or sale of the Notes for or the conversion of the Notes into or the cancellation of the Notes in consideration of shares, stock, notes, bonds, debentures, debenture stock and/or other obligations and/or securities of the Issuer or any other company formed or to be formed, or for or into or in consideration of cash, or partly for or into or in consideration of such shares, stock, notes, bonds, debentures, debenture stock and/or other obligations and/or securities as aforesaid and partly for or into or in consideration of cash and for the appointment of some person with the power on behalf of the Noteholders to execute an instrument of transfer of the Registered Notes held by them in favour of the persons with or to whom the Notes are to be exchanged or sold respectively.

 

19.                             Any resolution passed at a meeting of the Noteholders duly convened and held in accordance with these presents shall be binding upon all the Noteholders whether present or not present at such meeting and whether or not voting and upon all Couponholders and each of them shall be bound to give effect thereto accordingly and the passing of any such resolution shall be conclusive evidence that the circumstances justify the passing thereof. Notice of the result of the voting on any resolution duly considered by the Noteholders shall be published in accordance with Condition 14 by the Issuer within 14 days of such result being known PROVIDED THAT the non-publication of such notice shall not invalidate such result.

 

20.                             The expression Extraordinary Resolution when used in these presents means (a) a resolution passed at a meeting of the Noteholders duly convened and held in accordance with these presents by a majority consisting of not less than three-fourths of the persons voting thereat upon a show of hands or if a poll is duly demanded by a majority consisting of not less than three-fourths of the votes cast on such poll; or (b) a resolution in writing signed by or on behalf of all the Noteholders, which resolution in writing may be contained in one document or in several documents in like form each signed by or on behalf of one or more of the Noteholders.

 

21.                             Minutes of all resolutions and proceedings at every meeting of the Noteholders shall be made and entered in books to be from time to time provided for that purpose by the Issuer and any such minutes as aforesaid if purporting to be signed by the Chairman of the meeting at which such resolutions were passed or proceedings transacted shall be conclusive evidence of the matters therein contained and until the contrary is proved every such meeting in respect of the proceedings of which minutes have been made shall be deemed to have been duly held and convened and all resolutions passed or proceedings transacted thereat to have been duly passed or transacted.

 

22.                             (a)                                If and whenever the Issuer shall have issued and have outstanding Notes of more than one Series the foregoing provisions of this Schedule shall have effect subject to the following modifications:

 

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(i)                                   a resolution which in the opinion of the Trustee affects the Notes of only one Series shall be deemed to have been duly passed if passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the Notes of that Series;

 

(ii)                               a resolution which in the opinion of the Trustee affects the Notes of more than one Series but does not give rise to a conflict of interest between the holders of Notes of any of the Series so affected shall be deemed to have been duly passed if passed at a single meeting of the holders of the Notes of all the Series so affected;

 

(iii)                           a resolution which in the opinion of the Trustee affects the Notes of more than one Series and gives or may give rise to a conflict of interest between the holders of the Notes of one Series or group of Series so affected and the holders of the Notes of another Series or group of Series so affected shall be deemed to have been duly passed only if passed at separate meetings of the holders of the Notes of each Series or group of Series so affected; and

 

(iv)                           to all such meetings all the preceding provisions of this Schedule shall mutatis mutandis apply as though references therein to Notes and Noteholders were references to the Notes of the Series or group of Series in question or to the holders of such Notes, as the case may be.

 

(b)                               If the Issuer shall have issued and have outstanding Notes which are not denominated in euro, in the case of any meeting of holders of Notes of more than one currency, the nominal amount of such Notes shall (i) for the purposes of paragraph 2 above be the equivalent in euro at the spot rate of a bank nominated by the Trustee for the conversion of the relevant currency or currencies into euro on the seventh dealing day prior to the day on which the requisition in writing is received by the Issuer and (ii) for the purposes of paragraphs 5, 6 and 14 above (whether in respect of the meeting or any adjourned such meeting or any poll resulting therefrom) be the equivalent at such spot rate on the seventh dealing day prior to the day of such meeting. In such circumstances, on any poll each person present shall have one vote for each €1.00 (or such other euro amount as the Trustee may in its absolute discretion stipulate) in nominal amount of the Notes (converted as above) which he holds or represents.

 

23.                             Subject to all other provisions of these presents the Trustee may, without the consent of the Issuer, the Noteholders or the Couponholders, prescribe such further regulations regarding the requisitioning and/or the holding of meetings of Noteholders and attendance and voting thereat as the Trustee may in its sole discretion think fit.

 

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SIGNATORIES

 

EXECUTED as a DEED by

)

for and on behalf of

)

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

)

in the presence of:

)

 

 

Director

 

 

Witness:

 

Name:

 

 

Address:

ONE KINGDOM STREET, PADDINGTON CENTRAL
LONDON W26BY

 

 

THE COMMON SEAL of

)

THE LAW DEBENTURE TRUST

)

CORPORATION p.l.c.

)

was affixed to this deed

)

in the presence of:

)

 

 

Director

 

 

 

Authorised Signatory

 

S-1



 

SIGNATORIES

 

EXECUTED as a DEED by

)

for and on behalf of

)

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

)

in the presence of:

)

 

 

Director

 

 

Witness:

 

Name:

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

THE COMMON SEAL of

)

THE LAW DEBENTURE TRUST

)

CORPORATION p.l.c.

)

was affixed to this deed

)

in the presence of:

)

Director

Authorised Signatory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S-1



 

 

4 August 2014

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

 

 

and

 

 

 

THE LAW DEBENTURE TRUST

 

CORPORATION p.l.c.

 

 

 

further modifying and restating the

 

provisions of

 

the Trust Deed dated 16 July 1999

 

 

 

relating to a

 

€30,000,000,000

 

Euro Medium Term Note Programme

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWELFTH

 

SUPPLEMENTAL

 

TRUST DEED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allen & Overy LLP

 


Exhibit 4.9

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

 

 

FACILITY AGREEMENT

 

 

 

 

DATED 27 February 2015

 

 

U.S.$3,935,000,000

 

 

REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

 

for

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALLEN & OVERY LLP

 

LONDON

 



 

CONTENTS

 

Clause

Page

 

 

 

1.

Interpretation

4

2.

The Facilities

34

3.

Purpose

39

4.

Conditions Precedent

39

5.

Advances

40

6.

Extension Options

42

7.

Repayment

43

8.

Prepayment and Cancellation

45

9.

Interest

47

10.

Payments

50

11.

Taxes

53

12.

Market Disruption

59

13.

Increased Costs

60

14.

Illegality and Mitigation

62

15.

Guarantee

63

16.

Representations and Warranties

67

17.

Undertakings

71

18.

Financial Covenant

76

19.

Default

77

20.

The Agents, the Arrangers and the Reference Banks

80

21.

Fees

87

22.

Expenses

88

23.

Stamp Duties

88

24.

Indemnities

89

25.

Evidence and Calculations

90

26.

Amendments and Waivers

90

27.

Changes to the Parties

93

28.

Disclosure of Information

102

29.

Set-off

105

30.

Pro Rata Sharing

106

31.

Severability

107

32.

Counterparts

107

33.

Notices

107

34.

Language

109

35.

Jurisdiction

109

36.

Governing Law

111

37.

USA Patriot Act

111

38.

Waiver of Trial by Jury

111

 



 

Schedule

Page

 

 

1.

Lenders and Commitments

112

 

Part 1

Lenders and Commitments

112

 

Part 2

Swingline Lenders and Swingline Commitments

114

 

Part 3

Mandated Lead Arrangers

116

 

Part 4

Co-Arrangers

117

2.

Conditions Precedent Documents

118

 

Part 1

To be Delivered before the First Advance

118

 

Part 2

To be Delivered by an Additional Guarantor

119

 

Part 3

To be Delivered by an Additional Borrower

121

3.

Form of Request

122

4.

Forms of Accession Documents

123

 

Part 1

Novation Certificate

123

 

Part 2

Guarantor Accession Agreement

125

 

Part 3

Borrower Accession Agreement

126

 

Part 4

Lender Accession Agreement

127

5.

Form of Confidentiality Undertaking from New Lender

128

6.

Form of Additional Lender’s Fee Letter

131

7.

Form of Increase Confirmation

133

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signatories

135

 



 

THIS AGREEMENT is dated 27 February 2015 and made BETWEEN:

 

(1)                               VODAFONE GROUP PLC (registered number 1833679) as borrower (“ Vodafone ”);

 

(2)                               THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Part 3 of Schedule 1 as Mandated Lead Arrangers;

 

(3)                               THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Part 4 of Schedule 1 as Co Arrangers;

 

(4)                               THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 as Original Lenders;

 

(5)                               THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC as agent (in this capacity the “ Agent ”); and

 

(6)                               THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC (CONNECTICUT BRANCH) as U.S. swingline agent (in this capacity the “ U.S. Swingline Agent ”).

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1.                                     INTERPRETATION

 

1.1                             Definitions

 

In this Agreement:

 

Acceptable bank

 

means a bank or financial institution which has a rating for its long-term unsecured and non-credit enhanced debt obligations of A- or higher by S&P or Fitch or A3 or higher by Moody’s or a comparable rating from an internationally recognised credit rating agency.

 

Acquisition

 

means the acquisition of any interest in the share capital (or equivalent) or in the business or undertaking of any company or other person (including, without limitation, any partnership or joint venture).

 

Additional Borrower

 

means any member of the Restricted Group which becomes an additional borrower pursuant to Clause 27.8 (Additional Borrowers) and which has not been released as a borrower in accordance with Clause 27.9 (Removal of Borrowers).

 

Additional Guarantor

 

means any member of the Consolidated Group which at such time has become a Guarantor in accordance with Clause 27.7 (Additional Guarantors) and has not been released in accordance with Clause 15.9 (Removal of Guarantors).

 

Additional Lender

 

means a financial institution or other entity which becomes an additional lender pursuant to Clause 2.8 (Additional Lenders) or a transferee, successor or permitted assignee of such financial institution or other entity which is for the time being participating in the Facility.

 

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Adjusted Group Operating Cash Flow

 

means, without double counting, in relation to any period, a sum equal to the Consolidated Group’s total operating profit or loss for continuing operations, acquisitions (as a component of continuing operations) and discontinued operations before taxation, interest and after:

 

(a)                                adding depreciation;

 

(b)                               adding amortisation;

 

(c)                                deducting the profit or adding any loss on exceptional items which are included in the foregoing;

 

(d)                               deducting any gain or adding any loss on disposal of tangible or intangible fixed assets;

 

(e)                                adjusting for movements in working capital (being movements in stock, creditors, provision, and debtors);

 

(f)                                 adding dividends or proceeds of a similar nature received from any entity not in the Consolidated Group; and

 

(g)                                excluding exceptional items,

 

and for the avoidance of doubt excluding (other than as set out in paragraph (f) above) the results of any entity not in the Consolidated Group.

 

Advance

 

means a Revolving Credit Advance or a Swingline Advance.

 

Affected Lender

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 2.2(c) (Overall facility limits).

 

Affiliate

 

means, in relation to a person, a Subsidiary or a Holding Company of that person and any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company.

 

Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange

 

means the spot rate of exchange as determined by the Agent for the purchase of the relevant Optional Currency in the London foreign exchange market with U.S. Dollars at or about 11.00 a.m. on a particular day.

 

Agreed Percentage

 

means in relation to a Lender and a Swingline Advance, the amount of its Revolving Credit Commitment expressed as a percentage of the Total Commitments.

 

All Quoting Credit Rating Agencies

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 9.5(a).

 

5



 

Arranger

 

means a financial institution or other entity listed in Part 3 or Part 4 of Schedule 1.

 

Asset Disposal

 

means any sale, transfer, grant, lease or other disposal of an asset (which for the avoidance of doubt does not include returns to shareholders) by any member of the Controlled Group to a person outside the Controlled Group made after the Signing Date.

 

Available Cash

 

means:

 

(a)                                cash in hand and cash in deposits repayable on demand with any Qualifying Financial Institution;

 

(b)                               the marked to market position of in the money derivative contracts; and

 

(c)                                Liquid Resources,

 

to the extent denominated in any freely convertible and transferable currencies, beneficially owned and unencumbered by any Security Interests other than Permitted Security Interests.

 

Available Commitment

 

means a Lender’s Commitment minus:

 

(a)                                the amount of its participation in any outstanding Advances (other than, in relation to any proposed Advance, that Lender’s participation in any Advances that are due to be repaid or prepaid on or before the proposed Drawdown Date); and

 

(b)                               in relation to any proposed Advance, the amount of its participation in any Advances that are due to be made on or before the proposed Drawdown Date.

 

Availability Period

 

means, subject to Clause 6 (Extension Option), the period from the Signing Date up to and including the date which is five years after the Signing Date or, if that day is not a Business Day, the preceding Business Day.

 

Back to Back Loan

 

means any Financial Indebtedness made available to a member of the Restricted Group to the extent that the economic exposure of the creditor in respect of that Financial Indebtedness (taking any related transactions together) is reduced by reason of that creditor:

 

(a)                                having recourse directly or indirectly to a deposit of cash or cash equivalent investments beneficially owned by any member of the Restricted Group placed, as part of a related transaction, with that creditor (or an Affiliate of that creditor) or a financial institution approved by that creditor; or

 

(b)                               having granted a funded sub-participation or similar arrangement to a member of the Restricted Group.

 

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Base Currency

 

means U.S. Dollars.

 

Basel III

 

means:

 

(a)                                the agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems”, “Basel III: International framework for liquidity risk measurement, standards and monitoring” and “Guidance for national authorities operating the countercyclical capital buffer” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010, each as amended, supplemented or restated;

 

(b)                               the rules for global systemically important banks contained in “Global systemically important banks: assessment methodology and the additional loss absorbency requirement- Rules text” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in November 2011, as amended, supplemented or restated; and

 

(c)                                any further guidance or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision relating to “Basel III”.

 

Basel III Cost

 

means any increased cost attributable to the introduction, implementation or application of or compliance with or change in Basel III or CRD IV or any other law or regulation which implements Basel III or CRD IV.

 

Borrower

 

means Vodafone or an Additional Borrower.

 

Borrower Accession Agreement

 

means an agreement substantially in the form of Part 3 of Schedule 4 or with such amendments as the Agent may approve (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or may reasonably require.

 

Business Day

 

means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks and the interbank and foreign exchange markets are open for general business in London and:

 

(a)                                if a payment is required in U.S. Dollars, New York; or

 

(b)                               if a payment is required in euro, a TARGET Day; or

 

(c)                                if a payment is required in any other currency, the principal financial centre of the country of that currency.

 

Change of Control

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 8.4 (Change of Control).

 

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Code

 

means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

Combined Commitments

 

means the aggregate of the Total Commitments under this Agreement and the Total Commitments under and as defined in the 2019 Facility.

 

Combined Swingline Commitments

 

means the aggregate of the Swingline Total Commitments under this Agreement and the Swingline Total Commitments under and as defined in the 2019 Facility.

 

Commitment

 

means a Revolving Credit Commitment or a Swingline Commitment, in each case to the extent not transferred, cancelled or reduced under or in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Consolidated Group

 

means Vodafone (or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco), its IFRS Consolidated Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures.

 

Contractual Currency

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 24.1(a) (Currency indemnity).

 

Controlled Group

 

means Vodafone (or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco) and its Controlled Subsidiaries.

 

Controlled Subsidiaries

 

means, those Subsidiaries of Vodafone (or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco) in which Vodafone or NewTopco, as the case may be, controls more than 50% of such Subsidiaries voting rights and has recourse to the cash flows of the Subsidiary. Until the first certificate is given by Vodafone to the Agent in accordance with Clause 17.2(c) (Financial information) (in respect of the financial year ended 31 March 2015), the Controlled Subsidiaries include, without limitation, the following operating Subsidiaries: Vodafone AG & Co.; Vodafone Romania S.A.; Vodafone Czech Republic A.S.; Vodafone Albania Sh.A; Vodafone GmbH; Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications S.A.E; Vodafone España S.A.; Vodafone India Limited; Vodafone Hungary Mobile Telecommunications Ltd; Vodafone Ireland Limited; Vodafone Libertel B.V.; Vodafone Limited; Vodafone Malta Limited; Vodafone New Zealand Limited; Vodafone Omnitel N.V.; Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic Telecommunications Company S.A.; Vodafone Telekomunikasyon A.S., Vodafone Portugal-Comunicações Pessoais S.A., Vodacom Group Limited; Ghana Telecommunication Company Limited; and Cable & Wireless Worldwide Plc.

 

Controlled USA Group

 

means all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with any U.S. Obligor, are treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code.

 

8



 

Core Jurisdictions

 

are member states of the European Union as at 1 January 2015 (being Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK), Japan, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Switzerland and any other states which become members of the European Union after 1 January 2015 provided that Vodafone has notified the Agent in writing of its agreement to their inclusion in this definition of Core Jurisdictions.

 

CRD IV

 

means (A) Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and (B) Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms.

 

CTA

 

means the Corporation Tax Act 2009.

 

Credit Rating Agency

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 9.5 (Margin).

 

Default

 

means (a) an Event of Default or (b) an event which, with the expiry of any grace period or giving of any notice specified in Clause 19.2 (Non-payment), 19.3 (Breach of other obligations), 19.5 (Cross default), 19.6 (Winding up), 19.8 (Enforcement proceedings) or 19.10 (Similar proceedings) would constitute an Event of Default.

 

Default Margin

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 9.3 (Default interest).

 

Default Rate

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 9.3 (Default interest).

 

Defaulting Lender

 

means any Lender:

 

(a)                                which has failed to make its participation in an Advance available or has notified the Agent that it will not make its participation in an Advance available by the Drawdown Date of that Advance in accordance with Clause 5.6 (Payment of proceeds);

 

(b)                               which has otherwise rescinded or repudiated a Finance Document; or

 

(c)                                with respect to which an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing,

 

unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:

 

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(i)                                   its failure to pay is caused by:

 

(A)                            administrative or technical error and payment is made within three Business Days of its due date; or

 

(B)                             a Disruption Event and payment is made within eight Business Days of its due date; or

 

(ii)                               the Lender is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question.

 

Designated Term

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 9.3(a)(ii) (Default interest).

 

Discharged Obligations

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 27.4(c)(i) (Procedure for novations).

 

Discharged Rights

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 27.4(c)(iii) (Procedure for novations).

 

Disruption Event

 

means either or both of:

 

(a)                                a material disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are, in each case, required to operate in order for payments to be made in connection with the Facility (or otherwise in order for the payment transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, any of the Parties; or

 

(b)                               the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (of a technical or systems-related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a Party preventing that, or any other Party:

 

(i)                                from performing its payment obligations under the Finance Documents; or

 

(ii)                               from communicating with other Parties in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents,

 

(and which (in either such case)) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the Party whose operations are disrupted.

 

Drawdown Date

 

means the date for the making of an Advance.

 

ERISA

 

means the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (or any successor legislation thereto), and any rule or regulation issued thereunder from time to time in effect.

 

10



 

EURIBOR

 

means in relation to any Advance or unpaid sum in euro:

 

(a)                                the applicable Screen Rate;

 

(b)                               if no Screen Rate is available for the Required Period of that Advance or unpaid sum, the Interpolated Screen Rate for that Advance or unpaid sum; or

 

(c)                                if no Screen Rate is available for the Required Period of that Advance or unpaid sum and it is not possible to calculate an Interpolated Screen Rate for that Advance or unpaid sum, the Reference Bank Rate

 

as of, in the case of paragraphs (a) and (c) above, 11.00 a.m. (Brussels time) on the Rate Fixing Day for euro and (in each case) for a period in length equal to the Required Period, and for the purposes of this definition and the definition of “ Interpolated Screen Rate ”, “ Required Period ” means the Term of such Advance for Revolving Credit Advances, or the period in respect of which EURIBOR falls to be determined in relation to any unpaid sum.

 

Event of Default

 

means an event specified as such in Clause 19 (Default).

 

Existing Commitment

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 17.8(a)(i) (Priority borrowing).

 

Existing Lender

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 27.2(a) (Transfers by Lenders).

 

Existing Parties

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 27.4(c)(i) (Procedure for novations).

 

Facility

 

means any of the facilities to draw Revolving Credit Advances, or Swingline Advances referred to in Clause 2.1 (Facilities).

 

Facility Office

 

means the office(s) notified by a Lender to the Agent:

 

(a)                                on or before the date it becomes a Lender; or

 

(b)                               by not less than five Business Days’ notice,

 

as the office(s) through which it will perform all or any of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

FATCA

 

means:

 

11



 

(a)                                sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations;

 

(b)                               any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of any law or regulation referred to in paragraph (a) above; and

 

(c)                                any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty, law or regulation referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above with the United States Internal Revenue Service, the government of the United States or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction.

 

FATCA Application Date ” means:

 

(a)                                in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(i) of the Code (which relates to payments of interest and certain other payments from sources within the United States), 1 July 2014;

 

(b)                               in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(ii) of the Code (which relates to “gross proceeds” from the disposition of property of a type that can produce interest from sources within the United States), 1 January 2017; or

 

(c)                                in relation to a “passthru payment” described in section 1471(d)(7) of the Code not falling within paragraphs (a) or (b) above, 1 January 2017,

 

or, in each case, such other date from which such payment may become subject to a deduction or withholding required by FATCA as a result of any change in FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

FATCA Deduction

 

means a deduction or withholding from a payment under a Finance Document required by FATCA.

 

FATCA Exempt Party

 

means a Party that is entitled to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction.

 

Fee Letters

 

means each letter:

 

(a)                                dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Agent and Vodafone; and

 

(b)                               dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Original Lenders as at the Signing Date and Vodafone; and

 

(c)                                (if applicable) entered into between an Additional Lender and Vodafone substantially in the form of Schedule 6,

 

in each case setting out the amount of various fees referred to in Clause 21.3 (Agent’s fee) or 21.4 (Front-end fees).

 

Federal Funds Rate

 

12



 

means, on any day:

 

(a)                                the rate per annum determined by the U.S. Swingline Agent to be the Federal Funds Rate (as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York) at or about 1.00 p.m. (New York City time) on that day; or

 

(b)                               if such rate is not published at such time, the rate for such day will be the arithmetic mean as determined by the U.S. Swingline Agent of the rates for the last transaction in overnight Federal funds arranged prior to noon (New York City time) on that day by each of three leading brokers of Federal funds transactions in New York City selected by the U.S. Swingline Agent.

 

Final Maturity Date

 

means the last day of the Availability Period.

 

Finance Document

 

means this Agreement, each Fee Letter, Novation Certificate, Borrower Accession Agreement, Guarantor Accession Agreement and Increase Confirmation and any other document agreed in writing as such by the Agent and Vodafone.

 

Finance Party

 

means an Arranger, a Lender, the Agent or the U.S. Swingline Agent.

 

Financial Indebtedness

 

means any indebtedness in respect of:

 

(a)                                moneys borrowed or raised by way of loan or redeemable preference shares or in the form of any debenture, bond, note, loan stock, commercial paper or similar instrument;

 

(b)                               any acceptance credit, bill-discounting, note purchase or documentary credit facility;

 

(c)                                any finance lease;

 

(d)                               any receivables purchase, factoring or discounting arrangement under which there is recourse in whole or in part to any member of the relevant group;

 

(e)                                any other transaction having the commercial effect of a borrowing; and

 

(f)                                 any guarantees or other legally binding assurance against financial loss in respect of the indebtedness of any person arising under an obligation falling within (a) to (e) above (but, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any guarantees in respect of indebtedness falling within (i) to (v) below),

 

but without double counting and excluding (i) preference shares which are not accounted for as indebtedness under IFRS GAAP, (ii) any convertible or exchangeable debt which must or, at the option of the issuer, may be converted or exchanged without condition (other than the availability of sufficient authorised share capital of the issuer), prior to or upon the date any amount of principal would otherwise fall due in respect of that debt, into equity share capital or preference shares, which in each case are not redeemable on or before the Final Maturity

 

13



 

Date, (iii) deferred consideration in respect of the cost of Acquisitions, (iv) obligations of any member of the relevant group arising under any form of exchangeable, convertible, option or other similar instrument issued by that member of the relevant group in connection with a transaction the commercial effect of which is to effect the disposal by that member of the relevant group of shares or partnership or other ownership interests in any other person or entity (whether or not having a separate legal identity), provided that any such instrument may not, on or prior to the Final Maturity Date, be converted (whether by acceleration, maturity or otherwise) into cash or any other instrument constituting or evidencing Financial Indebtedness and (v) for the avoidance of doubt, derivatives primarily entered into to manage currency, credit or interest rate risks or to assist in purchasing or selling shares.

 

Fitch

 

means Fitch Investors Services Inc.

 

Funding Rate

 

means any rate notified to the Agent by a Lender pursuant to paragraph (b)(iii) of Clause 12.2 (Alternative rates).

 

Guarantor

 

means each of:

 

(a)                                Vodafone; and

 

(b)                               each Additional Guarantor.

 

Guarantor Accession Agreement

 

means a deed substantially in the form of Part 2 of Schedule 4 or with such amendments as the Agent may approve (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or may reasonably require.

 

Hive Up

 

means a reorganisation by way of a scheme of arrangement (other than in an insolvency) or otherwise under which Vodafone becomes a Subsidiary of NewTopco, NewTopco controls (directly or indirectly) all of the voting rights in Vodafone (other than any voting rights in Vodafone in respect of the 50,000 7 per cent. fixed rate shares issued in 1999 or any other voting rights in Vodafone held by holders of a class of capital issued by Vodafone, where such voting rights relate only to any variation in the rights attaching to that class of capital issued by Vodafone) and NewTopco becomes the listed ultimate Holding Company of the Consolidated Group.

 

Holding Company

 

means in relation to a person, an entity of which that person is a Subsidiary.

 

HMRC

 

means HM Revenue & Customs.

 

IFRS Consolidated Subsidiaries

 

14



 

means those Subsidiaries of Vodafone (or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco) which would be required to be fully consolidated (which excludes proportionate consolidation) in the consolidated accounts of Vodafone (or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco) in accordance with IFRS GAAP.

 

IFRS GAAP

 

means the generally accepted accounting principles applied in the preparation of the IFRS consolidated audited accounts of Vodafone for the year ended 31 March 2014 or later audited accounts, if notified by Vodafone in writing to the Agent within three months (or such longer period as may be agreed by the Agent) of publication of such audited accounts.

 

Impaired Agent

 

means the Agent or the U.S. Swingline Agent at any time when:

 

(a)                                it has failed to make (or has notified a Party that it will not make) a payment required to be made by it under the Finance Documents by the due date for payment;

 

(b)                               the Agent or the U.S. Swingline Agent otherwise rescinds or repudiates a Finance Document;

 

(c)                                (if the Agent or the U.S. Swingline Agent is also a Lender) it is a Defaulting Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of Defaulting Lender; or

 

(d)                               an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Agent or the U.S. Swingline Agent;

 

Unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:

 

(i)                                   its failure to pay is caused by:

 

(A)                            administrative or technical error and payment is made within three Business Days of its due date; or

 

(B)                             a Disruption Event and payment is made within eight Business Days of its due date; or

 

(ii)                               the Agent or the U.S. Swingline Agent is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question.

 

Increase Confirmation

 

means a confirmation substantially in the form set out in Schedule 7 (Form of Increase Confirmation).

 

Increase Lender

 

has the meaning given to that term in Clause 2.3 (Increase).

 

increased cost

 

has the meaning given to that term in Clause 13.1 (Increased costs).

 

Insolvency Event

 

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in relation to a Finance Party, means that the Finance Party:

 

(a)                                is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger);

 

(b)                               becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due in each case under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction applicable to that Finance Party;

 

(c)                                makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors;

 

(d)                               has made against it a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or an order is made for its winding-up or liquidation;

 

(e)                                has an order made against it for a bank insolvency pursuant to Part 2 of the Banking Act 2009 or a bank administration pursuant to Part 3 of the Banking Act 2009;

 

(f)                                 has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger);

 

(g)                                seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets other than by way of Undisclosed Administration;

 

(h)                               has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 30 days thereafter; or

 

(i)                                   causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in paragraphs (a) to (h) above.

 

Intermediate Holding Company

 

means, in relation to Vodafone, an entity (other than NewTopco) which is a Subsidiary of NewTopco and of which Vodafone is a Subsidiary.

 

Interpolated Screen Rate

 

means, in relation to LIBOR or EURIBOR for any Advance or unpaid sum, the rate (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the two relevant Screen Rates) which results from interpolating on a linear basis between:

 

(a)                                the applicable Screen Rate for the longest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which is less than the Required Period of that Advance or unpaid sum; and

 

(b)                               the applicable Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which exceeds the Required Period of that Advance or unpaid sum,

 

each as of 11.00 a.m. (London time) in the case of LIBOR and 11.00 a.m. (Brussels time) in the case of EURIBOR on the Rate Fixing Day for the currency of that Advance.

 

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ITA 2007

 

means the Income Tax Act 2007.

 

Joint Venture

 

means at any time an entity (which is not an IFRS Consolidated Subsidiary) in which any member of the Consolidated Group holds a long term interest and shares control under a contractual arrangement where each venturer has a veto over policy decisions and which is, or will be, accounted for on a proportionate basis in the consolidated accounts of Vodafone (or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco) for that time, and shall exclude any entity which is accounted for on an equity basis in those accounts (in each case, in accordance with the generally applicable accounting principles applied to those accounts).

 

Lender

 

means each Original Lender, each Additional Lender (if any) and each Increase Lender (if any).

 

Lender Accession Agreement

 

means an agreement substantially in the same form of Part 4 of Schedule 4 or with such amendments as the Agent may approve or may reasonably require.

 

LIBOR

 

means in relation to any Advance or unpaid sum in a currency other than euro:

 

(a)                                the applicable Screen Rate;

 

(b)                               if no Screen Rate is available for the Required Period of that Advance or unpaid sum, the Interpolated Screen Rate for that Advance or unpaid sum; or

 

(c)                                if no Screen Rate is available for the currency of that Advance or the Required Period of that Advance or unpaid sum and it is not possible to calculate an Interpolated Screen Rate for that Advance or unpaid sum, the Reference Bank Rate,

 

as of, in the case of paragraphs (a) and (c) above, 11.00 a.m. (London time) on the Rate Fixing Day for the currency of that Advance or unpaid sum and (in each case) for a period equal to the Required Period and for the purposes of this definition and the definition of “Interpolated Screen Rate”, “ Required Period ” means the Term of such Advance for Revolving Credit Advances or the period in respect of which LIBOR falls to be determined in relation to any unpaid sum.

 

Liquid Resources

 

means a current asset investment held as a readily disposable store of value which can be disposed of without curtailing or disrupting the business of the disposer and which is either:

 

(a)                                readily convertible into a known amount of cash at or close to its carrying value; or

 

(b)                               traded in an active market.

 

Long Term Credit Rating Assigned to Vodafone

 

17



 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 9.5(d) (Margin).

 

Majority Lenders

 

means, at any time:

 

(a)                                Lenders whose Revolving Credit Commitments aggregate more than 60 per cent. of the Total Commitments; or

 

(b)                               if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, Lenders whose Revolving Credit Commitments aggregated more than 60 per cent. of the Total Commitments immediately before the reduction.

 

Margin

 

in relation to an Advance at any time, means the percentage rate per annum determined to be the Margin applicable to that Advance in accordance with Clause 9.5 (Margin).

 

Maturity Date

 

means the last day of the Term of:

 

(a)                                a Revolving Credit Advance; or

 

(b)                               a Swingline Advance.

 

Moody’s

 

means Moody’s Investors’ Service, Inc.

 

Multi-employer Plan

 

means a “multi-employer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any U.S. Obligor or any member of the Controlled USA Group has an obligation to contribute.

 

Net Debt

 

means at any time, Total Gross Borrowings less Available Cash, both at that time. Net Debt for any Ratio Period will be calculated as the aggregate of Net Debt outstanding on the last day of each month during the relevant Ratio Period (as shown in Vodafone’s, or following a Hive Up, NewTopco’s, consolidated management accounts prepared at the end of each month during the relevant Ratio Period) divided by the number of months during the relevant Ratio Period.

 

NewTopco

 

means a company used for the purposes of a Hive Up.

 

New Lender

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 27.2(a) (Transfers by Lenders).

 

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New York Business Day

 

means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for business in New York.

 

Novation Certificate

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 27.4(a)(i) (Procedure for novations).

 

Obligor

 

means each Borrower and each Guarantor.

 

Operating Cash Flow

 

means, without double counting, total operating profit or loss for continuing operations before taxation, interest and after (i) adding depreciation, (ii) adding amortisation, (iii) deducting the profit or adding the loss on exceptional items which are included in the foregoing, (iv) deducting any gain or adding any loss on disposal of tangible or intangible fixed assets, (v) adjusting for movements in working capital (being movements in stock, creditors, provisions and debtors) and (vi) excluding exceptional items.

 

Optional Currency

 

means, in relation to any Advance or proposed Advance, a currency (other than the Base Currency) which complies with the conditions set out in Clause 4.3 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies).

 

Original Dollar Amount

 

means:

 

(a)                                the principal amount of an Advance denominated in U.S. Dollars; or

 

(b)                               the principal amount of an Advance denominated in any other currency, translated into U.S. Dollars on the basis of the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange on the date of receipt by the Agent of the Request for that Advance.

 

Original Lender

 

means a financial institution or other entity listed in Part 1 or Part 2 of Schedule 1 or a transferee, successor or permitted assignee of such financial institution or other entity which is for the time being participating in the Facility.

