• Vodafone launches 5G home broadband
• The move opens up 'full fibre-like speeds' to 3.7 million more homes, and over 26 million homes in total
• Renters can benefit from a one-month rolling contract option

If you’re living in short-term accommodation or somewhere without access to full fibre, Vodafone’s new 5G broadband packages could be for you.

The company is now offering “full fibre-like speeds” to customers via 5G, opening up high-speed internet connectivity to the 3.7 million UK homes that still struggle with the unreliable speeds offered by part-fibre or copper wires.

The move will also benefit students and renters in short-term accommodation, as Vodafone’s 5G broadband package is available on either a one-month rolling contract or traditional 24-month contract — its full fibre packages, by comparison, are only available on the latter contract.

Vodafone’s 5G Power Hub router can be self-installed — it doesn’t require an engineer visit, nor an existing landline to be set up — it’s powered by Wi-Fi 6, and Vodafone promises speeds of up to 150Mbps. That’s around three times faster than the typical part-fibre speed.

Is 150Mbps fast enough for gamers? Definitely. But Vodafone does caveat its offering by saying that “because it’s wireless, speeds can fluctuate at times based on signal strength, how far you are from the mast and how busy the local network is at any given time. Placing your 5G Hub in the best position possible will help maintain a stable, reliable connection.”

The company will also soon launch an outdoor 5G hub, should your 5G signal be stronger outdoors than indoors. This hub will “lock on to the strongest 5G signal available in the area and connect directly to the indoor Power Hub router,” delivering “a consistent connection throughout the home.”

Until now, Three was the only major UK broadband provider to offer 5G broadband — but even that package was (and still is) offered on a minimum 12-month plan. Vodafone’s merger with Three in June 2025 has clearly allowed the former to make use of the latter’s infrastructure: “The integration of Vodafone and Three’s networks is supercharging VodafoneThree’s 5G footprint, enabling Vodafone 5G Broadband to reach millions more homes with high-speed connectivity,” Vodafone said in a statement.

Vodafone’s 5G broadband is available now for £21 per month on a 24-month contract, or £30 per month on a rolling 30-day contract. Those prices are for the 50Mbps plan; they rise to £22 and £32, respectively, for the 150Mbps plan.

• Three is introducing speed caps on phone, SIM Only, and mobile broadband plans for new and upgrading customers
• The cap is 100Mbps in most cases, with Pay As You Go having a lower cap
• Existing customers aren't affected, and contract customers will be able to pay extra to remove the cap

Three seems to have just taken a step backwards, because where previously you could get uncapped 5G on all of its plans at no extra cost, the network has now implemented speed caps.

Specifically, new Pay Monthly mobile plans (meaning contracts on SIM Only or with a new handset) will have a 100Mbps speed cap, and so will mobile broadband plans. It is still possible to get uncapped speeds, but you’ll have to either choose a new ‘Lite+’ plan or pay an extra £4 a month.

On Pay As You Go, the cap is instead 25Mbps — or 50Mbps if you have an automatically renewing pack.

That’s quite a reduction compared to what the network is actually capable of — in a January 2026 report, for example, Opensignal found that the average 5G download speed on Three was 187Mbps. But now, to get that, you’ll have to pay £4 extra a month on the company’s new Pay Monthly plans, and there’s no way to uncap your speeds on Pay As You Go.

The only good news here is that these changes don’t affect existing contract customers, and if you’re currently on an auto-renewing Pay As You Go plan, then you’ll also retain uncapped speeds while you stick with the same pack.

But of course, when you come to upgrade your contract, or if you ever change your Pay As You Go pack, then you will have these caps put in place.

The merger might be to blame

The internet, understandably, is not best pleased by this change, with Reddit reactions including “time to leave”, “my to-do list has moved away from Three on it”, and “the merger should never have been allowed through.” That last quote references Three’s merger with Vodafone, which might be to blame for these new speed caps, especially as Vodafone itself restricts speeds on some of its plans.

Interestingly, these changes don’t appear to apply to MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) that operate on Three’s network yet, with iD Mobile confirming that there are not currently any speed caps on its network.

So, as well as typically being cheaper than Three, its MVNOs may now have a clear advantage — though how long that will last remains to be seen, with iD Mobile also noting that “the industry trend is clearly moving toward tiered speeds.”

Still, for now, if you’re on Three and due an upgrade — or were considering switching to Three — you might want to look at one of its MVNOs instead.

• VodafoneThree is the latest carrier given permission to use satellite tech to cover not-spots
• O2 already granted permission, EE to work with Starlink
• Handset rules need updating as well as operator licenses

Ofcom has confirmed it has approved a request from VodafoneThree to amend one of the spectrum licenses it holds, which would mean it can provide 'direct-to-device' satellite connectivity to mobile phones.

The recently-merged companies would be able to provide calls, texts and data to standard smartphones in the UK, making it much more akin to regular cell service rather than Apple's satellite-based SOS features.

Satellite connectivity would play an important role in plugging gaps in today's current infrastructure, providing signal where there is no signal.

VodafoneThree granted approval to use satellites

VodafoneThree isn't the only company to have been granted such permission – O2 was also given the green light earlier in 2026.

"By launching O2 Satellite, we've become the first operator in Europe to launch a space-based mobile data service that, overnight, has brought new mobile coverage to an area around two-thirds the size of Wales for the first time," VMO2 CEO Lutz Schuler boasted, when the company launched satellite connections for some early supported Samsung devices.

However, there could be more at play before satellite connectivity becomes commonplace. Ofcom said that, while granting operator licenses is one part that it's done twice this year, it also needs to amend its handset regulations following public consultation over the next month.

In the US, T-Mobile has already launched a satellite-to-cell service for an additional $10 monthly fee.

As for the UK's only other main carrier, EE announced a partnership with Starling in late 2025 to tackle so-called 'not-spots' across the UK as soon as the second half of 2026.

Broadband prices usually go up every year in April, in line with inflation but there’s one way of beating this trend and securing super fast internet access at a price that’s way cheaper your current provider.

Scancom sells a Three/Vodafone 5G data SIM with 1000GB per month until November 2027 for just £68.40, down from £149.99 and using the voucher code HUKDFEB.

You pay in advance and get the service up to November 30th, so a full 31 months (and a few more days) worth of 5G broadband or about £2.20 per month, far cheaper than anything on the market right now.

Today's top SIM deal

Why is it so good?

Udita Choudhary who is in charge of eSIM on our team said that the offer was “an incredible deal”.

Think of this as a potential replacement for your fixed broadband or, more conveniently, as a backup for your main broadband line. That depends - of course - on the network coverage.

You obviously do not risk any recurring fees or out of pocket costs and there’s no contract to be signed and hard searches that may impact your credit score.

Remember that you can order an eSIM as well. Great if your smartphone supports dual (or even triple) SIM. You will receive a digital QR SIM via email post payment.

There’s no need to wait for an engineer to connect you and you can freely move your 5G router anywhere in your dwelling to improve signal quality.

Scancom caters for a business audience and has a dedicated business customer support available via email. That is on top of what Three and Vodafone offer as support options.

What’s the catch?

There are a few caveats though: your service will end on November 30th 2027. So you will have to book another broadband service before then or you will be disconnected.

As an extra expense, you will need a mobile broadband router if you plan to use it for your small home office connectivity.

Alternatively, one can plug it in a standard smartphone, just remember that you can’t receive or make calls on this SIM and you can’t port a number to it.

Likewise, you do not get any roaming allowance and Scancom deals primarily with sole traders and businesses and the company says that individuals need be be registered as sole traders.

And one more thing. You should get a phone number with that SIM, one that you could use to register on Three+, Three’s very own loyalty scheme where you can get £1 coffee every week as well as money off and cheap Cinema tickets.

• See all preloaded data SIMs at Scancom

• BT and Three networks went down in June and July
• Connections to emergency services were affected
• Ofcom is now investigating the culpability of the networks

Update, December 16: We've updated this story with statements from BT and Three.

Original story follows:

Cell phone outages aren't just an inconvenience, they can actually put lives at risk if emergency service calls are disrupted – and Ofcom has announced it's investigating BT and Three over major downtime that happened in July of this year.

For BT, there was a software-related issue that caused BT and EE systems to break down on the 24th and 25th of July 2025. As you might remember if you use those providers, customers couldn't make or receive calls, or get in touch with the emergency services.

A separate incident also affected the Three network across the UK on the 25th of June, so this was clearly a bad couple of months for the country's networks. Again, customers were left unable to reach the police, ambulance, and fire services through their mobiles.

These incidents were reported by the companies involved, a legal requirement once disruption hits a certain level. It's Ofcom's job as the regulator to decide how responsible the service providers are – and whether or not the issues could have been prevented.

We asked both Three and BT for their reactions to the news. A BT spokesperson said: "We are aware that Ofcom has begun an investigation into the technical fault impacting voice calls on our network on 24th and 25th July 2025. We will co-operate fully with Ofcom throughout the investigation and apologise again for any issues caused by this incident."

Meanwhile, a Three spokesperson told us: “Three experienced disruption to voice services following an exceptional spike in network traffic triggered by a third-party software configuration change. Since the outage, we have engaged openly with Ofcom and will continue to cooperate fully with their investigation."

'Appropriate and proportionate measures'

"Mobile operators are required to take appropriate and proportionate measures to identify and reduce the risks and prepare for the occurrence of anything that compromises the availability, performance or functionality of their network or service," says Ofcom.

"Our investigations will seek to establish the facts surrounding these incidents and assess whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that BT and Three have failed to comply with their regulatory obligations."

If Ofcom decides that BT and Three have failed in their duty to keep their networks up and running, a hefty fine is the most likely outcome. Last year, BT was fined £17.5 million by Ofcom for a failure of its service that blocked thousands of 999 calls.

Customers would probably settle for being able to connect to the cellular service they're paying for, when they need to. Both BT and Three say they are cooperating with the investigation, and hopefully taking steps to stop these problems from happening again.

• VodafoneThree will use Ericsson and Nokia tech to upgrade its networks
• 4G customers have already seen boosts of up to 40%
• 5G should be almost everywhere by 2034

VodafoneThree has announced a multi-billion pound deal with Ericsson and Nokia to expand and improve its UK networks.

The collaboration, which comes weeks after the official completion of its mega-merger, marks one of Europe’s largest privately funded infrastructure builds, and will cover over 17,000 sites across the UK.

This will consist of 10,000+ sites benefitting from Ericsson’s RAN and core network solutions, and a further 7,000+ sites getting Nokia’s RAN equipment.

Ericsson and Nokia will help improve VodafoneThree’s network

The company declared that 4G speeds have already been boosted by up to 40% for the seven million Three and SMARTY customers using its networks, and just three months into the merger, customers are already able to automatically use each other’s network and roam at no extra cost.

Looking ahead, VodafoneThree has plans to tackle 16,500 square kilometers of not-spots across the UK. By the end of the first year after merging, nearly three in four customers should have access to the company’s fastest 5G speeds, expanding to 90% by year three and 99.95% by 2034.

Network expansion plans are also slated to deliver economic benefits, with the UK economy set to be boosted by up to £102 billion between 2025 and 2035 thanks to better infrastructure access for energy, financial services, manufacturing, security and technology companies.

To help with the expansion, VodafoneThree has signed up a further four partners to support site builds nationwide: Beacon, Circet Wireless, M Group and WHP Telecoms.

VodafoneThree also anticipates generating up to 13,000 jobs as part of its expansion, across engineering, construction and maintenance over the eight-year roadmap.

Ericsson CEO Börje Ekholm welcomed the partnership as an opportunity to “power [VodafoneThree] with the most advanced programmable network products, software and solutions in the world.”

