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Vodafone Focuses on Access to Communications in Seventh Corporate Responsibility Report

Submitted by: Vodafone Group

Categories: Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Social Responsibility

Posted: Jun 27, 2007 – 01:30 PM EST

Today, Vodafone launches its seventh Corporate Responsibility (CR) report, presenting a comprehensive picture of how the company is committed to being a responsible business.

The report, detailing activity in the year ended 31 March 2007, is entitled ‘The Potential of Communications.’ This reflects Vodafone’s belief that the company’s greatest contribution to society can be made by extending access to communication to those who are currently excluded for social or economic reasons. The report also details Vodafone’s progress in other initiatives such as climate change, content standards, supply chain and privacy.

Arun Sarin, Vodafone Group CEO, said: “Part of our responsibility as a global telecommunications business is about improving access to communications in both the developed and developing world. This forms a core part of our CR strategy and focuses on two key areas: firstly, bridging the digital divide by improving access for disadvantaged groups, particularly in emerging markets. Secondly, by reducing preventable exclusion through accessible features, helping groups such as the disabled and the elderly who may find it difficult to use mobile phones.”

Access to communications:

Vodafone has several initiatives in place to ensure that its services are available to as many people as possible, regardless of their social or economic circumstances.

Access to Communications initiatives in the past year:

Ultra low cost handsets developed in China in association with manufacturer ZTE. These are expected to retail at USD25-40 (GBP12.50 – 20)

Launch of mobile payment service M-Pesa in Kenya by Safaricom (Vodafone joint venture)

Collaboration with Citigroup on an international money transfer service enabling people working abroad to send money home via their mobile

Economic empowerment research published to assess the potential of mobile products and services to make financial transactions more accessible

The CR report also demonstrates the company’s strong environmental credentials. The network carbon dioxide emissions per unit of data transmitted has reduced by 29%. Despite adding over 30 million proportionate customers in the 2007 financial year, the total energy use increased by 6%. In addition Vodafone challenged suppliers to improve the energy efficiency of its network equipment. In the past year alone a 25% improvement has already been achieved.

Climate change results from the past year:

A 32% reduction in network energy carbon dioxide emissions per MB traffic in the 2007 financial year

A 59% increase in the number of phones collected for reuse and recycling from the 2005 financial year

97% of network equipment waste was recycled

For the full report or for more information on Vodafone’s corporate responsibility strategy log on to www.vodafone.com/responsibility.

For more information, please contact:

Rachel Witham Forster

Phone: +44 20 7403 2230

Melissa Heyn Forster

Phone: +44 20 7403 2230

For more from this organization:

Vodafone Group

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Vodafone Focuses on Access to Communications in Seventh Corporate Responsibility Report