 

Overdue Amount

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 9.3(a) (Default interest).

 

Participating Member State

 

means any member state of the European Union that has the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.

 

Party

 

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means a party to this Agreement.

 

PBGC

 

means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA, or any successor.

 

Permitted Security Interest

 

means:

 

(a)                                any Security Interest arising out of retention of title provisions or created or subsisting over documents of title, insurance policies (including any export credit agencies’ agreements) and sale contracts in relation to commercial goods in each case created or made in the ordinary course of business to secure the purchase price of such goods or loans to finance such purchase price; or

 

(b)                               any Security Interest over any assets acquired by a member of the Restricted Group after 1 February 2015 (and/or over the assets of any person that becomes a member of the Restricted Group after 1 February 2015) provided that:

 

(i)                                   any such Security Interest is in existence before such acquisition or before such person becomes a member of the Restricted Group and is not created in contemplation of such acquisition or such person becoming a member of the Restricted Group; and

 

(ii)                               to the extent that the aggregate principal amount secured by such Security Interest upon such acquisition or such person becoming a member of the Restricted Group thereafter exceeds (measured in the same currency) the amount available to be drawn (assuming all drawdown conditions will be met) under the relevant commitment existing at the time of such acquisition or such person becoming a member of the Restricted Group, such Security Interest shall not fall within this paragraph (b);

 

for the purposes of this paragraph (b) Restricted Group shall not include any companies which have become members of the Restricted Group due to the expansion of the definition of Core Jurisdiction to include any other states which become members of the European Union after 1 January 2015; or

 

(c)                                any Security Interest created for the purpose of securing obligations of Vodafone (or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco) or any member of the Restricted Group under any agreement (including, without limitation, any agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or Section 111 of the Local Government Act 1972) entered into with a local or other public authority and related to the development or maintenance of property owned by Vodafone (or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco) or any member of the Restricted Group; or

 

(d)                               any Security Interest created on or subsisting over any asset held in Clearstream Banking, société anonyme or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. as operator of the Euroclear System, or any other securities depository or any clearing house pursuant to the standard terms and procedures of the relevant clearing house applicable in the normal course of trading; or

 

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(e)           any Security Interest which arises in connection with any cash management, set-off or netting arrangements made between banks or financial institutions and any member(s) of the Restricted Group in the ordinary course of business; or

 

(f)                                 any Security Interest created in favour of a plaintiff or defendant in any action of the court or tribunal before whom such action is brought as pre-judgment security for costs or expenses where any member of the Restricted Group is prosecuting or defending such action in the bona fide interest of the Controlled Group; or

 

(g)                                any Security Interest created pursuant to any order of attachment, distraint, garnishee order, arrestment, adjudication or injunction or interdict restraining disposal of assets or similar legal process arising in connection with pre-judgment court proceedings; or

 

(h)                               any Security Interest which arises by operation of law in the ordinary course of trading and securing an amount not more than 45 days overdue or which is being contested in good faith on the basis of favourable legal advice; or

 

(i)                                   any Security Interest over shares in entities which are not members of the Restricted Group which do not secure Financial Indebtedness of the Restricted Group (or over shares and/or other ownership interests in and/or loans to entities which are Project Finance Subsidiaries to secure Project Finance Indebtedness); or

 

(j)                                   to the extent they constitute Security Interests (or to the extent that the relevant transaction includes the creation of any Security Interest over the assets which are the subject of the finance lease), finance leases in respect of existing or future assets; or

 

(k)                               any Security Interest comprising a right of set-off which arises by agreement between parties providing mutual rights of set-off or operation of law or by agreement having substantially the same effect; or

 

(l)                                   any Security Interest for taxes, assessments or charges not yet due or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and (unless the amount thereof is not material to the Consolidated Group’s financial condition) for which adequate reserves are being maintained (in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles); or

 

(m)                           deposits or pledges to secure obligations under workers’ compensation, social security or similar laws, or under unemployment insurance; or

 

(n)                               any Security Interest created with the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders; or

 

(o)                               any Security Interest over deposits of cash or cash equivalent investments securing (directly or indirectly) Financial Indebtedness under (i) finance or structured tax lease arrangements as described in paragraph (b) of Clause 17.8 (Priority borrowing) or (ii) Back to Back Loans; or

 

(p)                               any Security Interest securing Project Finance Indebtedness over the assets (or the income, cash flow or other proceeds deriving from the assets) which are the subject of that Project Finance Indebtedness; or

 

(q)           any Security Interest (a “ Substitute Security Interest ”) which replaces any other Security Interest permitted under paragraphs (a) to (p) above inclusive and which secures an amount not exceeding the principal amount secured by such permitted

 

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Security Interest (or, in the case of paragraph (b) above, the amount available to be drawn, assuming all drawdown conditions will be met) at the time it is replaced together with any interest accruing on such amounts from the date such Substitute Security Interest is created or arises and any related fees or expenses provided that the existing Security Interest to be replaced is released and all amounts secured thereby are paid or otherwise discharged in full at or prior to the time of such Substitute Security Interest being created or arising; or

 

(r)                                  any Security Interest over the shares or other interests as described in paragraph (iv) of the last paragraph of the definition of Financial Indebtedness securing indebtedness of a kind referred to in that paragraph; or

 

(s)                                 any Security Interest created (i) between Obligors (including by an Obligor to a member of the Restricted Group which concurrently becomes an Obligor) or (ii) by a member of the Restricted Group which is not an Obligor in favour of an Obligor or to another member of the Restricted Group; or

 

(t)                                   any Security Interest over Available Cash created in the ordinary course of business to secure obligations, liabilities or performance criteria in relation to any mobile telecommunications licence where such Security Interest is required to be in compliance with the requirements of the relevant telecommunications regulator or an associated governmental or regulatory body; or

 

(u)           any Security Interest over Available Cash created to defease (directly or indirectly) Financial Indebtedness in the form of debentures, bonds, notes, loan stock, or other similar instruments issued by a Controlled Subsidiary where (A) such Financial Indebtedness was either in existence at the Signing Date or (B) if the Subsidiary became a Controlled Subsidiary after the Signing Date such Financial Indebtedness existed at the time that the Controlled Subsidiary became a part of the Controlled Group and was not created in contemplation of that Controlled Subsidiary becoming part of the Controlled Group; or

 

(v)                               any Security Interest over loan notes or other securities issued by Verizon Communications Inc. or any of its affiliates in connection with the acquisition of Vodafone’s interest in Verizon Wireless (the “ Verizon Notes ”), provided that:

 

(i)                                   the maximum aggregate principal amount of Verizon Notes which may be subject to Security Interests pursuant to this paragraph (v) is U.S.$5,000,000,000;

 

(ii)                               the Security Interest is removed or discharged within 30 months from the date of issuance of the Verizon Notes; and

 

(iii)                           the Security Interest was created for the purpose of, or in contemplation of, an issuance by Vodafone of loan notes or other securities which are secured by that Security Interest (the “ Secured Notes ”), provided that any holders of the Secured Notes shall not have any recourse to Vodafone in respect of any amounts outstanding (other than interest payable) under or in connection with the Secured Notes; or

 

(w)                            any other Security Interest (in addition to those listed in (a) to (v) above) where the aggregate principal amount secured by all such Security Interests does not exceed €3,000,000,000 or its equivalent.

 

22



 

Plan

 

means an “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA.

 

Prime Rate

 

means the rate of interest most recently published in the Money Rates section of The Wall Street Journal from time to time as the Prime Rate in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the U.S. Swingline Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the U.S. Swingline Agent). Any change in such prime rate shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

 

Principal Subsidiary

 

means, from the date that each notice is given by Vodafone to the Agent pursuant to Clause 17.2(c) (Financial information) or, as the case may be, 17.2(d) (Financial information) the four Controlled Subsidiaries which are members of the Restricted Group whose revenues are primarily generated by operations licensed by telecommunications authorities in Core Jurisdictions (excluding for this purpose any Subsidiaries whose principal activity is to act as a Holding Company of other Subsidiaries) that had the largest, if positive or smallest if negative Operating Cash Flow in the previous financial year of Vodafone or, following the Reorganisation Date, NewTopco.

 

Until the first notice is given by Vodafone to the Agent (in respect of the financial year ended 31 March 2015), the Principal Subsidiaries are Vodafone Limited, Vodafone GmbH, Vodafone Omnitel N.V. and Vodafone Libertel B.V. being Vodafone’s principal subsidiaries operating in UK, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, respectively.

 

For the purposes of this definition, until such new notice is given by Vodafone to the Agent pursuant to Clause 17.2(c) (Financial information) or, as the case may be, Clause 17.2(d) (Financial information), if any Principal Subsidiary sells, transfers, merges into or with or otherwise disposes of the majority of its undertakings or assets whether by a single transaction or a number of related transactions (unless such Principal Subsidiary is the surviving entity following such merger) (the “Seller”) to any member of the Restricted Group (the “Purchaser”), then from the date of the relevant sale, transfer, merger or disposal the Purchaser shall be deemed to become a Principal Subsidiary and the Seller shall no longer be deemed to be a Principal Subsidiary.

 

On the date of each notice given by Vodafone (or as the case may be, NewTopco) to the Agent pursuant to Clause 17.2(c) (Financial information) or, as the case may be, Clause 17.2(d) (Financial information), any Subsidiary which is identified as a Principal Subsidiary in the relevant notice, which was not identified as such in the immediately preceding notice, shall be deemed to immediately replace any Subsidiary which was a Principal Subsidiary immediately prior to the delivery of the notice and which is not named in such notice.

 

Project Finance Indebtedness

 

means any Financial Indebtedness which finances or otherwise relates to the acquisition, development, ownership and/or operation of an asset or combination of assets whether directly or indirectly, where the Financial Indebtedness is incurred pursuant to facilities

 

23



 

available prior to the date the relevant entity becomes a member of the Controlled Group (and not created in contemplation of the acquisition):

 

(a)                                which is incurred by a Project Finance Subsidiary; or

 

(b)                               in respect of which the person or persons to whom such borrowing is or may be owed by the relevant debtor (whether or not a member of the Controlled Group) has or have no recourse whatsoever to any member of the Controlled Group (other than to a Project Finance Subsidiary) for any payment or repayment in respect thereof other than:

 

(i)                                   recourse to such debtor for amounts limited to the cash flow or net cash flow (other than historic cash flow or historic net cash flow) from such asset or assets; and/or

 

(ii)                               recourse to such debtor for the purpose only of enabling amounts to be claimed in respect of such Financial Indebtedness in an enforcement of any Security Interest given by such debtor over such asset or assets or the income, cash flow or other proceeds deriving from the asset (or given by any shareholder or the like in the debtor over its shares and/or other ownership interest in and/or loans to the debtor) to secure such Financial Indebtedness or any recourse referred to in paragraph (iii) below, provided that:

 

(A)          the extent of such recourse to such debtor is limited solely to the amount of any recoveries made on any such enforcement; and

 

(B)                             such person or persons are not entitled, by virtue of any right or claim arising out of or in connection with such Financial Indebtedness, to commence proceedings for the winding up or dissolution of the debtor or to appoint or procure the appointment of any receiver, trustee or similar person or officer in respect of the debtor or any of its assets (save only for the assets the subject of that Security Interest); and/or

 

(iii)                           recourse:

 

(A)                            to such debtor generally, or directly or indirectly to a member of the Controlled Group, under any form of assurance, undertaking or support which recourse is limited to a claim for damages (other than liquidated damages and damages required to be calculated in a specific way) for breach of an obligation (not being a payment obligation or any obligation to procure payment by another or an indemnity in respect thereof or any obligation to comply or procure compliance by another with any financial ratios or other tests of financial condition) by the person against whom such recourse is available; and/or

 

(B)                             to shares and/or other ownership interest in and/or loans to and/or the assets of such debtor and/or any Project Finance Subsidiary owned by a member of the Controlled Group; or

 

(c)                                which the Majority Lenders have agreed in writing to treat as Project Finance Indebtedness.

 

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Project Finance Subsidiary

 

means any member of the Controlled Group:

 

(a)                                whose principal assets and business are constituted by the ownership, acquisition, development and/or operation of any asset or combination of assets whether directly or indirectly; and

 

(b)           none of whose Financial Indebtedness in respect of the financing of the ownership, acquisition, development and/or operation of any such asset benefits from any recourse whatsoever (including, without limitation, any obligation to subscribe for equity or provide loans) to any member of the Controlled Group (other than such person or another Project Finance Subsidiary) in respect of any payment or repayment in respect thereof, except as expressly referred to in paragraph (b)(iii) of the definition of “Project Finance Indebtedness”; and

 

(c)                                which has been designated as such by Vodafone by written notice to the Agent.

 

Qualifying Financial Institution

 

means any bank or financial institution that as part of its business generally receives deposits or other repayable funds and grants credits for its own account.

 

Qualifying Lender

 

means a Lender which is beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an Advance and is:

 

(a)                                a Lender;

 

(i)                                   which is a bank (as defined for the purpose of Section 879 of the ITA 2007) making an Advance under this Agreement; or

 

(ii)                               in respect of an Advance made under this Agreement by a person that was a bank (as defined for the purpose of Section 879 of the ITA 2007) at the time that that Advance was made,

 

and which is within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax as respects any payments of interest made in respect of that Advance at the time payments are made (or in the case of sub-paragraph (i) above would be within such charge as respects such payments apart from section 18A of the CTA); or

 

(b)                               a Treaty Lender.

 

Rate Fixing Day

 

means:

 

(a)                                the Drawdown Date for an Advance denominated in Sterling; or

 

(b)                               the second TARGET Day before the Drawdown Date for an Advance denominated in euro; or

 

(c)                                the second Business Day before the Drawdown Date for an Advance denominated in any other currency,

 

25



 

or such other day as the Agent, after consultation with Vodafone and the Lenders, may designate as market practice in the Relevant Interbank Market for leading banks to give quotations in the relevant currency for delivery on the relevant Drawdown Date.

 

Ratio Period

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 18.2 (Calculation times and periods).

 

Recovering Finance Party

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 30.1 (Redistribution).

 

Recovery

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 30.1 (Redistribution).

 

Redistribution

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 30.1(c) (Redistribution).

 

Reference Banks

 

means, subject to Clause 27.10 (Reference Banks), the principal London offices of BNP Paribas, Barclays Bank PLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc.

 

Reference Bank Quotation

 

means any quotation supplied to the Agent by a Reference Bank.

 

Reference Bank Rate

 

means the arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded upwards to four decimal places) as supplied to the Agent at its request by the Reference Banks:

 

(a)                                in relation to LIBOR:

 

(i)                                   (other than where paragraph (ii) below applies) as the rate at which the relevant Reference Bank could borrow funds in the London interbank market in the relevant currency and for the relevant period were it to do so by asking for and then accepting interbank offers for deposits in reasonable market size in that currency and for that period; or

 

(ii)           if different, as the rate (if any and applied to the relevant Reference Bank and the relevant currency and period) which contributors to the applicable Screen Rate are asked to submit to the relevant administrator,

 

(b)                               in relation to EURIBOR:

 

(i)                                   (other than where paragraph (ii) below applies) as the rate at which the relevant Reference Bank believes that one prime bank is quoting to another prime bank for interbank term deposits in euro within the Participating Member States for the relevant period; or

 

26



 

(ii)                               if different, as the rate (if any and applied to the relevant Reference Bank and the relevant period) which contributors to the applicable Screen Rate are asked to submit to the relevant administrator.

 

Reference Bond

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 9.5(d) (Margin).

 

Relevant Interbank Market

 

means, in relation to euro, the European interbank market and, in relation to any other currency, the London interbank market.

 

Relevant Tax

 

means any tax imposed or levied by or in (or by any political sub-division or taxing authority of any of the following):

 

(a)                                the UK;

 

(b)                               the United States; or

 

(c)                                any other jurisdiction in or through which any payment under the Finance Documents is made.

 

Reportable Event

 

means a reportable event as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued under such section with respect to a Plan, excluding, however, such events as to which the PBGC by regulation waived the requirement of Section 4043(a) of ERISA that it be notified within 30 days of the occurrence of such event, provided, however, that a failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Code and of Section 302 of ERISA shall be a Reportable Event regardless of the issuance of any such waiver of the notice requirement in accordance with either Section 4043(a) of ERISA or Section 412(d) of the Code.

 

Reorganisation Date

 

means the date NewTopco or any other Intermediate Holding Company acquires any shares or assets (other than the shares in Vodafone acquired pursuant to the Hive Up) in circumstances where the aggregate market value of the assets of Vodafone (as determined by Vodafone (acting reasonably)) immediately following the acquisition is an amount which represents 95 per cent. or less of the aggregate market value of the assets of NewTopco (as determined by Vodafone (acting reasonably)) at that time.

 

Request

 

means a request made by a Borrower to utilise a Facility, substantially in the form of Schedule 3 (or in such other form as may be agreed by the Agent and Vodafone).

 

Requested Amount

 

means the amount requested in a Request.

 

Restricted Group

 

27



 

means Vodafone, NewTopco (following the Reorganisation Date) and any Controlled Subsidiary (other than a Project Finance Subsidiary) of Vodafone or, following the Reorganisation Date, NewTopco:

 

(a)                                whose principal operations or assets are located in a Core Jurisdiction; and/or

 

(b)                               whose revenues are primarily generated by operations licensed by telecommunications authorities in Core Jurisdictions,

 

but excludes any Controlled Subsidiary whose principal business is satellite telecommunications.

 

Revolving Credit Advance

 

means an advance (other than a Swingline Advance) made to a Borrower by the Revolving Credit Lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

Revolving Credit Commitment

 

means:

 

(a)                                in respect of an Original Lender, the amount in U.S. Dollars set opposite the name of that Lender in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (Lenders and Commitments) or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.3 (Increase); and

 

(b)                               in respect of an Additional Lender, the amount in U.S. Dollars set out as a Revolving Credit Commitment in the relevant Lender Accession Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.3 (Increase),

 

in each case to the extent not transferred, cancelled or reduced under or in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Revolving Credit Facility

 

means the multicurrency revolving credit facility referred to in a Clause 2.1(a) (Facilities).

 

Revolving Credit Lender

 

means, subject to Clause 27.2 (Transfers by Lenders), a Lender listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 (Lenders and Commitments) in its capacity as a participant in the Revolving Credit Facility and/or an Additional Lender.

 

Rollover Advance

 

means any Advance (other than a Swingline Advance) made during the Availability Period which is drawn down to refinance in whole or in part any outstanding Advance (other than a Swingline Advance) where, after making and applying the proceeds of that Advance, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility is not greater than the aggregate amount outstanding under that Facility immediately prior to that Advance being made.

 

Screen Rate

 

means:

 

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(a)                                in relation to LIBOR, the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for the relevant currency and period displayed on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate); and

 

(b)                               in relation to EURIBOR, the euro interbank offered rate administered by the European Money Markets Institute (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for the relevant period displayed on page EURIBOR01 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate),

 

or, in each case, on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters. If such page or service ceases to be available, the Agent may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate after consultation with Vodafone.

 

S&P

 

means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services.

 

Security Interest

 

means any mortgage, charge, assignment by way of security, pledge, lien or other security interest securing any obligation of any person.

 

Separate Loan

 

has the meaning given to that term in Clause 7.3 (Separate Loans).

 

Signing Date

 

means the date of this Agreement.

 

Single Employer Plan

 

means a Plan which is maintained by any U.S. Obligor or any member of the Controlled USA Group for employees of Vodafone or any member of the Controlled USA Group.

 

Subsidiary

 

means:

 

(a)                                a subsidiary within the meaning of section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006; and

 

(b)                               unless the context otherwise requires, a subsidiary undertaking within the meaning of section 1162 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

Substitute Security Interest

 

has the meaning given to it in the definition of Permitted Security Interest, paragraph (q).

 

Swingline Advance

 

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means an advance made to a Borrower by the Swingline Lenders under the Swingline Facility.

 

Swingline Affiliate

 

means, in relation to a Lender, any Swingline Lender that is an Affiliate of that Lender and which is notified to the Agent and the U.S. Swingline Agent by that Lender in writing to be its Swingline Affiliate.

 

Swingline Commitment

 

means:

 

(a)                                in respect of a Swingline Lender which is an Original Lender, the amount in U.S. Dollars set opposite its name under the heading “Swingline Commitment” in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (Swingline Lenders and Swingline Commitments) or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.3 (Increase); and

 

(b)                               in respect of a Swingline Lender which is an Additional Lender, the amount in U.S. Dollars set out as a Swingline Commitment in the relevant Lender Accession Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 2.3 (Increase),

 

in each case to the extent not transferred, cancelled or reduced under or in accordance with this Agreement.

 

Swingline Facility

 

means the committed U.S. Dollars swingline facility referred to in Clause 2.1(b) (Facilities).

 

Swingline Lender

 

means, subject to Clause 27.2 (Transfers by Lenders), an Original Lender listed in Part 2 of Schedule 1 as a swingline lender or an Additional Lender in respect of which a Swingline Commitment is specified in the relevant Lender Accession Agreement.

 

Swingline Rate

 

means, on any day, the higher of:

 

(a)                                the Prime Rate; and

 

(b)                               the aggregate of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50 per cent. per annum.

 

Swingline Total Commitments

 

means the aggregate for the time being of the Swingline Commitments, being U.S.$1,650,000,000 at the date of this Agreement or as may be increased pursuant to paragraph (b) of Clause 2.8 (Additional Lenders) up to a maximum of U.S.$5,000,000,000.

 

TARGET Day

 

means a day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET) payment system which utilises a single shared platform and which was launched on 19 November 2007 and is open for the settlement of payments in euro.

 

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Tax Credit

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 11.6 (Refund of Tax Credits).

 

Tax on Overall Net Income

 

in relation to a Finance Party, means any tax on the overall net income, profits or gains of that Finance Party or any of its Holding Companies (or the overall net income, profits or gains of a division or branch of that Finance Party or any of its Holding Companies).

 

Tax Payment

 

has the meaning given to it in Clause 11.6 (Refund of Tax Credits).

 

Taxes Act

 

means the Corporation Tax Act 2010.

 

Term

 

means the period selected by a Borrower in a Request for which the relevant Revolving Credit Advance or Swingline Advance is to be outstanding.

 

Total Commitments

 

means the aggregate for the time being of the Revolving Credit Commitments, being, at the date of this Agreement, U.S.$3,935,000,000 or as may be increased pursuant to paragraph (b) of Clause 2.8 (Additional Lenders) up to a maximum of U.S.$7,500,000,000 (including the Swingline Total Commitments but without double counting).

 

Total Gross Borrowings

 

means at any time, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Financial Indebtedness of the Consolidated Group (including the marked to market position of out of the money derivative contracts).

 

Treaty Lender

 

means a Lender which is (i) resident (as such term is defined in the appropriate double taxation treaty) in a country with which the United Kingdom has an appropriate double taxation treaty under which residents of that country are entitled to complete exemption from United Kingdom tax on interest and is entitled to apply under the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (General) Regulations 1970 to have interest paid to its Facility Office without withholding or deduction for or on account of United Kingdom taxation; and (ii) does not carry on business in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment with which the investments under this Agreement in respect of which the interest is paid are effectively connected; and for this purpose “ double taxation treaty ” means any convention or agreement between the government of the United Kingdom and any other government for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital gains.

 

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UK ” or “ United Kingdom

 

means the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Channel Islands).

 

Undisclosed Administration

 

means in relation to a Lender the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official by a supervisory authority or regulator under or based on the laws of the country where such Lender is subject to home jurisdiction supervision if applicable law requires that such appointment is not to be publicly disclosed.

 

United States

 

means the United States of America.

 

U.S. Obligor

 

means any Obligor which is incorporated in the United States or any State thereof (including the District of Columbia).

 

U.S. Tax Obligor

 

means:

 

(a)                                a Borrower which is resident for tax purposes in the United States; or

 

(b)                               an Obligor some or all of whose payments under the Finance Documents are from sources within the United States for United States federal income tax purposes

 

2016 Facility

 

means the U.S.$4,015,000,000 multi currency revolving five year facility dated 9 March 2011 with a capacity of U.S.$4,245,000,000 as at 9 March 2011 and made between, amongst others, Vodafone Group Plc, the Arrangers and Lenders identified therein and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as Agent and Euro Swingline Agent and due 9 March 2016 .

 

2019 Facility

 

means the €3,860,000,000 multicurrency revolving five year facility dated 28 March 2014 with a capacity of €3,860,000,000 as at March 2014 and made between, amongst others, Vodafone Group Plc, the Arrangers and the Lenders identified therein and the Royal Bank of Scotland plc as Agent and Euro Swingline Agent and due 28 March 2019.

 

1.2                             Construction

 

(a)                                In this Agreement, unless the contrary intention appears, a reference to:

 

(i)                                   agreed form ” means, in relation to any document, such document in a form previously agreed in writing by or on behalf of the Agent and Vodafone;

 

assets ” of any person includes all or any part of that person’s business, operations, undertaking, property, assets, revenues (including any right to receive revenues) and uncalled capital;

 

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an “ authorisation ” includes an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, registration and notarisation;

 

a “ finance lease ” has the meaning given to it in IAS 17 as in effect at 1 April 2013;

 

indebtedness ” is a reference to any obligation for the payment or repayment of money, whether as principal or surety and whether present or future, actual or contingent;

 

a “ month ” is a reference to a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month, except that, if there is no numerically corresponding day in the month in which that period ends, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that month;

 

a “ regulation ” includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (in each case, whether or not having the force of law, but if not having the force of law, is generally complied with by the persons to whom it is addressed) of any governmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory authority or organisation;

 

the determination of the extent to which a rate is “ for a period equal in length ” to the Term of any interest period shall disregard any inconsistency arising from the last day of the Term of such interest period being determined pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; and

 

U.S.$ ”, “ USD ” and “ U.S. Dollars ” denote the lawful currency of the United States. “ £ ”, “ GBP ” and “ Sterling ” denote the lawful currency of the United Kingdom. “ ”, “EUR” and “euro” denote the single currency of the Participating Member States;

 

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(ii)                               a provision of a law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted;

 

(iii)                           a Clause or a Schedule is a reference to a clause of or a schedule to this Agreement;

 

(iv)                           a person includes its successors, transferees and assigns;

 

(v)                               words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa;

 

(vi)                           a Finance Document or another document is a reference to that Finance Document or that other document as novated or, with the approval of Vodafone, amended or supplemented;

 

(vii)        the term “ Affiliate ”, in relation to The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, shall not include (i) the UK government or any member or instrumentality thereof, including Her Majesty’s Treasury and UK Financial Investments Limited (or any directors, officers, employees or entities thereof) or (ii) any persons or entities controlled by or under common control with the UK government or any member or instrumentality thereof (including Her Majesty’s Treasury and UK Financial Investments Limited) and which are not part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc and its subsidiaries or subsidiary undertakings; and

 

(viii)                   a time of day is a reference to London time.

 

(b)                               Unless the contrary intention appears, a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Agreement.

 

(c)                                The index to and the headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are to be ignored in construing this Agreement.

 

(d)                               Unless expressly provided to the contrary in a Finance Document, a person who is not a party to a Finance Document may not enforce any of its terms under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

 

(e)                                Subject to Clause 26.2 ( Exceptions ) but otherwise notwithstanding any term of any Finance Document, the consent of any third party is not required for any variation (including any release or compromise of any liability under) or termination of that Finance Document.

 

2.                                     THE FACILITIES

 

2.1                             Facilities

 

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Lenders grant to the Borrowers:

 

(a)                                a committed multicurrency revolving five year facility (subject to Clause 6 (Extension Option)), under which the Lenders will, when requested by a Borrower, make cash advances in U.S. Dollars or Optional Currencies to that Borrower on a revolving basis during the Availability Period already defined; and

 

(b)                               a committed U.S. Dollars swingline advance facility (which is a sub-division of the Revolving Credit Facility) under which the Swingline Lenders will, when requested by a Borrower, make to that Borrower Swingline Advances during the Availability Period.

 

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2.2                             Overall facility limits

 

(a)                                The Swingline Facility is not independent of the Revolving Credit Facility. The aggregate Original Dollar Amount of all outstanding Advances (including Swingline Advances) under:

 

(i)                                   the Revolving Credit Facility, shall not at any time exceed the Total Commitments at that time; and

 

(ii)                               the Swingline Facility, shall not at any time exceed the Swingline Total Commitments at that time.

 

(b)                               The aggregate Original Dollar Amount of:

 

(i)                                   the participations of a Lender in Revolving Credit Advances plus that Lender’s and, if applicable, that Lender’s Swingline Affiliate’s (if any), participations in outstanding Swingline Advances shall not at any time exceed that Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment at that time; and

 

(ii)                               the participations of a Swingline Lender in Swingline Advances shall not at any time exceed that Swingline Lender’s Swingline Commitment at that time.

 

(c)                                If, in respect of any Revolving Credit Advance, the operation of Clause 5.4 (Amount of each Lender’s participation in an Advance) would otherwise have caused a Lender (the “ Affected Lender ”) to breach sub-paragraph (b)(i) above then:

 

(i)                                   each Affected Lender will participate in the relevant Revolving Credit Advance only to the extent that the Original Dollar Amount of its participation in that Revolving Credit Advance (when aggregated with the Original Dollar Amount of its and, if applicable, that Lender’s Swingline Affiliate’s (if any), participations in other outstanding Revolving Credit Advances and Swingline Advances) will not exceed its Revolving Credit Commitment; and

 

(ii)           each other non-Affected Lender’s participation in that Revolving Credit Advance will be recalculated in accordance with Clause 5.4 (Amount of each Lender’s participation in an Advance), but, for the purpose of the recalculation, the Affected Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments will be deducted from the Total Commitments and the amount of the Affected Lenders’ participations in that Revolving Credit Advance (if any) will be deducted from the requested amount of the Revolving Credit Advance.

 

2.3                             Increase

 

(a)                                Vodafone may by giving prior notice to the Agent by no later than the date falling 60 Business Days after the effective date of a cancellation of:

 

(i)                                   the Available Commitments of a Defaulting Lender in accordance with paragraph (c) of Clause 8.5 (Right of prepayment and cancellation); or

 

(ii)                               the Commitments of a Lender in accordance with Clause 14.1 (Illegality),

 

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request that the Total Commitments be increased (and the Total Commitments shall be so increased in an aggregate amount of up to the amount of the Available Commitments or Commitments so cancelled as follows:

 

(A)                                          the increased Commitments will be assumed by one or more Lenders or other banks or financial institutions (each an “ Increase Lender ”) selected by Vodafone and which is further acceptable to the Agent (acting reasonably)) and each of which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of a Lender corresponding to that part of the increased Commitments which it is to assume, as if it had been an Original Lender;

 

(B)                                          each of the Obligors and any Increase Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another as the Obligors and the Increase Lender would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an Original Lender;

 

(C)                                          each Increase Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and any Increase Lender and each of the other Finance Parties shall assume obligations towards one another and acquire rights against one another as that Increase Lender and those Finance Parties would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an Original Lender;

 

(D)                                          the Commitments of the other Lenders shall continue in full force and effect; and

 

(E)                              any increase in the Total Commitments shall take effect on the date specified by Vodafone in the notice referred to above or any later date on which the conditions set out in paragraph (b) below are satisfied.

 

(b)                               An increase in the Total Commitments will only be effective on:

 

(i)                                   the execution by the Agent of an Increase Confirmation from the relevant Increase Lender;

 

(ii)                               in relation to an Increase Lender which is not a Lender immediately prior to the relevant increase the performance by the Agent of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assumption of the increased Commitments by that Increase Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to Vodafone and the Increase Lender.

 

(c)                                Each Increase Lender, by executing the Increase Confirmation, confirms (for the avoidance of doubt) that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the increase becomes effective.

 

(d)                               Unless the Agent otherwise agrees or the increased Commitment is assumed by an existing Lender, Vodafone shall, on the date upon which the increase takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee of U.S.$3,000 and Vodafone shall promptly on demand pay the Agent the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by it in connection with any increase in Commitments under this Clause 2.3.

 

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(e)                                Vodafone may pay to the Increase Lender a fee in the amount and at the times agreed between Vodafone and the Increase Lender in a letter between Vodafone and the Increase Lender setting out that fee. A reference in this Agreement to a Fee Letter shall include any letter referred to in this paragraph (e).

 

(f)                                 Clause 27.2(f) to (j) inclusive (Transfers by Lenders) shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Clause 2.3 in relation to an Increase Lender as if references in that Clause to:

 

(i)            an “ Existing Lender ” were references to all the Lenders immediately prior to the relevant increase;

 

(ii)                               the “ New Lender ” were references to that “ Increase Lender ”; and

 

(iii)                           a “ retransfer ” were references to a “ transfer ”.

 

2.4                             Number of Requests and Advances

 

Unless the Agent agrees otherwise, no more than one Request (other than Requests for Swingline Advances only) may be delivered on any one day but that Request may specify any number and type of Advances from the Revolving Credit Facility or the Swingline Facility or either of them.

 

2.5                             Nature of rights and obligations

 

(a)                                The obligations of a Finance Party and each Obligor under the Finance Documents are several. Failure of a Finance Party or an Obligor to carry out those obligations does not relieve any other Party of its obligations under the Finance Documents. No Finance Party or Obligor is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party or Obligor under the Finance Documents save and to the extent that the relevant obligations are guaranteed by another Obligor.

 

(b)                               The rights of a Finance Party under the Finance Documents are divided rights. A Finance Party may, except as otherwise stated in the Finance Documents, separately enforce those rights.