Nokia CEO Justin Hotard noted the chance to provide the UK with “industry-leading network solutions” to meet customer and growing AI demands.

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• One in five UK tourism SMEs missed out due to poor connectivity
• Better connections would improve ecommerce, Wi-Fi and more
• VodafoneThree wants to roll out better 4G and 5G nationally

New research from VodafoneThree has claimed tourism-focused SMEs in the UK missed out on £1.5 billion in revenue this summer alone as a result of poor connectivity.

Although three in four (74%) tourism SMEs saw a financial boost this year from the summer sun, around one in five (19%) lost out due to connectivity issues.

The news comesshortly after Vodafone and Three merged in the UK – a deal that promised to create “one of Europe’s most advanced 5G networks.”

UK poor connectivity

One-third (33%) of the businesses involved said they could grow ecommerce, like online shopping and click and collect, with better connectivity. Others noted improved Wi-Fi for customers (41%), AI-enhanced customer service (30%) and increase social media use for promotions and bookings (43%).

“We know that tourism plays a critical role in boosting local economies across the UK,” VodafoneThree Chief Network Officer Andrea Donà explained. “That’s why VodafoneThree is investing £11 billion to build a network that provides reliable, quality connectivity to all corners of the UK.”

VodafoneThree has promised improvements to its networks during peak periods, with multi-operator core network (MOCN) technology allowing them to switch to the best available signal.

The company says 4G coverage will also be expanded to 16,500km more UK regions, including rural, coastal and countryside destinations, with 71% of VodafoneThree’s customers set to have access to the fastest 5G speeds by the end of year one.

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• VodafoneThree unveils "The Nation's Network" with some major promises for customers

• VodafoneThree officially launches as one of the UK's biggest networks
• Company promises £11bn investment in UK 5G networks
• Multi-brand strategy will see Vodafone, Three, VOXI, SMARTY and Talkmobile continue, but Three Business is no more

VodafoneThree has revealed more details about its new combined offerings as a fully merged UK network giant.

At a launch event in London attended by TechRadar Pro, the newly-merged business walked through its plans to offer nearly 27 million customers across the UK faster and more reliable networks.

This will be offered under a new branding as "The Nation's Network", combining the existing Vodafone and Three coverage in a bid to offer 99.95% standalone 5G coverage by 2034.

VodafoneThree and "The Nation's Network"

The move, which sees the number of UK mobile networks shrink from four to three, sees two of the country's largest providers make a huge investment into the country's mobile infrastructure.

Speaking at the launch, VodafoneThree CEO Max Taylor outlined plans to spend £11 billion in spending over the next 10 years, including £1.3 billion over this first year, in what he said was a tangible quarter-by-quarter, year-by-year progress plan.

He added the benefits of the merger will be immediately visible for users, with 7 million Three and SMARTY customers set to see a 20% average speed boost on 4G within the next two weeks thanks to sharing of combined spectrum.

Within the next few months, Taylor added all 27 million Vodafone and Three customers will get access to roam across each other’s networks, meaning users should be automatically connected to the best coverage available at no extra cost, and removing 6,500 sq/km of not spots (equivalent to 10x the size of London) by the end of 2025.

For those eager to try the new network, but with an existing contract on other suppliers, VodafoneThree is offering a seven-day, free, eSIM trial.

Users will be able to access the network on their existing phone and contract, simply by scanning a QR code, with no commitment to sign up at the end of the trial period.

Taylor noted he believes strongly in a multi-brand network, and plans to keep all the existing brands under the company's umbrella - meaning Vodafone, Three, VOXI, SMARTY and Talkmobile will all still remain.

However, for business-focused offerings, Taylor noted Vodafone will be the only brand going forward, combining units into a single team looking to become the UK’s biggest converged network for business.

It also has big plans for broadband, with VodafoneThree set to combine existing Three mobile broadband with Vodafone’s Full Fibre into a single home broadband portfolio under the Vodafone brand, with one converged brand for both businesses and consumers.

As the two fastest-growing UK broadband providers, the company already has over 2 million customers, and says it is able to bring fibre or fibre-like speeds (up to 2.2Gbps) to 22.5 million homes and businesses - with the goal now of extending this to 100% of UK homes and businesses.

Elsewhere, VodafoneThree says its work to deployment of 5G standalone (SA) networks will create thousands of jobs over its eight-year build period across engineering, construction, and maintenance of telecom towers, fibre optics, and base stations.

The company also plans to open two new customer care centres in Belfast and Sheffield with the next two years (alongside the existing call centres in Stoke and Glasgow), a move which will bring 400 sales and customer service roles back to the UK.

“A new era of connectivity has begun," declared Taylor. "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 £11bn 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”.

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• Vodafone-Three merger is officially completed
• The new VodafoneThree network is one of the UK's biggest
• Company promises major investment in UK 5G networks

UK phone networks Vodafone and Three have announced the successful completion of their mega merger.

The move, which sees the number of UK mobile networks shrink from four to three, combines two of the country's largest providers, with the new VodafoneThree business covering around 29 million UK consumer and business customers.

“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," said Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group Chief Executive. "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.”

VodafoneThree is here

Nearly 1000 days after the deal was first announced, the new combined entity says it will now look to invest heavily in boosting UK mobile coverage and infrastructure.

This includes £11 billion in spending over the next 10 years (including £1.3 billion over this first year) to create what the company claims will be, "one of Europe’s most advanced 5G networks", with 5G Standalone network investment looking to," propel the UK’s mobile infrastructure to the forefront of European connectivity."

VodafoneThree will be led by Max Taylor, who was CEO of Vodafone UK, with Three UK’s Darren Purkis is appointed Chief Financial Officer. It is not thought any jobs will be lost in the merger.

The new company will be 51% owned by Vodafone and 49% by CKHGT, parent company of Three UK via its CK Hutchison arm.

“As we have demonstrated in other European markets, scale enables the significant investment needed to deliver the world-beating mobile networks our customers expect, and the Vodafone and Three merger provides that scale," noted Canning Fok, Deputy Chairman of CK Hutchison and Executive Chairman of CKHGT.

There was no mention of pricing changes or other alterations to pricing strategies for the time being, but asides from the cosmetic changes, it seems customers may have little to worry about.

This is despite initial warnings from the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority, which had previously cautioned the merger could, "lead to price increases for tens of millions of mobile customers, or see customers get a reduced service such as smaller data packages in their contracts."

The CMA had also highlighted potential effects on MVNOs such as Lyca Mobile, Sky Mobile and Lebara which utilise the existing network operators, making it more difficult for MVNOs to "secure competitive terms".

However in December 2024, the CMA gave its approval to the deal, saying it was satisfied a commitment to investment and spending from VodafoneThree would avoid any of these potential concerns.

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Three UK has finally fixed its huge voice calling outage, which lasted for over 17 hours starting from around 1pm GMT on January 23. But the network has warned that there are still some residual issues caused by Storm Éowyn.

The outage, which also affected related networks like Smarty and ID Mobile, were first reported on Downdetector at around 1.05pm GMT on January 23. Thousands of Three customers across the UK reported issues on Downdetector, which some revealing that they couldn't even make 999 calls.

But the network has now released a statement that "services have returned to normal overnight" and that it has "deployed extra engineering resources and planning" for the areas also hit by Storm Éowyn-related problems.

We're still continuing to monitor some reports on social media and Downdetector who are still experiencing issues, but fortunately the network appears to be back for the majority. Here's everything that happened along with the latest advice on how to complain and raise a potential case for compensation...

The latest news

• Three UK released a statement at 8.10am GMT saying that "services have returned to normal overnight"
• However it added that "we expect to see an additional impact on our service due to Storm Éowyn in some areas"
• Reports of the voice calling outage started at around 1.05pm GMT on January 23
• Three UK added that "we continue to investigate the small number of reports that we received about 999 call failures"

The story so far

It's still early days for this latest Three UK outage, but Downdetector reports are continuing to spike. In the 45 minutes since the reports started at around 1.05pm, the number has almost hit the 6,500 mark – a fairly sizable number.

Most people (77%) are reporting issues with voice calls, with a minority also stating that they have no signal. On the TechRadar team, some members on Three's spectrum (like ID Mobile) say they have signal but are unable to make phone calls.

Three UK responds

The @ThreeUKSupport account on X (formerly) Twitter is responding to frustrated customers with fairly generic responses, like the one above.

The network has acknowledged that there are issues for "some customers" but hasn't yet confirmed what's causing them. Like on Downdetector, most are reporting that phone calls are the main issue, with internet data and texts proving less of a problem.

We've also contacted Three directly to see if we can get a more detailed explanation of what's happening and when it might be resolved.

What to do

If you're having issues with your Three UK signal, it's highly likely to be due to the outage that's now affecting thousands of customers – but Three has some advice on other things you can try.

At its coverage and network status checker you can click the 'network status' tab, enter your postcode and see if there's an outage in your area. Three also recommends turning airplane mode on and then off, turning your device off then on, and also double-checking that your mobile data is switched on.

It also says to update your phone's software if needed – however, the network has confirmed that there is a technical problem that's particularly affecting calls, so it will likely be a case of waiting for its engineers to fix that.

Other Three networks also hit

Three UK's problems are naturally also hitting its related networks, or so-called MVNOs (Mobile Virtual network Operators). I'm on Smarty and can't currently make phone calls, though mobile internet is fine – issues have also been reported on iD Mobile on the TechRadar team.

Unfortunately, even Three's network status checker is down, so I wasn't able to check if my issues are definitely due to the outage – but given the widespread problems (with reports on Downdetector now crossing the 10,000 mark), that seems almost certain.

A statement from Three UK

We contacted Three UK earlier and have just had this statement back from a spokesperson.

“We are aware of an issue affecting a small percentage of voice services and are working hard to fix it. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused. Data services and 999 calls are unaffected, please bear with us".

So it's confirmed that the main problems are with Three's voice services, rather than mobile data or texts. Three says the issues are affecting a "small percentage" of voice services, but the number of reports on Downdetector continues to grow – the number now stands at almost 11,000.

A repeat of last year

This latest Three UK outage (confirmed in the above post on X) is now almost on the level of its last major one in February 2024.

Those problems, which also affected its customer services, saw over 12,000 people report network problems on Downdetector. At the time of writing, the reports have almost hit the 11,000 mark on the outage service.

Fortunately, today's outage does only seem to be affecting Three UK's voice services rather than the whole network, although that's still frustrating – particularly if your business phones run on the network. We'll update this page as soon as we know more.

Signs of progress?

It won't be much of balm to those who are continuing to experience no voice calls (that includes me, on the Smarty network), but the number of Three UK reports on Downdetector is dropping – which is usually a good sign.

At the time of writing, those reports have dropped below the 9,000 mark. During last year's outage, that drop continued to plummet as the network recovered – let's hope that's the case again here.

Other UK networks affected?

Well, this really would be a story – according to Downdetector, all the other major UK phone networks including EE, O2, Vodafone have seen a spike in reports of issues this afternoon.

These are, though, highly likely to be related to Three UK's problems. The number of reports on other networks is comparatively tiny (between 100-200 reports, compared to the 11,000+ on Three), so the likely explanation is people on other networks being unable to contact their Three friends.

It might have been a small comfort for Three customers to know that they aren't alone, but I'm afraid it's just us guys (again)...

Where are the problems?

The answer according to social media and Downdetector is... pretty much everywhere. The map above shows the highest concentration of Three UK reports on Downdetector, which naturally congregate in urban areas – with London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow showing the biggest spikes.

