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The newly merged VodafoneThree has promised better coverage to its 27 million customers “at no extra cost”.
The boosted network coverage will start to roll out soon as a result of the £15 billion mega-merger between Vodafone and Three, the firm has announced. VodafoneThree has now toppled EE and O2 as the biggest mobile network in the UK.
Vodafone and Three customers will now be able to access both networks, bolstering signal nationwide. If you're somewhere without a strong signal from Vodafone's nationwide network of masts, it's possible that Three will have better coverage. Switching between these networks will take place in the background, with no action needed.
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If you're connected via Voxi, SMARTY, or TalkMobile, you'll also enjoy improved coverage.
These brands are MVNOs, or Mobile Virtual Network Operator, meaning they offer pay-monthly or SIM-only deals with calls, texts, and data, but don't own the network infrastructure that enables this service.
Since these brands relied on masts from Vodafone and Three, they'll benefit from coverage offered by the other network now they've merged.
VodafoneThree, which is now the UK's biggest mobile network, has promised to bolster 4G data speed by up to 20% in the next fortnight
VODAFONETHREE PRESS OFFICE
The £15bn merged company set out “commitments” that within two weeks, seven million Three and Smarty customers will receive an improvement in 4G data speed of up to 20%, while 27 million Vodafone and Three customers will start to benefit from “unrivalled” access to roam on each other’s networks at no extra cost with a few months.
By the end of the year, this combined network will remove 16,500 square-kilometres of blockholes with no connection – equivalent to 10 times the size of London. These changes will happen in the background, with VodafoneThree customers’ phones connecting to the best coverage available.
According to execs, VodafoneThree will launch trials of a “first of its kind” space-based satellite mobile network by June 2026 that's designed to quash even more “not spots”.
VodafoneThree said it aimed to challenge the broadband market by aiming to cover all homes with fibre or “fibre-like” speeds, starting with a new partnership with Community Fibre on top of existing partnerships with CityFibre and Openreach. Two additional customer care centres in Belfast and Sheffield would bring 400 jobs back to the UK, with no planned retail redundancies, it added.
However, there's no confirmation of rumoured plans to launch a TV service to rival Sky.
VodafoneThree chief executive Max Taylor said: “A new era of connectivity has begun. We will connect every nation, every community, in every corner of the UK. We will build the UK’s best 5G network with an unprecedented £11 billion privately-funded infrastructure project, laying the digital foundation for our country’s growth ambitions.
“Benefits for our 27 million mobile customers will start within months, with access to roam across both networks at no extra cost. From big cities to small towns, and everywhere in between, our mission is to build the UK’s best network.”
VodafoneThree has refreshed the logo outside its headquarters following the successful £15bn merger. There's no word on whether the company will rebrand in the futureVODAFONETHREE PRESS OFFICE The journey to create VodafoneThree started back in June 2023 when the companies first announced their landmark £15 billion deal.
The CMA initially worried the deal could "substantially reduce options for mobile customers and lead to higher bills". It had particular concerns about this merger because Three is "generally the cheapest" of the main mobile networks in the UK.
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Combining with Vodafone could "reduce rivalry between mobile operators to win new customers," potentially causing prices to rise. However, regulators gave approval in December 2024 after securing legally binding commitments from both companies.
These conditions include the £11 billion network investment pledge and the requirement to cap certain mobile tariffs for three years, protecting you from short-term price rises. The cap will also apply to Voxi For Now social tariffs, available for people receiving government benefits. The companies have also committed to encouraging virtual providers to access their network, allowing smaller operators to offer competitive deals for customers.
The merged company must also offer pre-set prices and contract terms to virtual network providers like Giffgaff and Sky Mobile for three years.
Additional Reporting By Josie Clarke, PA Consumer Affairs Correspondent
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