 

2.6                             Vodafone as Obligors’ agent

 

Each Obligor:

 

(a)                                irrevocably authorises and instructs Vodafone to give and receive as agent on its behalf all notices (including Requests) and sign all documents in connection with the Finance Documents on its behalf (including but not limited to amendments and variations and execution of any new Finance Documents) and take such other action as may be necessary or desirable under or in connection with the Finance Documents; and

 

(b)                               confirms that it will be bound by any action taken by Vodafone under or in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

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2.7                             Actions of Vodafone as Obligors’ agent

 

The respective liabilities of each of the Obligors under the Finance Documents shall not be in any way affected by:

 

(a)                                any irregularity (or purported irregularity) in any act done by or any failure (or purported failure) by Vodafone; or

 

(b)                               Vodafone acting (or purporting to act) in any respect outside any authority conferred upon it by any Obligor; or

 

(c)                                the failure (or purported failure) by or inability (or purported inability) of Vodafone to inform any Obligor of receipt by it of any notification under this Agreement.

 

2.8                             Additional Lenders

 

(a)           Any financial institution or other entity may, subject to the terms of this Agreement, become an Additional Lender. The relevant financial institution or other entity will become an Additional Lender on the date specified in a Lender Accession Agreement which has been delivered to the Agent duly completed and executed by that financial institution or other entity and countersigned by Vodafone on behalf of itself and each other Obligor.

 

(b)                               Upon the relevant financial institution or other entity becoming an Additional Lender, the Total Commitments shall be increased (subject to the Total Commitments being a maximum of U.S.$7,500,000,000 and the Combined Commitments being a maximum of U.S.$7,500,000,000 plus €7,500,000,000 (or its equivalent in U.S. Dollars calculated at the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange)) by the amount set out in the relevant Lender Accession Agreement as that Additional Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment. If such Additional Lender so provides in the relevant Lender Accession Agreement, the Swingline Total Commitments shall be increased (subject to the Combined Swingline Commitments being a maximum of U.S.$5,000,000,000 plus €2,550,000,000 (or its equivalent in U.S. Dollars calculated at the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange)) by the amount set out in the relevant Lender Accession Agreement as that Additional Lender’s Swingline Commitment.

 

(c)                                Each Additional Lender will participate only in Advances with a Drawdown Date following the date on which it became an Additional Lender and only then if:

 

(i)                                   it has become an Additional Lender in time to receive sufficient notice of the relevant Advance from the Agent pursuant to Clause 5.5 (Notification of the Lenders); and

 

(ii)           immediately before such an Advance is to be made either (A) no Advances are or will be outstanding or (B) all outstanding Advances at that time are or will be immediately repaid or prepaid in full in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(d)                               On and from the Drawdown Date on which the Additional Lender makes an Advance under paragraph (c) above, the Additional Lender shall participate in each new Revolving Credit Advance or, as the case may be, Swingline Advance in accordance with Clause 5.4 (Amount of each Lender’s participation in an Advance).

 

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(e)           The execution by Vodafone of a Lender Accession Agreement constitutes confirmation by each Guarantor that its obligations under Clause 15 (Guarantee) shall continue unaffected except that those obligations shall extend to the Total Commitments as increased by the addition of the relevant Additional Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment (including such Additional Lender’s Swingline Commitment but without double counting) and shall be owed to each Finance Party including the relevant Additional Lender.

 

3.                                     PURPOSE

 

3.1                             Purpose

 

Each Revolving Credit Advance will be used for the refinancing of the 2016 Facility, following which each Advance will be applied in or towards providing support for the Consolidated Group’s continuing commercial paper programmes and each Revolving Credit Advance will be applied for general corporate purposes of the Consolidated Group including, but not limited to, Acquisitions (provided that a Swingline Advance may not be applied in or towards refinancing another Swingline Advance).

 

3.2                             No monitoring

 

Without affecting the obligations of any Borrower in any way, no Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of the proceeds of any Advance.

 

4.                                     CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

4.1                             Initial conditions precedent

 

The obligations of each Finance Party to any Borrower under this Agreement are subject to the conditions precedent that:

 

(a)                                the Agent has notified Vodafone and the Lenders that it has received all of the documents set out in Part 1 of Schedule 2 in the agreed form or such other form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. The Agent will give such notice of receipt within two Business Days after receiving the relevant documents and finding them in form and substance satisfactory to it; and

 

(b)                               the Agent confirms on or prior to the Signing Date that (i) the 2016 Facility has been cancelled and (ii) all amounts outstanding under such 2016 Facility have been repaid.

 

4.2                             Conditions to all drawdowns and rollovers

 

The obligations of each Lender to participate in any Advance are subject to the further conditions precedent that on the date of the Request for the Advance (if applicable) and on the date on which the relevant amount is to be drawn down:

 

(a)                                the representations and warranties in Clause 16 (Representations and Warranties) are correct and will be correct immediately after the relevant Advance or amount is drawn down in each case in all material respects; and

 

(b)                               in the case of a Rollover Advance, no Event of Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Advance, and in the case of any other drawdown, no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from drawdown of the relevant Advance or amount.

 

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4.3                             Conditions relating to Optional Currencies

 

(a)                                A currency will constitute an Optional Currency in relation to an Advance if

 

(i)                                   it is readily available in the amount required and freely convertible into the Base Currency in the Relevant Interbank Market on the Rate Fixing Day and the Drawdown Date for that Advance; and

 

(ii)                               it is Sterling or euro, or has been approved by the Agent (acting on the instructions of all the Lenders) on or prior to receipt by the Agent of the relevant Request for that Advance.

 

(b)                               If by 10:00 a.m. on a Business Day, the Agent has received a written request from Vodafone for a currency to be approved under paragraph (a)(ii) above, the Agent will notify the Lenders of that request by 3:00 p.m. on the same Business Day. Based on any responses received by the Agent by 1:00 p.m. the next Business Day, the Agent will confirm to Vodafone by 5:00 p.m. on that Business Day:

 

(i)                                   whether or not the Lenders have granted their approval; and

 

(ii)                               if approval has been granted, the minimum amount (and, if required, integral multiples) for any subsequent Utilisation in that currency.

 

4.4                             Maximum number of Revolving Credit Advances

 

A Borrower may not deliver a Request if as a result of the proposed Advance more than 10 Revolving Credit Advances would be outstanding.

 

5.                                     ADVANCES

 

5.1                             Receipt of Requests

 

(a)                                A Borrower may borrow Advances under the Revolving Credit Facility (other than Swingline Advances) if the Agent receives, not later than 5.00 p.m. on the third Business Day before the proposed Drawdown Date, or, in the case of an Advance in Sterling, not later than 5.00 p.m. on the Business Day before the proposed Drawdown Date, a duly completed Request, copied, to the U.S. Swingline Agent.

 

(b)                               A Borrower may borrow Swingline Advances if the U.S. Swingline Agent receives, not later than 11.00 a.m. (New York City time) on the proposed Drawdown Date, a duly completed Request, copied to the Agent.

 

5.2                             Completion of Requests for Revolving Credit Advances

 

A Request for a Revolving Credit Advance will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless:

 

(a)                                the Drawdown Date is a Business Day falling during the Availability Period;

 

(b)                               only one currency is specified for each separate Advance and the Requested Amount for each separate Advance is in a minimum amount:

 

(i)                                   if in euro, of €25,000,000;

 

(ii)                               if in Sterling, of £20,000,000;

 

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(iii)                           if in U.S. Dollars, of U.S.$25,000,000; or

 

(iv)                           appropriate equivalent minimum amounts for Optional Currencies other than euro or Sterling,

 

or, in any such case:

 

(A)                            if less, is in an amount equal to the unutilised portion of the Total Commitments; or

 

(B)                             such other amount as Vodafone and the Agent may agree;

 

(c)                                only one Term for each separate Advance is specified which:

 

(i)                                   does not overrun the Final Maturity Date; and

 

(ii)                               is a period of 7 days, one month, two, three (or such comparable period as the Borrower may adopt to reflect international futures exchange settlement dates) or six months (or such other period as may be agreed by Vodafone and (if not more than six months) the Agent or (if more than six months) all of the Lenders); and

 

(d)                               the payment instructions comply with Clause 10.1 (Place of payment).

 

5.3                             Completion of Requests for Swingline Advances

 

A Request for a Swingline Advance will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless:

 

(a)                                the Drawdown Date is a New York Business Day falling during the Availability Period;

 

(b)                               it is specified that the Swingline Advance is to be made in U.S. Dollars under the Swingline Facility;

 

(c)                                the Requested Amount is a minimum of U.S.$15,000,000 or such other amount as the U.S. Swingline Agent and Vodafone may agree;

 

(d)                               only one Term is specified, which:

 

(i)                                   does not overrun the Final Maturity Date; and

 

(ii)                               is a period not exceeding five Business Days; and

 

(e)                                the payment instructions comply with Clause 10.1 (Place of payment).

 

5.4                             Amount of each Lender’s participation in an Advance

 

The amount of a Lender’s participation in an Advance will be the proportion of the Requested Amount which:

 

(a)                                in the case of a Revolving Credit Advance, its Revolving Credit Commitment bears to the Total Commitments; and

 

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(b)                               in the case of a Swingline Advance, its Swingline Commitment bears to the Swingline Total Commitments,

 

in each case on the date of receipt of the relevant Request, adjusted in the case of paragraph (a) above (if necessary) to reflect the operation of Clause 2.2(c) (Overall facility limits).

 

5.5                             Notification of the Lenders

 

The Agent (or, in the case of Swingline Advances, the U.S. Swingline Agent) shall promptly notify each Lender (or, as the case may be, Swingline Lender) of the details of the requested Advance and the amount of its participation in such Advance.

 

5.6                             Payment of proceeds

 

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, each Lender (or, as the case may be, Swingline Lender) shall make its participation in an Advance available to the Agent (or, in the case of a participation in a Swingline Advance, the U.S. Swingline Agent) for the Borrower concerned for value on the relevant Drawdown Date.

 

6.                                     EXTENSION OPTIONS

 

6.1                             First extension option

 

(a)                                Vodafone may by notice to the Agent (the “ First Extension Request ”) not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days before the first anniversary of the date of this Agreement (the “ First Anniversary ”), request that the Final Maturity Date be extended to the date which is six years after the date of this Agreement (the “ Sixth Anniversary ”).

 

(b)                               The Agent must promptly notify the Lenders of the First Extension Request.

 

(c)                                Each Lender may, in its sole discretion, agree to the First Extension Request. Subject to paragraph (g) below, each Lender that agrees to the First Extension Request by the date falling 15 days before the First Anniversary, will, on the First Anniversary, extend its Commitments to the Sixth Anniversary and the Final Maturity Date with respect to the Commitments of that Lender will be extended to that date.

 

(d)                               If any Lender fails to reply to the First Extension Request on or before the date falling 15 days before the First Anniversary, it will be deemed to have refused the First Extension Request and its Commitments will not be extended.

 

(e)                                Subject to paragraph (g) below, the First Extension Request is irrevocable.

 

(f)                                 If one or more (but not all) of the Lenders agree to the First Extension Request, then by the date falling no later than ten days before the First Anniversary, the Agent must notify Vodafone and the Lenders which have agreed to the first extension, identifying in that notification which Lenders have not agreed to the First Extension Request.

 

(g)                                Vodafone may, on the basis that one or more of the Lenders have not agreed to the First Extension Request and no later than the date falling 5 days before the First Anniversary, withdraw the request by notice to the Agent which will promptly notify the Lenders.

 

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6.2                             Second extension option

 

(a)                                If the Final Maturity Date has been extended to the Sixth Anniversary pursuant to Clause 6.1 (First extension option), Vodafone may by notice to the Agent (the “ Second Extension Request ”) not more than 60 days and not less than 30 days before the second anniversary of the date of this Agreement (the “ Second Anniversary ”), request that the Final Maturity Date be extended to the date which is seven years after the date of this Agreement (the “ Seventh Anniversary ”).

 

(b)                               The Agent must promptly notify the Lenders of the Second Extension Request.

 

(c)                                Each Lender may, in its sole discretion, agree to the Second Extension Request. Subject to paragraph (g) below, each Lender that agrees to the Second Extension Request by the date falling 15 days before the Second Anniversary, will, on the Second Anniversary, extend its Commitments to the Seventh Anniversary and the Final Maturity Date with respect to the Commitments of that Lender will be extended to that date.

 

(d)                               If any Lender fails to reply to the Second Extension Request on or before the date falling 15 days before the Second Anniversary, it will be deemed to have refused the Second Extension Request and its Commitments will not be extended.

 

(e)                                Subject to paragraph (g) below, the Second Extension Request is irrevocable.

 

(f)                                 If one or more (but not all) of the Lenders agree to the Second Extension Request, then by the date falling no later than ten days before the Second Anniversary, the Agent must notify Vodafone and the Lenders which have agreed to the second extension, identifying in that notification which Lenders have not agreed to the Second Extension Request.

 

(g)                                Vodafone may, on the basis that one or more of the Lenders have not agreed to the Second Extension Request and no later than the date falling 5 days before the Second Anniversary, withdraw the request by notice to the Agent which will promptly notify the Lenders.

 

7.                                     REPAYMENT

 

7.1                             Repayment of Revolving Credit Advances

 

(a)                                Each Borrower shall repay each Revolving Credit Advance made to it in full on its Maturity Date to the Agent for the Lenders, but since the Revolving Credit Facility is available on a revolving basis during the Availability Period amounts repaid may be reborrowed subject to the terms of this Agreement.

 

(b)                               No Revolving Credit Advance may be outstanding after the Final Maturity Date.

 

7.2                             Repayment of Swingline Advances

 

(a)                                Each Borrower shall repay each Swingline Advance made to it in full on its Maturity Date to the U.S. Swingline Agent for the Swingline Lenders. No Swingline Advance may be outstanding after the Final Maturity Date.

 

(b)                               Each Swingline Advance shall be repaid on its Maturity Date in accordance with paragraph (a) above. In the event and to the extent that a Swingline Advance is not so repaid, each Lender will, within four Business Days of a demand to that effect from the U.S. Swingline Agent, pay to the U.S. Swingline Agent on behalf of the Swingline Lenders (which shall be deemed to be a drawing of that Lender’s

 

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Commitment) an amount equal to its Agreed Percentage (without set-off, counterclaim, withholding or other deduction) of the principal amount outstanding of such Swingline Advance and accrued interest (including default interest) thereon to the date of actual payment by such Lender (provided that no Lender shall be obliged to exceed its Commitment as a result of any such payment). The relevant Borrower shall forthwith reimburse the Lenders (through the Agent) in full for each payment made by the Lenders under this paragraph (b). Each amount the relevant Borrower is required to reimburse to the Lenders under this paragraph (b) shall be deemed to be an Overdue Amount which fell due for payment by the relevant Borrower on the day on which the payment by the Lenders giving rise to the reimbursement obligation was made and shall accrue default interest under Clause 9.3 (Default interest) accordingly. The obligations of each Lender under this paragraph (b) are unconditional and shall not be affected by the occurrence or continuance of a Default.

 

7.3                             Separate Loans

 

(a)                                At any time when a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the maturity date of each of the participations of that Lender in the Facilities then outstanding will be automatically extended to the earlier of:

 

(i)                                   the first Business Day falling 364 days after the date on which the Agent or a Borrower gives notice to the Defaulting Lender and the other Parties that the relevant Lender has become a Defaulting Lender, and will be treated as separate Facilities (the “ Separate Loans ”) denominated in the currency in which the relevant participations are outstanding; and

 

(ii)                               the last day of the Availability Period.

 

(b)                               A Borrower to whom a Separate Loan is outstanding may prepay that Separate Loan by giving 10 Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent. The Agent will forward a copy of a prepayment notice received in accordance with this paragraph (b) to the Defaulting Lender concerned as soon as practicable on receipt.

 

(c)                                Interest in respect of a Separate Loan will accrue for successive Terms selected by a Borrower by the time and date specified by the Agent acting reasonably and will be payable by that Borrower to the Defaulting Lender on the last day of each Term of that Advance.

 

(d)                               The terms of this Agreement relating to the Facilities generally shall continue to apply to Separate Loans other than to the extent inconsistent with paragraphs (a) to (c) above (inclusive) in which case those paragraphs shall prevail in respect of any Separate Loans.

 

(e)                                If at any time while a Separate Loan is outstanding the Borrower transfers the relevant Defaulting Lender’s outstanding participations to a Replacement Lender in accordance with Clause 27.5 (Replacement of Lenders), each Separate Loan transferred to the Replacement Lender will automatically become, on the last day of the current Term for each such Separate Loan, a Revolving Credit Advance and paragraphs (a) to (c) above (inclusive) shall cease to apply to that Advance while such Replacement Lender is not a Defaulting Lender.

 

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8.                                     PREPAYMENT AND CANCELLATION

 

8.1                             Automatic cancellation of Total Commitments

 

(a)           The Revolving Credit Commitments of each Lender shall be automatically cancelled at the close of business in London on the Final Maturity Date.

 

(b)           The Swingline Commitment of each Swingline Lender shall be automatically cancelled at the close of business in New York on the Final Maturity Date.

 

8.2                             Voluntary cancellation

 

(a)                                Vodafone may by giving not less than one Business Day’s prior written notice to the Agent, cancel the unutilised portion of the Total Commitments in whole or in part (but, if in part, in an aggregate minimum amount of U.S.$75,000,000) in such proportions as Vodafone may designate in the notice of cancellation. Any cancellation in part shall be applied against the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Lender pro rata.

 

(b)                               Whenever part of the Total Commitments is cancelled, the Swingline Commitments will not be cancelled unless (i) the amount of the Swingline Total Commitments would exceed the Total Commitments after such cancellation or (ii) the Swingline Commitment of any Swingline Lender would exceed its Commitment after such cancellation. In any such case, the Swingline Total Commitments shall, at the same time as the cancellation of the Total Commitments takes effect, be cancelled by such amount as is necessary to ensure that after the relevant cancellation of the Total Commitments the Swingline Total Commitments do not exceed the Total Commitments and the Swingline Commitment of each Swingline Lender does not exceed its Commitment.

 

8.3                             Voluntary prepayment

 

(a)                                Any Borrower may by giving not less than five Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent, prepay the whole or any part of the Revolving Credit Advances (but, if in part, in an aggregate minimum Original Dollar Amount, taking all prepayments made by all the Borrowers on the same day together, of U.S.$100,000,000).

 

(b)           Any Borrower may prepay the whole of any Swingline Advance at any time.

 

(c)           Any voluntary prepayment in part made under paragraph (a) above will be applied against all the Revolving Advances pro rata (or against such Revolving Credit Advances as Vodafone (or the relevant Borrower) may designate in the notice of prepayment).

 

8.4                             Change of Control

 

If control of Vodafone (other than as a result of a Hive Up) or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco, passes to any person acting either individually or in concert (a “ Change of Control ”):

 

(a)                                Vodafone shall, promptly upon becoming aware thereof, notify the Agent who shall inform the Lenders;

 

(b)                               any Lender may, if it determines that as a result of the Change of Control:

 

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(i)            the level of its exposure to Vodafone, NewTopco and/or the entity which acquires control of Vodafone or NewTopco, as the case may be is unacceptably high in each case in the sole opinion of the Lender; or

 

(ii)           it no longer wishes (in its sole discretion and acting in good faith) to continue lending to Vodafone or NewTopco, as the case may be (whether for relationship, internal policy or any other reason);

 

propose to Vodafone (through the Agent) the revised terms (if any) which it requires in order to continue to participate in the Facilities; and

 

(c)                                if those revised terms have not been agreed with that Lender (or that Lender is not prepared, for one or more of the reasons set out in paragraph (b)(i) or (ii) above, to continue on any terms) within 30 days of the date of notification in paragraph (a) above (or such longer period as that Lender may agree in writing) then on expiry of 30 days from the date of notification in paragraph (a) above that Lender may by notice to the Agent (which shall promptly inform Vodafone) cancel the whole (but not part only) of such Lender’s Commitments and following service of such notice:

 

(i)                                   such Lender’s Commitments shall be cancelled on the date of service of the notice or as specified in it; and

 

(ii)                               all such Lender’s outstanding Advances shall be repaid or prepaid on the last day of the then current Term applicable thereto, and no amount may be outstanding to such Lender thereafter.

 

For the purposes of this Clause 8.4, “ control ” has the meaning given to it in relation to a body corporate by Section 1124 of the Taxes Act.

 

8.5                             Right of prepayment and cancellation

 

If:

 

(a)                                any Borrower is required to pay or is notified by any Lender in writing that it will be required to pay any amount to a Lender under Clause 11 (Taxes) or Clause 13 (Increased Costs); or

 

(b)                               if circumstances exist such that a Borrower will be required to pay any amount to a Lender under Clause 11 (Taxes) or Clause 13 (Increased Costs),

 

Vodafone may serve a notice of prepayment and cancellation on that Lender through the Agent. On the date falling five Business Days after the date of service of the notice:

 

(i)                                   each Borrower will prepay the participations of that Lender in all outstanding Advances made to that Borrower; and

 

(ii)                               the Lender’s Commitments shall be permanently cancelled on the date of service of the notice.

 

(c)                                If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, Vodafone may, at any time whilst the Lender continues to be a Defaulting Lender, give the Agent five Business Days’ notice of cancellation of each Available Commitment of that Lender.

 

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(d)                               On the notice referred to in paragraph (c) above becoming effective, each Available Commitment of the Defaulting Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero.

 

(e)                                The Agent shall as soon as practicable after receipt of a notice referred to in paragraph (c) above, notify all the Lenders.

 

8.6                             Miscellaneous provisions

 

(a)                                Any notice of prepayment and/or cancellation under this Agreement is irrevocable. The Agent shall notify the Lenders promptly of receipt of any such notice.

 

(b)                               All prepayments under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and any other amounts due under this Agreement in respect of that prepayment (including, but not limited to, any amounts payable under Clause 24.2(c) (Other indemnities) if not made on the Maturity Date of the relevant Revolving Credit Advance or Swingline Advance).

 

(c)                                No prepayment or cancellation is permitted except in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement.

 

(d)                               Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, any amount prepaid in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility during the Availability Period may be reborrowed.

 

(e)                                Subject to Clause 2.3 (Increase), no amount of the Total Commitments, (including the Swingline Total Commitments) cancelled under this Agreement may subsequently be reinstated.

 

9.                                     INTEREST

 

9.1                             Interest rate for all Advances

 

(a)                                The rate of interest on each Advance (other than any Swingline Advance) for its Term, is the rate per annum determined by the Agent to be the aggregate of:

 

(i)                                   the applicable Margin; and

 

(ii)                               LIBOR or, in the case of an Advance denominated in euro, EURIBOR.

 

(b)                               The rate of interest on each Swingline Advance for each day during its Term is the rate per annum determined by the U.S. Swingline Agent to be the Swingline Rate for that day.

 

9.2                             Due dates

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, accrued interest on each Advance is payable by the relevant Borrower on its Maturity Date and also, in the case of any Advance with a Term longer than six months, at six monthly intervals after its Drawdown Date for so long as the Term is outstanding.

 

9.3                             Default interest

 

(a)                                If a Borrower fails to pay any amount payable by it under this Agreement when due (an “ Overdue Amount ”), it shall forthwith on demand by the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, pay interest on the Overdue Amount from the due

 

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date up to the date of actual payment, both before and after judgment, at a rate (the “Default Rate”) determined by the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent to be one per cent. per annum (the “ Default Margin ”) above the higher of:

 

(i)                                   the rate on the Overdue Amount under Clause 9.1 (Interest rate for all Advances) immediately before the due date (in the case of principal); and

 

(ii)                               the rate which would have been payable under Clause 9.1 (Interest rate for all Advances) if the Overdue Amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Revolving Credit Advance in the currency of the Overdue Amount for such successive Terms of such duration as the Agent may determine (each a “ Designated Term ”),

 

except that during any grace period specified in Clause 19.2 (Non-payment) the Default Margin portion of the Default Rate will only apply to overdue payments of principal.

 

(b)                               The Default Rate will be determined on each Business Day or the first day of, or two Business Days before the first day of, the relevant Designated Term, as appropriate.

 

(c)                                If the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, determines that deposits in the currency of the Overdue Amount are not at the relevant time being made available by the Reference Banks to leading banks in the Relevant Interbank Market, the Default Rate will be determined by reference to the cost of funds to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, from whatever sources it selects, acting reasonably at all times, after consultation with the Reference Banks.

 

(d)                               Default interest will be compounded at the end of each Designated Term.

 

(e)                                The Agent shall notify Vodafone of the duration of each Designated Term.

 

9.4                             Notification of rates of interest

 

(a)                                The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent will promptly notify each relevant Party of the determination of a rate of interest under this Agreement.

 

(b)                               The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower of each Funding Rate relating to an Advance.

 

9.5                             Margin

 

(a)                                The Margin applicable to each Advance will be the lowest percentage rate specified in Column 2 below which corresponds to the criteria in relation to the Long Term Credit Rating Assigned to Vodafone in Column 1 below by Moody’s, Fitch and/or S&P (as the case may be) (each a “ Credit Rating Agency ”) at the relevant time.

 

 

Column 1

Column 2

Moody’s/Fitch/S&P ratings

Margin (per cent. per annum)

 

 

Any two are equal to or higher than:

0.15

Aa3/AA-/AA-

 

 

 

Any two are equal to or higher than:

0.175

A1/A+/A+

 

 

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Any two are equal to or higher than: A2/A/A

0.20

 

 

Otherwise

0.25

 

 

All Quoting Credit Rating Agencies are lower than: A3/A-/A-

0.30

 

For the purposes of this Clause 9.5(a) “ All Quoting Credit Rating Agencies ” means at any time each Credit Rating Agency which has a Long Term Credit Rating Assigned to Vodafone at the relevant time

 

(b)                               For the purposes of paragraph (a) above:

 

(i)                                   the Margin applicable to an Advance throughout the whole of its Term will be determined according to the Long Term Credit Rating Assigned to Vodafone as at the Drawdown Date of the Advance; and

 

(ii)                               if on the Drawdown Date of any Advance only one Credit Rating Agency assigns a long term credit rating to Vodafone, the Margin applicable to that Advance will be determined in accordance with paragraph (i) by reference to such Long Term Credit Rating Assigned to Vodafone, or in the event that there is no Long Term Credit Rating Assigned to Vodafone the Margin applicable to that Advance will be 0.30 per cent. per annum.

 

In the case of Clause 9.5(b)(ii) above, where the ratings category will be determined by one Credit Rating Agency only, the words “Any two are” and “All Quoting Credit Rating Agencies” in Column 1 of the table above shall be construed as a reference to the rating determined pursuant to Clause 9.5(b)(ii) above.

 

(c)                                Promptly upon becoming aware of the same, Vodafone shall inform the Agent in writing if any change in the Long Term Credit Rating Assigned to Vodafone occurs or the circumstances contemplated by paragraph 9.5(b)(ii) above arise.

 

(d)                               For the purpose of this Clause 9.5 the “ Long Term Credit Rating Assigned to Vodafone ” means, at any time, the solicited long term credit rating assigned at that time to Vodafone by the relevant Credit Rating Agency (but, for the avoidance of doubt, disregarding any outlook or review action, including placing Vodafone on creditwatch or any similar or analogous step, taken by such Credit Rating Agency) where the rating is based primarily on the unsecured credit risk (not credit enhanced or collateralised) of Vodafone in a manner comparable to the credit structure of Vodafone’s €1,250,000,000 bond issue due January 2022 (the “ Reference Bond ”), or if the Reference Bond ceases to be outstanding, such other outstanding series of listed bonds issued or guaranteed by Vodafone with a maturity date following and closest to January 2022. References in this paragraph (d) to Vodafone shall, following the Reorganisation Date, be references to NewTopco, provided that a long term credit rating has been assigned to NewTopco.

 

9.6                             Non-Business Days

 

If a Term would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Term shall instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

 

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10.                             PAYMENTS

 

10.1                     Place of payment

 

All payments by an Obligor or a Lender under this Agreement shall be made to the Agent or (if the payment relates to the Swingline Facility) the U.S. Swingline Agent to its account at such office or bank in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant currency (or, in the case of euro, in the principal financial centre of a Participating Member State or London) or as it may notify to that Obligor or Lender in writing for this purpose.

 

10.2                     Funds

 

Payments under this Agreement to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent shall be made for value on the due date at such times and in such funds as the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may specify to the Party concerned as being customary at the time for the settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place for payment.

 

10.3                     Distribution

 

(a)                                Each payment received by the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent under this Agreement for another Party shall, subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) below, be made available by the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent to that Party by payment (on the date of value of receipt and in the currency and funds of receipt) to its account with such bank in the principal financial centre of the country of the relevant currency (or, in the case of euro, in the principal financial centre of a Participating Member State or London) as it may notify to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent for this purpose by not less than five Business Days’ prior notice.

 

(b)                               The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may apply any amount received by it for an Obligor in or towards payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from an Obligor under this Agreement in the same currency on such date or in or towards the purchase of any amount of any currency to be so applied.

 

(c)                                Where a sum is to be paid under this Agreement to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent for the account of another Party, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to that Party until it has established that it has actually received that sum. The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may, however, assume that the sum has been paid to it in accordance with this Agreement and, in reliance on that assumption, make available to that Party a corresponding amount. If the sum has not been made available but the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent has paid a corresponding amount to another Party, that Party shall forthwith on demand refund the corresponding amount to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt, calculated at a rate reasonably determined by the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent to reflect its cost of funds.

 

10.4                     Currency

 

(a)                                                                                (i)                                   A repayment or prepayment of an Advance is payable in the currency in which the Advance is denominated.

 

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(ii)                               Interest is payable in the currency in which the relevant amount in respect of which it is payable is denominated.

 

(iii)                           Amounts payable in respect of costs, expenses, taxes and the like are payable in the currency in which they are incurred.

 

(iv)                           Any other amount payable under this Agreement is, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, payable in U.S. Dollars.

 

(b)                               Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if more than one currency or currency unit are at the same time recognised by the central bank of any country as the lawful currency of that country, then:

 

(i)                                   any reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of that country designated by the Agent (acting reasonably and after consultation with Vodafone); and

 

(ii)                               any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange recognised by the central bank for the conversion of the currency unit into the other, rounded up or down by the Agent (acting reasonably); and

 

(iii)                           if a change in any currency of a country occurs this Agreement will be amended to the extent the Agent and Vodafone agree (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld) to be necessary to reflect the change in currency and to put the Lenders and the Obligors in the same position, as far as possible, that they would have been in if no change in currency had occurred.

 

10.5                     Set-off and counterclaim

 

Subject to Clause 29.4 (Set-off by Obligors), all payments made by an Obligor under this Agreement shall be made without set-off or counterclaim.

 

10.6                     Non-Business Days

 

(a)                                If a payment under this Agreement is due on a day which is not a Business Day, the due date for that payment shall instead be the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

 

(b)                               During any extension of the due date for payment of any principal under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal at the rate payable on the original due date.

 

10.7                     Impaired Agent or U.S. Swingline Agent

 

(a)                                If, at any time, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent becomes an Impaired Agent, an Obligor or a Lender which is required to make a payment under the Finance Documents to the Agent or U.S. Swingline Agent in accordance with this Clause 10 (Payments) may instead either pay that amount direct to the required recipient or pay that amount to an interest-bearing account held with an Acceptable Bank and in relation to which no Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, in the name of the Obligor or the Lender making the payment and designated as a trust account for the benefit of the Party or Parties beneficially

 

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entitled to that payment under the Finance Documents. In each case such payment must be made on the due date for payment under the Finance Documents.

 

(b)                               All interest accrued on the amount standing to the credit of the trust account shall be for the benefit of the beneficiaries of that trust account pro rata to their respective entitlements.

 

(c)                                A party who has made a payment in accordance with this Clause 10.7 shall be discharged of the relevant payment obligation under the Finance Documents and shall not take any credit risk with respect to the amounts standing to the credit of the trust account.

 

(d)                               Promptly upon the appointment of a successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent, in accordance with Clause 20.15 (Resignation of the Agent or the U.S. Swingline Agent), each Party which has made a payment to a trust account in accordance with this Clause 10.7 shall give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the amount) together with any accrued interest to the successor Agent or, as the case may be, the successor U.S. Swingline Agent for distribution in accordance with Clause 10.3 (Distribution).

 

10.8                     Partial payments

 

(a)                                If the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent receives a payment insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable by an Obligor under this Agreement, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent shall apply that payment towards the obligations of the Obligors under this Agreement in the following order:

 

(i)                                   first , in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid costs, fees and expenses of the Agent and the U.S. Swingline Agent under this Agreement;

 

(ii)                               secondly , in or towards payment pro rata of any accrued fees due but unpaid under Clause 21 (Fees);

 

(iii)                           thirdly , in or towards payment pro rata of any interest due but unpaid under this Agreement;

 

(iv)                           fourthly , in or towards payment pro rata of any principal due but unpaid under this Agreement; and

 

(v)                               fifthly , in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under this Agreement.

 

(b)                               The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, shall, if so directed by all the Lenders, vary the order set out in paragraphs (a)(ii) to (a)(v) above. The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, shall notify Vodafone of any such variation.

 

(c)                                Paragraphs (a) and (b) above shall override any appropriation made by any Obligor.