But the smaller hotspots and anecdotal evidence on the likes of X (formerly Twitter) show that this is a UK-wide issue for Three UK. And just as we saw the spike in reports drop, it's gone up again – let's hope that reverses soon, as it's now three hours since the voice calling problems started.

Still no news about a fix

The Three UK outage has been going for over three hours now (starting at around 1.05pm GMT), but a fix may not be imminent it seems.

In some responses on X (formerly Twitter), the Three UK Support account has stated "at the moment we don't have a timeframe" for a resolution to the problems, which are mainly affecting phone calls.

I've asked Three UK directly for an update and will report back as soon as I hear anything. As a Smarty customer, I'm still unable to make phone calls – and the spikes in reports on Downdetector are continuing to rise for both Smarty and iD Mobile.

Let's hope the engineers work out a fix soon before the January darkness makes some poor Three UK customers feel a bit more marooned...

Can you get compensation?

The length of this Three UK outage means that many people who've been looking to make or receive important phone calls today could be out of pocket.

If that includes you, it could be worth using Three's official complaint form to open a case and see if you're entitled to a refund. There's no guarantee of compensation, but Ofcom states that if the matter is still unresolved after eight weeks, you can then complain to an independent Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme.

Hopefully it won't come to that, but I'd advise against using Three UK's live chat to open a case right now – it's currently creaking under the weight of customers who want to know when they're going to get phone calls back...

Problems with emergency calls?

A Three UK spokesperson told us earlier that "data services and 999 calls are unaffected" by the network's issues, but anecdotal evidence on social media suggests some customers are even having issues with those emergency calls.

A number of X (formerly Twitter) users say that they're unable to make 999 calls, with the ThreeUK Support account stating that "we take this extremely seriously" and then asking for DM chats to find out details.

While it doesn't seem too wise to ring 999 unnecessarily in order to check for network problems, these reports (if accurate) do potentially nudge today's issues from the realm of 'frustrating' towards potentially dangerous. This is where satellite-based features like Emergency SOS (above, available on iPhones running iOS 16.2 or later in the UK) can help to plug important gaps.

Let's hope it gets resolved soon, because we've just ticked past the four-hour mark since it all started...

999 isn't working for some...

This afternoon a number of Three customers reported on X (formerly Twitter) that emergency calls weren't working for them, despite Three stating that "data services and 999 calls are unaffected".

Well, our friends over at Tom's Guide (see the video below) have confirmed that that does indeed seem to be the case for some – when dialing 999, there was no ringing or connection. That's a bit of a problem, to say the least, so let's hope the engineers find a breakthrough soon...

Uswitch chimes in on compensation

The price comparison website Uswitch knows a thing or two about phone networks and has sent us its thoughts on this whole Three UK debacle.

Simrat Sharma, Uswitch mobiles expert, said: "Three’s reported outages will be incredibly frustrating for customers. Signal outage issues have been reported since around 1pm this afternoon and it remains unclear what the issue seems to be, who is affected and how long it may last".

If you (understandably) feel you deserve compensation, though, Uswitch emphasised that this isn't guaranteed. “Ofcom advises that compensation for mobile signal outages is ‘dependent on the circumstances’, however in extreme cases where repairs take much longer you may be entitled to an additional refund or account credit", Simrat Sharma added.

Given the length of this outage (approaching five hours), we'd hope Three would consider the circumstances serious enough for compensation, particularly if you use the network for business. But the best route is still to open a case on the Three complaints page...

'3 Self Service options impacted'

Désiré Athow, taking over from Mark Wilson for the next half hour or so. It is 1822 in the UK and the issue hasn't been solved yet. I just tried to call from my 3 number and there is no ringtone.

Three's coverage checker has been paused for now due to the sheer amount of people trying to use it in the past 4 hours. Three posted a message there saying "Some customers may be experiencing issues with our network. Our engineering teams are working hard to fix it. This issue is impacting some of our self-service options, so you won't be able to check your coverage at this time. We are very sorry for the issues with service and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused."

This is turning into a major outage

We'd hope to see a steep drop in the Downdetector reports from Three UK customers (and other networks). But this hasn't materialised. As you can see above, the reports are falling but not at a particular rapid pace - and that may just mean they've hit saturation level, rather than representing any easing in the voice calling issues.

There's still no estimate for a fix from Three, with its last official statement three long hours - and the Three UK support account on X (formerly Twitter) is reiterating that "our engineers are working hard to fix it ASAP". Customers are now understandably getting a little antsy with the network....

Very bad timing ahead of Emergency Alert for Storm Éowyn

The network disruption on Three couldn't come at a worse time as the government has just confirmed it will issue an Emergency Alert in "response to red weather warnings issued ahead of Storm Éowyn in Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland".

The statement mentions that “The Emergency Alert system will send a message to every compatible mobile phone in the areas at most risk, containing information about the weather warnings and guidance on how to stay safe. Mobile phones will make a loud siren-like sound even if they are set on silent. The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds. Approximately 4.5 million people will receive the Emergency Alert in the largest real life use of the tool to date."

You can read the rest of the statement here.

ID Mobile, Smarty customers badly hit as well

MVNO operators ID Mobile and Three-owned Smarty use Three's network as well and have been badly impacted as well. Three's hit 10,600 outage reports at its highest, just over twice the combined total for ID Mobile and Smarty (about 5,000). In comparison, Three has just over 11 million users, a number that includes Smarty's but excludes the 2 million-strong customers of ID Mobile.

Emergency Alert text has been sent already

The Emergency Alert message has already been sent about 10 minutes ago. Let's hope 3 UK customers did receive this warning.

Three apologises for 999 outage

Still no news on a fix for the voice call outage yet, but Three has just sent me a statement on the many reports of customers not being able to make 999 calls.

A Three spokesperson told us: "We are aware of a number of reports that customers have not been able to connect to 999 calls. We are taking this very seriously and are investigating this urgently and we apologise if anyone has been unable to successfully contact emergency services."

The spokesperson added: "Call data from the emergency services shows that the majority of 999 calls being placed via our network are being connected via other networks." Not a universal issue then, but certainly a serious one.

I've followed up to ask if there are any updates on the wider outage (now well over six hours long) and will post an update as soon as I hear back.

It's now seven hours and counting...

Okay, this voice calls outage is dragging on to what must be close to record levels. The problems started at 1.05pm GMT, which means we're now seven hours in – and there's still no sign on a resolution.

We saw big Three outages in February 2024 and a massive one in December 2023, which were more all-encompassing across all of its services – but I don't recall them lasting for as long as this one.

Three UK really does need to put out an updated statement on its progress (beyond its emergency calls apology below) – I'm continuing to ask and will update you when I hear back.

We have an update (kind of)

With the Three UK voice calling outage showing no signs of being resolved, the network has finally put out another statement (above) – although it doesn't tell us much we didn't know.

Three UK calls the problems an "ongoing issue" (it's now eight hours since they started) and confirms that it's "working hard to fix it", but gives no timeframe. As a Smarty customer, I'm assuming there'll be no voice calls until tomorrow January 24, but am hoping to wake up to good news.

Notably, Three added that "data services are unaffected" but removed "999 calls" from that section of its earlier statement, after it became clear that those weren't working for many of its customers either. With that, I'm likely signing off for the evening – but like you, hope to see a fix rolled out by the time we meet again on January 24...

Call me maybe

It's late and I tried to call a few phone numbers. An 0330 number "picked up" immediately but was silent; no automated message read out to me. Called an 0161 number and there was no tonality, same for a non-Three UK phone number. Worryingly, when I called another Three UK phone, it rang several times but the phone itself didn't ring at all. It then went straight to voicemail and this corresponds to what we've anecdotally heard from those who commented on Downdetector's 3 UK page.

Fortunately, data remains available throughout (unlike the downtime of December 2023) and therefore softens the blow by enabling people to stay connected through Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger and other messaging services.

Hanging on the telephone

It's almost 11pm in the UK and time for one last update of the day. Three has yet to issue another update for what has been one of the worst network outages in the UK in recent memories. The lack of urgency, transparency and feedback has caused confusion and chaos in the lives of thousands of its customers today and delivered a torrid 12 hours to their support center staff. I just made a last few calls on my 3 mobile phone and nothing is going through. So it's good night from me and let's hope the engineers at Three UK are frenetically working overtime to solve this network snafu.

Another (non) update comes from Three

Midnight isn't too far away and Three is still trying to sort out the network outage, updating customers via another Twitter post. Sadly, the lack of any real information is still frustrating.

That said, Downdetector is indicating that the volume of complaints from customers has dropped off, which could just be because it's quite late at night.

It's (slowly) coming to us now

It's now past 1am in the UK and we're seeing some Three network users respond on Twitter that services are coming back on again. There's no official word from the telco, however, so we'll keep our fingers crossed that the returning normalcy is, indeed, widespread and not just for a subset of people.

This is coming nearly 11 hours since the outage began and we may have to wait until the morning to receive an official statement and, as one Twitter users asked, whether there will be any recompense.

Until then, we'll call it a night and update you on further developments in a few hours.

Signs of life (but still no fix)

Good morning, and welcome to our Three UK outage liveblog. I was hoping this would be a fairly quick wrap-up, but surprisingly some Three UK customers are still reporting voice call problems (17 hours on from when they started) and there's been no updated statement from the network.

I'm on Smarty (a Three-related network) and now have voice calls back. A few TechRadar readers have also emailed me to say that their service has finally returned. But Downdetector (above) is showing another spike as customers wake up to find there are still residual issues.

I have to say it's quite poor that I'm writing to update you before Three UK has this morning, but here we are. I've also messaged Three and also Ofcom to find out if it has any more specific advice about compensation related to this severe outage, beyond its general advice pageon mobile service faults. Here's Three UK's complaints form if you need it too.

It's finally over (for most of us)

Three UK has now released a lengthier statement confirming that its voice calling outage is finally over for most customers – but that more problems could arise from Storm Éowyn "in some areas".

A Three UK spokesperson said: "Following an issue affecting voice calls yesterday, services have returned to normal overnight. We continue to monitor and review all services throughout today to ensure full stability."

But it's not all good news, with storm-related issues a possibility for those in the northern parts of the UK. The spokesperson added: "Today we expect to see an additional impact on our service due to Storm Éowyn in some areas. We have already deployed extra engineering resources and planning for these areas, so we can bring sites that are impacted back online as soon as it is safe to do so."

Three UK has also again acknowledged that some customers (apparently a minority) were unable to make emergency calls following the outage. The spokesperson added: "A normal volume of 999 calls were connected yesterday and our monitoring confirms the service is working fully this morning. We continue to investigate the small number of reports that we received about 999 call failures."

The network concluded that "we apologise sincerely for the inconvenience caused by the issues on our voice network yesterday”, which were the worst since outages in February 2024 and December 2023. We're following up with Three UK to ask about compensation.

A word on compensation...

I asked Ofcom, the UK's telecommunications regulator, for some advice for anyone who (understandably) feels they deserve some compensation following Three UK's voice calling outage over the past day.

An Ofcom spokesperson has just told me: “When a mobile service is not working, it may be appropriate for the provider to offer customers some money back while repairs are being made. Customers affected by outages can get in touch with their provider and follow their formal complaints procedure.”

So not too different from what I'd advised before, but it's good to get Ofcom's latest advice on this specific case. With the Three UK outages now pretty much resolved according to Downdetector, this is probably the main question on customers' minds.

If that's you, I'll leave you with some handy links below – which I've typed while crossing my fingers that there'll be no more problems whipped up by Storm Éowyn today...

