The Share Index: The nation’s sharing habits revealed as almost half admit to sharing a toothbrush
21 January 2026:
Vodafone and Three UK unveil ‘The Share Index’, revealing what the UK is most – and least – willing to share, to highlight that their customers can now share each other’s networks automatically. Meaning more coverage, faster speeds and greater reliability, at no extra cost.
Almost half (40%) of Brits would share a toothbrush, although 21% would never admit this publicly.
Three in ten (31%) couples wouldn’t share a phone charger with their other half, including actor James Buckley: “You can share… but bring your own,” after buying podcast co-star Clair Buckley “about 12 (phone chargers) in the last six months.”
Known for over-sharing, the podcast duo ‘The Buckleys’ teamed up with Vodafone and Three for a fun sofa-side chat on their sharing habits in a new, hilarious video.
From toothbrushes to earphones, phone chargers to dessert – Brits love and, sometimes, loathe to share. While sharing can bring people together, new research among 2,000 adults reveals surprising insights into the everyday items Brits are – and aren’t – willing to share.
Brush it off - it's nothing personal
Brits won’t share razors (52%) or deodorant (46%) and one in five (20%) draw the line at skincare altogether – with people protective of their daily routines and personal hygiene habits.
Tech-NO-logy
More than a third (34%) wouldn’t share their earphones and, even though most men (86%) would happily share their in-ear earphones, one in five (20%) women wouldn’t. Despite living under the same roof, three in ten (31%) couples wouldn’t let their other half use their phone charger, with more than a quarter (27%) feeling a sense of fury when personal items are borrowed without asking.
Hands off my dessert
While food may bring people together, pudding is pulling them apart. More than a third (36%) admit they wouldn’t share dessert with a partner, even on date night. The two networks teamed up with actor James Buckley and podcast co-host Clair to debate and offer their take on the nation’s sharing habits. Watch as they playfully challenge each other on what’s truly better shared – and what isn’t.
Actor and podcast co-host, James Buckley, said: “I’m not normally very relaxed about sharing…But I do like sharing music with Clair – it’s one of the reasons we got together. And sharing can often make life better, so now Vodafone and Three have combined their network, I don’t even have to think about it – the sharing’s automatic.”
Podcast co-host, Clair Buckley, added: “James will use anyone’s earphones without a second thought, but I won’t use his. It turns out we’re all weirdly particular about different things, from food to tech. Seeing what the nation says they’d share was a lot of fun, especially when it came to sharing deodorant.”
When sharing really matters
Some things are viewed as better shared as one in four (24%) believe a pizza should always be split, more than half are happy to go halves on a sandwich (53%), three quarters will share a portion of chips (75%) or tuck into one another’s snack selection (74%).
Brits are happy to share to stay connected for the moments that matter. Three in five (61%) wish they could access more than one reliable mobile network when WiFi isn’t available. And now, with Vodafone and Three’s networks coming together, customers can do exactly that. Customers’ devices will automatically connect to more coverage, whether that’s on the Vodafone or Three network, providing them access to two networks at no extra cost.
A spokesperson from VodafoneThree said: “Our research shows, while some things are strictly off-limits for Brits to share, others are simply better when shared – like our networks. By bringing Vodafone and Three’s networks together, we’re giving customers the best of both worlds: more coverage, faster speeds and greater reliability – automatically and at no extra cost – proving it’s better to share.”
With more than 8,000 shared network sites already live, over 21 million Vodafone and Three customers can connect to the best available coverage wherever they are, giving them more coverage, faster speeds and greater reliability. And the best part? It all happens automatically, without them lifting a finger or paying a penny more.
Watch James and Clair’s hilarious new content on YouTube now.
To find out more about Vodafone and Three’s automatic network sharing, visit VodafoneThree/OurNetwork or, to check the service in your area, visit Vodafone.co.uk and Three.co.uk.
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About Vodafone UK
Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed-line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester and now have 5G in locations across Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain as well as the UK. Meanwhile, our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population.
Today, Vodafone serves more than 20 million unique full fibre premises in the UK through partnerships with CityFibre and Openreach.
For more information about Vodafone UK, please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk
About Three UK
Three launched in 2003 as the UK’s first 3G only network. Today, Three’s network covers 99% of the UK population, carries 36% of the UK’s mobile data traffic (Enders Analysis, Q2 2025) and has been recognised as the UK’s Fastest 5G Network (Ookla Speedtest Awards, Q1-Q2 2025).
Three UK is a proud partner of Samaritans, using its network and technology to connect one million people to emotional support.
Three UK is one of the brands of recently merged VodafoneThree, which is the UK’s largest mobile provider. VodafoneThree is investing £11bn in building the UK’s best network, delivering reliable, quality connectivity to all communities – from big cities to small towns, and everywhere in between – reaching 99.95% population coverage by 2034.
As a result of the merger, Vodafone and Three customers get more coverage, faster speeds and fewer not spots. Devices 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.
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% 5G Standalone population coverage by 2030 and 99.96% 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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