 

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11.                             TAXES

 

11.1                     Gross-up

 

All payments by an Obligor to a Finance Party under the Finance Documents shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for or on account of any Relevant Taxes, except to the extent that the Obligor is required by law to make payment subject to any such taxes. Subject to Clause 11.4 (Qualifying Lenders) and Clause 11.5 (U.S. Taxes), if any Relevant Tax or amounts in respect of Relevant Tax are deducted or withheld from any amounts payable or paid by an Obligor, to a Finance Party under the Finance Documents (in each case, other than a FATCA Deduction), the Obligor shall pay such additional amounts as may be necessary to ensure that the relevant Finance Party receives a net amount equal to the full amount which it would have received had that Relevant Tax or those amounts in respect of Relevant Tax not been so deducted or withheld.

 

11.2                     Indemnity

 

Save to the extent that the relevant Finance Party is compensated by an increased payment under Clause 11.1 (Gross-up), but otherwise without prejudice to the provisions of Clause 11.1 (Gross-up), but subject to Clause 11.4 (Qualifying Lenders) and Clause 11.5 (U.S. Taxes), if a Finance Party or the Agent (or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent) on behalf of that Finance Party is required to make any payment on account of any Relevant Tax on or in relation to any sum received or receivable hereunder by such Finance Party or the Agent (or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent) on behalf of that Finance Party (including a sum received or receivable under this Clause 11) or any liability in respect of any such payment on account of any Relevant Tax is incurred by such Finance Party or the Agent (or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent) on behalf of that Finance Party (in all cases other than any Tax on Overall Net Income or any FATCA Deduction), the relevant Obligor shall, within five Business Days of demand by the Agent (or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent) indemnify such Finance Party against such payment or liability in respect of such payment, together with any interest, penalties, reasonable costs and reasonable expenses payable or incurred in connection therewith other than any such interest, penalties, costs or expenses arising as a result of a failure by a Finance Party to make payment of such tax when due.

 

11.3                     Tax receipts

 

All taxes required by law to be deducted or withheld by an Obligor from any amounts paid or payable under the Finance Documents shall be paid by the relevant Obligor when due and the Obligor shall, within 15 days of the payment being made, deliver to the Agent for the relevant Lender evidence satisfactory to that Lender acting reasonably (including any relevant tax receipts which have been received) that the payment has been duly remitted to the appropriate authority.

 

11.4                     Qualifying Lenders

 

(a)                                An Obligor is not required to pay to a Lender any amounts under Clause 11.1 (Gross-up) or Clause 11.2 (Indemnity) in respect of Relevant Tax imposed by the United Kingdom if, on the date on which the payment falls due, the relevant Lender is a Party but is not a Qualifying Lender (other than as a result of the introduction, suspension, withdrawal or cancellation of, or change in, or change in the official interpretation, administration or official application of, any law, regulation having the force of law, tax treaty or any published practice or published concession of any relevant taxing authority in any jurisdiction with which the relevant Lender has a

 

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connection, occurring after the Signing Date or, if later, the date on which that Lender becomes a Party).

 

(b)                               A Treaty Lender shall:

 

(i)                                   promptly and, in any event, within seven Business Days after it becomes a Lender, deliver to its local revenue authority for certification such UK HMRC forms (“ Claim Forms ”) as may be required for any Obligor making a payment to such Treaty Lender to obtain authorisation from the UK HMRC to make such payment without deduction for or on account of any taxes;

 

(ii)                               in circumstances where the procedure for Treaty relief contemplated in paragraph (i) above requires a local revenue authority to return a certified Claim Form to the Treaty Lender for submission by that Treaty Lender to the UK HMRC, (a) take all reasonable follow up action available to the Treaty Lender to facilitate the return in a timely manner to the Treaty Lender of such Claim Form, duly stamped or certified by the relevant revenue authority and (b) submit such Claim Form to the UK HMRC as soon as reasonably practicable (and in any event within seven Business Days) after receipt of that Claim Form from the local revenue authority; and

 

(iii)                           in all other circumstances relating to the Treaty relief procedure contemplated in (i) above, following the submission of Claim Forms by the Treaty Lender to the relevant local revenue authority, respond promptly to any further requests any Treaty Lender receives from the relevant local revenue authority and, on receipt of written request from Vodafone to do so, take all reasonable follow up action to facilitate the submission by the relevant local revenue authority of duly stamped or certified Claim Forms to the UK HMRC in a timely manner.

 

If there is any change in the procedure by which certification is to be made or to be notified to the UK HMRC, the Treaty Lender’s obligations shall be modified in such manner as the Treaty Lender may reasonably determine so that such amended obligations shall, as far as possible, have the same or equivalent effect as the original obligations. No Obligor resident in the UK shall be liable to pay any sums to any Treaty Lender under Clause 11.1 (Gross-up) or Clause 11.2 (Indemnity) unless the Treaty Lender has complied with its obligations under this Clause 11.4(b).

 

(c)                                Subject to paragraph (d) below, each Lender warrants to Vodafone, on each date upon which it makes an Advance and on the due date for each payment of interest to the Lender:

 

(i)                                   that it is a Qualifying Lender; and

 

(ii)                               if it is a Treaty Lender, it has delivered (or will deliver within the time limits specified herein) the forms described in paragraph (b) above.

 

(d)                               If a Lender or, as the case may be, the Facility Office of a Lender is aware that it is or will become unable to make the warranty set out in paragraph (c) above of this Clause 11.4 it will promptly notify the Agent and Vodafone. Notwithstanding such notification to Vodafone, the Agent will promptly notify Vodafone and from the date of the first such notification received by Vodafone the warranty in paragraph (c) above will no longer be made by that Lender.

 

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11.5                     U.S. Taxes

 

(a)                                A U.S. Tax Obligor shall not be required to pay any amount pursuant to Clause 11.1 (Gross-up) or any amount pursuant to Clause 11.2 (Indemnity) in respect of Relevant Tax imposed by the United States (including, without limitation, federal, state, local or other income taxes, branch profits or franchise taxes “ U.S. Taxes ”) with respect to a sum payable by it pursuant to this Agreement to a Lender if on the date a payment of interest falls due under this Agreement either:

 

(i)                                   in the case of a Lender which is not a United States person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), such Lender is not entitled to receive interest payable under this Agreement free and clear of any U.S. Taxes imposed by way of deduction or withholding at the source under applicable law as in effect on the date such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement or, if such Lender has designated a new Facility Office, the date of such designation; or

 

(ii)                               such Lender has failed to provide the relevant U.S. Tax Obligor with the appropriate form, certificate or other information with respect to such sum payable that it was required to provide pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) below; or

 

(iii)                           such Lender is subject to such tax by reason of any connection between the Lender or its Facility Office and the jurisdiction imposing such tax on the Lender or its Facility Office other than a connection arising solely from this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

(b)                               At any time after a U.S. Tax Obligor becomes (and while there continues to be a U.S. Tax Obligor) a Party to this Agreement, if a Lender is not a United States person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) it shall submit, as soon as reasonably practicable after:

 

(i)                                   the date on which the U.S. Tax Obligor becomes a Party to this Agreement (if requested by the relevant U.S. Tax Obligor);

 

(ii)                               the date on which the relevant Lender becomes a Party to this Agreement; or

 

(iii)                           the date on which the relevant Lender designates a new Facility Office,

 

(but, in each case, no later than the due date for the next interest payment), in duplicate to each U.S. Tax Obligor duly completed and signed originals of either United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Form W-8ECI or applicable successor form relating to such Lender and evidencing such Lender’s complete exemption from withholding on all amounts (to which such withholding would otherwise apply) to be received by such Lender, including fees, pursuant to this Agreement in connection with any borrowing by a U.S. Tax Obligor. Thereafter such Lender shall submit to each U.S. Tax Obligor such additional duly completed and signed originals of one or the other such forms (or such successor forms as shall be adopted from time to time by the relevant United States taxation authorities) or any additional information, in each case as may be required under then current United States law or regulations to claim the inapplicability of or exemption from United States withholding taxes on payments in respect of all amounts (to which such withholding would otherwise apply) to be received by such Lender, including fees, pursuant to this Agreement in connection with any borrowing by a U.S. Tax Obligor unless such Lender is unable to do so as a result of a change in, the introduction of, suspension, withdrawal or cancellation of, or

 

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change in the official interpretation, administration or official application of, the Code or any regulation promulgated thereunder or of a convention or agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion between the government of the United States and the jurisdiction in which the relevant Lender has a connection, occurring after the date the Lender becomes a Party to this Agreement or, if such Lender has designated a new Facility Office, the date of such designation.

 

(c)                                At any time after a U.S. Tax Obligor becomes (and while there continues to be a U.S. Tax Obligor) a Party to this Agreement, if a Lender is a United States person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) it shall, as soon as practicable after:

 

(i)                                   the date on which the U.S. Tax Obligor becomes a Party to this Agreement (if requested by the relevant U.S. Tax Obligor);

 

(ii)                               the date on which the relevant Lender becomes a Party to this Agreement; or

 

(iii)                           the date on which the relevant Lender designates a new Facility Office,

 

(but, in each case, no later than the due date for the next interest payment), and thereafter, on or before the date that any such form expires or becomes obsolete or after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form or forms to be delivered, submit in duplicate to each U.S. Tax Obligor a duly completed and signed United States Internal Revenue form W-9 evidencing that such Lender is such a United States person and shall submit any additional information that may be necessary to avoid United States withholding taxes on all payments, including fees, (to which such withholding would otherwise apply) to be received pursuant to this Agreement in connection with any borrowing by a U.S. Tax Obligor.

 

11.6                     Refund of Tax Credits

 

If any Obligor pays any amount to a Finance Party under this Clause 11 (a “ Tax Payment ”) and that Finance Party obtains a refund of a tax, or a credit against tax by reason of either the circumstances giving rise to the Obligor’s obligation to make the Tax Payment or that Tax Payment (a “ Tax Credit ”) then that Finance Party shall reimburse that Obligor such amount, which that Finance Party determines in good faith, as can be determined to be the proportion of the Tax Credit as will leave that Finance Party (after that reimbursement) in no better or worse position than it would have been in if the Tax Payment had not been paid. Nothing in this Clause 11 shall interfere with the right of each Finance Party to arrange its affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit and no Finance Party is obliged to disclose any information regarding its tax affairs or computations to an Obligor which it reasonably considers confidential.

 

11.7                     FATCA Information

 

(a)                                Subject to paragraph (c) below, each Party must, within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by another Party;

 

(i)                                   confirm to that other Party whether it is:

 

(A)                            a FATCA Exempt Party; or

 

(B)                             not a FATCA Exempt Party; and

 

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(ii)                               supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with FATCA.

 

(b)                               If a Party confirms to another Party pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) above that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not, or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that Party must notify that other Party reasonably promptly.

 

(c)                                Paragraph (a) above shall not oblige any Party to do anything, which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of:

 

(i)                                   any law or regulation;

 

(ii)                               any fiduciary duty; or

 

(iii)                           any duty of confidentiality.

 

(d)                               If a Party fails to confirm whether or not it is a FATCA Exempt Party or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with paragraph (a)(i) or (ii) above (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where paragraph (c) above applies), then such Party is to be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents (and payments made under them) as if it is a not a FATCA Exempt Party until such time as the Party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information.

 

(e)                                If a Borrower is a U.S. Tax Obligor, or where the Agent or, as the case may be the U.S. Swingline Agent, reasonably believes that its obligations under FATCA require it, each Lender shall, within ten Business Days of:

 

(i)                                   where a Borrower is a U.S. Tax Obligor and the relevant Lender is an Original Lender, the date of this Agreement;

 

(ii)                               where a Borrower is a U.S. Tax Obligor and the relevant Lender is a New Lender, the relevant Transfer Date;

 

(iii)                           the date a new U.S. Tax Obligor accedes as a Borrower; or

 

(iv)                           where the Borrower is not a U.S. Tax Obligor, the date of a request from the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent,

 

supply to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent:

 

(v)                               a withholding certificate on Form W-8 or Form W-9 (or any successor form) (as applicable); or

 

(vi)                           any withholding statement and other documentation, authorisations and waivers as the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, may require to certify or establish the status of such Lender under FATCA.

 

The Agent shall provide any withholding certificate, withholding statement, documentation, authorisations and waivers it receives from a Lender pursuant to this paragraph (e) to the Borrower and shall be entitled to rely on any such withholding certificate, withholding statement, documentation, authorisations and waivers provided without further verification.

 

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The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, shall not be liable for any action taken by it under or in connection with this paragraph (e).

 

(f)         Each Lender agrees that if any withholding certificate, withholding statement, documentation, authorisations and waivers provided to the Agent, or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, pursuant to paragraph (e) above is or becomes materially inaccurate or incomplete, it shall promptly update it and provide such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, documentation, authorisations and waivers to the Agent unless it is unlawful for the Lender to do so (in which case the Lender shall promptly notify, in writing, the Agent, or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent). The Agent, or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, shall provide any such updated withholding certificate, withholding statement, documentation, authorisations and waivers or a copy of any such notification to the Borrower. The Agent, or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, shall not be liable for any action taken by it under or in connection with paragraphs (e) or (f).

 

11.8                     Other information

 

(a)                                Subject to paragraph (b) below, each Party must, within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by another Party, supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status as that other Party requests to enable that other Party to comply with any regulations made under section 222 of the Finance Act 2013 or any other applicable law or regulation implementing any similar international arrangements for the exchange of Tax or financial information between jurisdictions.

 

(b)                               No Party is obliged to do anything under paragraph (a) above which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of any applicable:

 

(i)                                   law or regulation;

 

(ii)                               fiduciary duty; or

 

(iii)                           duty of confidentiality.

 

11.9                     FATCA Deduction

 

(a)                                Each Party may make any FATCA Deduction it is required to make by FATCA, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, and no Party is required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes such FATCA Deduction or otherwise compensate the recipient of the payment for that FATCA Deduction.

 

(b)                               Each Party must, promptly upon becoming aware that it must make a FATCA Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of such FATCA Deduction), notify the Party to whom it is making the payment and, in addition, must notify Vodafone, the Agent, or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent and the Agent shall notify the other Finance Parties.

 

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12.                             MARKET DISRUPTION

 

12.1                     Market disturbance

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, if and each time that prior to or on a Drawdown Date relative to an Advance (other than, in the case of paragraphs (a), (b)(ii) or (c) below, a Swingline Advance) to be made:

 

(a)                                only one or no Reference Bank supplies a rate for the purposes of determining LIBOR or EURIBOR (as the case may be) in accordance with paragraph (c) of the relevant definition; or

 

(b)                               the Agent is notified by Lenders whose participations in that Advance would represent 50 per cent. or more of that Advance that (i) deposits in the currency of that Advance may not in the ordinary course of business be available to them in the Relevant Interbank Market for a period equal to the Term concerned in amounts sufficient to fund their participations in that Advance or (ii) the cost to it of obtaining matching deposits in the Relevant Interbank Market would be in excess of EURIBOR or LIBOR; or

 

(c)                                the Agent (after consultation with the Reference Banks) shall have determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon all Parties) that by reason of circumstances affecting the Relevant Interbank Market generally, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the LIBOR or EURIBOR (as the case may be) applicable to such Advance during its Term,

 

the Agent shall promptly give written notice of such determination or notification to Vodafone and to each of the Lenders.

 

12.2                     Alternative rates

 

If the Agent gives a notice under Clause 12.1 (Market disturbance):

 

(a)                                Vodafone and the Lenders whose participations in the relevant Advance would represent 50 per cent. or more of that Advance may (through the Agent) agree that (except in the case of a Rollover Advance) that Advance shall not be borrowed; or

 

(b)                               in the absence of such agreement by the Drawdown Date specified in the relevant Request (and in any event in the case of a Rollover Advance):

 

(i)                                   the Term of the relevant Advance shall be one month;

 

(ii)                               the Advance shall be made in the currency requested or, in the case of Clause 12.1(b)(i) (Market disturbance), in U.S. Dollars (or, if the currency requested for the relevant Advance is U.S. Dollars, euro); and

 

(iii)                           during the Term of the relevant Advance the rate of interest applicable to such Advance shall be the Margin plus the rate per annum notified by each Lender concerned to the Agent before the last day of such Term to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to such Lender of funding its participation in such Advance from whatever sources it may reasonably select.

 

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13.                             INCREASED COSTS

 

13.1                     Increased costs

 

(a)                                Except as provided below in this Clause 13, Vodafone will forthwith on demand by a Finance Party pay that Finance Party the amount of any increased cost incurred by it or any of its Affiliates as a result of

 

(i)                                   the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation (including any relating to reserve asset, special deposit, cash ratio, liquidity or capital adequacy requirements or any other form of banking or monetary control) ;

 

(ii)                               the compliance with any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement; or

 

(iii)                           without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the implementation or application of or compliance with Basel III or CRD IV or any other law or regulation which implements Basel III or CRD IV (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates)

 

(b)                               Subject to Clause 13.3 (Basel III cost claims), promptly following the service of any demand, Vodafone will pay to that Finance Party such amount as that Finance Party certifies in the demand (with sufficient details for the calculations to be verified) will in its reasonable opinion compensate it for the applicable increased cost and in relation to the period expressed to be covered by such demand.

 

(c)                                When calculating an increased cost, a Finance Party will only apply the costs incurred in relation to the Facilities. Nothing contained in this Clause 13.1 shall oblige the Finance Party to disclose any information (other than information which is readily available in the public domain or which is not in the reasonable opinion of the Finance Party confidential) relating to the way in which it employs its capital or arranges its internal financial affairs.

 

(d)                               In this Agreement “ increased cost ” means:

 

(i)                                   an additional cost incurred by a Finance Party or any of its Holding Companies as a result of it performing, maintaining or funding its obligations under, this Agreement; or

 

(ii)                               that portion of an additional cost incurred by a Finance Party or any of its Holding Companies in making, funding or maintaining all or any advances comprised in a class of advances formed by or including its participations in the Advances made or to be made under this Agreement as is attributable to it making, funding or maintaining its participations; or

 

(iii)                           a reduction in any amount payable to a Finance Party or the effective return to a Finance Party under this Agreement or on its capital (or the capital of any of its Holding Companies); or

 

(iv)                           the amount of any payment made by a Finance Party, or the amount of interest or other return foregone by a Finance Party, calculated by reference

 

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to any amount received or receivable by a Finance Party from any other Party under this Agreement.

 

13.2                     Exceptions

 

Clause 13.1 (Increased costs) does not apply to any increased cost:

 

(a)                                attributable to any tax or amounts in respect of tax; or

 

(b)                               occurring as a result of any negligence or default by a Lender or its Holding Company relating to a breach of any law or regulation including but not limited to a breach by that Lender or Holding Company of any fiscal, monetary or capital adequacy limit imposed on it by any law or regulation; or

 

(c)                                to the extent that the increased cost was incurred in respect of any day more than six months before the first date on which it was reasonably practicable to notify Vodafone thereof (except in the case of any retrospective change); or

 

(d)                               attributable to the implementation or application of or compliance with the “International Convergence of Capital Measurement and Capital Standards, a Revised Framework” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in June 2004 in the form existing on the date of this Agreement (“ Basel II ”) or any other law or regulation which implements Basel II (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates). For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not include any amendments, supplements, restatements or changes to Basel II to implement Basel III; or

 

(e)                                attributable to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party.

 

13.3                     Basel III Cost claims

 

(a)                                Vodafone need not make any payment for a Basel III Cost, except to the extent that the Basel III Cost is attributable to an amount of an Advance(s) which has been drawn at any time by an Obligor under this Agreement.

 

(b)                               Without limiting Clause 13.2 (Exceptions) Vodafone need not make any payment for a Basel III Cost unless the claiming Finance Party:

 

(i)                                   provides reasonable detail of the basis of calculation of such Basel III Costs provided that this obligation to provide reasonable detail does not extend to information and detail that a Finance Party considers it is not legally allowed to disclose, is confidential to third parties, is confidential for internal reasons or is price-sensitive in relation to listed shares or other instruments issued by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates;

 

(ii)                               confirms to Vodafone that it is the Finance Party’s policy to claim Basel III Costs to a similar extent from similar borrowers in relation to similar facilities; and

 

(iii)                           confirms to Vodafone that it is making a claim for those Basel III Costs within three months of incurring them.

 

(c)                                If any claim by any Finance Party is made under this Clause 13 (Increased Costs) in respect of Basel III Costs, that Finance Party and Vodafone shall enter into

 

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discussions (for a period not exceeding 15 Business Days) as to the basis for such claim and whether it is reasonable for Vodafone to pay such claim in the circumstances.

 

(d)                               If no agreement is reached in respect of the payment of such claim within 15 Business Days of the claim being made, the relevant Finance Party may, within 15 Business Days after the end of such period and by ten Business Days’ prior notice to Vodafone:

 

(i)                                   cancel its Commitments with immediate effect; and

 

(ii)                               demand the prepayment of its share of all Advances then outstanding together with accrued interest thereon and all other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents.

 

(e)                                On the expiry of the ten Business Days’ notice period referred to in paragraph (d) above, Vodafone (or, if applicable, the relevant Borrower) shall pay to the Agent for that Finance Party:

 

(i)                                   the participations of that Lender in all outstanding Advances together with accrued interest;

 

(ii)                               the increased costs originally claimed by that Lender and the increased costs continuing to be incurred by it for the period until payment by Vodafone in full under this Clause 13.3 (Basel III Cost claims);

 

(iii)                           any amounts payable pursuant to Clause 24.3 (Breakage Costs); and

 

(iv)                           all amounts owing to that Finance Party under the Finance Documents.

 

14.                             ILLEGALITY AND MITIGATION

 

14.1                     Illegality

 

If it becomes unlawful in any jurisdiction for a Lender to give effect to any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund or maintain its participation in any Advance, then the Lender may notify Vodafone through the Agent accordingly and thereupon, but only to the extent necessary to remove the illegality:

 

(a)                                the Lender’s Available Commitment shall be cancelled immediately; and

 

(b)                               to the extent that the Lender’s participation has not been transferred pursuant to Clause 27.5 (Replacement of Lenders), each Borrower shall, upon request from that Lender within the period allowed or if no period is allowed, forthwith, repay any participation of that Lender in the Advances made to it together with all other amounts payable by it to that Lender under this Agreement and that Lender’s Commitment shall be cancelled immediately in the amount of the participations repaid.

 

14.2                     Mitigation

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of Clauses 9.1 (Interest rate for all Advances), 11 (Taxes), 13 (Increased Costs) and 14.1 (Illegality), if in relation to a Finance Party circumstances arise which would result in:

 

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(a)                                any deduction, withholding or payment of the nature referred to in Clause 11 (Taxes); or

 

(b)                               any increased cost of the nature referred to in Clause 13 (Increased Costs); or

 

(c)                                a notification pursuant to Clause 14.1 (Illegality),

 

then without in any way limiting, reducing or otherwise qualifying the rights of such Finance Party or the Agent, such Finance Party shall promptly upon becoming aware of the same notify the Agent thereof (whereupon the Agent shall promptly notify Vodafone) and such Finance Party shall use reasonable endeavours to transfer its participation in the Facility and its rights hereunder and under the Finance Documents to another financial institution or Facility Office not affected by circumstances having the results set out in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) above and shall otherwise take such reasonable steps as may be open to it to mitigate the effects of such circumstances provided that such Finance Party shall not be under any obligation to take any such action if, in its opinion, to do so would or would be likely to have a material adverse effect upon its business, operations or financial condition or would involve it in any unlawful activity or any activity that is contrary to its policies or any request, guidance or directive of any competent authority (whether or not having the force of law) or (unless indemnified to its satisfaction) would involve it in any significant expense or tax disadvantage.

 

15.                             GUARANTEE

 

15.1                     Guarantee

 

Each Guarantor jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally:

 

(a)                                as principal obligor, guarantees to each Finance Party that if and whenever:

 

(i)                                   an amount is due and payable by a Borrower under or in connection with any Finance Document; and

 

(ii)                               demand for payment of that amount has been made by the Agent on that Borrower,

 

that Guarantor will forthwith on demand by the Agent pay that amount as if that Guarantor instead of that Borrower were expressed to be the principal obligor; and

 

(b)                               indemnifies each Finance Party on demand against any loss or liability suffered by it if any obligation guaranteed by any Guarantor is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal (the amount of that loss being the amount expressed to be payable by the relevant Borrower in respect of the relevant sum).

 

15.2                     Continuing guarantee

 

This guarantee is a continuing guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of all sums payable by the Borrowers under the Finance Documents, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in part.

 

15.3                     Reinstatement

 

(a)                                Where any discharge (whether in respect of the obligations of any Borrower or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is made in whole or in part or any

 

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arrangement is made on the faith of any payment, security or other disposition which is avoided or must be restored on insolvency, liquidation or otherwise without limitation, the liability of the Guarantors under this Clause 15 shall continue as if the discharge or arrangement had not occurred (but only to the extent that such payment, security or other disposition is avoided or restored).

 

(b)                               Each Finance Party may concede or compromise any claim that any payment, security or other disposition is liable to avoidance or restoration.

 

15.4                     Waiver of defences

 

The obligations of each Guarantor under this Clause 15 will not be affected by any act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this provision, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this Clause 15 or prejudice or diminish those obligations in whole or in part, including (whether or not known to it or any Finance Party):

 

(a)                                any time or waiver granted to, or composition with, any Borrower or other person;

 

(b)                               the release of any other Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any member of the Consolidated Group;

 

(c)                                the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Obligor or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

 

(d)                               any incapacity or lack of powers, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of a Borrower or any other person;

 

(e)                                any variation (however fundamental) or replacement of a Finance Document so that references to that Finance Document in this Clause 15 shall include each variation or replacement;

 

(f)                                 any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document, to the intent that the Guarantors’ obligations under this Clause 15 shall remain in full force and its guarantee be construed accordingly, as if there were no unenforceability, illegality or invalidity; and

 

(g)                                any postponement, discharge, reduction, non-provability or other similar circumstance affecting any obligation of any Borrower under a Finance Document resulting from any insolvency, liquidation or dissolution proceedings or from any law, regulation or order so that each such obligation shall, for the purposes of the Guarantors’ obligations under this Clause 15, be construed as if there were no such circumstance.

 

15.5                     Immediate recourse

 

Except as provided in Clause 15.1(a)(ii) (Guarantee), each Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from that Guarantor under this Clause 15.

 

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15.6                     Appropriations

 

Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Borrowers under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may:

 

(a)                                refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by that Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and no Guarantor shall be entitled to the benefit of the same; and

 

(b)                               hold in a suspense account (bearing interest at a commercial rate) any moneys received from any Guarantor or on account of that Guarantor’s liability under this Clause 15, with any interest earned being credited to that account.

 

15.7                     Non-competition

 

Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Borrowers under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been paid in full, no Guarantor shall, after a claim has been made or by virtue of any payment or performance by it under this Clause 15:

 

(a)                                be subrogated to any rights, security or moneys held, received or receivable by any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) or be entitled to any right of contribution or indemnity in respect of any payment made or moneys received on account of that Guarantor’s liability under this Clause 15; or

 

(b)                               claim, rank, prove or vote as a creditor of any Borrower or its estate in competition with any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf); or

 

(c)                                receive, claim or have the benefit of any payment, distribution or security from or on account of any Borrower, or exercise any right of set-off as against any Borrower.

 

Each Guarantor shall hold in trust for and forthwith pay or transfer to the Agent for the Finance Parties any payment or distribution or benefit of security received by it contrary to this Clause 15.7.

 

15.8                     Additional security

 

This guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other security now or hereafter held by any Finance Party.

 

15.9                     Removal of Guarantors

 

(a)                                Any Guarantor (other than, Vodafone (subject to paragraph (b) below) and, following the Reorganisation Date, NewTopco and any Intermediate Holding Company (subject to paragraph (c) below) of Vodafone) which is not a Borrower, may, at the request of Vodafone and if no Default is continuing, cease to be a Guarantor by entering into a supplemental agreement to this Agreement at the cost of Vodafone in such form as the Agent may reasonably require which shall discharge that Guarantor’s obligations as a Guarantor under this Agreement.

 

(b)                               If on the Reorganisation Date, NewTopco or any Intermediate Holding Company have acceded as Guarantors in accordance with Clause 27.7 (Additional Guarantors)

 

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and no Default is continuing or would result from Vodafone’s resignation as a Guarantor, Vodafone may cease to be a Guarantor with effect from the Reorganisation Date by entering into a supplemental agreement to this Agreement at the cost of Vodafone or NewTopco in such form as the Agent may reasonably require which shall discharge Vodafone’s obligations as a Guarantor under this Agreement.

 

(c)                                If NewTopco has acceded as a Guarantor in accordance with Clause 27.7 (Additional Guarantors) and no Default is continuing or would result from Intermediate Holding Company’s resignation as a Guarantor, Intermediate Holding Company may cease to be a Guarantor by entering into a supplemental agreement to this Agreement at the cost of Vodafone or NewTopco in such form as the Agent may reasonably require which shall discharge Intermediate Holding Company’s obligation as a Guarantor under this Agreement.

 

(d)                               Any Party retiring as a Guarantor in accordance with paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) above (a “ Retiring Guarantor ”) for the purpose of any sale or other disposal of that Retiring Guarantor then on the date such Retiring Guarantor ceases to be a Guarantor:

 

(i)                                   that Retiring Guarantor is released by each other Guarantor from any liability (whether past, present or future and whether actual or contingent) to make a contribution to any other Guarantor arising by reason of the performance by any other Guarantor of its obligations under the Finance Documents; and

 

(ii)                               each other Guarantor waives any rights it may have by reason of the performance of its obligations under the Finance Documents to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Finance Parties under any Finance Document or of any other security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, any Finance Document where such rights or security are granted by or in relation to the assets of the Retiring Guarantor.

 

15.10             Limitation on guarantee of U.S. Guarantors

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Clause 15, the obligations of each Guarantor incorporated in the United States (other than NewTopco and any Intermediate Holding Company, to the extent incorporated in the United States) (a “ U.S. Guarantor ”) under this Clause 15 shall be limited to a maximum aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any applicable provisions of comparable state law (collectively, the “ Fraudulent Transfer Laws ”), in each case after giving effect to all other liabilities of such U.S. Guarantor, contingent or otherwise, that are relevant under the Fraudulent Transfer Laws (specifically excluding, however, any liabilities of such U.S. Guarantor in respect of intercompany indebtedness to the Borrowers or Affiliates of the Borrowers to the extent that such indebtedness would be discharged in an amount equal to the amount paid by such U.S. Guarantor hereunder) and after giving effect as assets to the value (as determined under the applicable provisions of the Fraudulent Transfer Laws) of any rights to subrogation, contribution, reimbursement, indemnity or similar rights of such U.S. Guarantor pursuant to (a) applicable law or (b) any agreement providing for an equitable allocation among such U.S. Guarantor and other Affiliates of the Borrowers of obligations arising under guarantees by such parties.

 

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16.                             REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

16.1                     Representations and warranties

 

Each Obligor makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 16 to each Finance Party (in respect of itself and where relevant its Controlled Subsidiaries only).

 

16.2                     Status

 

(a)                                It is a duly incorporated and validly existing corporation under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation.

 

(b)                               Except to the extent specified in the applicable Borrower Accession Agreement or Guarantor Accession Agreement, each Obligor is classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

 

16.3                     Powers and authority

 

It has the power to:

 

(a)                                enter into and comply with, all obligations expressed on its part under the Finance Documents;

 

(b)                               (in the case of a Borrower) to borrow under this Agreement; and

 

(c)                                (in the case of a Guarantor) to give the guarantee in Clause 15 (Guarantee),

 

and has taken all necessary actions to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the Finance Documents.

 

16.4                     Non-violation

 

The execution, delivery and performance of the Finance Documents will not violate:

 

(a)                                any provisions of any existing law or regulation or statute applicable to it; or

 

(b)                               to any material extent, any provisions of any mortgage, contract or other undertaking to which it or any of its Controlled Subsidiaries which is a member of the Restricted Group is a party or which is binding upon it or any of its Controlled Subsidiaries which is a member of the Restricted Group, the consequences of which would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Obligors (taken as a whole) to perform their material obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

16.5                     Borrowing limits

 

Borrowings under this Agreement up to and including the maximum amount available under this Agreement, together with borrowings under the 2019 Facility up to and including the maximum amount available under the 2019 Facility, will not cause any limit (except to the extent the limit has been waived) on borrowings or, as the case may be, on the giving of guarantees (whether imposed in its Articles of Association or otherwise), or on the powers of its board of directors, applicable to it to be exceeded.

 

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16.6                     Authorisations

 

All necessary consents or authorisations of any governmental authority or agency required by it in connection with the execution, validity, performance or enforceability of the Finance Documents have been obtained and are validly existing.

 

16.7                     No default

 

Neither it nor any of its Controlled Subsidiaries which is a member of the Restricted Group is in default under any law or agreement by which it is bound the consequences of which would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Obligors (taken as a whole) to perform their payment obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

16.8                     Accounts

 

The audited consolidated financial statements of Vodafone (or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco) most recently delivered to the Agent (which, at the date of this Agreement are the audited consolidated accounts of Vodafone for the year ended 31 March 2014)):

 

(a)                                give a true and fair view of the consolidated financial position of Vodafone (or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco) as at the date to which they were drawn up; and

 

(b)                               have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied by Vodafone (or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco) at such time, consistently applied except for changes disclosed in such financial statements which are necessary to reflect a change in generally accepted accounting principles or the adoption of international finance reporting standards.

 

16.9                     No Event of Default

 

No Event of Default has occurred and is continuing in respect of it or any of its Subsidiaries which is a member of the Restricted Group.

 

16.10             Investment Company

 

Each Borrower which is a U.S. Obligor either (i) is not an investment company as defined under United States Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (ii) is exempt from the registration provisions of the Act pursuant to an exemption under that Act.

