British mobile phone company Vodafone AirTouch Plc launched a hostile £85 billion ($137.7 billion) takeover bid for German telecommunications and engineering rival Mannesmann in November 1999.

The bid ultimately resulted in a £103.4 billion ($171.1 billion) merger completed after EU Phase 1 clearance on April 12, 2000. The company’s name changed to Vodafone Group Plc, as of August 11, 2000.