• Three UK complaints form
• Official Ofcom advice for mobile phone service faults and problems
• Three UK network status checker

• UK regulator says the Vodafone and Three merger can go ahead
• Both companies need to commit to price promises and 5G investment
• Vodafone boss has promised that prices won't rise following the merger

The long-mooted merger between Vodafone and Three has been given the green light by regulators, in a move that creates the UK's biggest mobile phone operator. But what does this all mean for customers of both networks?

Ever since the £15bn merger was announced back in June 2023, opinions have been divided on what might happen – and whether or not it'll ultimately be a good deal for customers.

On the downside, evidence given to the Business and Trade Committee last year suggested that the typical result of these mergers is ultimately higher bills for consumers.

But in defending the deal, Vodafone's Chief Executive Margherita Della Valle has promised in an interview with the BBC's Today programme that the deal will be "self-funded" and that means "no extra costs from public funding and no extra cost for our customers".

Today's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) statement says that Vodafone and Three need to agree to legally-binding commitments, including "certain mobile tariffs to be capped for three years" while "virtual mobile providers will have access to pre-set wholesale prices and contract terms".

So what happens next? Here's what experts are predicting.

What's the latest Vodafone and Three merger news?

Today's statement from the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) marks then end of months of wrangling between Vodafone, Three and the UK watchdog.

Since announcing plans for a huge merger in June 2023, Vodafone and Three have been at loggerheads with the UK's watchdog about whether or not the deal should go through.

But today that process appears to be over, with Vodafone and Three given the green light to merge, based on commitments to investing billions in the UK's 5G network and freeze existing prices on tariffs and data plans for the first few years.

This all follows the CMA's "provisional" declaration a month ago that strongly hinted that it would approve the merger with these stipulations. This is big news for anyone who use mobile networks in the UK – here's what it means...

What are analysts saying about the Vodafone and Three merger?

Opinions are still split on whether or not the Vodafone-Three merger is good news long-term for UK consumers, with the impact likely to hinge on how well the CMA enforces the companies' commitments – but everyone agrees it's a huge shakeup.

"This mega-merger marks one of the most significant moments in the history of UK mobile", according to Kester Mann, Director, Consumer and Connectivity at CCS Insight.

According to Mann, the decision is "the right one" and could be good news for all UK mobile network customers, in the long-term at least. "It should pave the way for more-efficient investments to bring about much-needed improvements to mobile services in the UK".

But not everyone is quite as positive on the impact for consumers. Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: "The two companies are currently close competitors so the merger is likely to reduce competitive pressure in the market which could lead to higher prices and lower quality for consumers, at least in the short term".

Concha added that "the CMA has taken a gamble with the package of remedies it has settled on" and that, for it to work for consumers, "the CMA and Ofcom must rigorously monitor whether the merged company sticks to its commitments and be prepared to act decisively if it does not."

What does the Vodafone and Three merger mean for you?

Right now, EE is the UK's most popular mobile network, according to Confused data, with around 25 million customers. O2 is close behind with 24 million customers, with Vodafone and Three currently behind those big two. This merger catapults the joint company (MergeCo) into becoming the new market leader with 29 million customers.

In the short term, little will change for both existing and future customers. Vodafone says "existing Vodafone and Three contracts will stay the same". And the CMA's stipulations mean both networks will need to "commit to retaining certain existing mobile tariffs and data plans for at least three years, protecting millions of current and future Vodafone / Three customers (including customers on their sub-brands) from short-term price rises in the early years of the network plan".

So whether you're on Vodafone, Three, or one of the so-called Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) providers that piggyback on both networks, you should be protected from any price rises or big contract changes – for the first few years following the merger, at least.

The question is what happens after that – and in his analysis provided to the Business and Trade Committee on the merger last year, Professor Tommasso Valleti (former chief competition economist at the European Commission) said that "the answer is unambiguous" and that these mergers typically see "prices go up by 16%".

This means the longer-term result of the merger on consumers could come down to how successfully Ofcom (the telecoms regulator) and the CMA get Vodafone and Three to stick to those commitments on mobile tariffs, data plans, and wholesale deals for MVNOs.

Either way, the CMA seems confident that the Vodafone-Three merger will be a net positive for the UK's mobile networks. It says the deal would see "a multi-billion-pound commitment to upgrade the merged company’s network across the UK, including the roll-out of 5G".

In theory, the merger shouldn't have a huge effect on existing Vodafone and Three customers in the short-term, due to the CMA's proposed stipulations. But the long-term landscape of the UK's mobile networks will undoubtedly change – and despite Vodafone's proclamations today, customers could ultimately end up footing some of the bill for those much-needed infrastructure upgrades.

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After a year-long investigation, Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given approval to the Vodafone-Three merger, a deal worth £15 billion ($19 billion).

By consolidating their UK operations, Vodafone and Three hope to become a market leader with 29 million customers, making the merged firm even bigger than EE, which claims to have 25 million customers.

As part of the process, the CMA stipulated that the two companies must “sign binding commitments to invest billions to roll out a combined 5G network across the UK.”

Vodafone-Three merger given the go-ahead

Under the agreement, Vodafone will have a 51% stake, with Three owner CK Hutchison taking the remaining 49%.

Previously concerned about the potential for higher prices due to decreased competition and less advantageous terms for virtual network providers, the CMA concluded: “The group has confirmed it is now satisfied that the proposed network commitment, supported by shorter term protections for both retail and wholesale customers, resolve its competition concerns.”

The CMA says that by upgrading their networks over the course of the next eight years, Vodafone and Three’s work would actually boost competition. As a component of the terms set out by the CMA, Vodafone and Three must also cap their mobile tariffs and data plans for three years to protect customers against sharp price rises in the early years of the merger.

Stuart McIntosh, chair of the independent inquiry group leading the investigation, commented: “Having carefully considered the evidence, as well as the extensive feedback we have received, we believe the merger is likely to boost competition in the UK mobile sector and should be allowed to proceed – but only if Vodafone and Three agree to implement our proposed measures.”

Vodafone CEO Margherita Della Valle said: “Consumers and businesses will enjoy wider coverage, faster speeds and better-quality connections across the UK, as we build the biggest and best network in our home market.”

Given that Virgin Media O2 agreed earlier in 2024 to a long-term network-sharing agreement with Vodafone and Three, subject to the now-approved merger, an anticipated 50 million UK customers will see the benefits.

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The proposed merger between Vodafone and Three has taken a major step forward following an apparent declaration of support from the UK's competition regulator.

The companies announced plans to join together in a £15bn merger deal back in 2023, combining two of the country's most established mobile networks.

Following months of consultations, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said the merger could now go ahead, provided both companies make promises concerning pricing and 5G network expansion.

Vodafone-Three merger progress

In its provisional conclusions, the CMA has said the deal had "the potential to be pro-competitive for the UK mobile sector".

"We believe this deal has the potential to be pro-competitive for the UK mobile sector if our concerns are addressed," noted Stuart McIntosh, chair of the CMA inquiry group leading the investigation.

"Our provisional view is that binding commitments combined with short-term protections for consumers and wholesale providers would address our concerns while preserving the benefits of this merger."

"A legally binding network commitment would boost competition in the longer term and the additional measures would protect consumers and wholesale customers while the network upgrades are being rolled out."

A final decision will now be made before the December 7 statutory deadline, with feedback on this initial news invited now.

The news is perhaps somewhat surprising, as back in September 2024, the CMA's "provisional view" had "provisionally concluded" the merger would, "lead to price increases for tens of millions of mobile customers, or see customers get a reduced service such as smaller data packages in their contracts."

"The CMA has particular concerns that higher bills or reduced services would negatively affect those customers least able to afford mobile services as well as those who might have to pay more for improvements in network quality they do not value," it added.

It highlighted potential effects on MVNOs such as Lyca Mobile, Sky Mobile and Lebara which utilise the existing network operators, as the merger would reduce the number of network operators from 4 to 3, making it more difficult for MVNOs to "secure competitive terms".

It also added the merger, "would lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the UK – in both retail and wholesale mobile markets."

A final report will be published on December 7, 2024, with a further period of consultation now taking place.

Unsurprisingly, Vodafone and Three have positively to the news, calling the merger, "a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the UK’s digital infrastructure," in a joint statement.

"The merger will be a catalyst for positive change," the companies added, "it will bring significant benefits to businesses and consumers throughout the UK, and it will bring advanced 5G to every school and hospital across the country. The merger is also closely aligned with the Government’s mission to drive growth and to encourage more private investment in the UK.

"As the Government has recognised, high quality digital networks are pivotal to this, as all countries’ future prosperity and technological advancement will be underpinned by world-class connectivity."

The merger was announced in June 2023, with plans to form a new £15bn-valued telco giant and "create one of Europe's leading 5G networks." Vodafone was set to be the slight majority owner of the new combined group, currently known as MergeCo, controlling 51%, with CK Hutchinson keeping the remaining 49%.

MergeCo intends to invest over £6 billion in the first five years, and £11 billion over a ten year plan, to create a "best-in-class 5G network", supporting between 8,000 and 12,000 new jobs in the wider economy, as well as expecting to deliver up to £5 billion per year in UK economic benefit by 2030, supporting the digital transformation for schools, hospitals and businesses, with its standalone 5G network will cover every school and hospital in the UK.

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Britain’s SMEs could unlock an extra £79 billion in the next year alone if they went all-in on the latest tech such as AI tools and automation, new research has claimed.

A study from Three Business found British workers make on average £19.20 per hour less than German workers, £17.39 less than their American counterparts, and £14.77 less than the French, highlighting a significant productivity gap costing businesses and the uk economy billions.

Moreover, just by investing in technology such as AI, Three Business believes the gap between the UK and those other countries could be narrowed by between 25-34%.

Britain’s dated tech is costing billions

The report is one of a growing number to highlight the ongoing challenges with adopting AI – although 43% of business leaders acknowledged that AI could enhance productivity and efficiency, nearly as many (42%) worry about onboarding challenges that could hinder their growth.

Over half (55%) of the SMEs surveyed also noted the cost associated with adopting new technologies is a barrier, with two in five (42%) unable to prioritize these investments in a tight economy.

The study also highlighted geographical differences that could threaten to leave some counties behind. London-based businesses were among the most AI-enthusiastic, with 45% citing it as a priority, compared with just 22% in the North and 18% in the South.

The report also covered concerns about a stable and reliable internet connection – almost all (97%) of the SMEs agreed on its importance, however the UK still lags behind other European countries in terms of 5G availability and network speeds. According to Speedtest figures cited in the report, the UK ranks 26th out of 31 countries for network quality.

The company used the report as an opportunity to highlight the potential benefits of its proposed Vodafone merger, which is under investigation by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

“Through the combination of Vodafone UK and Three UK, we would be able to invest £11bn in growing the UK’s mobile infrastructure, and create a best-in-class 5G network which would further enable economic growth and innovation in all nations and regions," noted Mike Tomlinson, Managing Director for Business at Three.

Besides the broader efforts needed to improve infrastructure and services, the report calls for more financial support in the form of capital and support in investing this capital, allowing businesses to keep up with their European and global counterparts.

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Vodafone and Three have reacted strongly to initial findings by the UK's anti-competition watchdog concerning their planned merger.

The companies announced plans to join together in a £15bn merger deal back in 2023, combining two of the country's most established mobile networks.

However, the first report by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has raised doubts, saying the deal could lead to higher prices and tougher market conditions for MVNOs.

Vodafone-Three merger plans

In its "provisional view", the CMA said it had "provisionally concluded" the merger would, "lead to price increases for tens of millions of mobile customers, or see customers get a reduced service such as smaller data packages in their contracts."