 

16.11             ERISA

 

(a)                                Each member of the Controlled USA Group has fulfilled its obligations under the minimum funding standards of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan maintained by such member or any member of the Controlled USA Group where non-fulfilment of such obligations would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Obligors (taken as a whole) to perform their payment obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

(b)                               Each Obligor is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and any other applicable United States Federal or State law with respect to each Plan maintained by such Obligor where non-fulfilment of or non-compliance with such provisions would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Obligors (taken as a whole) to perform their payment obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

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(c)                                No Reportable Event has occurred with respect to any Plan maintained by an Obligor or any member of the Controlled USA Group and no steps have been taken to reorganise or terminate any Single Employer Plan or by that Obligor to effect a complete or partial withdrawal from any Multi-employer Plan where non-compliance or such Reportable Event, reorganisation, termination or withdrawal would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Obligors (taken as a whole) to perform their payment obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

(d)                               No member of the Controlled USA Group has:

 

(i)                                   sought a waiver of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Code in respect of any Plan; or

 

(ii)                               failed to make any contribution or payment to any Single Employer Plan or Multi-employer Plan, or made any amendment to any Plan, and no other event, transaction or condition has occurred which has resulted or would result in the imposition of a lien or the posting of a bond or other security under ERISA or the Code; or

 

(iii)                           incurred any material, actual liability under Title I or Title IV of ERISA other than a liability to the PBGC for premiums under Section 4007 of ERISA,

 

if such seeking, failure or incurrence would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Obligors (taken as a whole) to perform their payment obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

16.12             Anti-Terrorism Laws

 

In this Clause 16.12,

 

Anti-Terrorism Law means each of:

 

(a)                                Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing: Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism issued September 23, 2001, as amended by Order 13268 (as so amended, the Executive Order );

 

(b)                               the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56 (commonly known as the USA Patriot Act) (the USA Patriot Act );

 

(c)                                the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, 18 U.S.C. sect. 1956; and

 

(d)                               any similar law enacted in the United States subsequent to the date of this Agreement.

 

Restricted Party means any person listed:

 

(a)                                in the Annex to the Executive Order;

 

(b)                               on the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons” list maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury; or

 

(c)                                in any successor list to either of the foregoing.

 

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(d)                               No U.S. Obligor or any of its Subsidiaries:

 

(i)                                   is, or is controlled by, a Restricted Party;

 

(ii)                               to the best of its knowledge, has received funds or other property from a Restricted Party; or

 

(iii)                           to the best of its knowledge, is in breach of or is the subject of any action or investigation under any Anti-Terrorism Law.

 

(e)                                Each U.S. Obligor and each of its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable measures to ensure compliance with the Anti-Terrorism Laws.

 

16.13             Sanctions

 

To the best of its and its Subsidiaries’ knowledge, neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the best of its knowledge, any director, officer, agent or, in respect of Vodafone as at the Signing Date only and in the case of an Obligor which becomes a Party after the Signing Date, the date on which it executes a Borrower Accession Agreement or Guarantor Accession Agreement only, any employee or affiliate of it or any of its Subsidiaries are currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (OFAC) or any equivalent sanctions administered or enforced by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs or other relevant sanctions authority.

 

16.14             Times for making representations and warranties

 

(a)                                The representations and warranties set out in this Clause 16 (excluding Clause 16.10 (Investment Company) to Clause 16.12 (Anti-Terrorism Laws) (inclusive)):

 

(i)                                   are made by Vodafone on the Signing Date and, in the case of an Obligor which becomes a Party after the Signing Date, will be deemed to be made by that Obligor on the date it executes a Borrower Accession Agreement or Guarantor Accession Agreement; and

 

(ii)                               are deemed to be made again by each Obligor on the date of each Request and on each Drawdown Date with reference to the facts and circumstances then existing (except to the extent specified to the contrary in Clause 16.13 (Sanctions)).

 

(b)                               The representation and warranties set out in Clauses 16.10 (Investment Company), 16.11 (ERISA) and 16.12 (Anti-Terrorism Laws):

 

(i)                                   are made by Vodafone on the date on which the first U.S. Obligor executes a Borrower Accession Agreement or a Guarantor Accession Agreement as the case may be;

 

(ii)                               are deemed to be made by each Obligor which becomes a party after the Signing Date on the date it executes a Borrower Accession Agreement or Guarantor Accession Agreement, provided that there is a U.S. Obligor;

 

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(iii)                           are deemed to be made again by each Obligor on the date of each Request and on each Drawdown Date with reference to the facts and circumstances then existing, provided that there is a U.S. Obligor.

 

17.                             UNDERTAKINGS

 

17.1                     Duration

 

The undertakings in this Clause 17 will remain in force from the Signing Date for so long as any amount is or may be outstanding under this Agreement or any Commitment is in force.

 

17.2                     Financial information

 

Vodafone shall supply to the Agent:

 

(a)                                as soon as the same are publicly available (and in any event within 180 days of the end of each of its financial years):

 

(i)                                   the audited consolidated financial statements of the Consolidated Group for that financial year; and

 

(ii)                               (if published) each other Obligor’s audited statutory accounts for that financial year, consolidated if that Obligor has Subsidiaries and consolidated accounts are prepared and published;

 

(b)                               as soon as the same are publicly available (and in any event within 90 days of the end of the first half-year of each of its financial years) the interim unaudited financial statements of the Consolidated Group for that half-year;

 

(c)                                within 20 days of the day on which the accounts referred to in paragraph (a)(i) above or (b) above are posted on Vodafone’s website in accordance with paragraph (e) below (provided that it shall not be a Default under this Clause 17.2 unless Vodafone fails to so supply within 10 days of written request by the Agent (on its own accord or at the request of a Lender) made at any time following the date of such posting) a certificate signed by a Vodafone authorised officer (or following a Hive Up, a NewTopco authorised officer), or in their absence any director of Vodafone or NewTopco, as the case may be, establishing (in reasonable detail) compliance with Clauses 17.8 (Priority borrowing) and 18 (Financial Covenant) as at the date to which those accounts were drawn up and identifying the Principal Subsidiaries and the operating Subsidiaries which are Controlled Subsidiaries; and

 

(d)                               if, after the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to paragraph (c) above and prior to the date that the next certificate is required to be delivered, a Principal Subsidiary ceases to be Principal Subsidiary as a result of (A) a sale or transfer to or a merger into or with an entity which is not a member of the Restricted Group or (B) the acquisition of a new Principal Subsidiary, a certificate signed by a Vodafone authorised officer (or following a Hive Up, a NewTopco authorised officer), or in their absence any director of Vodafone or NewTopco, as the case may be, which identifies the Principal Subsidiary which has ceased to be a Principal Subsidiary and the new Principal Subsidiary.

 

(e)                                Reports required to be delivered pursuant to clauses (a)(i) and (b) above for Vodafone shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which Vodafone posts such reports to its website on the Internet at the website address listed for Vodafone in

 

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Clause 33.2(d) (Addresses for notices) or another relevant website to which the Agent and the Lenders have access and such posting shall be deemed to satisfy the reporting requirements of paragraphs (a)(i) and (a)(ii) above. The Borrower shall provide paper copies of the deliverables required by paragraphs (c) above and (d) above to the Agent (in sufficient copies for all the Lenders if the Agent so requests).

 

17.3                     Information – miscellaneous

 

Vodafone shall supply to the Agent:

 

(a)                                all documents despatched by the ultimate Holding Company of the Controlled Group to its shareholders (or any class of them) or by Vodafone or such ultimate Holding Company to the creditors of the Controlled Group generally (or any class of them) at the same time as they are despatched; and

 

(b)                               as soon as reasonably practicable, such further publicly available information (including that required to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures) in the possession or control of any member of the Controlled Group regarding the business, financial or corporate affairs of the Controlled Group, as the Agent may reasonably request,

 

17.4                     Notification of Default

 

Vodafone shall notify the Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of it.

 

17.5                     Authorisations

 

Each Obligor shall promptly:

 

(a)                                obtain, maintain and comply in all material respects with the terms of; and

 

(b)                               if requested, supply certified copies to the Agent of,

 

any authorisation required under any law or regulation to enable it to perform its obligations under, or for the validity or enforceability of, any Finance Document.

 

17.6                     Pari passu ranking

 

Each Obligor will procure that its obligations under the Finance Documents do and will rank at least pari passu with all its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated obligations (save for those obligations mandatorily preferred by applicable law).

 

17.7                     Negative pledge

 

No Obligor will, and each Obligor will procure that none of its Subsidiaries which is a member of the Restricted Group will, create or permit to subsist any Security Interest on or over any of its assets except for any Permitted Security Interest.

 

17.8                     Priority borrowing

 

Each Obligor will procure that none of its Subsidiaries (which is a member of the Restricted Group and which is not a Guarantor) will create, assume, incur, guarantee, permit to subsist or

 

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otherwise be liable in respect of any Financial Indebtedness owed to persons outside the Restricted Group except for:

 

(a)                                Financial Indebtedness of any Subsidiary which became a member of the Restricted Group after 1 February 2015 (unless it became a member of the Restricted Group due to the expansion of the definition of Core Jurisdiction to include members of the European Union after 1 February 2015) provided that:

 

(i)                                   any such Financial Indebtedness is either (A) outstanding before that Subsidiary becomes a member of the Restricted Group and was not created in contemplation of that Subsidiary becoming a member of the Restricted Group and/or (B) drawn at any time under commitments in existence before that Subsidiary becomes a member of the Restricted Group (“ Existing Commitment ”) and that commitment was not created in contemplation of that Subsidiary becoming a member of the Restricted Group and/or (C) drawn at any time under commitments (“ New Commitments ”) which have refinanced Existing Commitments in whole or in part, to the extent that any such New Commitments do not exceed the Existing Commitments, and provided that to the extent that any New Commitment is to be guaranteed by an Obligor, the obligors under the New Commitments will have validly and legally acceded as Additional Guarantors in accordance with Clauses 27.7(a) and 27.7(b) (Additional Guarantors)) prior to any Obligor providing a guarantee of the New Commitments; and

 

(ii)                               to the extent that the aggregate principal amount of such Financial Indebtedness exceeds the amounts calculated under paragraph (i) above upon that Subsidiary becoming a member of the Restricted Group (measured in the same currency), the excess amount of such Financial Indebtedness shall not fall within this paragraph (a); or

 

(b)                               Financial Indebtedness under finance or structured tax lease arrangements (including, but not limited to qualifying technological equipment leases) to the extent matched as part of those arrangements by deposits of cash or cash equivalent investments (including, but not limited to securities issued by G7 governments) or other securities rated at least A by S&P or A2 by Moody’s or A by Fitch which are treated by the creditor concerned as available to reduce its net exposure; or

 

(c)                                Financial Indebtedness which is created with the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders; or

 

(d)                               Financial Indebtedness to the extent matched by cash balances or cash equivalent investments (including, but not limited to securities issued by G7 governments) or other securities rated at least A by S&P or A2 by Moody’s or A by Fitch, held by members of the Restricted Group which are treated as available for netting by the creditors to whom that Financial Indebtedness is owed under cash management or netting arrangements in the ordinary course of business; or

 

(e)                                Financial Indebtedness under any finance lease or structured tax lease arrangements (including, but not limited to qualifying technological equipment leases) entered into in respect of assets which were or are acquired or become part of the Restricted Group after 1 March 2015; or

 

(f)                                 Financial Indebtedness under or in connection with any other finance lease entered into in respect of existing assets or future assets (to the extent they are subject to

 

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Security Interests contemplated under paragraph (j) of the definition of “Permitted Security Interest”); or

 

(g)                                Financial Indebtedness under Back to Back Loans; or

 

(h)                               Financial Indebtedness of any member of the Controlled Group which operates as a finance company to the extent that any such Financial Indebtedness is on-lent to an Obligor or to a member of the Controlled Group outside the Restricted Group; or

 

(i)                                   Financial Indebtedness that has been defeased to the extent that it is subject to Security Interests contemplated under paragraph (u) of the definition of “Permitted Security Interest”; or

 

(j)                                   Financial Indebtedness incurred solely in contemplation of an initial public offering or other disposal of the companies or partnerships incurring such Financial Indebtedness, to the extent that (i) the aggregate principal amount of such Financial Indebtedness does not exceed U.S.$5,000,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) whilst such Financial Indebtedness is owed by a member of the Restricted Group; and (ii) the creditors in respect of such Financial Indebtedness have recourse for no more than ninety days to any member of the Controlled Group which is or whose assets are not intended to be subject to the initial public offering or disposal; or

 

(k)                               Project Finance Indebtedness; or

 

(l)                                   Financial Indebtedness owed to persons outside the Restricted Group under guarantees or other legally binding assurances against financial loss granted by Vodafone Deutschland GmbH or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of any asset, undertaking or business not forming part of the mobile or wireless telecommunications business of the Restricted Group; or

 

(m)                           Financial Indebtedness under this Agreement; or

 

(n)                               other Financial Indebtedness to the extent that the sum of:

 

(i)                                   the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Financial Indebtedness of all the members of the Restricted Group which are not Guarantors and owed to persons outside the Restricted Group (other than Financial Indebtedness under paragraphs (a) to (m) above inclusive); plus

 

(ii)                               the aggregate unpaid principal amount of Financial Indebtedness secured by Security Interests referred to in paragraph (w) of the definition of “Permitted Security Interest” (to the extent not falling within paragraph (i) above),

 

does not exceed €3,500,000,000 or its equivalent in other currencies.

 

Compliance with this Clause 17.8 will be tested on the last day of each financial half year. For the purposes of paragraph (n) above, Financial Indebtedness of the Restricted Group not denominated in (or which has not been swapped into) Sterling shall be notionally converted (from the currency in which it is denominated or, as the case may be, into which it has been swapped) to Sterling at the rate of exchange used in the management accounts of the relevant Obligor for that relevant financial quarter.

 

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17.9                     Disposals

 

No Obligor will, and each Obligor will procure that none of its Subsidiaries which is a member of the Restricted Group will, either in a single transaction or in a series of transactions, whether related or not and whether voluntarily or involuntarily, make any Asset Disposals other than:

 

(a)                                Asset Disposals:

 

(i)                                   on arm’s length terms which are, in the opinion of an Obligor, at fair market value; or

 

(ii)                               required by law or any governmental authority or agency (including without limitation any authority or agency of the European Union); or

 

(iii)                           made in good faith for the purpose of carrying on the business of the Controlled Group which it is reasonable to believe will benefit the Controlled Group; and

 

(b)                               a transfer of all or any part of the assets of the Controlled Group to NewTopco and/or any Intermediate Holding Company of Vodafone.

 

17.10             Restriction on Acquisitions

 

Vodafone will not, and will procure that no member of the Controlled Group will, make any Acquisition unless the major part of the Controlled Group’s business remains telecommunications, data communications and associated businesses.

 

17.11             Margin Stock

 

(a)                                In this Clause 17.11,

 

Margin Regulations means Regulations T, U and X issued by the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System.

 

Margin Stock means “margin stock” or “margin securities” as defined in the Margin Regulations.

 

(b)                               No Obligor may:

 

(i)                                   extend credit for the purpose, directly or indirectly, of buying or carrying Margin Stock; or

 

(ii)                               use any Advance, directly or indirectly, to buy or carry Margin Stock or for any other purpose in violation of the Margin Regulations.

 

17.12             Sanctions

 

Each Obligor shall ensure, to the best of its ability, that the proceeds of Advances will not, directly or indirectly, be lent to any person or entity (whether or not related to Vodafone) for the purpose of financing the activities of any person or for the benefit of any country currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC or any equivalent sanctions administered or enforced by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs or other relevant sanctions authority.

 

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18.                             FINANCIAL COVENANT

 

18.1                     Financial ratio

 

Vodafone will procure that for each Ratio Period the ratio of Net Debt of the Consolidated Group to two times Adjusted Group Operating Cash Flow for such Ratio Period will not exceed 3.75:1.

 

18.2                     Calculation times and periods

 

(a)                                The first test date for the financial ratio specified in Clause 18.1 (Financial ratio) will occur on 31 March 2015.

 

(b)                               Each subsequent test date will be on the last day of each financial half year and year of Vodafone or, following a Hive Up, NewTopco. The financial ratio will be calculated using data for the period (each a “ Ratio Period ”) ending on each test date and beginning 6 months before the relevant test date.

 

18.3                     Information sources

 

(a)                                Subject to adjustments that may be required by the operation of definitions in Clause 18.1 (Financial ratio), all information for calculation of the financial ratios set out in Clause 18.1 (Financial ratio) and Clause 19.5 (Cross default) will be extracted from figures denominated in the base currency (as defined in paragraph (c) below used in the preparation of and extracted from:

 

(i)                                   the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of Vodafone, or following a Hive Up, NewTopco;

 

(ii)                               the consolidated annual financial statements of Vodafone, or following a Hive Up, NewTopco; or

 

(iii)                           Vodafone’s, or following a Hive Up, NewTopco’s consolidated management accounts,

 

as the case may be, which in respect of paragraphs (i) and (ii) above were delivered to the Agent under Clauses 17.2(a)(i) and 17.2(b) (Financial information).

 

(b)                               Information from Vodafone’s, or following a Hive Up, NewTopco’s consolidated management accounts will be disclosed only when the relevant interim or annual financial statements and compliance certificates are delivered to the Agent or as required in connection with Clause 19.5(a)(ii) (Cross default).

 

(c)                                Any amount outstanding in a currency other than the currency used in the latest consolidated published financial statements (the “ base currency ”) is to be taken into account at the base currency equivalent of that amount calculated at the rate used in the latest consolidated financial statements delivered to the Agent under Clause 17.2 (Financial information) or the latest consolidated management accounts, as appropriate.

 

18.4                     Know Your Customer

 

Each Lender shall promptly upon the request of the Agent supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself) in

 

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order for the Agent to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.

 

19.                             DEFAULT

 

19.1                     Events of Default

 

Each of the events set out in Clauses 19.2 (Non-payment) to 19.15 (United States Bankruptcy Laws) (inclusive) is an Event of Default (whether or not caused by any reason whatsoever outside the control of any Obligor or any other person).

 

19.2                     Non-payment

 

An Obligor does not pay within four Business Days (the “ Initial Grace Period ”) of the due date any amount payable by it under the Finance Documents at the place at, and in the currency in, which it is expressed to be payable unless its failure to pay is caused by:

 

(a)                                administrative or technical error and payment is made within a further two Business Days after the expiry of the Initial Grace Period; or

 

(b)                               a Disruption Event and payment is made within a further four Business Days after the expiry of the Initial Grace Period.

 

19.3                     Breach of other obligations

 

(a)                                Vodafone does not comply with Clause 18 (Financial Covenant).

 

(b)                               An Obligor does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in paragraph (a) above or in Clause 19.2 (Non-payment)) and such failure (if capable of remedy before the expiry of such period) continues unremedied for a period of 21 days from the earlier of the date on which (i) such Obligor has become aware of the failure to comply or (ii) the Agent gives notice to Vodafone requiring the same to be remedied.

 

19.4                     Misrepresentation

 

A representation or warranty made or repeated by any Obligor in any Finance Document is found to be untrue in any respect material in the context of performance of the Finance Documents when made or deemed to have been made.

 

19.5                     Cross default

 

(a)                                (i)                                   Any Financial Indebtedness of any Obligor is:

 

(A)                            not paid when due or within any originally applicable grace period; or

 

(B)                             declared due, or is capable of being declared due, prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (howsoever described) except this paragraph (B) does not apply to:

 

I.                                        Financial Indebtedness quoted or listed on a stock exchange; or

 

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II.                                   Financial Indebtedness of an Obligor arising solely under paragraph (f) of the definition of “Financial Indebtedness” in Clause 1.1 (Definitions); or

 

(ii)                               any Financial Indebtedness of any Principal Subsidiary is:

 

(A)                            not paid when due or within any originally applicable grace period; or

 

(B)                             declared due prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (howsoever described) and is not paid within three Business Days of being declared due,

 

except this paragraph (ii) only applies if the ratio calculated in accordance with Clause 18.1 (Financial ratio) for the most recent Ratio Period is greater than 3.25:1; or

 

(iii)                           an Event of Default has occurred under the 2019 Facility and is continuing.

 

(b)                               Paragraph (a) above does not apply:

 

(i)                                   to Project Finance Indebtedness; or

 

(ii)                               to Financial Indebtedness which in aggregate is less than £100,000,000 (or equivalent currency); or

 

(iii)                           where the payment or occurrence of the event concerned is being contested in good faith; or

 

(iv)                           where the default is under a bond and is capable of waiver without bondholder consent; or

 

(v)                               to Financial Indebtedness owed to a member of the Restricted Group.

 

19.6                     Winding up

 

An order is made or an effective resolution is passed for winding up any Obligor or any Principal Subsidiary (except for the purposes of a reconstruction or amalgamation on terms previously approved in writing by the Majority Lenders) or a petition is presented (which is not set aside or withdrawn within the earlier of 30 days of its presentation or by not later than the date for the hearing of such petition) for an administration order or for the winding up of any Obligor or any Principal Subsidiary except where demonstrated to the reasonable satisfaction of the Majority Lenders that any such petition is being contested in good faith.

 

19.7                     Insolvency process

 

(a)                                A liquidator, administrator, receiver, trustee, sequestrator or similar officer is appointed in respect of all or any part of the assets of any Obligor or any Principal Subsidiary which generates a material part of the revenues of that Obligor or that Principal Subsidiary; or

 

(b)                               any Obligor or any Principal Subsidiary, by reason of financial difficulties, enters into a composition, assignment or a moratorium in respect of any indebtedness or arrangement with any class of its creditors.

 

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19.8                     Enforcement proceedings

 

A distress, execution, attachment or other legal process is levied, enforced or sued out upon or against all or any part of the assets of any Obligor or any Principal Subsidiary which generates a material part of the revenues of that Obligor or that Principal Subsidiary except where the same is being contested in good faith or is removed, discharged or paid within 30 days.

 

19.9                     Insolvency

 

Any Obligor or any Principal Subsidiary is deemed under Section 123(1)(e) or 123(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986 to be unable to pay its debts.

 

19.10             Similar proceedings

 

Anything having a substantially similar effect to any of the events specified in Clauses 19.6 (Winding up) to 19.9 (Insolvency) inclusive shall occur under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction in relation to any Obligor or any Principal Subsidiary.

 

19.11             Unlawfulness

 

It is or becomes unlawful for any Obligor to perform any of its payment or other material obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

19.12             Guarantee

 

The guarantee of any Guarantor under Clause 15 (Guarantee) is not effective or is alleged by an Obligor to be ineffective for any reason (other than by reason of written release or waiver by the Finance Parties or in accordance with Clause 15.9 (Removal of Guarantors)).

 

19.13             Cessation of business

 

Any Obligor or any Principal Subsidiary ceases to carry on all or substantially all of its business otherwise than:

 

(a)                                as a result of a transfer of all or any part of its business to a member of the Restricted Group; or

 

(b)                               as a result of a disposal permitted under Clause 17.9 (Disposals); or

 

(c)                                with the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders.

 

19.14             Litigation

 

Any litigation proceedings are current which are reasonably likely to be adversely determined and which would have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Obligors (taken as a whole) to perform their payment obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

19.15             United States Bankruptcy Laws

 

(a)                                In this Clause 19.15 and Clause 19.16 (Acceleration):

 

U.S. Bankruptcy Law means the United States Bankruptcy Code or any other United States Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.

 

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U.S. Debtor means an Obligor that is incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States or any State of the United States (including the District of Columbia) or that has a place of business or property in the United States.

 

(b)                               Any of the following occurs in respect of a U.S. Debtor:

 

(i)                                   it makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors;

 

(ii)                               it commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any U.S. Bankruptcy Law; or

 

(iii)                           an involuntary case under any U.S. Bankruptcy Law is commenced against it and is not controverted within 20 days or is not dismissed or stayed within 60 days after commencement of the case; or

 

(iv)                           an order for relief or other order approving any case or proceeding is entered under any U.S. Bankruptcy Law.

 

19.16             Acceleration

 

(a)                                On and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default while such event is continuing the Agent may, and if so directed by the Majority Lenders, will by notice to Vodafone, declare that an Event of Default has occurred and:

 

(i)                                   if not already cancelled under paragraph (b) below, cancel the Total Commitments; and/or

 

(ii)                               demand that all the Advances, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable, whereupon they shall become immediately due and payable; and/or

 

(iii)                           demand that all the Advances be payable on demand, whereupon they shall immediately become payable on demand.

 

(b)           If an Event of Default described in Clause 19.15 (United States Bankruptcy Laws) occurs, the Commitments which are available to any U.S. Debtor will, if not already cancelled under this Agreement, be immediately and automatically cancelled and all amounts owed by any U.S. Debtor outstanding under the Finance Documents will be immediately and automatically due and payable, without the requirement of notice or any other formality.

 

20.                             THE AGENTS, THE ARRANGERS AND THE REFERENCE BANKS

 

20.1                     Appointment and duties of the Agents

 

Each Finance Party (other than the Agent) irrevocably appoints the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents and each Swingline Lender appoints the U.S. Swingline Agent to act as its agent in relation to the Swingline Facility, and each Finance Party irrevocably authorises the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent on its behalf to perform the duties and to exercise the rights, powers and discretions that are specifically delegated to it under or in connection with the Finance Documents, together with any other incidental rights, powers and discretions. The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent shall have only those duties which are expressly specified in this Agreement. Those duties are solely of a mechanical and administrative nature.

 

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20.2                     Role of the Arrangers

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, no Arranger has any obligations of any kind to any other Party under or in connection with any Finance Document.

 

20.3                     Relationship

 

The relationship between the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent and the other Finance Parties is that of agent and principal only. Nothing in this Agreement constitutes the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent as trustee or fiduciary for any other Party or any other person and the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent need not hold in trust any moneys paid to it for a Party or be liable to account for interest on those moneys.

 

20.4                     Majority Lenders’ directions

 

(a)                                The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent will be fully protected if it acts in accordance with the instructions of the Majority Lenders in connection with the exercise of any right, power or discretion or any matter not expressly provided for in the Finance Documents. Any such instructions given by the Majority Lenders will be binding on all the Lenders. In the absence of such instructions the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may act as it considers to be in the best interests of all the Lenders.

 

(b)                               Neither the Agent nor the U.S. Swingline Agent is authorised to act on behalf of a Lender (without first obtaining that Lender’s consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document.

 

20.5                     Delegation

 

The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may act under the Finance Documents through its personnel and agents.

 

20.6 Responsibility for documentation

 

Neither the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent nor any Arranger is responsible to any other Party for:

 

(a)                                the execution, genuineness, validity, enforceability or sufficiency of any Finance Document or any other document by any other Party; or

 

(b)                               the collectability of amounts payable under any Finance Document; or

 

(c)                                the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Finance Document by any other Party.

 

20.7                     Default

 

(a)                                The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent is not obliged to monitor or enquire as to whether or not a Default has occurred. Neither the Agent nor the U.S. Swingline Agent will be deemed to have knowledge of the occurrence of a Default. However, if the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent receives notice from a Party referring to this Agreement, describing the Default and stating that the event is a Default, it shall promptly notify the Lenders of such notice.

 

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(b)                               The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may require the receipt of security satisfactory to it whether by way of payment in advance or otherwise, against any liability or loss which it will or may incur in taking any proceedings or action arising out of or in connection with any Finance Document before it commences these proceedings or takes that action.

 

20.8                     Exoneration

 

(a)                                Without limiting paragraph (b) below, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent will not be liable to any other Party for any action taken or not taken by it under or in connection with any Finance Document, unless directly caused by its negligence or wilful misconduct or breach of any of its obligations under or in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

(b)                               No Party may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent being an individual of the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent in respect of any claim it might have against the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent or in respect of any act or omission of any kind (including negligence or wilful misconduct) by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Finance Document.

 

(c)                                Any officer, employee or agent being an individual of the Agent, or as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may rely on paragraph (b) above and enforce its terms under the Contract (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999.

 

(d)                               Nothing in this Agreement shall oblige the Agent or an Arranger to carry out any “know your customer” or other checks in relation to any person on behalf of any Lender and each Lender confirms to the Agent and an Arranger that it is solely responsible for any such checks it is required to carry out and that it may not rely on any statement in relation to such checks made by the Agent or an Arranger.

 

20.9                     Reliance

 

The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may:

 

(a)                                rely on any notice or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed by, or with the authority of, the proper person;

 

(b)                               rely on any statement made by a director or employee of any person regarding any matters which may reasonably be assumed to be within his knowledge or within his power to verify; and

 

(c)                                engage, pay for and rely on legal or other professional advisers selected by it (including those in the Agent’s or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent’s employment and those representing a Party other than the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent).

 

20.10             Credit approval and appraisal

 

Without affecting the responsibility of any Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each Lender confirms that it:

 

(a)                                has made its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of each Obligor and its related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by

 

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the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent or the Arrangers in connection with any Finance Document; and

 

(b)                               will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and its related entities while any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.

 

20.11             Information

 

(a)                                The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent shall promptly forward to the person concerned the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent by a Party for that person.

 

(b)                               The Agent shall promptly supply a Lender with a copy of each document received by the Agent under Clauses 4 (Conditions Precedent), 27.7 (Additional Guarantors) or 27.8 (Additional Borrowers) upon the request and at the expense of that Lender.

 

(c)                                Except where this Agreement specifically provides otherwise, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent is not obliged to review or check the accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party.

 

(d)                               The Agent shall provide to Vodafone within five Business Days of a request by Vodafone (but no more than once per calendar month), a list (which may be in electronic form) setting out the names of the Lenders as at the date of that request, their respective Commitments, the address and fax number (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention any communication is to be made or document to be delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents), the electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by electronic mail or other electronic means to and by each Lender to whom any communication under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by that means and the account details of each Lender for any payment to be distributed by the Agent to that Lender under the Finance Documents.

 

(e)                                Except as provided above, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent has no duty:

 

(i)                                   either initially or on a continuing basis to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the financial condition or affairs of any Obligor or any related entity of any Obligor whether coming into its possession or that of any of its related entities before, on or after the Signing Date; or

 

(ii)                               unless specifically requested to do so by a Lender in accordance with this Agreement, to request any certificates or other documents from any Obligor.

 

20.12             The Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent and the Arrangers individually

 

(a)                                If it is also a Lender, each of the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent and the Arrangers has the same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise those rights and powers as though it were not the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent or an Arranger.

 

(b)                               Each of the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent and the Arrangers may:

 

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(i)                                   carry on any business with an Obligor or its related entities;

 

(ii)                               act as agent or trustee for, or in relation to any financing involving, an Obligor or its related entities; and

 

(iii)                           retain any profits or remuneration in connection with its activities under the Finance Documents, or in relation to any of the foregoing.

 

20.13             Indemnities

 

(a)                                Without limiting the liability of any Obligor under the Finance Documents, each Lender shall forthwith on demand indemnify the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent for its proportion of any liability or loss incurred by the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent in any way relating to or arising out of its acting as the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, except to the extent that the liability or loss arises directly from the Agent’s or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent’s negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

(b)                               A Lender’s proportion of the liability or loss set out in paragraph (a) above is the proportion which its Commitment bears to the Total Commitments at the date of demand or, if the Total Commitments have been cancelled, bore to the Total Commitments immediately before being cancelled.

 

20.14             Compliance

 

(a)                                The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, may refrain from doing anything which might, in its reasonable opinion, constitute a breach of any law or regulation or be otherwise actionable at the suit of any person, and may do anything which, in its reasonable opinion, is necessary or desirable to comply with any law or regulation of any jurisdiction.

 

(b)                               Without limiting paragraph (a) above, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, need not disclose any information relating to any Obligor or any of its related entities if the disclosure might, in the opinion of the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, constitute a breach of any law or regulation or any duty of secrecy or confidentiality or be otherwise actionable at the suit of any person.

 

20.15             Resignation of the Agent or the U.S. Swingline Agent

 

(a)                                Notwithstanding its irrevocable appointment, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, may resign by giving notice to the Lenders and Vodafone, in which case the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, may forthwith appoint one of its Affiliates as successor Agent or, failing that, the Majority Lenders may after consultation with Vodafone appoint a reputable and experienced bank as successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent.

 

(b)                               If the appointment of a successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent is to be made by the Majority Lenders but they have not, within 30 days after notice of resignation, appointed a successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent which accepts the appointment, the retiring Agent or, as the case may be, the retiring U.S. Swingline Agent may, following consultation with Vodafone, appoint a successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent.

 

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(c)                                The resignation of the retiring Agent or, as the case may be, retiring U.S. Swingline Agent and the appointment of any successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent will both become effective only upon the successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent notifying all the Parties that it accepts the appointment. On giving the notification and receiving such approval, the successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent will succeed to the position of the retiring Agent or, as the case may be, retiring U.S. Swingline Agent and the term “ Agent ” or, as the case may be, “ U.S. Swingline Agent ” will mean the successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent.

 

(d)                               The retiring Agent or, as the case may be, retiring U.S. Swingline Agent shall, at its own cost, make available to the successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent under this Agreement.

 

(e)                                Upon its resignation becoming effective, this Clause 20 shall continue to benefit the retiring Agent or, as the case may be, retiring U.S. Swingline Agent in respect of any action taken or not taken by it under or in connection with the Finance Documents while it was the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, and, subject to paragraph (d) above, it shall have no further obligation under any Finance Document.

