In 1980, Sir Ernest Harrison OBE, the then chairman of Racal Electronics plc. agreed to a deal with Lord Weinstock of General Electric Company plc to allow Racal to access some of GEC’s tactical battle field radio technology.
The head of Racal’s military radio division – Gerry Whent was briefed by Ernest Harrison to drive the company into commercial mobile radio. Whent visited GE’s mobile radio factory in Virginia, USA the same year to understand the commercial use of military radio technology.[10]
Jan Stenbeck, head of a growing Swedish conglomerate, set up an American company, Millicom, Inc. and approached Racal’s Whent in July 1982 about bidding jointly for the UK’s second cellular radio licence. The two struck a deal giving Racal 60% of the new company, Racal-Millicom, Ltd, and Millicom 40%. Due to UK concerns about foreign ownership, the terms were revised, and in December 1982, the Racal-Milicom partnership was awarded the second UK mobile phone network license.[11] Final ownership of Racal-Millicom, Ltd was 80% Racal, with Millicom holding 15% plus royalties and venture firm Hambros Technology Trust holding 5%. According to the UK Secretary of State for Industry, "the bid submitted by Racal-Millicom Ltd… provided the best prospect for early national coverage by cellular radio."[12]
Vodafone was launched on 1 January 1985 under the new name, Racal-Vodafone(Holdings) Ltd, [13] with its first office based in the Courtyard in Newbury, Berkshire, and[14] shortly thereafter Racal Strategic Radio was renamed Racal Telecommunications Group Limited.[15] On 29 December 1986, Racal Electronics issued shares to the minority shareholders of Vodafone worth GB£110 million;[16] and Vodafone became a fully owned brand of Racal.
On 26 October 1988, Racal Telecom, majority held by Racal Electronics; went public on the London Stock Exchange with 20% of its stock floated. The successful flotation led to a situation where the Racal’s stake in Racal Telecom was valued more than the whole of Racal Electronics. Under stock market pressure to realise full value for shareholders, Racal demerged Racal Telecom in 1991