Press release

O2 plc today revealed it has become the first UK-based mobile operator to gain ISO 14001 environmental certification group-wide. The company has operating businesses in the UK, Germany, Ireland and the Isle of Man.

The certification was awarded to O2 after it implemented and demonstrated a company-wide environmental management system. The system has allowed O2 to identify waste minimisation opportunities, energy efficiency measures, comply fully with environmental legislation and offer greater protection of the environment. For example, ISO 14001 has assisted the company in achieving top position within the wireless sector in the Dow Jones sustainability indices rating and is now in a position to compete for public tenders which require ISO 14001 as a minimum.

Peter Richardson, chief executive officer for O2 Airwave and the O2 environmental director, said: "Environmental responsibility and profitability go hand in hand. Stakeholders are demanding the highest ethical standards in an age of rising fuel and raw material prices as well as increasing legislative requirements. We are delighted to be recognised for our efforts in meeting those demands as well as our industry leadership in environmental practice. We are, however, not complacent and will continue to strive for further improvement in our performance."

Note to Editors
ISO 14001 is the international environmental standard which provides a framework for the management, monitoring, auditing and improvement of corporate environmental performance. Environmental issues are managed in the same way as all other business matters with the emphasis on being able to measure performance against targets and demonstrate improvement.

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O2 plc
O2 plc has 100% ownership of mobile network operators in three countries - the UK, Germany and Ireland - as well as a leading mobile Internet portal business. All of these businesses are branded as 'O2'. The company is a founding member of Starmap Mobile Alliance, has operations on the Isle of Man (Manx Telecom) and owns O2 Airwave - an advanced, digital emergency communications service. In addition, O2 has established the Tesco Mobile and Tchibo Mobilfunk joint venture businesses in the UK and Germany respectively.

O2 has more than 23 million customers and some 13,000 employees. It reported revenues for the year ended 31 March 2004 of £5.646 billion. Data represented nearly 24% of total service revenues in the quarter ending 31 December 2004.

O2 plc contact:
David Nicholas
Director of Communications
O2 plc
david.nicholas@o2.com
t: +44 (0)771 575 9176

Simon Gordon
Head of Media Relations
O2 plc
simon.gordon@o2.com
t: +44 (0)771 007 0698

O2 press office: 01753 628402

All O2 Group news releases can be accessed at our web site: www.o2.com

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