"The CMA has particular concerns that higher bills or reduced services would negatively affect those customers least able to afford mobile services as well as those who might have to pay more for improvements in network quality they do not value," it added

It highlighted potential effects on MVNOs such as Lyca Mobile, Sky Mobile and Lebara which utilise the existing network operators, as the merger would reduce the number of network operators from 4 to 3, making it more difficult for MVNOs to "secure competitive terms".

The authority did note there could be some positive effects from the merger, admitting the combination of Three and Vodafone's infrastructure could, "improve the quality of mobile networks and bring forward the deployment of next generation 5G networks and services".

However, it noted these claims could also be overstated, concluding the merger, "would lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the UK – in both retail and wholesale mobile markets."

A final report will be published on December 7, 2024, with a further period of consultation now taking place.

Unsurprisingly, Vodafone and Three reacted strongly to the report, noting in a joint response the opportunities the merger offered to improve the UK's mobile infrastructure for a combined 50 million strong customer base.

“Our merger is a catalyst for change. It’s time to take off the handbrake on the country’s connectivity and build the world-class infrastructure the country deserves. We are offering a self-funded plan to propel economic growth and address the UK’s digital divide," said Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone’s Chief Executive.

“Great network connectivity is a critical enabler of so many elements of our daily life and is central to the future prospects of so many sectors. Businesses large and small are dependent on it and it enables new industries – like AI – to thrive. It facilitates a step change in productivity and care across the public sector, and it lies at the heart of every nation’s future prosperity.”

“The current UK 4 player mobile market is dysfunctional and lacks quality competition with 2 strong players and 2 weak players," added Robert Finnegan, Chief Executive of Three UK.

"This is reflected in the current state of the UK’s digital infrastructure that everyone agrees falls well short of what the country needs and deserves. We are determined to reassure the CMA in relation to their provisional concerns and work with them to secure the extensive benefits this merger brings for UK customers, businesses and wider society.”

The merger was announced in June 2023, with plans to form a new £15bn-valued telco giant and "create one of Europe's leading 5G networks." Vodafone was set to be the slight majority owner of the new combined group, currently known as MergeCo, controlling 51%, with CK Hutchinson keeping the remaining 49%.

The CMA said back in April 2024 an "in-depth investigation" into the merger would be needed, following an initial warning that Vodafone and Three would need to provide "meaningful solutions" to concerns surrounding the deal.

The two companies were also keen to highlight the advantages of combining their two 5G networks for consumers and businesses alike, with MergeCo intending to invest over £6 billion in the first five years, and £11 billion over a ten year plan, to create a best-in-class 5G network, supporting between 8,000 and 12,000 new jobs in the wider economy.

MergeCo also expects to deliver up to £5 billion per year in UK economic benefit by 2030, supporting the digital transformation for schools, hospitals and businesses, with its standalone 5G network will cover every school and hospital in the UK.

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The UK's competition watchdog has said it needs even more time to investigate the planned £15bn merger between Vodafone and Three.

In an update, the CMA says it will now need several more months to complete its research and publish its findings.

It says the delay to December 7 is due to “very wide scope” of the inquiry, thanks in part to the large amounts of evidence produced by both companies, and the “technical and regulatory complexity of the sector”.

Vodafone-Three merger delay

The merger was announced in June 2023, with plans to form a new £15bn-valued telco giant and "create one of Europe's leading 5G networks."

However the news immediately caused concerns surrounding competition and fairness in the UK telecoms and mobile market. Chief among the worries is that the deal, which would take the number of major mobile operators in the UK from four to three, would particularly harm smaller MVNOs, who may find it harder to negotiate good deals for their customers from a shrinking pool of providers.

A spokesman from Vodafone told PA it was “not unusual” for such investigations to be extended.

“We appreciate the additional time it is taking to assess the extensive evidence submitted, which sets out how this transaction will significantly benefit over 50m mobile customers, enhance competition and help transform the UK’s digital infrastructure,” the company said.

The CMA had said in April 2024 that it would need to carry out an "in-depth investigation" into the merger, following an initial warning a month earlier that a further investigation would be needed unless Vodafone and Three could provide "meaningful solutions" to initial concerns surrounding the deal.

Vodafone was set to be the slight majority owner of the new combined group, currently known as MergeCo, controlling 51%, with CK Hutchinson keeping the remaining 49%. 

The two companies were also keen to highlight the advantages of combining their two 5G networks for consumers and businesses alike, with MergeCo intending to invest over £6 billion in the first five years, and £11 billion over a ten year plan, to create a best-in-class 5G network, supporting between 8,000 and 12,000 new jobs in the wider economy.

MergeCo also expects to deliver up to £5 billion per year in UK economic benefit by 2030, supporting the digital transformation for schools, hospitals and businesses, with its standalone 5G network will cover every school and hospital in the UK by 2030, helping deliver the Government’s stretch ambition as set out in the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy.

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The planned merger between Vodafone and Three is set to face an "in-depth investigation" from the UK's competition watchdog over fears the deal may negatively affect the market.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has confirmed it will be holding a further probe into the planned £15bn/$19bn merger.

In its announcement, the CMA said the action was taken after an examination of current information which it says brought it to the conclusion that the deal, "may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom."

Vodafone-Three probe

The announcement follows a warning in March 2024 that the CMA was set to launch a further investigation into the deal unless Vodafone and Three could provide "meaningful solutions" to initial concerns surrounding the deal.

Chief among the worries is that the deal, which would take the number of major mobile operators in the UK from four to three, would particularly harm smaller MVNOs, who may find it harder to negotiate good deals for their customers from a shrinking pool of providers.

The two networks had anticipated the CMA's move but said they remained confident the merger will deliver "significant benefits for competition, customers and the country."

The CMA has set a deadline of September 18, 2024 to complete its investigation.

The merger was announced in June 2023, with plans to form a new £15bn-valued telco giant and "create one of Europe's leading 5G networks."

Vodafone was set to be the slight majority owner of the new combined group, currently known as MergeCo, controlling 51%, with CK Hutchinson keeping the remaining 49%. 

The two companies were also keen to highlight the advantages of combining their two 5G networks for consumers and businesses alike, with MergeCo intending to invest over £6 billion in the first five years, and £11 billion over a ten year plan, to create a best-in-class 5G network, supporting between 8,000 and 12,000 new jobs in the wider economy.

MergeCo also expects to deliver up to £5 billion per year in UK economic benefit by 2030, supporting the digital transformation for schools, hospitals and businesses, with its standalone 5G network will cover every school and hospital in the UK by 2030, helping deliver the Government’s stretch ambition as set out in the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy.

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Vodafone and Three have slammed plans by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to launch a further antitrust investigation into their planned £15bn/$19bn merger.

The CMA has announced "an in-depth, phase 2 investigation" into the deal having uncovered concerns that consumers and businesses alike could be left worse off by rising bills caused by the merger.

The moves come after the body completed its initial Phase 1 investigation, which looked to identify whether the deal may lead to a "substantial lessening of competition" in the UK market, particularly for smaller MVNOs, who the CMA says may find it harder to negotiate good deals for their customers as the number of operators able to offer such virtual services shrinks.

CMA probes Vodafone-Three merger

"Millions of people in the UK depend on effective competition in the mobile market in order to access the best deals for them," said Julie Bon, the CMA Phase 1 decisionmaker for the case.

"Whilst Vodafone and Three have made a number of claims about how their deal is good for competition and investment, the CMA has not seen sufficient evidence to date to back these claims. Our initial assessment of this deal has identified concerns which could lead to higher prices for customers and lower investment in UK mobile networks. These warrant an in-depth investigation unless Vodafone and Three can come forward with solutions."

In a statement, the two networks said although the CMA's move was expected, they remained confident the merger will deliver "significant benefits for competition, customers and the country."

Vodafone UK CEO, Ahmed Essam, said his company looked forward to working with the CMA on the Phase 2 process as the merger reaches an "important milestone".

"By merging our two companies, we will be able to invest £11 billion to help the UK realise its ambitions to be a world leader in next-generation 5G technology, and increase competition across the industry," Essam added.

"This transaction will create an operator with the scale required to take on BTEE and VMO2, give MVNOs greater choice in the wholesale market and is in the wider interests of customers, competition and the country."

"The current market structure is holding the UK back, which is not good for customers or competition," added Three UK CEO, Robert Finnegan.

"By creating a third player with the necessary scale to invest, the combination of our two companies will deliver one of Europe's most advanced networks and move the UK into the digital fast lane, benefiting customers from Day One."

The merger was announced in June 2023, with plans to form a new £15bn-valued telco giant and "create one of Europe's leading 5G networks."

Vodafone was set to be the slight majority owner of the new combined group, currently known as MergeCo, controlling 51%, with CK Hutchinson keeping the remaining 49%. 

The two companies were also keen to highlight the advantages of combining their two 5G networks for consumers and businesses alike, with MergeCo intending to invest over £6 billion in the first five years, and £11 billion over a ten year plan, to create a best-in-class 5G network, supporting between 8,000 and 12,000 new jobs in the wider economy.

MergeCo also expects to deliver up to £5 billion per year in UK economic benefit by 2030, supporting the digital transformation for schools, hospitals and businesses, with its standalone 5G network will cover every school and hospital in the UK by 2030, helping deliver the Government’s stretch ambition as set out in the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy.

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The Three UK network was down earlier today, with thousands of users reporting issues with their internet speeds and a lack of signal. But the network has since apologised and confirmed that "services are now recovering".

The issues, which also affected related networks like Smarty, were first reported on Downdetector (below) at around 10.20am on February 12 and grew rapidly. At their peak, more than 12,000 customers reported an outage on the network. But this has since dropped markedly to only a few hundred at the time of writing.

Three UK has stated on X (formerly Twitter) that "services are now recovering", but that "a number of our customers are still waiting for their service to be restored". It added that its "engineers are working to fully fix it".

A few hours earlier, Three UK had admitted there was a major outage that was affecting not just the network but its customer services. On X (formerly Twitter) it stated that "some customers may be experiencing issues with our network this morning" and that "our engineers are working hard to fix it".

Interestingly, Three stated that the issues were also hitting their customer services, which is why it recommended checking its X account for further updates. We contacted Three for a longer explanation of what had caused today's issues, but it gave us the same statement as the one below.

The issues follow a weekend of patchy performance on Three, with the network saying in a follow-up post on X that "we're very sorry for the issues with service over the past few days and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused".

Three UK has a Network status checker if you're affected and want to find out if your area is still experiencing issues. If the outage has caused you significant problems, you can use Three's official complaint form to see if you're entitled to a refund.

This outage follows another big one affecting Three customers in early December 2023, which saw more than 20,000 people reporting issues. As we reported at the time, the problems highlighted the seemingly growing need to have a backup broadband solution at home. 

Three is still in the process of merging with Vodafone in a £15bn deal that's expected to be completed by the end of this year. But right now, customers will be focused more on getting their mobile signal or broadband back up and running – we'll update this page as soon as we have more information.

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I am a proud Three UK customer and have been a champion of their services for quite some time; after all, it offers the world’s cheapest unlimited data plan and I’ve got one (a so-called 5G broadband). Today however, I find myself using a backup broadband service in order to get work done (and write this article). 

Three has been down for nearly two hours, impacting not only phone calls and mobile data on its network and its MVNO partners but also - and more significantly - mobile broadband data used by thousands of small businesses, professionals and startups across the UK.

If you have been impacted by this and are reading this once the dust has settled, it might be a good idea to look at how you can get a backup broadband package to mitigate any sudden loss in connectivity, delivering an emergency solution, regardless of whether you are a consumer or a business.

