• Swindon & Wiltshire M&A, deals
• Monday June 2 2025

Merger of Vodafone and Three creates UK’s biggest mobile network

Vodafone’s £15 billion merger with telecoms rival Three completed today (Monday) creating the UK’s biggest mobile network.

VodafoneThree now has 27 million customers.

To get the deal past regulators, the firms had to promise to investing £11 billion over the next decade to enhance its 5G capabilities.

The company said £1.3 billion would be invested this year – “propelling the UK’s mobile infrastructure to the forefront of European connectivity.”

Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone CEO, said: “The merger will create a new force in UK mobile, transform the country’s digital infrastructure and propel the UK to the forefront of European connectivity.

“We are now eager to kick off our network build and rapidly bring customers greater coverage and superior network quality.

“The transaction completes the reshaping of Vodafone in Europe, and following this period of transition we are now well-positioned for growth ahead.”

The companies first announced a merger in June 2023. But the Competition and Markets Authority voiced concerns that the merger would reduce options for customers and lead to higher bills.

The CMA finally gave the deal the go-ahead in December, after the parties pledged to roll out a combined 5G network, offer customer protections, and cap certain mobile tariffs for three years.

The combined group says the merger will deliver £700 million in savings within five years.

Vodafone owns 51 per cent of the new company, with the option to buy the remaining 49 per cent after three years.

Vodafone UK is headquartered in Newbury, while Three is based at Green Park in Reading.