Vodafone Group Plc completed the biggest sale of the past decade yesterday, leaving the wireless carrier about half the size it was, as chief executive Vittorio Colao embarks on a new expansion strategy.

Vodafone Ireland gained 400 customers a day in the last quarter, according to the company’s interim management statement, despite the group describing Europe as difficult.

Investors in Vodafone will receive a £54 billion cash and shares windfall after the telecoms giant sold its share in Verizon Wireless for £84 billion.

Europe’s economic woes were felt by Vodafone today after the mobile phone giant reported its first drop in annual revenues for seven years.

Chinese telecoms group Huawei has unveiled what it believes to be the fastest smartphone in the world.

A bid to scrap all mobile phone “roaming” charges by 2014 was defeated today, as a war of words broke out between the European Commission and Vodafone over a continued crackdown on the sector.

Turnaround hopes at Vodafone’s under-pressure European division were lifted today after signs of improved sales trends in the UK and Germany.

A strategy update by new Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao got a warm welcome today after shares in the mobile phone company jumped 10%.

The new boss of Vodafone signalled a different strategy for the mobile phone giant today after announcing plans to cut costs by £1bn (€1.22bn) a year.

A busy week for UK blue-chip results sees figures from Vodafone, BT and Sainsbury’s, while the Bank of England’s latest economic forecasts are likely to make grim reading.

Vodafone chief executive Arun Sarin today said he was leaving the business "in capable hands" after announcing his departure and naming deputy Vittorio Colao as his successor to the top job.

Vodafone Group today announced the appointment of a new chief executive for Europe.

Vodafone today announced Brian Clark, chief executive of Vodafone's Asia Pacific Region, is to be new president and CEO of Vodafone Holdings KK and Vodafone KK following the resignation of Darryl Green.