For the first set of users, it can be as simple as having a simple phone with a loaded pay as you go (PAYG) SIM, which is commonly known as a glove box phone. Any SIM only deal would do. It may not be useful to receive calls but it may prove invaluable to make one. Bear in mind as well that you may need to keep it charged and loaded (just do it at the same time as you test your smoke alarm).

Better late than never

For businesses, there’s a wide variety of solutions available to ensure seamless connectivity regardless of the provider. Depending on your budget and how many minutes of downtime you can afford, it can be as simple as having a fixed broadband connection (I have one with Virgin Media) or a mobile broadband router connected to a different mobile network. 

Alternatively, if your smartphone supports two SIMs, you can use a cheap data only SIM and enable the hotspot feature on your device.

More elaborate solutions include a bonding router where two or more broadband connections (wired or wireless) are joined together to create a big internet pipe. These are often used for load balancing as well which enables a more efficient use of your internet resources. 

Some UK networks like EE and Virgin Media have already started to roll out these “unbreakable” Wi-Fi which essentially pair a wireless connection to a wired one; expect this to be a major feature of any network going forward. Ask your Internet Service provider for what options are available to you as a consumer or business. 

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If you're on the Three mobile network in the UK and have been struggling to send texts or browse the web today, you aren't alone – a large outage hit the network today and is continuing to cause major problems.

The issues started at around 8am GMT and, at the peak, over 20,000 people have reported a Three outage on Downdetector, following a big spike in reports that grew from about 3pm GMT. At the time of writing, those figures are now down to just over 11,000 reports, which could still put a significant dent in many customers' Friday evening plans.

The outage has also been affecting Smarty customers, as that MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) also uses the Three network. Those issues peaked at 5pm GMT when 2,600 Smarty customers  reported "no signal" and even "total blackout" problems. 

While the knock-on effects persist for many – including on the TechRadar team –those Smarty issues have now dropped to 1,800 reports, suggesting that the problems are at least on the mend.

Other networks including EE and O2 have also seen much smaller, but still significant, spikes in reports on Downdetector, although neither of those networks have yet acknowledged an issue.

Earlier today at 10:22am GMT, Three UK posted on X (formerly Twitter) that it was aware of the problem that (at the time) was affecting "a small number of customers". It said that "engineers are working hard to fix this as soon as possible", and the network followed up with a similar message at 2:51pm GMT.

We contacted Three UK about the issues and a spokesperson told us: "A number of customers may be experiencing issues with our network. We are aware of what the issue is and our engineers are working to fix it as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.” It also posted a similar statement (below) on X and hasn't yet followed up on its last update, which was over three hours ago.

The fact that Three UK was unable to stem the tide of customer reports in the four hours between its last two social media statements suggests it's been a pretty serious outage – and looking at messages posted on both X and Downdetector, it's been widespread across the UK.

Three UK does have a Network status checker if you're affected and want to find out if your area is still experiencing issues. If the issues have caused you significant problems, you can go to Three's official complaint form to see if you're entitled to a refund.

Three is currently in the process of merging with Vodafone in a £15bn deal which is due to be completed by the end of 2024. But for Three's current customers, the more pressing issue will be getting their mobile signal back in time for the weekend – we'll update this page as soon as we have more information.

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Finding the best broadband deals has often sent me down a path of considering broadband and TV deals, quad-play deals and some of the fastest connection speeds available from providers, but now 5G broadband deals are starting to turn my head, especially with three months of broadband absolutely free and a cost of only £20 per month from month four up for grabs.

That’s right, with a Three 5G broadband hub on a 24-month contract, you can get three months of free broadband on the UK’s fastest 5G network, and once your three months end, you only pay £20 per month, with no speed decreases and no change to your contract, just simple fast broadband for an obscenely low price. 

Three 5G home broadband offers download speeds up to 265Mb/s with latencies of around 34ms, more than capable of rivalling your more conventional cable broadband deals. What’s more, there’s no need for an engineer to install your new broadband, simply plug in your router, insert your SIM card, and get connected! 

5G broadband has long been something that I have watched with eager anticipation and finally, thanks to Three, we are starting to see 5G broadband deals that are not only a cut below other cable-less broadband deals when it comes to price, but which also offer speeds comparable to some of the best fibre broadband deals you can find. 

If, like me, you struggle with finding the optimal location for your broadband router, you’re also in luck, as, since there are no cables required, if you are struggling to get a strong connection, you can simply unplug your router, move it to a more optimal location in your house, and try again. To help you with this, the Three 5G broadband app is able to give you an indicator of your signal strength which you can use to ensure your router is in the best place for how you use your connection. 

I spend my days trying to find people the best ways to save on their bills, and since Three not only provides 5G broadband, but also great value mobile contracts, you can save yourself even more of your well-earned cash by taking advantage of exclusive existing customer discounts when you sign up. Three frequently have great ways to save on your mobile and broadband deals, check out some of today’s top offers from Three below: 

The battle for the best broadband deal has long been fought between broadband providers’ offerings of fibre, full fibre and gigabit connections, but this may be about to change. 5G broadband has, in recent years, seen a sharp rise in popularity which has seen many families choose to transition to this new form of 5G internet from their previous cable broadband setups thanks to its simplicity, cost and even speed. 

In the past, cable-less broadband had seen itself fall far short of the speeds seen from cable broadband connections, mainly due to a lack of access to a strong 5GHz network. However, thanks to the recent rise in 5G connectivity across the UK, mobile networks are beginning to offer 5G broadband contracts which not only help you save but even provide speeds strong enough to rival its fibre broadband counterparts and raise questions as to whether 5G broadband for gaming is now possible. 

What benefits might I see using 5G broadband for gaming?

Using a 5G broadband connection is no different from using a fibre connection when it comes to the day-to-day, but ensuring your connection is right for you is where 5G broadband gaming shines since you have more control over your 5G internet connection than you could ever expect from a fibre connection.

Since the device is only plugged into the wall, if you are struggling for connection, you can simply move it to a better spot, no need for an engineer, moving cables or any of the usual hassle that comes with connection problems. And if you are looking to refine your connection, most 5G routers come with an easy-to-use app to help you find the best place in the house for your router, and refine settings to make sure you get the best connection when you need it most. This means no more slow loading into your online games, no lag spikes as you are about to complete a mission, and no more dropping out of group calls at the vital moment.

5G broadband is also a great way to help you save on your broadband connection, as you often have the ability to choose how much data you need per month and pick your contract accordingly, much like you would with your mobile, so you only need to pay for what you think you’ll use, making your contract cheaper and less wasteful, and if you need to add more in the future, you can, thanks to many providers offering options to increase your plan if need be.

Where can I get the best 5G broadband for gaming?

5G broadband is fast becoming available across some of the best mobile networks in the UK, at the moment, however, the best 5G broadband for gaming can be found with Three.

Three have the UK’s fastest 5G network, offer 5G broadband contracts for between 1 and 24 months, and have a dedicated app to help you get the best 5G gaming experience possible. You can get a 5G home broadband contract with Three from as little as £20 per month with £0 upfront (or £25 per month, £0 upfront on a 1-month-rolling contract) and you get a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not happy with your connection, making this one of the best 5G broadband deals currently available and a great choice for those looking to make 5G gaming a reality in their home.

Three UK wants to help medium-sized organizations, as well as corporations, to easily onboard new devices and configure them to work with business apps, settings, and security of each individual firm. 

Its new Three Device Management offering now means employees can use mobile devices to access company networks, applications, and corporate data, regardless of their physical location or the way they work. 

Businesses, on the other hand, will know that their data and other assets remain secure across the fleet. Furthermore, with Three Device Management, business and personal data on devices can be separated, protecting employee privacy.

CWSI's help

Three's new offering will be powered by Ivanti, and will cover devices from both iOS and Android’s ecosystems. The project will be supported by European mobile and security management specialists, CWSI, which will provide service delivery and support expertise for the project’s product suite, including professional, managed, and support devices. 

Organizations that opt in for the new offering can expect a free three-hour enhanced technical set up, as well as in-life support. Every customer will get a tailored offering, it was added, which should ensure an effective setup and full benefits. 

“We are delighted to work with Three UK on this exciting new service,” commented Ronan Murphy, CEO, CWSI. “If the past few years have shown us anything, it’s that work is an activity, not a place. The modern workplace requires the ability to work seamlessly from anywhere while maintaining the highest levels of security, with a device network that is easy to manage. At CWSI, we have an unrivaled understanding of enterprise mobility, and this technology will help to underpin growth and enable success for modern businesses.”

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As Vodafone prepares for its big merger with Three, it has revealed strong financial results and announced a brand new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Reporting on its finances, Vodafone says it experienced revenue growth of 3.7% for the year, or 1.8% if Turkey is excluded. For the fourth quarter of the year, the growth was 1.9% or 0.5%, respectively. 

When it comes to foreign markets, Vodafone reported broad-based service revenue improvement across almost all European markets, with service revenue significantly improving in Germany (-1.3% for the year, or -2.8% for the quarter), mostly supported by broadband price increases.

New CFO

For Vodafone Business, service revenue growth accelerated to 4.5% for the year, driven by a strong performance in digital services (Q4: 2.9%).

At the same time, the company announced that its search for a new CFO is finally over and that Luka Mucic will take the helm starting September 1, 2023. 

Margherita Della Valle, soon-to-be ex-CEO, said she was thrilled about the news: “He has a strong track record of international leadership, corporate repositioning and value-creation. Luka is joining us at a critical time as we undertake the transformation of Vodafone,” she said.

Mucic was the CEO of SAP SE between 2014 and 2017, and the company’s CFO from 2014 until March 31, 2023. He is also a member of the Supervisory Board of Heidelberg Materials AG. He was previously a non-executive director of the Board of Qualtrics International.

One of Mucic’s biggest tasks in the near future will be the transformation of Vodafone. Recently, the company announced plans to cut 11,000 jobs and restructure into a leaner, more agile business.

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The CEO of Vodafone’s UK business has warned that any delay from the country’s competition watchdog concerning its upcoming merger with Three could put the development of the country's entire 5G network development at risk.

Speaking to The Times, Ahmed Essam said Vodafone “won’t be able to invest as much and we won’t be able to deliver the 5G ambition that’s coming in the wireless infrastructure strategy from the government.” 

Now, Essam is saying that without the proposed merger with Three, that ambition may never bear fruit.

Vodafone-Three merger

“The UK doesn’t rank well in terms of 5G across Europe,” Essam was cited, further saying that the merger “brings the scale” that 5G infrastructure needs. 

“But if it doesn’t happen, those targets probably won’t be met, by Vodafone at least,” he concluded.

Earlier this year, the UK government published its Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, a strategic document that outlines, among other things, the country’s ambition to provide standalone 5G coverage across the country by the end of the decade.

Vodafone and Three officially announced plans to merge in April 2023, with the move expected to hugely shake up the UK mobile market. 

The deal is currently subject to approval from the Competition and Markets Authority, which is currently looking deeper into the proposed deal. 

City AM reminds that seven years ago, Three tried to merge with O2, in a deal which was stopped by the CMA. In a statement given to The Times, a government representative said: “We welcome investment where it supports growth and jobs, providing that such investments also meet regulatory requirements.”

In a statement, Vodafone and CK Hutchinson, the owner of Three UK, confirmed a deal that should see the formation of a new £15bn-valued telco giant and, "create one of Europe's leading 5G networks."

Vodafone is set to be the slight majority owner of the new combined group, known for now as MergeCo, controlling 51%, with CK Hutchinson keeping the remaining 49%. 

MergeCo hopes to deliver up to £5 billion per year in UK economic benefit by 2030, supporting the digital transformation for schools, hospitals and businesses, with its standalone 5G network will cover every school and hospital in the UK by 2030,  helping deliver the Government’s stretch ambition as set out in the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy.

MergeCo also intends to invest over £6 billion in the first five years, and £11 billion over a ten year plan, to create a best-in-class 5G network, supporting between 8,000 and 12,000 new jobs in the wider economy.

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Via: CityAM

Vodafone and Three have officially announced plans to merge in a move that is set to hugely shake up the UK mobile market.

In a statement, Vodafone and CK Hutchinson, the owner of Three UK, confirmed a deal that should see the formation of a new £15bn-valued telco giant and, "create one of Europe's leading 5G networks."

Vodafone is set to be the slight majority owner of the new combined group, known for now as MergeCo, controlling 51%, with CK Hutchinson keeping the remaining 49%. 

Vodafone-Three merger

Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group Chief Executive, described the merger as being “great for customers, great for the country and great for competition.”  

“The merger is great for customers, great for the country and great for competition. It’s transformative as it  will create a best-in-class – indeed best in Europe – 5G network, offering customers a superior experience," she added. 

"As a country, the UK will benefit from the creation of a sustainable, strongly competitive third scaled operator – with a clear £11 billion network investment plan – driving growth, employment and innovation. For Vodafone, this transaction is a game changer in our home market. This is a vote of confidence in the UK  and its ambitions to be a centre for future technology.” 

“Today’s announcement is a major milestone for CK Hutchison and for the UK," added Canning Fok, Group Co-Managing Director of CK Hutchison. "Three UK and Vodafone UK  currently lack the necessary scale on their own to earn their cost of capital. This has long been a challenge  for Three UK’s ability to invest and compete." 

"Together, we will have the scale needed to deliver a best-in class 5G network for the UK, transforming mobile services for our customers and opening up new  opportunities for businesses across the length and breadth of the UK. This will unlock significant value for  CK Hutchison and its shareholders, realise material synergies, reduce net financial indebtedness and further  strengthen its financial profile.”

In a press release, the two companies highlighted the advantages of combining their two 5G networks for consumers and businesses alike.

They expect MergeCo to deliver up to £5 billion per year in UK economic benefit by 2030, supporting the digital transformation for schools, hospitals and businesses, with its standalone 5G network will cover every school and hospital in the UK by 2030,  helping deliver the Government’s stretch ambition as set out in the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy.

MergeCo also intends to invest over £6 billion in the first five years, and £11 billion over a ten year plan, to create a best-in-class 5G network, supporting between 8,000 and 12,000 new jobs in the wider economy.

Analysis: A major disruption - for better or worse?

Rumors of Vodafone/CK Hutchinson merger have been ongoing for quite some time now, and triggered major moves in the market, with Della Valle's predecessor Nick Read, stepping down due to not being able to consolidate the UK market, which frustrated shareholders.

Less than a month ago, Della Valle announced the company would be cutting 11,000 jobs in an effort to become more agile on the market.

The deal is still pending regulatory approval in both the UK and CK Hutchinson's home nation of Hong Kong, with some observers not viewing the further reduction of the number of UK network operators very kindly.

If the deal does end up going through, the resulting group will become the biggest mobile operator in the UK, with some 27 million customers. That would place it above BT’s EE and VM O2, as well as Liberty Global, which some analysts have predicted could disrupt the UK market significantly.

“This long-awaited mega merger represents the biggest shake-up in the UK mobile market for over a decade," noted Kester Mann, Director, Consumer and Connectivity, CCS Insight. 

“The deal makes plenty of sense as both providers are sub-scale. As separate entities, it would have been near impossible for either to grow enough organically to come close to challenging BT or Virgin Media O2 for size. Inevitably however, there will be widespread fears over job cuts.”

 “An £11 billion network investment plan will seek to allay regulatory concerns. But this deal will still face a major challenge to win approval. At this stage, I believe it is too difficult to call either way.”

 “The prospect the deal leads to higher prices will be a major concern for the CMA. Vodafone and Three may have shot themselves in the foot by recently hiking tariffs by up to 14.4%.”

 “My view is that the deal should be approved. It is better to have three strong providers than two that are dominant and two that are sub-scale. Blocking it could thwart the long-term development of the UK’s telecoms infrastructure.”

 “A marriage of convenience makes sense. Scale is key to help lower costs and improve margins," noted Paolo Pescatore from PP Foresight.

"It will take years before we see the real fruits of this deal come to fruition. The question is, can the UK wait that long? However, convergence still remains the achilles heel if this does get over the line. It would create a mobile champion that could increase competition in the wholesale segment of the market and become a partner of choice for MVNOs.”

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Vodafone and CK Hutchinson - the owner of Three - are about to announce a merger in the UK, according to a report from Reuters. The news agency said the deal could be announced either this Friday, or early next week.

Apparently, the deal will be in line with what was reported in October last year - namely that Vodafone would own the majority of the combined group (51%), with Hutchinson keeping the remaining 49%. 

It was also said that the new company would be valued at approximately $18.6 billion, debt included. 

Shareholder pressure

The story of the Vodafone/CK Hutchinson merger has been ongoing for quite some time now, and triggered major moves in the market. 

Some argue that former Vodafone CEO, Nick Read, stepped down due to not being able to consolidate the UK market, which was one of his major goals. This inability frustrated shareholders, which resulted in the change at the helm.

The new CEO, Margherita Della Valle, stepped in and has been feeling the pressure to improve the company’s performance. Less than a month ago, Della Valle announced the company would be cutting 11,000 jobs in an effort to become more agile on the market.

The deal also raised some concerns, as the regulators did not view the idea of reducing the number of network operators in a major market such as the UK kindly. The deal is still pending regulatory approval, Reuters added. 

On the other hand, Hutchinson’s CFO, Frank John Sixt also said that finalizing the deal was “extremely difficult.”

If the deal does end up going through, the resulting group will become the biggest mobile operator in the UK, with some 27 million customers. That would place it above BT’s EE and VM O2, as well as Liberty Global, Reuters claims.

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Via: Reuters

BT and Three UK have announced they will stop upgrading each other’s mobile infrastructure sites. 

The joint venture assigned this task, Mobile Broadband Network Limited (MBNL), will continue working as an estate company and manage joint sites and passive infrastructure.

Speaking to Mobile World Live, BT Chief Networks Officer Greg McCall said the decision was made in order to optimize logistical challenges and regain control over tower assets. The move gives BT “more autonomy and flexibility,” he said. “The primary driver is that this enables us to pursue a more autonomous approach to deployment, rolling out our infrastructure where our customers need it, faster,” a BT spokesperson told TelcoTitans. 

Different strategies

Three’s representatives said something similar. Patrick Binchy, Three’s Technical Services Director, said the change will allow the company to better prioritize customer experience and budgets.

MBNL was set up back in 2007 to support 3G deployment, and at the time, it was a good idea, the media said. However, the shared model seems to have started weighing the companies down since the introduction of 5G. “As we rolled out 4G, and more specifically 5G, I think our deployment strategies have been different from each other,” McCall was cited as saying. 

Obviously, it’s not just about flexibility and business goals - it’s also about costs. Binchy said that MBNL was actually increasing some of the costs, instead of doing the opposite. “One of the things we found with MBNL is the cost was very, very expensive because you’re not just building for yourself, but you’re designing and building for both networks. You’ve got to try and get planning permission and go through various loops on that, then [there’s] how much do you futureproof the site and to what level are you building it?”

BT will remain committed to MBNL until “at least” 2031, the company confirmed.

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Via: Mobile World Live

According to a Bloomberg report, Vodafone UK and Three UK are in negotiations to complete their merger, creating the largest mobile operator in the United Kingdom.

Bloomberg reported that Vodafone and Three are expected to announce their merger in March 2023. They're said to be actively discussing ways to address antitrust concerns.

Reports indicate the two telcos are also considering how Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison might exit their joint venture.

In October 2022, Vodafone Group revealed its intentions to merge Three and Vodafone UK.

Rolling 5G out

Vodafone further revealed that a potential transaction between the two companies could see them combine their U.K. operations, with Vodafone owning 51% and CK Hutchison having 49% stakes. The company noted the necessity of securing a deal to launch a new telecom firm, given the high costs involved with rolling out and maintaining 5G network infrastructure.

Vodafone UK stated, "By combining our businesses, Vodafone UK and Three UK will gain the necessary scale to be able to accelerate the rollout of full 5G in the U.K. and expand broadband connectivity to rural communities and small businesses."

Vodafone stated that the merged business would "challenge the two already consolidated players for all U.K. customers and bring benefits through competitively priced access to a third reliable, high quality, and secure 5G network throughout the U.K."

The Competition and Markets Authority will conduct an in-depth investigation of this transaction before it is allowed to proceed.

On August 2019, Three unveiled 5G services in certain parts of London, providing a high-speed 5G broadband connection. According to the operator, its 5G coverage now reaches more than 400 locations nationwide.

On July 19, 2019, Vodafone officially began providing 5G services in parts of Birmingham and Bristol, Cardiff, and Liverpool, as well as London, Manchester, Sheffield, and Glasgow.

Vodafone announced in January that it had become the first U.K. mobile operator to launch a 5G Standalone (5G SA) network.

Moreover, the telco announced that select customers in London, Manchester and Liverpool with Oppo Find X3/X5Pro and Samsung Galaxy S21/S22 phones on Unlimited Max plans could take part in a 5G Sa trial.

Vodafone also revealed it would test network steering. This technology enables a network to direct devices toward the appropriate connectivity (4G or 5G Non-Standalone), depending on the service being used.

Other major mobile operators in Britain include BT's EE and Virgin Media O2.

• Check out the best mobile hotspots today

Via: RCRWireless

Are you looking for a new SIM only mobile phone plan? Or do you want to switch to a more affordable tariff? Then this deal from Three is definitely worth checking out.

At the moment you can get Three's SIM only plan which includes unlimited minutes and texts and 100GB of data for £10 a month. It's a 12-month contract and it comes 5G-ready at no extra cost to you. If you buy this deal now you can also enjoy free first class delivery by Royal Mail.

There aren't any extra upfront costs with this plan and it offers you capabilities to use your phone as a personal hotspot for other devices. It's also part of Three's 'Advanced Plan' range. This means you can also access 'Go Roam' - its roaming service that works in over 70 worldwide destinations.

Another benefit on offer with this 'Advanced Plan' is that you can access its Three+ rewards app, which gives exclusive offers from brands like Cineworld and Uber Eats.

DISCOVER THIS THREE SIM ONLY DEAL

Why choose Three?

Three is one of the UK's biggest mobile phone networks and is a popular choice for millions of smartphone users, thanks chiefly to its affordable tariffs. 

It regularly has some of the cheapest and best SIM only deals on the market and when compared to other major networks, offers plenty of bang for your buck in terms of calls, minutes and rewards. It's also one of the few networks to give unlimited data on its SIM only tariffs. 

While it doesn't offer as much coverage on its 5G network compared to others, it is working to improve this and promises a fast rollout. However, its 4G coverage is excellent and has 99% UK coverage.

What other plans are available with Three?

With Three you can find some great deals which include the latest smartphones from the likes of Apple, Samsung and Google. However, its worth noting that its device range isn't as extensive as other networks, but you do get more opportunities to upgrade to unlimited data tariffs without lumping on sizeable additional costs.

What really sets Three apart is its range of affordable SIM only plans - the majority of which come with unlimited calls and texts.

These plans can start from as little as £8 a month, through to top-end options with unlimited data for around £28 a month. Often Three will also give introductory offers and incentives for you to take on its longer 24-month plans, including half price monthly payments for the first six months.

