UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 6-K

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rules 13a-16 or 15d-16 under

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Dated March 26, 2020

 

Commission File Number: 001-10086

 

VODAFONE GROUP

PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

VODAFONE HOUSE, THE CONNECTION, NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, RG14 2FN, ENGLAND

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

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

 

Form 20-F x   Form 40-F o

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Yes o     No x

 

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

 

 

 

This Report on Form 6-K contains a Stock Exchange Announcement dated 25 March 2020 entitled ‘MERGER OF VODAFONE ITALY TOWERS INTO INWIT COMPLETED’.

 

 

25 March 2020

 

MERGER OF VODAFONE ITALY TOWERS INTO INWIT COMPLETED

 

Vodafone, Telecom Italia Group (“TIM”), and INWIT today completed the merger of Vodafone Italy’s towers into INWIT.

 

INWIT is now Italy’s largest tower operator and will focus on maximising tower utilisation whilst also supporting the deployment of TIM and Vodafone Italy’s respective 5G networks.

 

The merger will be effective as of 31 March 2020, as will TIM and Vodafone’s service contracts and active 5G sharing agreements.

 

Following the merger, TIM and Vodafone will each retain a 37.5% stake in INWIT. Vodafone and TIM intend to retain joint control, but over time will consider jointly reducing their respective ownership levels to a minimum of 25.0%.

 

On 31 March, Vodafone will receive 360,200,000 ordinary INWIT shares and cash proceeds of €2,140 million, which will be used to reduce net debt.

 

- ends -

 

For further information:

 

Vodafone Group

 

Media Relations	Investor Relations
www.vodafone.com/media/contact	[email protected]

 

About Vodafone Group

 

Vodafone Group is one of the world’s leading telecoms and technology service providers. We have extensive experience in connectivity, convergence and the Internet of Things, as well as championing mobile financial services and digital transformation in emerging markets.

 

Vodafone Group has mobile operations in 24 countries, partners with mobile networks in 42 more, and fixed broadband operations in 19 markets. As of 31 December 2019, Vodafone Group had approximately 625 million mobile customers, 27 million fixed broadband customers and 22 million TV customers, including all of the customers in Vodafone’s joint ventures and associates. For more information, please visit: www.vodafone.com.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

		VODAFONE GROUP
		PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
		(Registrant)
Dated: March 26, 2020		By:	/s/ R E S MARTIN
			Name: Rosemary E S Martin
			Title: Group General Counsel and Company Secretary