VodafoneThree delivers automatic coverage improvement to millions of customers, at no extra cost, by sharing network access

Millions of Vodafone and Three customers will enjoy the best of both networks at no extra cost, as VodafoneThree ramps up the pace on its mission to build the UK’s best network.

Millions of Vodafone and Three customers will automatically use each other’s network, getting the best available coverage, at no extra cost.
Seamless integration has already opened up access on more than 600 sites, with 9,000 to follow by the end of the first year of VodafoneThree being formed.
By bringing the networks together, VodafoneThree is unlocking greater capacity, eliminating 4G not spots and expanding 5G coverage across the UK.
More than 7 million Three UK and Smarty customers across the UK have already seen their 4G speeds boosted by an average of 20%^1,and up to 40% in some areas, thanks to the integration of combined spectrum.

11 August 2025: Using its innovative ‘Multi-Operator Core Network’ technology, the company has already switched on over 600 sites, representing the next stage of VodafoneThree’s £11 billion investment programme.

This means customers’ devices will automatically connect to the best coverage available – whether that’s on the Vodafone or Three network – effectively giving them access to two networks at no extra cost. This will see customers of VodafoneThree brands experience improved coverage, reliability, and speed when using 4G and 5G.²

For business mobile customers, it means smoother day-to-day operations, with connectivity that keeps staff, services and customers connected everywhere they need it.

Crucially, customers do not need to do anything to benefit from the new technology but, behind the scenes, VodafoneThree engineers are using a carefully weighted set of criteria to manage capacity and maximise customer benefits without having an impact on the existing service.

The first stages of the technology are being activated remotely, enabling faster deployment across Vodafone and Three’s networks.³ By the end of the first year, VodafoneThree will have brought over 9,000 sites online.

Meanwhile, 7 million Three customers are already experiencing an average 20% boost in 4G speeds and 40% in some key towns and cities, thanks to the integration of combined spectrum. Together, these network improvements reflect the rapid pace at which VodafoneThree is transforming connectivity across the UK.

All customers of VodafoneThree brands (Vodafone, Three, SMARTY, VOXI, and Talkmobile) will see benefits within 12 months, including:

Peak period improvements – Busy times, such as rush hour, put a strain on the network, as sites can be flooded with more customers than they can provide a good quality service to. Thanks to this technology, customers will be moved from a busy site to one that is able to provide the required level of performance. It also simultaneously relieves the strain on the busy site, providing a better experience for all customers.
Eliminating 4G not spots⁴ – By providing 4G coverage to 16,500km of the UK where it wasn’t previously available to either brand’s customers, VodafoneThree will eliminate not spots across an area ten times the size of London.
Enhanced 5G coverage – Around 71% of the UK population (circa 50 million) will have access to VodafoneThree’s fastest 5G speeds by the end of year one, thanks to bringing the networks together and an accelerated 5G roll out plan.

Andrea Donà, Chief Network Officer, VodafoneThree, said: “Bringing our networks together marks a major milestone for VodafoneThree, unlocking greater capacity, reducing 4G not spots, and expanding 5G coverage.

“Just weeks into the rollout, millions of customers are already seeing the benefits of a nationwide boost, powered by our spectrum integration and Multi-Operator Core Network technology.

“It’s a clear signal of VodafoneThree’s ambition and ability to move at pace to deliver a new era of connectivity.”

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Notes to Editors

¹ 7 million are in areas that will see the improvement to their 4G thanks to VodafoneThree making use of Vodafone UK’s spectrum.

² Customers may not experience all of the benefits at any one time.

³ Some masts can be upgraded with MOCN remotely with what is effectively a software upgrade. Others, however, will need to have new hardware fitted to them. Completing such hardware upgrades, especially in remote areas of the country, will take time.

⁴ Partial not spots.

About VodafoneThree

VodafoneThree is the UK’s largest mobile network operator serving the fixed and mobile market, formed following the merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK in June 2025.

Through an unprecedented £11 billion investment, VodafoneThree will build the UK’s best network. The network will deliver reliable, quality connectivity to all nations and regions, creating as many as 13,000 jobs and laying a digital foundation for the country’s growth ambitions. VodafoneThree is the only mobile network operator with a fully funded, regulated and guaranteed network build plan, reaching 99.95% population coverage by 2034. From big cities to small towns, and everywhere in between, the company’s mission is to build the UK’s best network.

VodafoneThree is a private company, 51% owned by Vodafone and 49% owned by CK Hutchison Holdings. It encompasses all businesses and assets, including Vodafone UK, Three UK, VOXI Mobile, SMARTY and Talkmobile.

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