Vodafone today announces that it has agreed to sell its 100% interest in Vodafone Sweden to Telenor, the pan-Nordic telecommunications operator.
Vodafone Sweden is being sold for an Enterprise Value of EUR 1,035 million (GBP 704 million), implying an Enterprise Value to EBITDA multiple of 11x for the financial year ending 31 March 2006. Net cash proceeds to Vodafone after assumption of net debt by Telenor will be approximately EUR 970 million (GBP 660 million).
Commenting on the transaction, Arun Sarin, Chief Executive of Vodafone, said:
"We have a good business in Sweden, but the particular industry structure and regulatory environment means that it makes more sense for our customers, our employees and our shareholders for a pan-Nordic player like Telenor to own the company. I'm sure that Telenor will be able to serve our customers well, particularly in the corporate sector, given its presence across the Nordic region."
Vodafone and Telenor have agreed the terms of a Partner Network Agreement in Sweden, allowing Vodafone Sweden and Vodafone customers to continue to benefit from Vodafone's global brand, products and services in Sweden.
As a result of the transaction, Vodafone will record an impairment charge of approximately GBP 0.5 billion in its interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2005.
The sale is expected to close by the end of calendar year 2005, subject to EU regulatory approval.
For further information:
Vodafone Group Plc
Investor Relations
Telephone: +44 (0) 1635 664447
Media Relations
Telephone: +44 (0) 1635 664444
Notes to Editors
About Vodafone
Vodafone is the world's leading mobile telecommunications group with operations in 27 countries across 5 continents with over 165 million proportionate customers worldwide as at 30 June 2005 as well as 14 partner networks. For further information, please visit www.vodafone.com.
About Vodafone Sweden
Vodafone Sweden is defined as Europolitan Vodafone AB, its subsidiaries and investments, including its interest in the 3GIS network infrastructure sharing joint venture with Hi3G Access AB. As at 31 March 2005, Vodafone Sweden had approximately 1.5 million customers. For the year to 31 March 2005, Vodafone Sweden had revenues of approximately EUR 703 million and EBITDA of approximately EUR 141 million.
About Telenor
Telenor is the largest provider of telecommunications services in Norway, and has substantial international operations both in fixed and mobile communications. For further information, please visit www.telenor.com.
For illustrative purposes exchange rates of SEK 9.53:EUR 1 and GBP 0.68:EUR 1 have been used.
