Vodafone Group Plc 25 July 2005 25 July 2005 VODAFONE JOINS JAVA VERIFIEDTM PROGRAM Vodafone today announces that it has joined the Java VerifiedTM Program, a program to provide a unified process for the testing and certification of JavaTM technology-based applications for mobile handsets. In joining the program Vodafone becomes the first mobile operator to become a Platinum member in the initiative. The Java Verified Program is fast becoming the standard for mobile Java application testing since its launch in February 2004 by Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Siemens and Sun Microsystems. The program provides developers with the most effective way to test, promote and distribute mobile content to global end-users and subscribers. Developers whose applications successfully pass Java Verified testing can choose to participate in the marketing and distribution program offered by Vodafone. Guy Laurence, Global Terminals and Consumer Marketing Director, Vodafone Group, said, "Vodafone has already stated its commitment to reducing fragmentation in the mobile content value chain. Our advocacy of the Java Verified Program further demonstrates that commitment by helping lead the industry towards a standard approach to testing. A single testing process ensures that developers can now more easily reach out to the millions of Vodafone live! customers worldwide, with significantly reduced time-to-market. "Vodafone will also bring to the Java Verified Program a considerable experience in certification as an operator, and will work closely with Sun Microsystems and the other members of the program to ensure evolution of testing standards in line with the growth and needs of the industry going forward." "We have entered a new era of participation on the network. 2005 marks the year that worldwide mobile phone deployments officially surpass the total worldwide installation of both PCs and fixed-line phones - and it will only expand from here," said Jonathan Schwartz, President and COO at Sun Microsystems. "Vodafone brings a wealth of experience to the Java Verified Program, and their active participation with Sun and its partners in this initiative helps the entire mobile communications ecosystem monetize the enormous growth in the wireless market." Vodafone is confident that the market is mature enough to migrate from previous certification methods and beginning 25th July 2005, will require all new mobile Java applications distributed over Vodafone live! to be successfully tested under the Java Verified Program. By defining common criteria for content testing, the Java Verified Program provides developers with the most effective way to test, promote, and distribute mobile content to global end-users and subscribers. For more information on the JavaTM Verified Program please see: http://www.javaverified.com/index.jsp - ends - For further information: Vodafone Group Plc Media Relations Ben Padovan Janine Young Tel: +44 (0) 1635 673310 About Vodafone Vodafone is the world's largest mobile community with over 165 million proportionate customers, equity interests in 27 countries and Partner Networks in a further 14 countries. For further information about Vodafone, please visit the Vodafone Group website: www.vodafone.com. Trademarks: All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Sun, Sun Microsystems, Java, and Java Verified are all trademarks This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange