LONDON and SEATTLE, Dec. 9  -- Vodafone and The
Boeing Company (NYSE: BA), acting through its business unit Connexion by
Boeing, today announced their intention to jointly trial the delivery of
high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity to airline passengers.  Vodafone will
be the first global mobile telecommunications operator to undergo trials with
Connexion by Boeing, aimed at extending Vodafone's laptop data mobility
services in flight.


    The  trial, due to start this month, will test the Vodafone customer
experience with the Connexion by Boeing(SM) real-time, in-flight Internet
service, which operates in a similar manner to ground based public Wi-Fi.
Following successful completion of trials and Vodafone entering into a full
agreement with Connexion by Boeing, Vodafone customers will be able to access
the Internet or their corporate VPN, and have sessions billed to their
Vodafone account. 
    "We are excited to work with Vodafone, which is a key global player in
Europe and Asia, and to work toward a successful implementation of our
services for their customers," said David Friedman, vice president of
Marketing and Direct Sales for Connexion by Boeing.  "Following successful
trials and Vodafone entering into a commercial agreement with us, Vodafone
customers will be able to access the Connexion by Boeing service on equipped
commercial flights as we introduce high-speed in-flight connectivity
worldwide."
    Access by Vodafone customers to Connexion by Boeing's in-flight Wi-Fi
service is expected to launch first on Lufthansa flights in and out of Europe.

    About Connexion by Boeing
    Connexion by Boeing, recipient of the 2003 World Travel Award for World's
Leading High-Speed In-flight Internet Services Provider, brings high-speed
Internet, data and entertainment connectivity to travelers via a broadband
connection to the aircraft.  Connexion by Boeing has definitive agreements
with Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SAS (Scandinavian Airlines), Japan
Airlines, ANA, China Airlines and Kingdom Holding Co. to equip their long-haul
aircraft with the service.  In addition, Korean Air and Asiana have announced
their intent to install the Connexion by Boeing system on their long-range
aircraft.  Connexion by Boeing also offers a high-speed connectivity solution
for the business aviation and maritime markets.  For more information, please
visit http://www.connexionbyboeing.com.

    About Vodafone
    Vodafone is the world's largest mobile community, with equity interests
in 26 countries and Partner Networks in a further 13 countries, serving over
147 million proportionate customers.

    For further information please contact: Terrance Scott, +1-206-571-8070
(mobile), or Catherine Rudolph, +1-206-655-5037, both of Connexion by Boeing
Media Relations; or Jon Earl, Janine Young, or Emma Conlon,
+44 (0) 1635 673310, all of Vodafone Group Media Relations; or Lulu Bridges
of Tavistock Communications, +44 (0) 20 7920 3150, for Vodafone Group Media
Relations