 

(f)                                 The Majority Lenders may by notice to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, require it to resign in accordance with paragraph (a) above. In this event, the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent shall resign in accordance with paragraph (a) above but it shall not be entitled to appoint one of its Affiliates as successor Agent or successor U.S. Swingline Agent.

 

(g)                                Any successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original party to this Agreement.

 

(h)                               The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent shall resign in accordance with paragraph (a) above (and, to the extent applicable, shall use reasonable endeavours to appoint a successor Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, pursuant to paragraph (c) above) if on or after the date which is three months before the earliest FATCA Application Date relating to any payment to the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, under the Finance Documents, either:

 

(i)                                   the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, fails to respond to a request under Clause 11.7 (FATCA Information) and Vodafone or a Lender reasonably believes that the Agent or, as the case may be the U.S. Swingline Agent, will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date;

 

(ii)                               the information supplied by the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, pursuant to Clause 11.7 (FATCA Information) indicates that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; or

 

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(iii)                           the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, notifies Vodafone and the Lenders that the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date;

 

and (in each case) Vodafone or a Lender reasonably believes that a Party will be required to make a FATCA Deduction that would not be required if the Agent were a FATCA Exempt Party, and Vodafone or that Lender, by notice to the Agent, or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, requires it to resign.

 

20.16             Lenders

 

The Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent may treat each Lender as a Lender, entitled to payments under this Agreement and as acting through its Facility Office(s) until it has received notice from the Lender to the contrary by not less than five Business Days prior to the relevant payment.

 

20.17             Chinese wall

 

In acting as Agent, U.S. Swingline Agent or Arranger, the agency and syndications division of each of the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent and each Arranger shall be treated as a separate entity from its other divisions and departments. Any information acquired at any time by the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent or any Arranger otherwise than in the capacity of Agent, U.S. Swingline Agent or Arranger through its agency and syndications division (whether as financial advisor to any member of the Consolidated Group or otherwise) may be treated as confidential by the Agent, U.S. Swingline Agent or Arranger and shall not be deemed to be information possessed by the Agent, U.S. Swingline Agent or Arranger in their capacity as such. Each Finance Party acknowledges that the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent and the Arrangers may, now or in the future, be in possession of, or provided with, information relating to the Obligors which has not or will not be provided to the other Finance Parties. Each Finance Party agrees that, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, none of the Agent, U.S. Swingline Agent or any Arranger will be under any obligation to provide, or under any liability for failure to provide, any such information to the other Finance Parties.

 

20.18             Role of Reference Banks

 

(a)                                No Reference Bank is under any obligation to provide a quotation or any other information to the Agent.

 

(b)                               No Reference Bank will be liable for any action taken by it under or in connection with any Finance Document, or for any Reference Bank Quotation, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

(c)                                No Party (other than the relevant Reference Bank) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of any Reference Bank in respect of any claim it might have against that Reference Bank or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Finance Document, or to any Reference Bank Quotation, and any officer, employee or agent of each Reference Bank may rely on this Clause 20.18 subject to Clause 1.2 ( Construction ) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 

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20.19             Third party Reference Banks

 

A Reference Bank which is not a Party may rely on Clause 20.18 ( Role of Reference Banks ), Clause 26.2 ( Other exceptions ) and Clause 28.3 ( Confidentiality of Funding Rates and Reference Bank Quotations ) subject to Clause 1.2 ( Construction ) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 

21.                             FEES

 

21.1                     Commitment fee

 

(a)                                Vodafone shall pay to the Agent for distribution to each Lender pro rata to the proportion its Revolving Credit Commitment bears to the Total Commitments from time to time a commitment fee at the rate of 35 per cent. of the applicable Margin on any undrawn, uncancelled amount of the Total Commitments on each day.

 

(b)                               Commitment fee is calculated and accrues on a daily basis on and from the Signing Date and is payable quarterly in arrear. Accrued and unpaid commitment fee is also payable to the Agent for the relevant Lender(s) on any amount of its Revolving Credit Commitment, which is cancelled voluntarily by the Borrower at the time the cancellation takes effect (but only in respect of the period up to the date of cancellation).

 

(c)                                No commitment fee is payable to the Agent (for the account of a Lender) on any Available Commitment of that Lender for any day on which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender.

 

21.2                     Utilisation fee

 

(a)                                Vodafone shall pay to the Agent for distribution to each Lender pro rata to the proportion its Revolving Credit Commitment bears to the Total Commitments from time to time a utilisation fee in accordance with paragraphs (b) and (c) below and at the rate per annum specified in paragraph (b) below on any outstanding drawn amount of any Advance on each day.

 

(b)                               The utilisation fee will be paid on the aggregate outstanding amount of all Advances for each day upon which the outstanding Advances exceed one half of the Total Commitments, at the rate of 0.275 per cent per annum.

 

(c)                                The utilisation fee is calculated and accrues on a daily basis and is payable at the end of each Term.

 

21.3                     Agent’s fee

 

Vodafone shall pay to the Agent for its own account an agency fee in the amounts and on the dates agreed in the relevant Fee Letter.

 

21.4                     Front-end fees

 

(a)                                Vodafone shall pay to the Agent for the Original Lenders as at the Signing Date a front-end fee in the amount and on the date specified in the relevant Fee Letter.

 

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(b)                               If so agreed between Vodafone and an Additional Lender, Vodafone shall pay to such Additional Lender a front-end fee in the amounts and on the dates specified in the relevant Fee Letter.

 

21.5                     VAT

 

Any fee referred to in this Clause 21 is exclusive of any United Kingdom value added tax. If any value added tax is so chargeable, it shall be paid by Vodafone at the same time as it pays the relevant fee.

 

22.                             EXPENSES

 

22.1                     Initial and special costs

 

Vodafone shall forthwith on demand pay the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent and the Arrangers the amount of all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including but not limited to legal fees up to an amount agreed, in the case of (a)(i) below, with the Arrangers) reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with:

 

(a)                                the negotiation, preparation, printing and execution of:

 

(i)                                   this Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement; and

 

(ii)                               any other Finance Document (other than a Novation Certificate) executed after the Signing Date;

 

(b)                               any amendment, waiver, consent or suspension of rights (or any proposal for any of the foregoing) requested by or on behalf of an Obligor and relating to a Finance Document or a document referred to in any Finance Document or any amendment to this Agreement to reflect a change in currency of a country pursuant to Clause 10.4(b)(iii) (Currency); and

 

(c)                                any other agency matter not of an ordinary administrative nature, arising out of or in connection with a Finance Document in the amount agreed between the Agent and Vodafone at the relevant time.

 

22.2                     Enforcement costs

 

Vodafone shall within five Business Days of receiving written demand pay to each Finance Party the amount of all costs and expenses (including but not limited to legal fees) incurred (or in the case of (b) below reasonably incurred) by it:

 

(a)                                in connection with the enforcement of any Finance Document; or

 

(b)                               in connection with the preservation of any rights under any Finance Document.

 

23.                             STAMP DUTIES

 

Vodafone shall pay and within five Business Days of receiving written demand indemnify each Finance Party against any liability it incurs in respect of any stamp, registration or similar tax which is or becomes payable in any jurisdiction in or through which any payment under the Finance Documents is made or any Obligor is incorporated or has any assets in connection with the entry into, performance or enforcement of any Finance Document.

 

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24.                             INDEMNITIES

 

24.1                     Currency indemnity

 

(a)                                If a Finance Party receives an amount in respect of an Obligor’s liability under the Finance Documents or if that liability is converted into a claim, proof, judgment or order in a currency other than the currency (the “ Contractual Currency ”) in which the amount is expressed to be payable under the relevant Finance Document:

 

(i)                                   that Obligor shall indemnify that Finance Party as an independent obligation against any loss or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion;

 

(ii)                               if the amount received by that Finance Party, when converted into the Contractual Currency at a market rate in the usual course of its business, is less than the amount owed in the Contractual Currency, the Obligor concerned shall forthwith on demand pay to that Finance Party an amount in the Contractual Currency equal to the deficit (provided that if the amount received by the Finance Party following such conversion is greater than the amount owed, the Finance Party shall pay to such Obligor an amount equal to the excess); and

 

(iii)                           the Obligor shall pay to the Finance Party concerned on demand any exchange costs and taxes payable in connection with any such conversion.

 

(b)                               Each Obligor waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in a currency other than that in which it is expressed to be payable.

 

24.2                     Other indemnities

 

Vodafone shall forthwith on demand indemnify each Finance Party against any loss or liability which that Finance Party incurs as a consequence of:

 

(a)                                the occurrence of any Default; or

 

(b)                               the operation of Clause 19.16 (Acceleration); or

 

(c)                                any payment of principal or an Overdue Amount being received from any source otherwise than in the case of Revolving Credit Advances or Swingline Advances on its Maturity Date (and, for the purposes of this paragraph (c), the Maturity Date of an Overdue Amount is the last day of each Designated Term); or

 

(d)                               a Default or an action or omission by an Obligor resulting in an Advance not being disbursed after a Borrower has delivered a Request for that Advance.

 

Vodafone’s liability in each case includes any loss or expense, (excluding loss of Margin) in respect or on account of funds borrowed, contracted for or utilised to fund any amount payable under any Finance Document, any amount repaid or prepaid or any Advance.

 

24.3                     Breakage costs

 

If a Finance Party receives or recovers any payment of principal of an Advance or of an Overdue Amount other than on its Maturity Date or, as the case may be, the last day of the Designated Term for the purposes of calculation of the amount payable by Vodafone under

 

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sub-clause (c) of Clause 24.2 (Other indemnities) in respect of the amount so received or recovered, that Finance Party shall calculate:

 

(a)                                the additional interest (excluding the Margin) which would have been payable on the principal so received or recovered had it been received or recovered on the relevant Maturity Date or, as the case may be, the last day of the Designated Term; and

 

(b)                               the amount of interest which would have been payable to that Finance Party on the relevant Maturity Date or, as the case may be, the last day of the Designated Term concerned in respect of a deposit by that Finance Party in the currency of the amount received or recovered placed with a prime bank in London earning interest from (and including) the earliest Business Day for placing deposits in such currency following receipt of that amount up to (but excluding) the relevant Maturity Date or, as the case may be, the last day of the applicable Designated Term,

 

and if the amount payable under paragraph (a) above is greater than the amount payable under paragraph (b) above, Vodafone will, forthwith on receipt of a demand from the relevant Finance Party pursuant to sub-clause (c) of Clause 24.2 (Other indemnities), pay to that Finance Party an amount equal to the difference between the amount payable under paragraphs (a) and (b) above.

 

25.                             EVIDENCE AND CALCULATIONS

 

25.1                     Accounts

 

Accounts maintained by a Finance Party in connection with this Agreement are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate (except in a case of manifest error).

 

25.2                     Certificates and determinations

 

Any certification or determination by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under this Agreement is, in the absence of manifest error, prima facie evidence of the matters to which it relates.

 

25.3                     Calculations

 

Interest and the fees payable under Clause 21.1 (Commitment fee) accrue from day to day and are calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 360 days, or, in the case of interest at the Swingline Rate or any interest payable in an amount denominated in Sterling, 365 days.

 

26.                             AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

26.1                     Procedure

 

(a)                                Subject to Clause 26.2 (Exceptions) and Clause 26.4 (NewTopco), any term of the Finance Documents may be amended or waived with the agreement of Vodafone and the Majority Lenders. The Agent may effect, on behalf of the Lenders, an amendment to which the Majority Lenders have agreed.

 

(b)                               The Agent shall promptly notify the other Parties of any amendment or waiver effected under paragraph (a) above, and any such amendment or waiver shall be binding on all the Parties.

 

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26.2                     Exceptions

 

An amendment or waiver which relates to:

 

(a)                                the definition of “Majority Lenders” in Clause 1.1 (Definitions); or

 

(b)                               an extension of the date for, or a decrease in an amount or a change in the currency of, any payment under the Finance Documents; or

 

(c)                                an increase in or extension of a Lender’s Commitment or a change to the Margin; or

 

(d)                               a change in the guarantee under Clause 15 (Guarantee) otherwise than in accordance with Clause 27.7 (Additional Guarantors) or Clause 15.9 (Removal of Guarantors); or

 

(e)                                a term of a Finance Document which expressly requires the consent of each Lender; or

 

(f)                                 Clause 27.5 (Replacement of Lenders); or

 

(g)                                Clause 30 (Pro Rata Sharing), 2.5 (Nature of rights and obligations) or this Clause 26; or

 

(h)                               any Term exceeding six months,

 

may not be effected without the consent of each Lender. Any amendment or waiver which changes, or relates to the rights and/or obligations of the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent or a Reference Bank shall also require the Agent’s, the U.S. Swingline Agent’s or that Reference Bank’s (as applicable) agreement.

 

26.3                     Replacement of Screen Rate

 

(a)                                Subject to Clause 26.2 ( Exceptions ), if any Screen Rate is not available for a currency which can be selected for an Advance, any amendment or waiver which relates to providing for another benchmark rate to apply in relation to that currency in place of that Screen Rate (or which relates to aligning any provision of a Finance Document to the use of that other benchmark rate) may be made with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Obligors.

 

(b)                               If any Lender fails to respond to a request for an amendment or waiver described in paragraph (a) above within 5 Business Days (unless Vodafone and the Agent agree to a longer time period in relation to any request) of that request being made:

 

(i)                                   its Commitment shall not be included for the purpose of calculating the Total Commitments under the relevant Facility when ascertaining whether any relevant percentage of Total Commitments has been obtained to approve that request; and

 

(ii)                               its status as Lender shall be disregarded for the purpose of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve that request.

 

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26.4                     NewTopco

 

Any amendment substituting a reference to Vodafone with a reference to NewTopco:

 

(a)                                to any procedural or administrative provision of this Agreement; or

 

(b)                               which puts the Parties in substantially the same position as applied prior to the Hive Up,

 

may be effected by agreement between NewTopco and the Agent.

 

26.5                     Waivers and remedies cumulative

 

The rights of each Party under the Finance Documents:

 

(a)                                may be exercised as often as necessary;

 

(b)                               are cumulative and not exclusive of its rights under the general law; and

 

(c)                                may be waived only in writing and specifically.

 

Delay in exercising or non-exercise of any such right is not a waiver of that right.

 

26.6                     Disenfranchisement of Defaulting Lenders

 

(a)                                For so long as a Defaulting Lender has any Available Commitment, in ascertaining the Majority Lenders or whether any given percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of the Total Commitments has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote under the Finance Documents, that Defaulting Lender’s commitments will be reduced by the amount of its Available Commitments.

 

(b)                               For the purposes of this Clause 26.6, the Agent may assume that the following Lenders are Defaulting Lenders:

 

(i)                                   any Lender which has notified the Agent that it has become a Defaulting Lender;

 

(ii)                               any Lender in relation to which it is aware that any of the events or circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender” has occurred, and in the case of the events or circumstances referred to in paragraph (a) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender”, none of the exceptions to that paragraph apply,

 

unless it has received notice to the contrary from the Lender concerned (together with any supporting evidence reasonably requested by the Agent) or the Agent is otherwise aware that the Lender has ceased to be a Defaulting Lender.

 

26.7                     Replacement of a Defaulting Lender

 

(a)                                Vodafone may, at any time a Lender has become and continues to be a Defaulting Lender, by giving five Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent and such Lender:

 

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(i)                                   replace such Lender by requiring such Lender to (and such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 27 (Changes to the Parties) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement; or

 

(ii)                               require such Lender to (and such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 27 (Changes to the Parties) all (and not part only) of the undrawn Commitments of the Lender,

 

to a Lender or other bank or financial institution, (a “ Replacement Lender ”) selected by Vodafone, and which is acceptable to the Agent (acting reasonably) and which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations or all the relevant obligations of the transferring Lender (including the assumption of the transferring Lender’s participations or unfunded participations (as the case may be) on the same basis as the transferring Lender) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of transfer equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the outstanding Advances and all accrued interest, Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents.

 

(b)                               Any transfer of rights and obligations of a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Clause 26.7 shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)                                   Vodafone shall have no right to replace the Agent;

 

(ii)                               neither the Agent nor the Defaulting Lender shall have any obligation to Vodafone to find a Replacement Lender;

 

(iii)           the transfer must take place no later than 45 Business Days after the notice referred to in paragraph (a) above; and

 

in no event shall a Defaulting Lender be required to pay or surrender to the Replacement Lender any of the fees received by the Defaulting Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents.

 

(c)                                An amendment or waiver which relates to this Clause 26 may not be effected without the consent of each Lender.

 

27.                             CHANGES TO THE PARTIES

 

27.1                     Transfers by Obligors

 

(a)                                No Obligor may assign, transfer, novate or dispose of any of, or any interest in, its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement provided that without any further consent from the Lenders or the Agent it may, subject to paragraph (b) below and provided that no Default is continuing or would result from any such transfer, transfer its rights and obligations under this Agreement to NewTopco or any Intermediate Holding Company and NewTopco or the Intermediate Holding Company will execute a document, or documents, in favour of the Lenders in form and substance the same as this Agreement, with references to such Obligor in this Agreement amended to mean NewTopco or such Intermediate Holding Company (as applicable), provided that if such transfer is to an Intermediate Holding Company, the Agent may, within 30 days of receipt of notification of such transfer, require NewTopco to accede as a Guarantor. The Agent shall (and is hereby authorised to) execute on behalf of the Finance Parties any such document or documents executed by NewTopco or the Intermediate Holding Company provided that the conditions set out in this Clause 27.1 are satisfied.

 

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(b)                               The transfer of rights and obligations under this Agreement to NewTopco or any Intermediate Holding Company shall not require the consent of the Lenders or the Agent provided that NewTopco or the Intermediate Holding Company, as applicable, is incorporated and tax resident in the United Kingdom or in the United States and prior to such transfer Vodafone provides satisfactory evidence to the Agent that it is tax resident in one of those jurisdictions. Subject to paragraph (c) below, the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders shall be required in relation to the transfer of rights and obligations to a NewTopco or an Intermediate Holding Company incorporated elsewhere.

 

(c)                                All Lender consent will be required for any transfer of rights under this Agreement to a NewTopco or an Intermediate Holding Company to the extent the transferee is incorporated or established or carrying on its principal business in a country which is subject to OFAC sanctions, United Nations sanctions under Article 41 of the UN Charter, or any equivalent sanctions administered or enforced by the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, or other relevant sanctions authority.

 

27.2                     Transfers by Lenders

 

(a)                                A Lender (the “ Existing Lender ”) may at any time assign, transfer or novate any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement to another bank, financial institution, central bank or federal reserve (the “ New Lender ”) provided that:

 

(i)                                   subject to paragraph (b) below Vodafone (or following a Hive Up, NewTopco) has, except while an Event of Default is continuing or in the case of an assignment, transfer or novation to an Affiliate or another Lender, given its prior written consent (in the case of a transfer to a financial institution, such consent to be in its absolute discretion and, in the case of a transfer to a bank, central bank or federal reserve such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed);

 

(ii)                               in the case of a partial assignment, transfer or novation of rights and/or obligations, a minimum amount of U.S.$8,000,000 in aggregate and in multiples of U.S.$1,000,000 (unless to an Affiliate or to a Lender or the Agent agrees otherwise) must be assigned, transferred or novated; and

 

(iii)                           in the case of an assignment, transfer or novation by a Swingline Lender (or an Affiliate of a Swingline Lender), a portion of that Swingline Lender’s Swingline Commitment must also be assigned, transferred or novated to the extent necessary (if at all) to ensure that the Swingline Lender’s Swingline Commitment does not exceed its Commitment after the assignment, transfer or novation.

 

(b)                               Vodafone must respond to a request for its consent to a transfer made under paragraph (a)(i) above as soon as is reasonably practicable and, in any event, no later than 15 Business Days after the day on which it received the request, or Vodafone will be deemed to have given its consent to the transfer.

 

(c)                                A transfer of obligations will be effective only if either:

 

(i)                                   the obligations are novated in accordance with Clause 27.4 (Procedure for novations); or

 

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(ii)                               the New Lender gives prior written notice to Vodafone and, except while an Event of Default is continuing or in the case of an assignment, transfer or novation to an Affiliate or another Lender, obtains the consent of Vodafone in accordance with paragraph (a)(i) above and confirms to the Agent and Vodafone that it undertakes to be bound by the terms of this Agreement as a Lender in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. On the transfer becoming effective in this manner the Existing Lender shall be relieved of its obligations under this Agreement to the extent that they are transferred to the New Lender; and

 

(iii)                           the Agent has performed all “know your customer” or other checks relating to any person that it is required to carry out in relation to such assignment to a New Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Existing Lender and the New Lender.

 

(d)                               Nothing in this Agreement restricts the ability of a Lender to sub-contract an obligation if that Lender remains liable under this Agreement for that obligation.

 

(e)                                On each occasion an Existing Lender assigns, transfers or novates any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (other than to an Affiliate), the New Lender shall, on the date the assignment, transfer and/or novation takes effect, pay to the Agent for its own account a fee of U.S.$3,000.

 

(f)                                 An Existing Lender is not responsible to a New Lender for:

 

(i)                                   the execution, genuineness, validity, enforceability or sufficiency of any Finance Document or any other document; or

 

(ii)                               the collectability of amounts payable under any Finance Document; or

 

(iii)                           the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in connection with any Finance Document.

 

(g)                                Each New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender and the other Finance Parties that it:

 

(i)                                   has made its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of each Obligor and its related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender in connection with any Finance Document; and

 

(ii)                               will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and its related entities while any amount is or may be outstanding under this Agreement or any Commitment is in force.

 

(h)                               Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to:

 

(i)                                   accept a re transfer from a New Lender of any of the rights and/or obligations assigned, transferred or novated under this Clause 27; or

 

(ii)                               support any losses incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by any Obligor of its obligations under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

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(i)                                   Any reference in this Agreement to a Lender includes a New Lender but excludes a Lender if no amount is or may be owed to or by it under this Agreement and its Commitment has been cancelled or reduced to nil.

 

(j)                                   If any assignment, transfer or novation results either:

 

(i)                                   at the time of the assignment, transfer or novation; or

 

(ii)                               at any future time where the additional amount was caused as a result of laws and/or regulations in force at the date of the assignment, transfer or novation,

 

in additional amounts becoming due under Clause 11 (Taxes) or amounts becoming due under Clause 13 (Increased Costs), the New Lender shall be entitled to receive such additional amounts only to the extent that the Existing Lender would have been so entitled had there been no such assignment, transfer or novation.

 

27.3                     Affiliates of Lenders

 

(a)                                Each Lender may fulfil its obligations in respect of any Advance through an Affiliate if:

 

(i)                                   the relevant Affiliate is specified in this Agreement as a Lender or becomes a Lender by means of a Novation Certificate in accordance with this Agreement and subject to any consent required under Clause 27.2 (Transfers by Lenders); and

 

(ii)                               the Advances in which that Affiliate will participate are specified in this Agreement or in a notice given by that Lender to the Agent.

 

In this event, the Lender and the Affiliate will participate in Advances in the manner provided for in sub-paragraph (ii) above.

 

(b)                               If paragraph (a) above applies, the Lender and its Affiliate will be treated as having a single Commitment and a single vote, but, for all other purposes, will be treated as separate Lenders.

 

27.4     Procedure for novations

 

(a)        A novation is effected if:

 

(i)                                   the Existing Lender and the New Lender deliver to the Agent a duly completed certificate (a “ Novation Certificate” ), substantially in the form of Part 1 of Schedule 4, with such amendments as the Agent approves to achieve a substantially similar effect (which may be delivered by fax and confirmed by delivery of a hard copy original but the fax will be effective irrespective of whether confirmation is received); and

 

(ii)                               the Agent executes it (as soon as practicable for it to do so).

 

(b)                               Each Party (other than the Existing Lender and the New Lender) irrevocably authorises the Agent to execute any duly completed Novation Certificate on its behalf.

 

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(c)                                To the extent that they are expressed to be the subject of the novation in the Novation Certificate:

 

(i)                                   the Existing Lender and the other Parties (the “ Existing Parties ”) will be released from their obligations to each other (the “ Discharged Obligations ”);

 

(ii)                               the New Lender and the Existing Parties will assume obligations towards each other which differ from the Discharged Obligations only insofar as they are owed to or assumed by the New Lender instead of the Existing Lender;

 

(iii)                           the rights of the Existing Lender against the Existing Parties and vice versa (the “ Discharged Rights ”) will be cancelled; and

 

(iv)                           the New Lender and the Existing Parties will acquire rights against each other which differ from the Discharged Rights only insofar as they are exercisable by or against the New Lender instead of the Existing Lender,

 

all on the date of execution of the Novation Certificate by the Agent or, if later, the date specified in the Novation Certificate.

 

(d)                               If the effective date of a novation is after the date a Request is received by the Agent but before the date the requested Advance is disbursed to the relevant Borrower, the Existing Lender shall be obliged to participate in that Advance in respect of its Discharged Obligations notwithstanding that novation, and the New Lender shall reimburse the Existing Lender for its participation in that Advance and all interest and fees thereon up to the date of reimbursement (in each case to the extent attributable to the Discharged Obligations) within three Business Days of the Drawdown Date of that Advance.

 

(e)                                The Agent shall only be obliged to execute a Novation Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the transfer to such New Lender.

 

27.5                     Replacement of Lenders

 

(a)                                In this Clause 27.5:

 

Non-consenting Lender means a Lender which does not agree to a consent or amendment to, or a waiver of, a provision of a Finance Document requested by Vodafone where:

 

(i)                                   the consent, waiver or amendment requires the consent of all the Lenders;

 

(ii)                               a period of not less than 15 Business Days (or such other longer period as agreed from time to time between the Agent and Vodafone) has elapsed from the date the consent, waiver or amendment was requested; and

 

(iii)                           80% of the Lenders have agreed to the consent, waiver or amendment.

 

Prepayment Lender means, at any time, a Lender in respect of which:

 

(i)                                   a Borrower is at that time entitled to serve a notice under Clauses 8.5(a) to (c) (Right of prepayment and cancellation) (inclusive), but has not done so; or

 

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(ii)                               a Borrower becomes obliged to repay any amount in accordance with Clause 14.1 (Illegality).

 

Relevant Lender means:

 

(i)                                   a Prepayment Lender; or

 

(ii)                               a Non-Consenting Lender.

 

Replacement Lender means a Lender or any other bank or financial institution selected by Vodafone which:

 

(i)                                   in the case of a person which is not an existing Lender is acceptable to the Agent (acting reasonably); and

 

(ii)                               is willing to assume all of the obligations of the Relevant Lender.

 

(b)                               Subject to paragraph (e) below, Vodafone may, on giving 10 Business Days’ prior notice to the Agent and a Relevant Lender, require that Relevant Lender to transfer all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a Replacement Lender.

 

(c)                                On receipt of a notice under paragraph (b) above the Relevant Lender must transfer all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement:

 

(i)                                   in accordance with Clause 27.2 (Transfers by Lenders);

 

(ii)                               on the date specified in the notice;

 

(iii)                           to the Replacement Lender specified in the notice; and

 

(iv)                           for a purchase price equal to the aggregate of:

 

(A)                            the Relevant Lender’s share in the outstanding Facilities;

 

(B)                             any Break Costs incurred by the Relevant Lender as a result of the transfer; and

 

(C)                             all accrued interest, fees and other amounts payable to the Relevant Lender under this Agreement as at the transfer date.

 

(d)                               No member of the Consolidated Group may make any payment or assume any obligation to or on behalf of the Replacement Lender as an inducement for a Replacement Lender to become a Lender, other than as provided in paragraph (c) above.

 

(e)                                Notwithstanding the above, Vodafone’s right to replace:

 

(i)                                   a Non-Consenting Lender may only be exercised within 45 Business Days after the date the consent, waiver or amendment was requested by Vodafone;

 

(ii)                               a Prepayment Lender may only be exercised whilst it is entitled to serve a notice under Clause 8.5 (Right of prepayment and cancellation) or whilst a Borrower is obliged to make a payment under Clause 14.1 (Illegality) (as applicable); and

 

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(iii)                           a Non-Consenting Lender or Prepayment Lender under this Clause 27.5 shall in no way oblige such Non-Consenting Lender or Prepayment Lender to pay or surrender any of the fees received by such Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents.

 

27.6                     Pro rata interest settlement

 

If the Agent has notified the Lenders that it is able to distribute interest payments on a “pro rata basis” to Existing Lenders and New Lenders then (in respect of any transfer pursuant to Clause 27.2 (Transfers by Lenders) or any novation pursuant to Clause 27.4 (Procedure for novations) the transfer date of which, in each case, is after the date of such notification and is not on the last day of a Term):

 

(a)                                any interest or fees in respect of the relevant participation which are expressed to accrue by reference to the lapse of time shall continue to accrue in favour of the Existing Lender up to but excluding the transfer date (“ Accrued Amounts ”) and shall become due and payable to the Existing Lender (without further interest accruing on them) on the last day of the current Term (or, if the Term is longer than six Months, on the next of the dates which falls at six monthly intervals after the first day of that Term); and

 

(b)                               the rights assigned or transferred by the Existing Lender will not include the right to the Accrued Amounts so that, for the avoidance of doubt:

 

(i)                                   when the Accrued Amounts become payable, those Accrued Amounts will be payable for the account of the Existing Lender; and

 

(ii)                               the amount payable to the New Lender on that date will be the amount which would, but for the application of this Clause 27.6, have been payable to it on that date, but after deduction of the Accrued Amounts.

 

27.7                     Additional Guarantors

 

(a)                                                                                (i)                                   Vodafone will procure that NewTopco and any Intermediate Holding Company of Vodafone will become an Additional Guarantor on or before the Reorganisation Date by executing and delivering the documents set out in paragraph (iii) below on or before the Reorganisation Date.

 

(ii)                               Subject to Vodafone’s prior written consent, any other member of the Consolidated Group may become an Additional Guarantor.

 

(iii)                           The relevant company will become an Additional Guarantor upon:

 

(A)                            the delivery to the Agent of a Guarantor Accession Agreement duly executed by that company; and

 

(B)                             delivery to the Agent of all those other documents listed in Part 2 of Schedule 2, in each case in the agreed form or in such other form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

 

(b)                               The execution of a Guarantor Accession Agreement constitutes confirmation by the Additional Guarantor concerned that the representations and warranties set out in Clauses 16.1 (Representations and warranties) to 16.6 (Authorisations) to be made by

 

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it on the date of the Guarantor Accession Agreement are correct, as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances then existing.

 

27.8                     Additional Borrowers

 

(a)                                                                                (i)                                   Any member of the Restricted Group, or following a Hive Up (and subject to the proviso below), NewTopco or any Intermediate Holding Company, in each case, incorporated and tax resident in the United Kingdom or in the United States or, subject to the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders (or, if sub-paragraph (iii) below applies, all the Lenders), elsewhere which Vodafone nominates may become an Additional Borrower, provided that on or prior to the date on which NewTopco or any Intermediate Holding Company accedes as an Additional Borrower it also accedes as an Additional Guarantor.

 

(ii)                               The relevant member of the Restricted Group (or NewTopco or any Intermediate Holding Company, as applicable) will become an Additional Borrower upon:

 

(A)                            the delivery to the Agent of a Borrower Accession Agreement duly executed by that member of the Restricted Group (or NewTopco or any Intermediate Holding Company, as applicable); and

 

(B)                             delivery to the Agent of all those other documents listed in Part 3 of Schedule 2, in each case in the agreed form or in such other form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

 

(iii)                           All Lender consent will be required for any Additional Borrower to the extent the Additional Borrower is incorporated or established or carrying on its principal business in a country which is subject to OFAC sanctions, United Nations sanctions under Article 41 of the UN Charter or any equivalent sanctions administered or enforced by the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury or other relevant sanctions authority.

 

(b)                               The execution of a Borrower Accession Agreement constitutes confirmation by the Additional Borrower concerned that the representations and warranties set out in Clauses 16.1 (Representations and warranties) to 16.6 (Authorisations) to be made by it on the date of the Borrower Accession Agreement are correct, as if made with reference to the facts and circumstances then existing.

 

27.9                     Removal of Borrowers

 

(a)                                Any Borrower (other than Vodafone (subject to paragraph (b) below) or, if applicable, NewTopco) which has no liabilities to the Finance Parties in respect of outstanding Advances or any other liabilities to the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents (other than as a Guarantor) may, at the request of Vodafone and if no Default is outstanding or will result from such action, cease to be a Borrower by entering into a supplemental agreement to this Agreement at the cost of Vodafone in such form as the Agent may reasonably require which shall discharge that Borrowers’ obligations as a Borrower under this Agreement.

 

(b)                               If on the Reorganisation Date:

 

(i)                                   NewTopco and any Intermediate Holding Company has acceded as a Guarantor in accordance with Clause 27.7 (Additional Guarantors);

 

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(ii)                               Vodafone has no liabilities to the Finance Parties in respect of outstanding Advances or any other liabilities to the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents (other than as a Guarantor); and

 

(iii)                           no Default is continuing,

 

Vodafone may cease to be a Borrower with effect from the Reorganisation Date by entering into a supplemental agreement to this Agreement at the cost of Vodafone or NewTopco in such form as the Agent may reasonably require which shall discharge Vodafone’s obligations as a Borrower under this Agreement.

 

27.10             Reference Banks

 

If a Reference Bank (or, if a Reference Bank is not a Lender, the Lender of which it is an Affiliate) ceases to be a Lender, the Agent shall (in consultation with Vodafone) appoint another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender which is not a Reference Bank to replace that Reference Bank.

 

27.11             Register

 

The Agent, acting solely for this purpose as agent of the Borrowers, shall keep a register of all the Parties including in the case of Lenders, their respective commitments, the obligations owing to each, and the details of their Facility Office notified to the Agent from time to time, and shall supply any other Party (at that Party’s expense) with a copy of the register on request.

 

The Agent shall record in the register any transfer by an Obligor or by a Lender described in Clause 27.1(a) or (b) (Transfers by Obligors) or 27.2 (Transfers by Lenders), respectively, and any other modification to the Borrowers, Lenders, Guarantors, or outstanding obligations. The Agent shall record the names and addresses of each Lender and the respective Commitments of and obligations owing to each Lender. The entries in the register shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and each Obligor, the Agent, and each Lender shall treat each person whose name is recorded in the register as a Lender notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. The register shall be available for inspection by each Obligor at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

27.12             Security over Lenders’ rights

 

In addition to the other rights provided to Lenders under this Clause 27, each Lender may at any time charge, assign or otherwise create Security in or over (whether by way of collateral or otherwise) all or any of its rights under any Finance Document to secure obligations of that Lender including, without limitation:

 

(a)                                any charge, assignment or other Security to secure obligations to a federal reserve or central bank; and

 

(b)                               with the prior written consent of Vodafone (or following a Hive Up, NewTopco), such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed, in the case of any Lender which is a fund, any charge, assignment or other Security granted to any holders (or trustee or representatives of holders) of obligations owed, or securities issued, by that Lender as security for those obligations or securities,

 

except that no such charge, assignment or Security shall:

 

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(i)                                   release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or other Security for the Lender as a party to any of the Finance Documents; or

 

(ii)                               require any payments to be made by an Obligor or grant to any person any more extensive rights than those required to be made or granted to the relevant Lender under the Finance Documents.

 

28.                             DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

 

28.1                     Disclosure

 

(a)                                A Lender may disclose to any of its Affiliates, directors, employees, officers, professional advisers or auditors; any person to whom or for whose benefit a Lender charges, assigns or otherwise creates security (or may do so) pursuant to Clause 27.12 (Security over Lenders’ rights); or any person with whom it is proposing to enter, or has entered into, any kind of transfer, participation or other agreement in relation to this Agreement:

 

(i)                                   a copy of any Finance Document; and

 

(ii)        any information which that Lender has acquired under or in connection with any Finance Document,

 

provided that a Lender shall not disclose any such information:

 

(A)                                to any of its Affiliates, directors, employees, officers, professional advisers or auditors or a federal reserve or central bank, unless the recipient is informed that such information is confidential; or

 

(B)                                to any other person, unless that person has provided to that Lender a confidentiality undertaking addressed to that Lender and Vodafone substantially in the form of Schedule 5 or such other form as Vodafone may approve.

 

(b)                               Paragraphs 1(a), 1(c), 2(b), 3, 6, 8, 9 and 12 of Schedule 5 (Form of Confidentiality Undertaking from New Lender) shall be deemed to be incorporated herein as if set out in full ( mutatis mutandis ), but as if references therein to “we”, “us” or “our” were to each Finance Party and references to “you” were to Vodafone and as if the Confidential Information included in any Funding Rate or Reference Bank Quotation.

 

28.2                     Disclosure to numbering service providers

 

(a)                                Any Finance Party may disclose to any national or international numbering service provider appointed by that Finance Party to provide identification numbering services in respect of this Agreement, the Facilities and/or one or more Obligors the following information:

 

(i)                                   names of Obligors;

 

(ii)                               country of domicile of Obligors;

 

(iii)                           place of incorporation of Obligors;

 

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(iv)                           date of this Agreement;

 

(v)                               the name of the Agent and the Arranger;

 

(vi)                           date of each amendment and restatement of this Agreement;

 

(vii)                       amount of Total Commitments;

 

(viii)                   currencies of the Facilities;

 

(ix)                           type of Facilities;

 

(x)                               ranking of Facilities;

 

(xi)                           Maturity Date for the Facilities;

 

(xii)                       changes to any of the information previously supplied pursuant to paragraphs (i) to (xi) above (inclusive); and

 

(xiii)                   such other information agreed between such Finance Party and Vodafone,

 

to enable such numbering service provider to provide its usual syndicated loan numbering identification services.

 

(b)                               The Parties acknowledge and agree that each identification number assigned to this Agreement, the Facilities and/or one or more Obligors by a numbering service provider and the information associated with each such number may be disclosed to users of its services in accordance with the standard terms and conditions of that numbering service provider.

 

(c)                                If requested, the Agent shall notify Vodafone and the other Finance Parties of:

 

(i)                                   the name of any numbering service provider appointed by the Agent in respect of this Agreement, the Facilities and/or one or more Obligors; and

 

(ii)                               the number or, as the case may be, numbers assigned to this Agreement, the Facilities and/or one or more Obligors by such numbering service provider.

 

28.3                     Confidentiality of Funding Rates and Reference Bank Quotations

 

(a)                                Confidentiality and Disclosure

 

(i)                                   The Agent and each Obligor agree to keep each Funding Rate (and, in the case of the Agent, each Reference Bank Quotation) confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv) below.

 

(ii)                               The Agent may disclose:

 

(A)                            any Funding Rate (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, any Reference Bank Quotation) to Vodafone pursuant to Clause 9.4 (Notification of rates of interest); and

 

(B)                             any Funding Rate or any Reference Bank Quotation to any person appointed by it to provide administration services in respect of one or

 

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more of the Finance Documents to the extent necessary to enable such service provider to provide those services if the service provider to whom that information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Agent and the relevant Lender or Reference Bank, as the case may be.

 

(iii)                           The Agent may disclose any Funding Rate or any Reference Bank Quotation, and each Obligor may disclose any Funding Rate, to:

 

(A)                            any of its Affiliates and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and representatives if any person to whom that Funding Rate or Reference Bank Quotation is to be given pursuant to this paragraph (A) is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of that Funding Rate or Reference Bank Quotation or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to it;

 

(B)                             any person to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation if the person to whom that Funding Rate or Reference Bank Quotation is to be given is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the Agent or the relevant Obligor, as the case may be, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances;

 

(C)                             any person to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes if the person to whom that Funding Rate or Reference Bank Quotation is to be given is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that it may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of the Agent or the relevant Obligor, as the case may be, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances; and

 

(D)                            any person with the consent of the relevant Lender or Reference Bank, as the case may be.

 

(iv)                           The Agent’s obligations in this Clause 28.3 relating to Reference Bank Quotations are without prejudice to its obligations to make notifications under Clause 9.4 (Notification of rates of interest) provided that (other than pursuant to paragraph (ii)(A) above) the Agent shall not include the details of any individual Reference Bank Quotation as part of any such notification.

 

(b)                               Other Obligations

 

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(i)                                   The Agent and each Obligor acknowledge that each Funding Rate (and, in the case of the Agent, each Reference Bank Quotation) is or may be price-sensitive information and that its use may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and the Agent and each Obligor undertake not to use any Funding Rate or, in the case of the Agent, any Reference Bank Quotation for any unlawful purpose.

 

(ii)                               The Agent and each Obligor agree (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the relevant Lender or Reference Bank, as the case may be:

 

(A)                            of the circumstances of any disclosure made pursuant to paragraphs (a)(iii)(B) or (a)(iii)(C) above except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in that paragraph during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and

 

(B)                             upon becoming aware that any information has been disclosed in breach of this Clause 28.3

 

28.4                     No Event of Default

 

No Event of Default will occur under Clause 19.3 ( Breach of other obligations ) by reason only of an Obligor’s failure to comply with this Clause 28.

 

29.                             SET-OFF

 

29.1                     Contractual set-off

 

Whilst an Event of Default subsists each Obligor authorises each Finance Party to apply any credit balance to which that Obligor is entitled on any account of that Obligor with that Finance Party or any other sum due and payable by that Lender to that Obligor in satisfaction of any sum due and payable from that Obligor to that Finance Party under the Finance Documents but unpaid. For this purpose, each Finance Party is authorised to purchase with the moneys standing to the credit of any such account such other currencies as may be necessary to effect such application.

 

29.2                     Set-off not mandatory

 

No Finance Party shall be obliged to exercise any right given to it by Clause 29.1 (Contractual set-off).

 

29.3                     Notice of set-off

 

Any Finance Party exercising its rights under Clause 29.1 (Contractual set-off) shall notify Vodafone promptly after set-off is applied.

 

29.4                     Set-off by Obligors

 

Any Obligor may at any time on or after a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender set off amounts owed by that Obligor to that Lender under the Finance Documents against any credit balance on any account of that Obligor with that Lender or any other sum due and payable by that Lender to that Obligor (regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation). If the obligations are in different currencies, that Obligor may convert

 

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either obligation at the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange (or, if there is no such rate, at a market rate of exchange reasonably selected by Vodafone) for the purpose of the set-off. If an Obligor exercises such rights of set off: (i) it shall notify the Lender promptly thereafter; and (ii) the Lender shall treat any such obligation owed by the Lender to that Obligor as if it was a payment received by the Lender from that Obligor in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

30.                             PRO RATA SHARING

 

30.1                     Redistribution

 

If any amount owing by an Obligor under any Finance Document to a Finance Party (the “ Recovering Finance Party ”) is discharged by payment, set-off or any other manner other than through the Agent in accordance with Clause 10 (Payments) (a “ Recovery ”), then:

 

(a)                                the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days, notify details of the Recovery to the Agent;

 

(b)                               the Agent shall determine whether the Recovery is in excess of the amount which the Recovering Finance Party would have received had the Recovery been received by the Agent and distributed in accordance with Clause 10 (Payments);

 

(c)                                subject to Clause 30.3 (Exceptions), the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent an amount (the “ Redistribution ”) equal to the excess;

 

(d)                               the Agent shall treat the Redistribution as if it were a payment by the Obligor concerned under Clause 10 (Payments) and shall pay the Redistribution to the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance Party) in accordance with Clause 10.8 (Partial payments); and

 

(e)                                after payment of the full Redistribution, the Recovering Finance Party will be subrogated to the portion of the claims paid under paragraph (d) above, and that Obligor will owe the Recovering Finance Party a debt which is equal to the Redistribution, immediately payable and of the type originally discharged.

 

30.2                     Reversal of redistribution

 

If under Clause 30.1 (Redistribution):

 

(a)                                a Recovering Finance Party must subsequently return a Recovery, or an amount measured by reference to a Recovery, to an Obligor; and

 

(b)                               the Recovering Finance Party has paid a Redistribution in relation to that Recovery,

 

each Finance Party shall, within three Business Days of demand by the Recovering Finance Party through the Agent, reimburse the Recovering Finance Party all or the appropriate portion of the Redistribution paid to that Finance Party. Thereupon the subrogation in Clause 30.1(e) (Redistribution) will operate in reverse to the extent of the reimbursement.

 

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30.3                     Exceptions

 

(a)                                A Recovering Finance Party need not pay a Redistribution to the extent that it would not, after the payment, have a valid claim against the Obligor concerned in the amount of the Redistribution pursuant to Clause 30.1(e) (Redistribution).

 

(b)                               A Recovering Finance Party is not obliged to share with any other Finance Party any amount which the Recovering Finance Party has received or recovered as a result of taking legal proceedings, if the other Finance Party had an opportunity to participate in those legal proceedings but did not do so and did not take separate legal proceedings.

 

31.                             SEVERABILITY

 

If a provision of any Finance Document is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, that shall not affect:

 

(a)           the legality, validity or enforceability in that jurisdiction of any other provision of the Finance Documents; or

 

(b)                               the legality, validity or enforceability in other jurisdictions of that or any other provision of the Finance Documents.

 

32.                             COUNTERPARTS

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.

 

33.                             NOTICES

 

33.1                     Giving of notices

 

(a)                                All notices or other communications under or in connection with this Agreement shall be given in writing or by facsimile. Any such notice will be deemed to be given as follows:

 

(i)                                   if in writing, when delivered; and

 

(ii)                               if by facsimile, when received.

 

However, a notice given in accordance with the above but received on a non-working day or after business hours in the place of receipt will only be deemed to be given on the next working day in that place.

 

(b)                               Any Party may agree with any other Party to give and receive notices by telex in which case the notice will be deemed given when the correct answerback is received.

 

33.2                     Addresses for notices

 

(a)                                The address and facsimile number of each Party (other than the Agent, the U.S. Swingline Agent and Vodafone) for all notices under or in connection with this Agreement are:

 

(i)                                   that notified by that Party for this purpose to the Agent on or before it becomes a Party; or

 

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(ii)                               any other notified by that Party for this purpose to the Agent by not less than five Business Days’ notice.

 

(b)                               The address and facsimile numbers of the Agent are:

 

For Operational Matters (such as Drawdowns, Interest Rate Fixing, Interest/fee calculations and payments)

 

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc

1 Hardman Boulevard

Manchester

Greater Manchester

M3 3AQ

 

Contact:

 

Lending Operations

Facsimile:

 

020 3043 6688

Email:

 

RbsAgencyOperations@rbs.com

 

For Non Operational Matters (such as documentation; covenant compliance; amendments & waivers)

 

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc

250 Bishopsgate

London

EC2M 4AA

 

Contact:

 

Jayne Tobin

Telephone:

 

020 7678 3668

Facsimile:

 

020 786 5247

Email:

 

Jayne.tobin@rbs.com

 

or such other as the Agent may notify to the other Parties by not less than five Business Days’ notice.

 

(c)                                The address and facsimile numbers of the U.S. Swingline Agent are:

 

Primary Operations Contact:

 

RBS Americas HQ

600 Washington Boulevard

Stamford, CT 06901

U.S.A

 

Contact:

 

Sheila Shaw

Facsimile:

 

+1 203 873 5300

Email:

 

gbmnaagency@rbs.com

 

or such other as the U.S. Swingline Agent may notify to the other Parties by not less than five Business Days’ notice.

 

(d)                               The address, facsimile number and website of Vodafone are:

 

Vodafone Group Plc

One Kingdom Street

 

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Paddington Central

London

W2 6BY

 

Contact:

 

Group Treasury Director

Telephone:

 

07879496611

Facsimile:

 

01635 676 746

Email:

 

neil.garrod@vodafone.com

 

Website: http://www.vodafone.com/ start/investor_relations/financial_reports. html

 

or such other as Vodafone may notify to the other Parties by not less than five Business Days’ notice.

 

(e)                                The Agent shall, promptly upon request from any Party, give to that Party the address or facsimile number of any other Party applicable at the time for the purposes of this Clause 33.

 

33.3                     Communication when Agent or U.S. Swingline Agent is Impaired Agent

 

If the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent is an Impaired Agent the Parties may, instead of communicating with each other through the Agent or, as the case may be, the U.S. Swingline Agent, communicate with each other directly and (while the Agent or the U.S. Swingline Agent is an impaired Agent) all the provisions of the Finance Documents which require communications to be made or notices to be given to or by the Agent shall be varied so that communications may be made and notices given to or by the relevant Parties directly. This provision shall not operate after a successor Agent or, as the case may be, successor U.S. Swingline Agent has been appointed.

 

34.                             LANGUAGE

 

(a)                                Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document shall be in English.

 

(b)                               All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document shall be:

 

(i)                                   in English; or

 

(ii)                               if not in English, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation shall prevail unless the document is a statutory or other official document.

 

35.                             JURISDICTION

 

35.1                     Submission

 

(a)                                Each Party agrees that the courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any disputes in connection with any Finance Document or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with any Finance Document and accordingly submits to the jurisdiction of the English courts.

 

(b)                               Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, for the benefit of the Finance Parties, any New York State court or U.S. Federal court sitting in the City and County of New York

 

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also has jurisdiction to settle any dispute in connection with any Finance Document involving a U.S. Obligor, and each U.S. Obligor submits to the jurisdiction of those courts.

 

(c)                                The English courts and (in respect of a dispute involving a U.S. Obligor) New York courts are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle any such dispute and each Obligor and U.S. Obligor, as applicable, waives objection to those courts on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise in relation to proceedings in connection with any Finance Document.

 

35.2                     Service of process

 

(a)                                Without prejudice to any other mode of service, each Obligor (other than an Obligor incorporated in England and Wales):

 

(i)                                   irrevocably appoints Vodafone as its agent for service of process relating to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with any Finance Document (and Vodafone accepts this appointment);

 

(ii)                               agrees that failure by a process agent to notify the relevant Obligor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned;

 

(iii)                           consents to the service of process relating to any such proceedings by prepaid posting of a copy of the process to its address for the time being applying under Clause 33.2 (Addresses for notices); and

 

(iv)                           agrees that if the appointment of any person mentioned in paragraph (i) or (ii) above ceases to be effective, the relevant Obligor shall immediately appoint a further person in England to accept service of process on its behalf in England and, failing such appointment within 15 days, the Agent is entitled to appoint such a person by notice to Vodafone.

 

(b)                               Prior to the accession of a US Obligor who is not incorporated or having a place of business in New York State such US Obligor must appoint an agent for service of process in any proceedings before any court located in the State of New York on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

 

35.3                     Forum convenience and enforcement abroad

 

Each Obligor:

 

(a)                                waives objection to the English courts on grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise as regards proceedings in connection with a Finance Document; and

 

(b)                               agrees that a judgment or order of an English court in connection with a Finance Document is conclusive and binding on it and may be enforced against it in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

 

35.4                     Non-exclusivity

 

Nothing in this Clause 35 limits the right of a Finance Party to bring proceedings against an Obligor in connection with any Finance Document:

 

(a)                                in any other court of competent jurisdiction; or

 

110



 

(b)                               concurrently in more than one jurisdiction.

 

36.                             GOVERNING LAW

 

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

37.                             USA PATRIOT ACT

 

Each Finance Party that is subject to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act hereby notifies each Obligor that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act, prior to making an Advance hereunder, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Obligors, which information includes the name and address of the Obligors and other information that will allow such Finance Party to identify the Obligors in accordance with the USA Patriot Act. Each Obligor agrees that it will provide each Finance Party with such information as it may request in order for such Finance Party to satisfy the requirements of the USA Patriot Act.

 

38.                             WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY

 

EACH PARTY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION IN CONNECTION WITH ANY FINANCE DOCUMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED BY ANY FINANCE DOCUMENT. THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

THIS AGREEMENT has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

111



 

SCHEDULE 1

 

LENDERS AND COMMITMENTS

 

PART 1

 

LENDERS AND COMMITMENTS

 

Commitments

U.S.$

 

Original Lender

Commitment

 

(U.S.$)

 

 

 

 

ABBEY NATIONAL TREASURY SERVICES PLC (TRADING AS SANTANDER GLOBAL BANKING AND MARKETS)

155,000,000

 

 

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED

75,000,000

 

 

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A., LONDON BRANCH

155,000,000

 

 

BANCO DE SABADELL S.A., LONDON BRANCH

75,000,000

 

 

BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

155,000,000

 

 

(BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. IN RESPECT OF ANY ADVANCES TO A BORROWER INCORPORATED IN THE UNITED STATES)

 

 

 

BANK OF CHINA LIMITED, LONDON BRANCH

155,000,000

 

 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

155,000,000

 

 

BNP PARIBAS, LONDON BRANCH

155,000,000

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A., LONDON BRANCH

155,000,000

 

 

COMMERZBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, LONDON BRANCH

155,000,000

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK LUXEMBOURG S.A.

155,000,000

 

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA

155,000,000

 

 

HSBC BANK PLC

155,000,000

 

 

ING BANK N.V., LONDON BRANCH

155,000,000

 

 

INTESA SANPAOLO S.P.A.

155,000,000

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., LONDON BRANCH

155,000,000

 

112



 

LLOYDS BANK PLC

155,000,000

 

 

MIZUHO BANK, LTD

155,000,000

 

 

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC

155,000,000

 

 

NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED

75,000,000

 

 

SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH

75,000,000

 

 

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK

75,000,000

 

 

SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION

155,000,000

 

 

TD BANK EUROPE LIMITED

75,000,000

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

75,000,000

 

 

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.

155,000,000

 

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

155,000,000

 

 

UBS AG, LONDON BRANCH

155,000,000

 

 

UNICREDIT BANK AG

155,000,000

 

 

Total

3,935,000,000

 

113



 

PART 2

 

SWINGLINE LENDERS AND SWINGLINE COMMITMENTS

 

Swingline Lender

Swingline

 

Commitments

 

U.S.$

 

 

ABBEY NATIONAL TREASURY SERVICES PLC (TRADING AS SANTANDER GLOBAL BANKING AND MARKETS)

75,000,000

 

 

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A., LONDON BRANCH

75,000,000

 

 

BANK OF AMERICA N.A.

75,000,000

 

 

BANK OF CHINA LIMITED, LONDON BRANCH

75,000,000

 

 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

75,000,000

 

 

BNP PARIBAS

75,000,000

 

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

75,000,000

 

 

COMMERZBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, NEW YORK BRANCH

75,000,000

 

 

DEUTSCHE BANK LUXEMBOURG S.A. C/O DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH

75,000,000

 

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA

75,000,000

 

 

HSBC BANK PLC

75,000,000

 

 

ING BANK N.V., DUBLIN BRANCH

75,000,000

 

 

INTESA SANPAOLO S.P.A.

75,000,000

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., NEW YORK BRANCH

75,000,000

 

 

LLOYDS BANK PLC

75,000,000

 

 

MIZUHO BANK, LTD

75,000,000

 

 

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC

75,000,000

 

 

SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION

75,000,000

 

 

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.

75,000,000

 

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

75,000,000

 

 

UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH

75,000,000

 

114



 

UNICREDIT BANK AG

75,000,000

 

 

Total

1,650,000,000

 

115



 

PART 3

 

MANDATED LEAD ARRANGERS

 

ABBEY NATIONAL TREASURY SERVICES PLC (TRADING AS SANTANDER GLOBAL BANKING AND MARKETS)

 

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.

 

BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

BANK OF CHINA LIMITED, LONDON BRANCH

 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

 

BNP PARIBAS, LONDON BRANCH

 

CITIBANK, N.A., LONDON BRANCH

 

COMMERZBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, LONDON BRANCH

 

DEUTSCHE BANK LUXEMBOURG S.A.

 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA

 

HSBC BANK PLC

 

ING BANK N.V., LONDON BRANCH

 

INTESA SANPAOLO S.P.A.

 

J.P. MORGAN LIMITED

 

LLOYDS BANK PLC

 

MIZUHO BANK, LTD

 

MORGAN STANLEY BANK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION

 

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

 

UBS LIMITED

 

UNICREDIT BANK AG

 

116



 

PART 4

 

CO-ARRANGERS

 

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED

 

BANCO DE SABADELL S.A., LONDON BRANCH

 

NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED

 

SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH

 

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

 

THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK

 

117



 

SCHEDULE 2

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT DOCUMENTS

 

PART 1

 

TO BE DELIVERED BEFORE THE FIRST ADVANCE

 

1.                                     Constitutional documents

 

A copy of the memorandum and articles of association and certificate of incorporation of Vodafone.

 

2.                                     Authorisations

 

(a)                                A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of Vodafone or, if applicable, of a committee of the board of directors (together with a copy of the resolution of the board of directors constituting that committee):

 

(i)                                   approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement and the Fee Letters and resolving that it execute and, where applicable, deliver this Agreement and the Fee Letters;

 

(ii)                               authorising a specified person or persons to execute and, where applicable, deliver this Agreement and the Fee Letters on its behalf; and

 

(iii)                           authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices (including Requests) to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with the Finance Documents;

 

(b)                               a specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph (a) above;

 

(c)                                a certificate of an authorised signatory of Vodafone confirming that as at the first Drawdown Date the borrowing of the Total Commitments in full and the borrowing of the Total Commitments under (and as defined in) the 2019 Facility in full would not together cause any borrowing limit or limit on the giving of guarantees binding on it to be exceeded (whether as a result of such limit having been waived or otherwise);

 

(d)                               a certificate of an authorised signatory of Vodafone certifying that each copy document specified in this Part 1 of Schedule 2 and supplied by Vodafone is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the Signing Date.

 

3.                                     Legal opinions

 

A legal opinion of Allen & Overy LLP, English law counsel to the Agent, in relation to English law.

 

4.                                     Fee Letter

 

Duly executed Fee Letters referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition of “Fee Letters”.

 

118



 

PART 2

 

TO BE DELIVERED BY AN ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR

 

1.                                     A Guarantor Accession Agreement, duly executed (if appropriate, under seal) by the Additional Guarantor.

 

2.                                     A copy of the memorandum (if applicable) and articles of association and certificate of incorporation (or other equivalent constitutional documents) of the Additional Guarantor.

 

3.                                     A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the Additional Guarantor:

 

(a)                                approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Guarantor Accession Agreement and resolving that it execute the Guarantor Accession Agreement as a deed;

 

(b)                               authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Guarantor Accession Agreement as a deed; and

 

(c)                                authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with this Agreement.

 

4.                                     If the Additional Guarantor is not NewTopco and the lawyers referred to in paragraph 10 below advise it to be necessary or desirable, a copy of a resolution, signed by all the holders of the issued or allotted shares in the Additional Guarantor, approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Guarantor Accession Agreement.

 

5.                                     If the Additional Guarantor is not NewTopco, a copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each corporate shareholder in the Additional Guarantor:

 

(a)                                approving the terms of the resolution referred to in paragraph 4 above; and

 

(b)                               authorising a specified person or persons to sign the resolution on its behalf.

 

6.                                     A certificate of a director of the Additional Guarantor certifying that the borrowing of the Total Commitments in full and the borrowing of the Total Commitments under (and as defined in) the 2019 Facility in full would not together cause any borrowing limit or limit on the giving of guarantees binding on it to be exceeded (whether as a result of such limit being waived or otherwise).

 

7.                                     A copy of any other authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Agent considers to be necessary or desirable in connection with the entry into and performance of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Guarantor Accession Agreement or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document.

 

8.                                     A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolutions referred to in paragraphs 3 and, if applicable, 5 above.

 

119



 

9.                                     A copy of the latest annual statutory audited accounts of the Additional Guarantor.

 

10.                             A legal opinion of Allen & Overy, legal advisers to the Agent, and, if applicable, other lawyers approved by the Agent in the place of incorporation of the Additional Guarantor addressed to the Finance Parties.

 

11.                             A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Additional Guarantor certifying that each copy document specified in this Part 2 of Schedule 2 is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of the Guarantor Accession Agreement.

 

120



 

PART 3

 

TO BE DELIVERED BY AN ADDITIONAL BORROWER

 

1.                                     A Borrower Accession Agreement, duly executed (if appropriate, under seal) by the Additional Borrower.

 

2.                                     A copy of the memorandum and articles of association and certificate of incorporation (or other equivalent constitutional documents) of the Additional Borrower.

 

3.                                     A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the Additional Borrower:

 

(a)                                approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Borrower Accession Agreement and resolving that it execute the Borrower Accession Agreement;

 

(b)                               authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Borrower Accession Agreement; and

 

(c)                                authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with this Agreement.

 

4.                                     A certificate of a director of the Additional Borrower certifying that the borrowing of the Total Commitments in full and the borrowing of the Total Commitments under (and as defined in) the 2019 Facility in full would not together cause any borrowing limit or limit on the giving of guarantees binding on it to be exceeded (whether as a result of such limit being waived or otherwise).

 

5.                                     A copy of any other authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Agent considers to be necessary or desirable in connection with the entry into and performance of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Borrower Accession Agreement or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document.

 

6.                                     A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolutions referred to in paragraph 3 above.

 

7.                                     A copy of the latest annual statutory audited accounts of the Additional Borrower (if any).

 

8.                                     A legal opinion of Allen & Overy, legal advisers to the Agent, and, if applicable, other lawyers approved by the Agent in the place of incorporation of the Additional Borrower addressed to the Finance Parties.

 

9.                                     A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Additional Borrower certifying that each copy document specified in this Part 3 of Schedule 2 is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of the Borrower Accession Agreement.

 

121



 

SCHEDULE 3

 

FORM OF REQUEST

 

To:                            THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC as [Agent/U.S. Swingline Agent*]

 

From:            [BORROWER]

 

Date:   [       ]

 

Vodafone Group Plc U.S.$[        ]

Revolving Credit Agreement dated [ · ] 2015

 

1.                                     We wish to utilise the Revolving Credit Facility* and/or the Swingline Facility* by way of Advances*/Swingline Advances* as follows:

 

(a)

Drawdown Date:

Revolving

 

Credit Facility:

[         ]*

 

Swingline Facility:

[         ]*

 

 

 

(b)

Requested Amount (including currency):

Revolving

 

Credit Facility:

[          ]*

 

Swingline Facility:

[          ]*

 

 

 

(c)

Term:

Revolving

 

Credit Facility:

[          ]*

 

Swingline Facility:

[          ]*

 

 

 

(d)

Payment Instructions:

Revolving

 

Credit Facility:

[          ]*

 

Swingline Facility:

[          ]*

 

2.                                     We confirm that each condition specified in [Clause 4.2 (Conditions to all drawdowns and rollovers)] **  is satisfied on the date of this Request and this Advance would not cause any borrowing limit binding on us to be exceeded.

 

 

 

[By:

[BORROWER]

Authorised Signatory]

 

 

 


**                                         Delete as applicable depending on whether the Advance is a Rollover Advance.

 

122



 

SCHEDULE 4

 

FORMS OF ACCESSION DOCUMENTS

 

PART 1

 

NOVATION CERTIFICATE

 

To:

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC as Agent

 

 

From:

[THE EXISTING LENDER] and [THE NEW LENDER]

Date: [     ]

 

 

Vodafone Group Plc U.S. $ [         ]

Revolving Credit Agreement dated [ · ] 2015

 

We refer to Clause 27.4 (Procedure for novations).

 

1.                                     We [        ] (the “ Existing Lender ”) and [        ] (the “ New Lender ”) agree to the Existing Lender and the New Lender novating all the Existing Lender’s rights and obligations referred to in the Schedule in accordance with Clause 27.4 (Procedure for novations).

 

2.                                     The specified date for the purposes of [Clause 27.4(c) (Procedure for novations)] is [date of novation].

 

3.                                     The Facility Office and address for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of Clause 33.2 (Addresses for notices) are set out in the Schedule.

 

4.                                     The New Lender confirms that it has given notice to Vodafone of the entry into of this Novation Certificate [and has obtained Vodafone’s consent] *  in accordance with Clause 27.2(c)(ii) (Transfers by Lenders).

 

5.                                     This Novation Certificate and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

 

 


*                                             Delete as applicable depending on whether Vodafone’s consent is required.

 

123



 

THE SCHEDULE

 

Rights and obligations to be novated

 

[ Details of the rights and obligations of the Existing Lender to be novated. ]

 

 

[ New Lender ]

 

 

 

 

 

[Facility Office

Address for notices]

 

 

 

 

[Existing Lender]

[New Lender]

THE ROYAL BANK OF

 

 

SCOTLAND PLC

 

 

 

By:

By:

By:

 

 

 

Date:

Date:

Date:

 

124



 

PART 2

 

GUARANTOR ACCESSION AGREEMENT

 

To:                            THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC as Agent

 

From:            [PROPOSED GUARANTOR]

 

Date: [       ]

 

Vodafone Group Plc U.S. $ [     ] Revolving Credit Agreement

dated [ · ] 2015 (the Credit Agreement )

 

Terms used in this Deed which are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meaning in this Deed as in the Credit Agreement.

 

We refer to Clause 27.7 (Additional Guarantors).

 

We, [name of company] of [Registered Office] (Registered no. [                               ]) agree to become an Additional Guarantor and to be bound by the terms of the Credit Agreement as an Additional Guarantor in accordance with Clause 27.7 (Additional Guarantors). [In addition, we also agree to become bound by all the terms of the Credit Agreement expressed to apply to or be binding on NewTopco] *

 

Our address for notices for the purposes of Clause 33.2 (Addresses for notices) is:

 

[

 

]

 

[ If not classified as a corporation :  [Name of company] is [classified as a partnership/OR/disregarded as an entity separate from its owner] and is owned by [NAME OF OWNER(S)] for U.S. federal income tax purposes.]

 

This Deed and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

 

Executed as a deed by

)

Director

[PROPOSED GUARANTOR]

)

 

acting by

)

Director/Secretary

And

)

 

 

 

 


*                                             Only in the case of accession by NewTopco.

 

125



 

PART 3

 

BORROWER ACCESSION AGREEMENT

 

To:                            THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC as Agent

 

From:            [PROPOSED BORROWER]

 

[Date]

 

Vodafone Group Plc –U.S.$[      ] Revolving Credit Agreement

dated [ · ] 2015 (the Credit Agreement )

 

Terms used herein which are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meaning herein as in the Credit Agreement.

 

We refer to Clause 27.8 (Additional Borrowers).

 

We, [Name of company] of [Registered Office] (Registered no. [         ] agree to become party to and to be bound by the terms of the Credit Agreement as an Additional Borrower in accordance with Clause 27.8 (Additional Borrowers).

 

The address for notices of the Additional Borrower for the purposes of Clause 33.2 (Addresses for notices) is:

 

[

 

]

 

[ If not classified as a corporation :  [Name of company] is [classified as a partnership/OR/disregarded as an entity separate from its owner] and is owned by [NAME OF OWNER(S)] for U.S. federal income tax purposes.]

 

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

[ADDITIONAL BORROWER]

 

By:

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

By:

 

126



 

PART 4

 

LENDER ACCESSION AGREEMENT

 

To:                            THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC as Agent

 

From:            [PROPOSED ADDITIONAL LENDER]

[Date]

 

Vodafone Group Plc –U.S.$[      ] Revolving Credit Agreement

dated [ · ] 2015 (the Credit Agreement )

 

Terms used herein which are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meaning herein as in the Credit Agreement.

