Vodafone, a British Telecommunications Company, Was Founded.

On 17 July 1984, Vodafone was founded as Racal Strategic Radio Limited in Newbury, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom.

It was founded by Sir Gerry Whent and Sir Ernest Harrison as a subsidiary of Racal Electronics Plc.

The brand name "Vodafone," derived from "VOice DAta FONE," was unveiled in March 1984 for the company's mobile telecommunications service.

On 1 January 1985, the company launched the Vodafone network and carried the United Kingdom's first mobile phone call, when Michael Harrison called his father, Sir Ernest Harrison, from Parliament Square, London, using the Vodafone Transportable VT1.

In September 1985, Racal Strategic Radio Limited was renamed Racal Telecommunications Group Limited.

On 16 September 1991, following its demerger from Racal Electronics Plc, the company became independent and was renamed Vodafone Group Plc (Vodafone Group Public Limited Company).