In Closing — VodafoneThree Impact Report

In closing

When Vodafone and Three merged in June 2025, it heralded an industry-changing milestone in UK telecoms history. One of the nation’s largest privately funded infrastructure programmes would allow us to roll out the best network the UK has ever experienced.

From the removal of 16,500km² of ‘not spots’ to 99.96% 5G SA population coverage by 2034, this network – the Nation’s Network – would bring faster, more reliable connectivity to people and businesses in every corner of the nation.

But opportunity brings responsibility.

As the UK’s largest mobile provider serving fixed and mobile customers, our role goes beyond providing customers with the UK’s best network; we also must make sure we build this network responsibly. Only then can we be certain that our actions are contributing to a safer, more secure and more sustainable nation.

Our first Sustainability and Social Impact Report is an attempt to start charting that process. By setting out our joint historical legacies, and outlining our future aims, we can ensure VodafoneThree makes the right kind of impact – both environmentally and socially. In turn, creating a network that is made for everyone, made to be safe, and made to last.

A network that keeps everyone connected.

Stay up to date with our progress at www.vodafonethree.com

Aerial view of a UK town and countryside

References

  1. Open Signal
    https://insights.opensignal.com/Global-network-excellence-index
  2. Brits demand digital equality: Internet access deemed human right
    https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/press-release/brits-demand-digital-equality
  3. Digital Nation | The UK’s Digital Divide | Good Things Foundation
    https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/policy-and-research/research-and-evidence/research-2024/digital-nation.html
  4. Brits demand digital equality: Internet access deemed human right
    https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/press-release/brits-demand-digital-equality
  5. Global Trends | UNHCR
    https://www.unhcr.org/global-trends
  6. Hunger in the UK 2025 | Trussell
    https://www.trussell.org.uk/news-and-research/publications/report/hunger-in-the-uk-2025
  7. Digital Nation | The UK’s Digital Divide | Good Things Foundation
    https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/policy-and-research/research-and-evidence/research-2024/digital-nation.html
  8. Disclaimer: (1) Due to the survey sample size being 998 and the total charities.connected beneficiary population size being 587,490, quantified impacts are within a 5% margin of error (based on an industry standard sample size formula). (2) It is assumed that the change between the “before SIM” scenario and the “after SIM” scenario is fully attributable to beneficiaries now having access to a SIM. There is potential that awareness increased due to other reasons. (3) The methodology and approach to quantify the potential impacts of charities.connected was developed with a consultancy in the field.
  1. One in ten UK businesses unlikely to survive major cyber attack | Vodafone
    https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/business/one-in-ten-uk-businesses-unlikely-to-survive-major-cyber-attack
  2. 20% of 11–17 year olds pressured into sharing explicit images | Vodafone
    https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/press-release/one-in-five-11-17-year-olds-pressured-into-sharing-an-explicit-image-of-themselves/
  3. Safer Internet Day 2026: Almost a third of children who use AI chatbots see them as friends | Vodafone
    https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/news/ai-chatbots-safer-internet-day-2026
  4. The Third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) and the Fourth Strategy for Climate Adaptation Reporting Climate Change Committee
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64ba74102059dc00125d27a7/The_Third_National_Adaptation_Programme.pdf
  5. Vodafone and UK National Parks will use AI to help nature | Vodafone UK
    https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/news/uk-national-parks-partnership-ai/