 

We refer to Clause 2.8 (Additional Lenders).

 

We, [Name of Additional Lender] agree to become party to and to be bound by the terms of the Credit Agreement as an Additional Lender in accordance with Clause 2.8 (Additional Lenders) with effect on and from [insert date].

 

Our Revolving Credit Commitment is U.S.$ [        ].[Our Swingline Commitment is U.S.$ [        ]] 1

 

We confirm to each Finance Party that we:

 

(a)                                have made our own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of each Obligor and its related entities in connection with its participation in the Credit Agreement and have not relied exclusively on any information provided to us by a Finance Party in connection with any Finance Document; and

 

(b)                               will continue to make our own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and its related entities while any amount is or may be outstanding under the Credit Agreement or any Commitment is in force.

 

The Facility Office and address for notices of the Additional Lender for the purposes of Clause 33.2 (Addresses for notices) is:

 

[                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ]

 

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

[ADDITIONAL LENDER]

 

By:

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

By:

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

By:

 


1                                              Delete if not applicable.

 

127



 

SCHEDULE 5

 

FORM OF CONFIDENTIALITY UNDERTAKING FROM NEW LENDER

 

To:                            [Existing Lender];

Vodafone Group Plc;

 

 

 

Dear Sirs,

 

We refer to the U.S.$[        ] Revolving Credit Agreement dated [ · ] 2015 (the “ Credit Agreement ”) between, among others, Vodafone Group Plc and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (as Agent).

 

This is a confidentiality undertaking referred to in Clause 28 (Disclosure of Information) of the Credit Agreement. A term defined in the Credit Agreement has the same meaning in this undertaking.

 

We are considering entering into contractual relations with [insert name of Lender] (the Existing Lender ) and understand that it is a condition of our receiving information about Vodafone Group Plc and its related companies and any Finance Document and/or any information under or in connection with any Finance Document that we execute this undertaking.

 

1.                                     Confidentiality Undertaking

 

We undertake (a) to keep the Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone except as provided for by paragraph 2 below and to ensure that the Confidential Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to our own confidential information, (b) to use the Confidential Information only for the Permitted Purpose, (c) to use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that any person to whom we pass any Confidential Information (unless disclosed under paragraph 2(b) below) acknowledges and complies with the provisions of this letter as if that person were also a party to it and (d) not to make enquiries of any member of the Consolidated Group or any of their officers, directors, employees or professional advisers relating directly or indirectly to the Facilities, other than directly to the Group Treasurer of Vodafone.

 

2.                                     Permitted Disclosure

 

You agree that we may disclose Confidential Information:

 

(a)                                to members of the Purchaser Group and their officers, directors, employees and professional advisers to the extent necessary for the Permitted Purpose and to any auditors of members of the Purchaser Group;

 

(b)          where requested or required by any court of competent jurisdiction or any competent judicial, governmental, supervisory or regulatory body, (ii) where required by the rules of any stock exchange on which the shares or other securities of any member of the Purchaser Group are listed or (iii) where required by the laws or regulations of any country with jurisdiction over the affairs of any member of the Purchaser Group.

 

128



 

3.                                     Notification of Required or Unauthorised Disclosure

 

We agree (to the extent permitted by law) to inform you of the full circumstances of any disclosure under paragraph 2(b) above or upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this letter.

 

4.                                     Return of Copies

 

If you so request in writing, we shall return all Confidential Information supplied by you to us and destroy or permanently erase all copies of Confidential Information made by us and use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that anyone to whom we have supplied any Confidential Information destroys or permanently erases such Confidential Information and any copies made by them, in each case save to the extent that we or the recipients are required to retain any such Confidential Information by any applicable law, rule or regulation or by any competent judicial, governmental, supervisory or regulatory body or in accordance with internal policy, or where the Confidential Information has been disclosed under paragraph 2(b) above.

 

5.                                     Continuing Obligations

 

The obligations in this letter are continuing and, in particular, shall survive the termination of any discussions or negotiations between you and us. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the obligations in this letter shall cease (a) if we become a party to the Facilities or (b) twelve months after we have returned all Confidential Information supplied to us by you and destroyed or permanently erased all copies of Confidential Information made by us (other than any such Confidential Information or copies which have been disclosed under paragraph 2 above (other than paragraph 2(a)) or which, pursuant to paragraph 4 above, are not required to be returned or destroyed provided that any such Confidential Information retained in accordance with paragraph 4 above shall remain confidential, subject to paragraph 2, for the period during which it is retained).

 

6.                                     Consequences of Breach, etc.

 

We acknowledge and agree that you or members of the Consolidated Group (each a Relevant Person ) may be irreparably harmed by the breach of the terms hereof and damages may not be an adequate remedy; each Relevant Person may be granted an injunction or specific performance for any threatened or actual breach of the provisions of this letter by any member of the Purchaser Group.

 

7.                                     No Waiver; Amendments, etc.

 

This letter sets out the full extent of our obligations of confidentiality owed to you in relation to the information the subject of this letter. No failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof nor will any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege preclude any further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privileges hereunder. The terms of this letter and our obligations hereunder may only be amended or modified by written agreement between us.

 

8.                                     Inside Information

 

We acknowledge that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation relating to insider dealing and we undertake not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose.

 

129



 

9.                                     Nature of Undertakings

 

The undertakings given by us under this letter are given to you and (without implying any fiduciary obligations on your part) are also given for the benefit of each other member of the Consolidated Group.

 

10.                             Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

This letter and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and the parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

 

11.                             Third Party Rights

 

(a)                                Subject to paragraphs 6 to paragraph 9 above the terms of this letter may be enforced and relied upon only by you and us and the operation of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 is excluded.

 

(b)                               Notwithstanding any provisions of this letter, the parties of this letter do not require the consent of any Relevant Person to rescind or vary this letter at any time.

 

12.                             Definitions

 

In this letter:

 

Confidential Information ” means any information relating to Vodafone, the Consolidated Group and/or the Facilities provided to us by you or any of your Affiliates or advisers, in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes information that (a) is or becomes public knowledge other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach of this letter or (b) is known by us before the date the information is disclosed to us by you or any of your affiliates or advisers or is lawfully obtained by us thereafter, other than from a source which is connected with the Consolidated Group and which, in either case, as far as we are aware, has not been obtained in violation of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality;

 

Permitted Purpose ” means considering and evaluating whether to enter into the Facilities; and

 

Purchaser Group ” means us, each of our holding companies and subsidiaries and each subsidiary of each of our holding companies (as each such term is defined in the Companies Act 1985).

 

Yours faithfully

 

 

 

 

 

 

For and on behalf of

[New Lender]

 

130



 

SCHEDULE 6

 

FORM OF ADDITIONAL LENDER’S FEE LETTER

 

Vodafone Group Plc (“ Vodafone ”)

Vodafone House

The Connection

Newbury

Berkshire RG14 2FN

 

For the attention of [Director of Treasury]

 

[DATE]

 

Dear Sirs,

 

Fee Letter

 

You have asked us to participate in a U.S.$[      ] credit facility (the “ Facility ”) to provide support for the Consolidated Group’s continuing commercial paper programmes and for general corporate purposes of the Consolidated Group including, but not limited to, acquisitions.

 

Terms defined in the credit agreement dated [ · ] 2015 between (inter alia) Vodafone and the financial institutions listed therein (the “ Credit Agreement ”) have the same meaning in this letter unless otherwise defined in this letter or the context otherwise requires.

 

This letter sets out the terms upon which you have agreed to pay a fee in relation to our participation in the Facility.

 

1.                                     Fee

 

You will pay to us for our account a non-refundable up-front fee equal to [         ] per cent. flat calculated on our Revolving Credit Commitment as at the date on which we become an Additional Lender pursuant to Clause 2.8 (Additional Lenders) of the Credit Agreement and payable 5 Business Days after that date;

 

2.                                     Finance Document

 

This Fee Letter is a Finance Document.

 

3.                                     No Set-off

 

All payments to be made under this Fee Letter will be calculated and made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim).

 

4.                                     Governing Law

 

This letter and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by and construed in accordance with English law.

 

If you agree to the above please sign and return the enclosed copy of this letter.

 

131



 

This letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this letter.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

 

 

[                 ]

 

For and on behalf of

[ADDITIONAL LENDER]

 

 

 

We agree to the terms set out above.

 

[                 ]

 

For and on behalf of

Vodafone Group Plc

 

[DATE]

 

132



 

SCHEDULE 7

 

FORM OF INCREASE CONFIRMATION

 

To:                            THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC as Agent and Vodafone, for and on behalf of each Obligor

 

From:            [the Increase Lender] (the “ Increase Lender ”)

 

[DATE]

 

Vodafone Group Plc U.S.$[     ] Revolving Credit Agreement

dated [ · ] 2015 (the Credit Agreement )

 

1.                We refer to the Credit Agreement. This agreement (the “ Agreement ”) shall take effect as an Increase Confirmation for the purpose of the Credit Agreement. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement have the same meaning in this Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Agreement.

 

2.                                     We refer to Clause 2.3 (Increase) of the Credit Agreement.

 

3.                                     The Increase Lender agrees to assume and will assume all of the obligations corresponding to the Commitment specified in the Schedule (the “ Relevant Commitment ”) as if it was an Original Lender under the Credit Agreement.

 

4.                                     The proposed date on which the increase in relation to the Increase Lender and the Relevant Commitment is to take effect (the “ Increase Date ”) is [    ].

 

5.                                     On the Increase Date, the Increase Lender becomes party to the relevant Finance Documents as a Lender.

 

6.                                     The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices to the Increase Lender for the purposes of Clause 33.2 (Addresses for notices) are set out in the Schedule.

 

7.                                     The Increase Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Lenders’ obligations referred to in paragraph (f) of Clause 2.3 (Increase).

 

8.                                     The Increase Lender confirms, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to any Obligor, that it is:

 

(a)                                [a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender);]

 

(b)                               [a Treaty Lender;]

 

(c)                                [not a Qualifying Lender]. 2

 

[9]                               This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.

 

[9/10]           This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English Law.

 

[10/11]   This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

 


2                                             Delete as applicable — each Increase Lender is required to confirm which of these three categories it falls within.

 

133



 

THE SCHEDULE

 

Relevant Commitment/rights and obligations to be assumed by the Increase Lender

 

[insert relevant details]

 

[Facility office address, fax number and attention details for notices and account details for payments]

 

 

 

[Increase Lender]

 

By:

 

This Agreement is accepted as an Increase Confirmation for the purpose of the Credit Agreement by the Agent and the Increase Date is confirmed as [   ].

 

Agent

 

By:

 

134



 

SIGNATORIES

 

 

Borrower and Guarantor

 

VODAFONE GROUP PLC

 

 



 

Mandated Lead Arrangers

 

ABBEY NATIONAL TREASURY SERVICES PLC (TRADING AS SANTANDER GLOBAL BANKING AND MARKETS)

 

 



 

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.

 

 



 

BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 



 

BANK OF CHINA LIMITED, LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

 

 



 

BNP PARIBAS, LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

CITIBANK N.A., LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

COMMERZBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

DEUTSCHE BANK LUXEMBOURG S.A.

 

 



 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA

 

 



 

HSBC BANK PLC

 

 

 



 

ING BANK N.V., LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

INTESA SANPAOLO S.P.A.

 

 



 

J.P. MORGAN LIMITED

 

 



 

LLOYDS BANK PLC

 

 



 

MlZUHO BANK, LTD

 

 

 



 

MORGAN STANLEY BANK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 



 

SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION

 

 

 



 

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.

 

 



 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

 

 



 

UBS LIMITED

 

 



 

UNICREDIT BANK AG

 

 

 



 

Co-Arrangers

 

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED

 

 



 

BANCO DE SABADELL S.A., LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED ABN 12 004 044 937

 

 



 

SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK

 

 



 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

 

 

 



 

THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK

 

 

 



 

Original Lenders

 

ABBEY NATIONAL TREASURY SERVICES PLC (TRADING AS SANTANDER GLOBAL BANKING AND MARKETS)

 

 



 

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING GROUP LIMITED

 

By:

 

 



 

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A., LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

BANCO DE SABADELL S.A., LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

 

 



 

BANK OF AMERICA N.A.

 

 



 

BANK OF CHINA LIMITED, LONDON BRANCH

 

 

 



 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

 

 

 



 

BNP PARIBAS, LONDON BRANCH

 

 

 



 

CITIBANK, N.A., LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

COMMERZBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

DEUTSCHE BANK LUXEMBOURG S.A.

 

 



 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA

 

 



 

HSBC BANK PLC

 

 



 

ING BANK N.V., LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

INTESA SANPAOLO S.P.A.

 

 



 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

LLOYDS BANK PLC

 

 



 

MIZUHO BANK, LTD

 

 



 

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC

 

 



 

NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED ABN 12 004 044 937

 

 



 

SOCIETE GENERALE, LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK

 

 



 

SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION

 

 



 

TD BANK EUROPE LIMITED

 

 



 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

 

 



 

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.

 

 



 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

 

 



 

UBS AG, LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

UNICREDIT BANK AG

 

 



 

Swingline Lenders

 

ABBEY NATIONAL TREASURY SERVICES PLC (TRADING AS SANTANDER GLOBAL BANKING AND MARKETS)

 

 



 

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A., LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

BANK OF AMERICA N.A.

 

 



 

BANK OF CHINA LIMITED, LONDON BRANCH

 

 



 

BARCLAYS BANK PLC

 

 



 

BNP PARIBAS

 

 



 

CITIBANK, N.A.

 

 



 

COMMERZBANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, NEW YORK BRANCH

 

 



 

DEUTSCHE BANK LUXEMBOURG S.A. C/O DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH

 

 



 

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA

 

 



 

HSBC BANK PLC

 

 



 

ING BANK N.V., DUBLIN BRANCH

 

 



 

INTESA SANPAOLO S.P.A.

 

 



 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., NEW YORK BRANCH

 

 



 

LLOYDS BANK PLC

 

 



 

MIZUHO BANK, LTD

 

 



 

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC

 

 



 

SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION

 

 



 

THE BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI UFJ, LTD.

 

 



 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

 

 



 

UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH

 

 



 

UNICREDIT BANK AG

 

 



 

Agent

 

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

 

 



 

U.S. Swingline Agent

 

 


Exhibit 4.29

 

October 2014

 

 

 

Nick Read

Chief Financial Officer
Vodafone Group Plc
One Kingdom Street
Paddington

London

W2 6BY

 

 

Dear Nick

 

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

 

This letter is to confirm that you have the benefit of the following indemnity in relation to liability incurred in your capacity as a Director of Vodafone Group Plc (the “Company”). This indemnity is as wide as English law currently permits:

 

(i)

The Company will provide funds to cover costs as incurred by you in defending legal proceedings brought against you in your capacity as, or as a result of your being or having been, a Director of the Company including criminal proceedings and proceedings brought by the Company itself or an associated company;

 

 

(ii)

The Company will indemnify you in respect of any proceedings brought by third parties, including both legal and financial costs of an adverse judgment brought against you in your capacity as, or as a result of your being or having been, a Director of the Company; and

 

 

(iii)

The Company will indemnify you for liability incurred in connection with any application made to a court for relief from liability, where the court grants such relief.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the indemnity granted does not cover:

 

(i)

Unsuccessful defence of criminal proceedings, in which instance the Company would seek reimbursement for any funds advanced;

 

 

(ii)

Unsuccessful defence of an action brought by the Company itself or an associated company, in which instance the Company would seek reimbursement for any funds advanced;

 

 

(iii)

Fines imposed by regulatory bodies;

 

 

(iv)

Fines imposed in criminal proceedings; and

 

 

(v)

Liability incurred in connection with any application under Section 661(3) or (4) of the Companies Act 2006 (acquisition of shares by innocent nominee) or section 1157 of the Companies Act 2006 (general power to grant relief in case of honest and reasonable conduct), where the court refuses to grant you relief, and such refusal is final. (For reference, a summary of these sections is appended to this letter).

 

 

 

Vodafone Group Plc

Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England

T+44 1635 33251  F+44 1635 676746

Registered Office: Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England.   Registered in England No. 1833679

 



 

Furthermore, the Company may, subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and the rules made by the UK Listing Authority, provide funds to cover costs as incurred by you in defending yourself in an investigation by a regulatory authority or against an action proposed to be taken by a regulatory authority in connection with any alleged negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by you in relation to the Company or an associated company.

 

It is a condition of the provision of this indemnity that you shall notify the Company without delay upon becoming aware of any claim or potential claim against you and that you have a duty to mitigate any loss incurred.

 

The Company maintains Directors and Officers insurance as additional cover for Directors which, if the insurance policy so permits, may provide funds in circumstances where the law prohibits the Company from indemnifying Directors.

 

If you have any queries in relation to this letter, please let me know.  Otherwise, please counter-sign the enclosed copy of this letter and return to me at your earliest convenience.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

 

/s/ Vittorio Colao

 

 

 

 

I accept the terms of this letter.

 

 

/s/ Nick Read

 

Nick Read

Director

Vodafone Group Plc

 

 

 

Date: 28 October 2014

 



 

Appendix

 

Section 661 (3) and (4) Companies Act 2006

 

Section 661 of the Companies Act 2006 governs the situation where there are partly paid up shares issued to a Company nominee.  If the nominee is called upon to pay up but fails to do so, the Directors of the Company are jointly and severally liable with the nominee to pay such amount. Under this section however, the court is able to excuse the Director of his or her liability if it finds that the Director has acted honestly and reasonably in the circumstances and ought fairly to be excused from liability. If the Director is so excused, the indemnity provided by the Company will cover costs incurred by the Director in relation to the proceedings.  If the court refuses to grant such relief, the Company will not be permitted to indemnify the Director for costs incurred.

 

Section 1157 Companies Act 2006

 

The Court has power under section 1157 of the Companies Act 2006 in any proceedings that come before it concerning negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust against a Director to relieve him or her from liability if having regard to all the circumstances of the case it finds that the Director has acted honestly and reasonably and ought fairly to be excused from liability.  If the Director is excused, the Company will indemnify the Director for any costs incurred in relation to the proceedings but if relief is refused, the Company will not be permitted to indemnify the Director.

 


Exhibit 4.30

 

 

Gerard Kleisterlee

Chairman

24 th  March 2015

 

 

 

STRICTLY PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIDAL

 

Dr. Mathias Döpfner

Mangerstr.39

14467 Potsdam

Germany

 

 

 

Dear Mathias

 

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORSHIP OF VODAFONE GROUP PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

 

Further to our discussions, this letter is to confirm the terms of your appointment as a non-executive director of Vodafone Group Public Limited Company (the “Company”), without prejudice to your obligations to the Company under English Law.

 

1              Role

 

Your obligations and responsibilities as a non-executive director are to the Company and, like all directors, you should act at all times in the best interests of the Company, exercising your independent judgment on all matters. Non-executive directors have the same general legal responsibilities to the Company as any other director. The Board as a whole is collectively responsible for promoting the success of the Company by directing and supervising the Company’s affairs. Your appointment as a non-executive director of the Company is subject to the Company’s Articles of Association (the “Articles”) and the latter will prevail in the event of any conflict between them and the terms of this letter. A copy of the current version of the Articles is available on the Company’s website at www.vodafone.com.

 

In my view, the role of the non-executive director has a number of key elements and I look forward to your contribution in these areas:

 

·           Strategy: you should constructively challenge and contribute to the development of strategy;

 

·           Performance: you should scrutinise the performance of management in meeting agreed goals and objectives and monitor the reporting of performance;

 

·           Risk: you should satisfy yourself that financial information is accurate and that financial controls and systems of risk management are robust and defensible; and

 

·           People: non-executive directors are responsible for determining appropriate levels of remuneration of executive directors and have a prime role in appointing, and where necessary removing, senior management and in succession planning.

 

 

 

 

Vodafone Group Plc

Our ref:    053k-SM

Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England

T     +44 1635 673915

T+44 (0)1635 33251 F+44 (0)1635 580857 www.vodafone.com

F     +44 1635 580761

 

Registered Office: Vodafone House, The Connection, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2FN, England. Registered in England No. 1833679

 



 

2              Appointment and Term

 

Subject to the terms of this letter, your appointment as a director will commence on 1 April 2015 (“the Effective Date”). The Articles require that directors submit themselves for re-election by shareholders periodically and as a Board we have resolved that all the Directors will submit themselves for re-election every year. The Nominations and Governance Committee each year reviews and considers the submission of the directors for re-election and considers the membership of the Board committees. In the event that when you submit yourself for re-election you are not elected, your appointment as director will automatically terminate. You will not be entitled to receive any compensation from the Company in respect of the termination of your directorship. In accordance with the recommendations of the UK Corporate Governance Code, after nine years’ service on the Board, a director may not be considered independent.

 

Overall, we anticipate a time commitment from you involving attendance at all Board meetings (the Company currently has eight each year), the Annual General Meeting (usually held in July each year) and at least one Company/site visit per year. You will be expected to devote appropriate preparation time ahead of each meeting. In addition, each of the principal Board Committees meets about four or five times a year (and in some cases more frequently) and you are expected to attend all the meetings of the Committee(s) of which you are member.

 

By accepting this appointment, you have confirmed that you are able to allocate sufficient time to meet the expectations of your role. If you are unable to attend a Board meeting or Committee meeting in person, I hope, nevertheless, that you will be able to join those meetings either by videoconference or teleconference facilities. I would be grateful if, before accepting additional commitments that might affect the time you are able to devote to your role as a non-executive director of the Company, you would seek my agreement.

 

3              Fees

 

As you will be a non-executive director of the Company, the Board as a whole will determine your remuneration in accordance with the requirements of good corporate governance, and the Financial Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules. The fee for your services is €115,000.00 per annum and it is paid in equal instalments monthly in arrears. No separate fee is payable for membership of a Board Committee (unless you are the Chair of the Committee). You may elect to be paid either in cash or in the Company’s shares. Please let me know if you may prefer to receive shares. You will also be entitled to be repaid all travelling and other expenses properly incurred in performing your duties in accordance with the Articles. Payment of all fees will cease immediately after your appointment as a non-executive director of the Company terminates for any reason.

 

4              Dealing in the Company’s shares

 

You shall (and you shall procure that your “connected persons”, including your spouse and any dependent children shall) comply with the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1993, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, the Financial Conduct Authority’s Model Code as set out in the Listing Rules and rules and regulations laid down by the Company from time to time in relation to dealing in the Company’s shares. Further guidance is provided in your director information pack.

 

 

2



 

5              Competitive Businesses

 

In view of the sensitive and confidential nature of the Company’s business you agree that for so long as you are a non-executive director of the Company you will not, without the consent of the Board, which shall not be withheld unreasonably, be engaged or interested in any capacity in any business or with any company which is, in the reasonable opinion of the Board, competitive with the business of any company in the Group. In the event that you become aware of any potential conflicts of interest, these should be disclosed to me and to the Company Secretary as soon as possible.

 

6              Confidentiality

 

You agree that you will not make use of, divulge or communicate to any person (except in the proper performance of your duties) any of the trade secrets or other confidential information of or relating to any company in the Group which you have received or obtained from or through the Company. This restriction shall continue to apply after the termination of your appointment without limit in point of time but shall cease to apply to information or knowledge which comes into the public domain otherwise than through your default or which shall have been received by you from a third party entitled to disclose the same to you.

 

Your attention is also drawn to the requirements under both legislation and regulation as to the disclosure of inside information. Consequently, you should avoid making any statements that might risk a breach of these requirements without prior clearance from me or from the Company Secretary. Please note that all media enquiries concerning the Company must be referred immediately to the Group External Affairs Director.

 

7              Illness or Incapacity

 

If you are prevented by illness or incapacity from carrying out your duties for a period exceeding three consecutive calendar months or at different times for a period exceeding in aggregate three calendar months in any one period of twelve calendar months or if you become prohibited by law or under the Articles from being a non-executive director of the Company, then the Company may terminate your appointment immediately.

 

8                Effect of Termination

 

Upon termination of your appointment howsoever arising, you shall immediately or upon request of the Company, resign from office as a non-executive director of the Company and all other offices held by you in any other companies in the Group and your membership of any organisation acquired by virtue of your tenure of any such office, and should you fail to do so, the Company is hereby irrevocably authorised to appoint some person in your name and on your behalf to sign any documents and do anything necessary or requisite to give effect thereto.

 

9                Return of Company Property

 

You agree that upon termination of your appointment as a non-executive director, you will immediately deliver to the Company all property belonging to the Company or any member of its Group, including all documents or other records made or compiled or acquired by you during your appointment concerning the business, finances or affairs of the Group.

 

 

3



 

10            Independent Professional Advice

 

In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Board has agreed procedures for directors in the furtherance of their duties to take independent professional advice if necessary, at the Company’s expense. A copy of the relevant Board resolution is enclosed in your director information pack. Naturally, if you have any queries or difficulties at any time please feel free to discuss them with me. I am also available at all times to provide you with information and advice you may need.

 

11            Indemnification and Insurance

 

You will have the benefit of the following indemnity in relation to liability incurred in your capacity as a Director of the Company. This indemnity is as wide as English law currently permits:

 

(i)          The Company will provide funds to cover costs as incurred by you in defending legal proceedings brought against you in your capacity as, or as a result of your being or having been, a Director of the Company including criminal proceedings and proceedings brought by the Company itself or an Associated Company;

 

(ii)         The Company will indemnify you in respect of any proceedings brought by third parties, including both legal and financial costs of an adverse judgment brought against you in your capacity as, or as a result of your being or having been, a Director of the Company; and

 

(iii)        The Company will indemnify you for liability incurred in connection with any application made to a court for relief from liability, where the court grants such relief.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the indemnity granted does not cover:

 

(i)         Unsuccessful defence of criminal proceedings, in which instance the Company would seek reimbursement for any funds advanced;

 

(ii)        Unsuccessful defence of an action brought by the Company itself or an Associated Company, in which instance the Company would seek reimbursement for any funds advanced;

 

(iii)          Fines imposed by regulatory bodies;

 

(iv)          Fines imposed in criminal proceedings; and

 

(v)        Liability incurred in connection with any application under Section 144(3) or (4) of the Companies Act 1985 (acquisition of shares by innocent nominee) or section 1157 of the Companies Act 2006 (general power to grant relief in case of honest and reasonable conduct), where the court refuses to grant you relief, and such refusal is final.

 

You will notify the Company as soon as reasonably practicable upon becoming aware of any claim or potential claim against you.

 

The Company maintains Directors and Officers insurance as additional cover for directors which, if the insurance policy so permits, may provide funds in circumstances where the law prohibits the Company from indemnifying directors. Further information will be provided by the Company Secretary.

 

 

4



 

12         Review Process

 

The performance of individual directors and the whole Board and its committees is evaluated annually. If, in the interim, there are any matters which cause you concern about your role, please discuss them with me as soon as is appropriate.

 

13         Contract for Services

 

It is agreed that you will not be an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and that this letter shall not constitute a contract of employment.

 

In this letter:

 

“Board”       means the board of directors of the Company from time to time or any person or committee nominated by the board of directors as its representative or to whom (and to that extent) it has delegated powers for the purposes of this letter.

 

“Group”       means the Company and any other company which is its subsidiary or in which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company controls not less than 25% of the voting shares (where “subsidiary” has the meaning given to it by section 736 of the Companies Act 1985).

 

This letter shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English Law. Both parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English Courts as regards any claim or matter arising in connection with the terms of this letter.

 

Please acknowledge receipt and acceptance of the terms of this letter by signing the enclosed copy and returning it to the Company Secretary. I am greatly looking forward to working with you.

 

Kind regards.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

 

 

I hereby accept that the terms of this letter constitute the terms of my appointment as a non-executive director of the Company.

 

 

 

Signed:

 

Date: 25 March 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr Mathias Doepfner

 

 

 

 

 

5


Exhibit 7

 

UNAUDITED COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

2011

 

 

 

£m

 

 

£m

 

 

£m

 

 

£m

 

 

£m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing costs per consolidated income statement (2)

1,736

 

 

1,554

 

 

1,596

 

 

1,768

 

 

359

 

 

Financing costs – discontinued operations

-

 

 

-

 

 

56

 

 

23

 

 

70

 

 

One third of rental expense

768

 

 

718

 

 

601

 

 

585

 

 

629

 

 

Interest capitalized

142

 

 

3

 

 

8

 

 

25

 

 

138

 

 

Fixed charges

2,646

 

 

2,275

 

 

2,261

 

 

2,401

 

 

1,196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit/(loss) before taxation from continuing operations

1,095

 

 

(5,270

)

 

(3,483

)

 

4,144

 

 

5,057

 

 

Share of profit in associates

63

 

 

(278

)

 

(575

)

 

(1,129

)

 

(548

)

 

Fixed charges

2,646

 

 

2,275

 

 

2,261

 

 

2,401

 

 

1,196

 

 

Dividends received from associates

583

 

 

4,897

 

 

5,539

 

 

4,916

 

 

1,424

 

 

Preference dividend requirements of a consolidated subsidiary

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

(89

)

 

Interest capitalized

(142

)

 

(3

)

 

(8

)

 

(25

)

 

(138

)

 

Earnings

4,245

 

 

1,621

 

 

3,734

 

 

10,307

 

 

6,902

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

1.6

 

 

-

 

 

1.7

 

 

4.3

 

 

5.8

 

 

Deficiency between fixed charges and earnings

-

 

 

654

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes:

1.

All of the financial information presented in this exhibit is unaudited.

2.

Fixed charges include (1) interest expensed (2) interest capitalized (3) amortised premiums, discounts and capitalised expenses related to indebtedness, (4) an estimate of the interest within rental expense, and (5) preference security dividend requirements of a consolidated subsidiary. These include the financing costs of subsidiaries. Fixed charges include foreign exchange losses arising from net foreign exchange gains on certain intercompany loans of £526 million for the year ended 31 March 2015 (2014: £21 million gain, 2013: £91 million loss, 2012: £nil, 2011: £nil) and interest credit on settlement of tax issues of £4 million for the year ended 31 March 2015 (2014: £15 million credit, 2013: £91 million credit, 2012: £23 million expense, 2011: £826 million credit, 2010).

 


Exhibit 12

 

RULE 13a-14(a) CERTIFICATION

 

I, Vittorio Colao, certify that:

 

1.                         I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Vodafone Group Plc (the “Company”);

 

2.                         Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                         Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                         The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the Company and have:

 

(a)                   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)                   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)                   Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)                   Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.                         The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)                   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)                   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

8 June 2015     

/s/ Vittorio Colao 

Date

Vittorio Colao

 

Chief Executive

 



 

RULE 13a-14(a) CERTIFICATION

 

I, Nick Read, certify that:

 

1.                         I have reviewed this annual report on Form 20-F of Vodafone Group Plc (the “Company”);

 

2.                         Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                         Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                         The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) for the Company and have:

 

(a)                   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)                   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)                   Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)                   Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by the annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.                         The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)                   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)                  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

8 June 2015     

/s/ Nick Read

Date

Nick Read

 

Chief Financial Officer

 


Exhibit 13

 

RULE 13a-14(b) CERTIFICATION

 

Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code), the undersigned officer of Vodafone Group Plc, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (the “Company”), hereby certifies, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

 

The Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 March 2015 (the “Report”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

8 June 2015     

/s/ Vittorio Colao

Date

Vittorio Colao

 

Chief Executive

 

 

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code) and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

 

 

 

 

RULE 13a-14(b) CERTIFICATION

 

Pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code), the undersigned officer of Vodafone Group Plc, a company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (the “Company”), hereby certifies, to such officer’s knowledge, that:

 

The Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 March 2015 (the “Report”) of the Company fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

8 June 2015     

/s/ Nick Read

Date

Nick Read

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of section 1350, chapter 63 of title 18, United States Code) and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

 


Exhibit 15.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Forms F-3 (No. 333-190307)  and S-8 (No. 333-81825, 333-149634) of Vodafone Group Plc of our report dated 19 May 2015 relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Annual Report on Form 20-F.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

London, UK

 

8 June 2015

 


Exhibit 15.2

 

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-81825 and 333-149634 on Form S-8 and Registration Statement No. 333-190307 on Form F-3 of our report dated 20 May 2014, relating to the 2014 and 2013 consolidated financial statements (before the effects of the retrospective adjustments to the segment disclosures discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements) (not presented herein) of Vodafone Group Plc and subsidiaries (the “Group”), appearing in this Annual Report on Form 20-F of Vodafone Group Plc for the year ended 31 March 2015.

 

/s/ Deloitte LLP

Deloitte LLP

London, United Kingdom

8 June 2015

 


Exhibit 15.3

 

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-81825 and 333-149634 on Form S-8 and Registration Statement No. 333-190307 on Form F-3 of Vodafone Group Plc of our report dated February 27, 2014 relating to the 2013 consolidated financial statements of Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless appearing in this Annual Report on Form 20-F of Vodafone Group Plc for the year ended March 31, 2015.

 

 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York
June 8, 2015

 


Exhibit 15.4

 

8 June 2015

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, D.C., USA

20549-7561

 

Dear Sirs/Madams,

 

 

We have read Vodafone Group Plc’s disclosure pursuant to Item 16.F(a) of Form 20-F as set out in paragraph seven in the section entitled “Appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP” on page 66 of Vodafone Group Plc’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 March 2015. We agree with the statements made in relation to Deloitte LLP. We have no basis on which to agree or disagree with other statements of the registrant contained therein.

 

Yours truly,

 

/s/ Deloitte LLP

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm