In a major shake-up for the UK telecoms industry, the long-anticipated merger between Vodafone UK and Three UK has officially been approved. This deal brings together two of the country’s biggest networks, creating VodafoneThree, a new mobile giant with over 27 million customers — making it the largest UK mobile provider by direct subscriber numbers.
The move aims to accelerate the rollout of 5G, drive innovation, and deliver better mobile connectivity for businesses and consumers alike. But what does this mean for your business — and how does it impact those using Vodafone, Three, EE or O2 through our services?
Why Are Vodafone and Three Merging?
Vodafone and Three have long argued that the merger is necessary to increase investment in mobile infrastructure. Individually, both brands held less spectrum than rivals EE and O2, limiting their ability to compete on network performance. By combining resources, they now plan to invest £11 billion in the UK network over the next 10 years, aiming for:
- 99% population coverage with 5G Standalone by 2034
- Improved network reliability and speed
- Greater competition for business and enterprise customers
This isn’t just about bigger coverage — it’s about faster, more consistent mobile experiences nationwide.
What Does This Mean for Business Customers?
At Communications Plus, we work with all major UK networks to give our customers choice and flexibility — including O2, EE, and VodafoneThree. Here’s what the merger means for you:
📡 If you’re an O2 business customer:
Good news — this could benefit you too. Spectrum sharing and infrastructure reshaping between the networks could reduce congestion and enhance 4G and 5G performance, especially in areas where network overlap is reduced. We continue to offer O2 through our direct partnership, giving you access to competitive tariffs and dedicated support.
🔁 If you’re using Vodafone or Three:
Expect stronger network coverage and a better user experience in the long term. As the networks unify, customers should see fewer black spots, improved speeds and more consistent performance, especially in rural and high-demand areas.
⚙️ Will I need to change SIMs or plans?
No immediate changes are required. The two networks will continue to operate independently for now while they begin the process of integration. We’ll keep you informed about any changes that affect your service or billing.ness.
📶 If you’re using EE:
This merger also creates a more competitive landscape. EE (BT Group), which already operates one of the UK’s most established mobile networks, may respond with improvements to service quality, pricing, and innovation to retain its position. For customers on EE, that could mean enhanced bundled offerings or faster 5G rollout to stay ahead.
No matter which network you use, our goal is to keep you connected with the right solution — whether that’s VodafoneThree, EE or O2 — and support you as the mobile landscape evolves.
Our View
This merger marks a significant change in the UK mobile landscape — and it’s one we believe will benefit businesses. Improved infrastructure, wider 5G access, and stronger competition can only be a good thing for UK organisations relying on mobile connectivity.
Whether you’re with O2, EE, or VodafoneThree, we’re here to ensure you get the right service at the right price — with the flexibility to adapt as the market evolves.
Need help reviewing your mobile services?
Talk to our team today for a free connectivity review — we’ll assess your current network setup and recommend the best options for performance, value and future-proofing your business.
📞 Call us or message us online to get started. 01744 412342.
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