Vodafone Group plc (LSE: VOD, NASDAQ: VOD) is a global telecommunications company headquartered in Newbury, United Kingdom. It is the world’s largest mobile telecommunications company measured by revenues and the world’s second largest measured by subscribers (behind China Mobile) with 347 million proportionate subscribers as at 30 June 2010.[2][3] It operates networks in 31 countries and has partner networks in a further 44 countries.[4][5] It owns 45% of Verizon Wireless, the largest mobile telecommunications company in the United States measured by subscribers.[6]

The name Vodafone comes from voice data fone, chosen by the company to “reflect the provision of voice and data services over mobile phones”.[7]

It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. It had a market capitalisation of approximately £80.2 billion as of August 2010, making it Britain’s third largest company.[8]