News & Events

Simpson Thacher is representing Vodafone Group plc in connection with its recent announcement, on June 5, 2008, that Verizon Wireless, Vodafone's affiliate in the U.S., has agreed to acquire Alltel Corp. for a total enterprise value of US$28.1 billion in cash and assumed debt. Verizon Wireless is a joint venture owned 55% by Verizon Communications Inc. and 45% by Vodafone Group plc. The acquisition of Alltel, the 5th largest mobile operator in the U.S., with over 13 million customers across 34 states in the US, will catapult Verizon Wireless to the top slot in U.S. wireless services, overtaking AT&T Inc.

Vodafone is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company, with equity interests in 25 countries and Partner Networks in an additional 42 countries. As of 31 March, 2008, Vodafone had approximately 260 million proportionate customers worldwide.

The Simpson Thacher team working on the transaction includes: Bill Curbow, Brian Gingold and Anna Schwartz (M&A) and Steve Todrys and Noah Beck (Tax).