Slide Notes
Telefónica UK Limited (trading as O2 – stylised as O2) is a telecommunications, internet and financial services provider in the United Kingdom owned by Telefónica, forming part of its Telefónica Europe division. It is the second-largest mobile telecommunications provider in the United Kingdom (after EE) and is headquartered in Slough.[2]
O2 was formed in 1985 as Cellnet, a 60:40 joint venture between BT Group and Securicor. In 1999, BT Group acquired Securicor's 40 percent share of Cellnet and the company was later rebranded as BT Cellnet.[3] In June 2000 BT Cellnet launched the world’s first commercial General Packet Radio Service.[4] BT Cellnet, together with BT Group's mobile telecommunications businesses in Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands were part of the BT Wireless division. This was spun-off from the BT Group in 2002 to form a new holding company, mmO2 plc, which introduced the new "O2" brand for the businesses. mmO2 plc was subsequently renamed O2 plc.[5]
In 2005, it was announced that the Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica had agreed to acquire O2 plc for £18 billion. As part of the terms of the acquisition Telefónica agreed to retain the "O2" brand and the company's UK headquarters.[6]
O2 was formed in 1985 as Cellnet, a 60:40 joint venture between BT Group and Securicor. In 1999, BT Group acquired Securicor's 40 percent share of Cellnet and the company was later rebranded as BT Cellnet.[3] In June 2000 BT Cellnet launched the world’s first commercial General Packet Radio Service.[4] BT Cellnet, together with BT Group's mobile telecommunications businesses in Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands were part of the BT Wireless division. This was spun-off from the BT Group in 2002 to form a new holding company, mmO2 plc, which introduced the new "O2" brand for the businesses. mmO2 plc was subsequently renamed O2 plc.[5]
In 2005, it was announced that the Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica had agreed to acquire O2 plc for £18 billion. As part of the terms of the acquisition Telefónica agreed to retain the "O2" brand and the company's UK headquarters.[6]