Three phone deals comparison

Vodafone has confirmed it is in discussions with CK Hutchison, parent company of Three, regarding a potential merger of their UK operations in a move that would create the country’s largest mobile operator in terms of subscriber numbers.

The two parties are believed to have been in talks since late last year but interest on both sides has accelerated in recent months, with both believing the presence of four major operators in the UK mobile market is unsustainable.

Vodafone believes the level of competition makes it difficult to invest in 5G and converged network infrastructure, while CK Hutchison has been looking for a way out of the market, believing Three lacks the scale necessary to become a major player in a cutthroat environment.

Vodafone Three 

Both Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read and Three UK & Ireland chief executive Robert Finnegan have been vocal on their desire for consolidation.

Although Vodafone has the larger UK business and CK Hutchison might prefer a clean exit, the former is more interested in a joint-venture than an outright takeover that would add to its debit pile.

Under the terms of the proposed deal, Vodafone would own 51% of the combined entity and CK Hutchison the remainder of the shares.

Unlike BT-EE and Virgin Media O2, the merged business would lack its own fixed infrastructure but would have 30 million customers and significant spectrum holdings– both of which would be significant assets moving forward.

“The UK Government rightly sees 5G as transformational for the economy and society and critical to the UK becoming more competitive in an increasingly digital world,” said Vodafone. 

“The conditions to ensure thriving competition in the market need to be nurtured, otherwise the UK is at risk of losing the opportunity to be a 5G leader. As Ofcom has identified, some operators in the UK - Vodafone UK and Three UK - lack the necessary scale to earn their cost of capital.

“By combining our businesses, Vodafone UK and Three UK will gain the necessary scale to be able to accelerate the rollout of full 5G in the UK and expand broadband connectivity to rural communities and small businesses.

“The merged business would challenge the two already consolidated players for all UK customers and bring benefits through competitively priced access to a third reliable, high quality, and secure 5G network throughout the UK.”

Regulatory hurdles?

It is probable that the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) will want to investigate the proposed transaction given it will significantly alter the market landscape, but regulators across Europe are now more sympathetic to consolidation than they were a few years ago.

Three was forced to abandon a planned £10.25 billion merger with O2 back in 2016 because of hostility from UK and European regulators who feared a reduction from four operators into three would impact competition.

Both parties moved on, with O2 merging with Virgin Media(opens in new tab) in June 2021, and Three looking for other areas to grow as a pure-play operator in the UK. Three’s parent company CK Hutchison also successfully challenged the EU’s decision to block the O2 deal in 2020, with the European Court of Justice annulling the deal.

Regardless, even the CMA is more permissive than it might have been in the past, it is likely it will attach significant conditions to any deal, particularly when it comes to spectrum. Three has also traditionally been a disruptive brand, which might also have an impact on any ruling.

• Here are the best Three mobile phone deals

Ofcom has urged broadband operators to abandon mid-contract price hikes as a record number of households struggle to afford their communications services.

The regulator’s annual affordability study found 29% of customers, around eight million households, are having problems paying their mobile, broadband and television bills – double the figure from last year.

Operators can increase the cost of monthly tariffs according to inflation each April but given the enhanced role of connectivity in society, Ofcom has questioned whether large price increases can be justified although it will not impose any restrictions.

Broadband affordability

“Of course, we recognise that inflation is a wider, macro-economic problem that affects some wholesale costs, as well as customers,” Ofcom consumer director Lindsey Fussell told the recent Connected Britain event.

“But while Ofcom does not regulate retail prices, we want companies to think very carefully about what is justified during an exceptional period of hardship for many people.”

It has however published revised guidance that has asked providers to proactively emphasise the support available to anyone struggling to pay their bills and do more to promote the availability of ‘social tariffs’ – specially discounted services available to anyone in receipt of universal credit.

Many low-income households are unaware of the existence of social tariffs and although takeup has more than doubled in the past six months, only 3% of eligible households have done so. In addition, Ofcom has called on providers that don’t offer a discounted package to do so and has said the mobile industry follows suit.

One thing that should help is the launch of a new eligibility checker for social tariffs created by the government. 

"Good broadband and mobile connections are essential for day-to-day life and telecoms firms must do more to support those struggling to afford their bills,” responded Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy.

"Which? is calling on telecoms firms to do a better job of advertising their social tariffs, including how they differ to commercial tariffs, and to ensure customers do not incur any additional charges when signing up to discounted rates.

"Telecoms firms should allow customers on any tariff to leave without exit fees if their costs change mid-contract, regardless of whether or not these increases can be said to be ‘transparent’."

Earlier this year, BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Three, Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone were among those to agree to ensure customers struggling to pay their bills are treated compassionately and are allowed to move to cheaper tariffs without penalty, or agree a feasible payment plan. This followed talks with the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS).

• Here are the best fibre deals 

Three Wholesale has received the Best MVNO Partner at the Mobile Industry Awards 2022, recognising its contribution to the wider mobile ecosystem.

Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) are an increasingly prominent part of the UK mobile sector, offering alternative or niche services to consumers and businesses. To deliver these services to customers, MVNOs require access to a radio network on a wholesale basis.

This category was designed to reward the very best the industry has to offer when it comes to champion and support the networks dependent on their services.

Our 2022 finalists were:

• BT Wholesale
• Lifecycle Software
• Three Wholesale

Our entrants were asked to submit entries based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrate strong customer relationships through client testimonials
• Provide evidence of clear financial growth and success
• Showcase how you have adapted to changing market conditions and client demands
• Offer a clear strategy for UK growth
• Provide examples and case studies to support your entry

Why Three Wholesale won

Three Wholesale was able demonstrate great client testimonials from its partner MVNOs and provided evidence of incredible adaptability to customer demands in an ever changing market.

This level of support and agility shows why the operator is a great partner for the MVNO segment, which is one of the most creative areas of our industry, driving innovation and competition for consumers.

Congratulations to Three Wholesale and to all of our 2022 finalists!

• You can find out all our Mobile Industry Awards 2022 winners here

Virgin Media O2 has urged the government to reduce VAT on social broadband and mobile tariffs from 20% to 5% to help consumers cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

The company said it was committed to helping its customers as much as possible, citing its creation of a national databank and plans to expand the eligibility criteria for its social tariffs which are usually available to those in receipt of universal credit.

However chief executive Lutz Schüler said there was more that could be done and echoed consumer watchdog Which?’s call for VAT to be reduced to the same amount levied on other utilities like gas and electricity. This could save households an average of £120 a year.

Broadband VAT

“By cutting VAT on social tariffs to 5%, as Which? has been calling for, Government could put more money back into the pockets of those struggling most in a targeted way,” he said. “We would pass on any social tariff VAT cut in full and urge the next PM to review this as a priority.”

Which?’s analysis of Ofcom data found that 5.7 million households, or a fifth of all homes in the UK, experienced at least one affordability issue during April 2022. Meanwhile the number of households that experience multiple affordability issues increased by 56% from February 2022.

However, it said the fact that many people were willing to cut back on other areas rather than lose their broadband or mobile connection highlights the fact that connectivity is now essential to everyday life and that taxation should reflect that.

Schüler added that Virgin Media O2 would introduce a new government tool that automatically assesses social broadband eligibility

“This was very welcome news and something we’ve long called for,” he said. “We’re committed to using this API as soon as possible, with work already underway to implement it, and we will also expand our eligibility criteria to include a wider range of benefits so even more people can access our social tariff.”

Several other major broadband providers offer social tariffs and many mobile operators have donated free data to the national databank or provided free SIM cards to those most in need.

• Here are the best broadband deals 

Three has appointed Iain Milligan as its new chief network officer as the company seeks to continue the recent progress it has made in the deployment of its 5G infrastructure.

Milligan joined the firm in 2005 wans was most recently director of service operations and assurance. He replaces Carlo Melis, who is taking up a position as Chief Technology Officer at Wind Tre, the Italian operator also owned by Three’s parent CK Hutchison.

Under Melis’ leadership, Three’s 5G network has expanded to cover 56% of the UK population – the most of any operator – while testing firm Ookla ranks the service as the country’s fastest.

Three chief network officer 

Milligan will be tasked with continuing this momentum, enhancing its 4G service, and overseeing the switch off of Three’s 3G infrastructure at the end of 2024. 

This will allow the company to reallocate spectrum and resources towards the rollout of its next-generation networks.

“It is an honour and a privilege to become Three’s Chief Network Officer after 17 years at the company during which connectivity has transformed the way we all live,” he said. “I am looking forward to continuing Carlo’s work and building a big network for customers and businesses up and down the country.”

“With seventeen years of experience at Three, Iain’s understanding of the company and its operations will drive the next stage of our network development as we continue the rollout of the UK’s fastest 5G network and build an even better 4G network,” added David Hennessy, Chief Technical Officer, Three UK and Three Ireland.

“I want to thank Carlo for his work in developing Three’s network and I wish him the best of luck in his new role with our sister company, Wind Tre.”

• Here are the best Three mobile phone deals

The UK’s national emergency alert system will go live in October, finally giving the government the ability to send a text message to any mobile phone in areas where there is a risk to life.

Emergency alert systems powered by cell broadcasting technology are common in many countries, including the USA, Netherlands, Canada, South Korea, Japan and New Zealand, and have helped save lives during natural disasters such as earthquakes.

However, the UK has never had such a system, despite trials in the early 2010s. This meant that during the early phase of the Coronavirus pandemic, the government had to enlist the support of the four major mobile operators to send text messages to their customers.

Mobile emergency alert system

Plans for an alert system were put into motion last year, with trials held in Reading and Suffolk, and the government believes 85% of the UK population will be able to receive a message if required.

Scenarios where messages would be issued include flooding, fires, extreme weather, public health emergencies and possibly terror attacks. Alerts can be sent across specific cells, meaning they are highly targeted for specific areas and incidents.

“To make sure that government continues to offer the best possible prevention and protection against threats, we are shaking up how we prepare for and respond to emergencies, strengthening the effective resilience capability we already have in place,” said cabinet office minister Kit Malthouse.

“We will launch a new public emergency alerts system in the Autumn which will focus on extreme weather, revolutionising our ability to ‘warn and inform’ people who are in significant and immediate danger. These alerts will be sent direct to people’s mobiles giving details of the emergency - such as local flooding - explaining what to do and how to seek help.

A publicity campaign will begin in September, with every compatible phone in England, Scotland and Wales receiving a welcome message the following month.

Messages will have a different appearance and a distinct sound to standard communications, and anyone will be able to opt-out of the system should they so wish.

• The best SIM only deals

Three’s solid growth continued during the first half of 2022, with the operator attracting more customers to its network and expanding its 5G network.

5G has now been switched on at more than 3,300 sites and coverage now stands at 56% of the UK population – one percentage point more than the 55% that rival EE claimed when it published its most recent financial results.

Meanwhile, Three’s 4G service is now accessible to 99% of the UK and the company has confirmed it intends to switch off 3G by the end of 2024 to focus on its more advanced infrastructure.

Three 5G

Three’s customers have traditionally used more data than their equivalent on other networks and this trend has continued. The average subscriber now consumes 21GB a month – an increase of 24% year-on-year, and its 4G network carries 28% of the UK’s mobile data traffic.

The number of active contract customers increased by 6% to 8.2 million – a figure that outperformed the rest of the market. When pay-as-you go customers are added into the mix, the base rose by 5% to 9.9 million.

This was boosted by an 8% increase in wholesale customers thanks to the efforts of its mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) partners, while Three’s renewed push for the business market saw its B2B base more than doubled. Three’s 5G home broadband base more than trebled during the first six months of the year too.

This expansion means that although revenues remained flat at £1.18 billion, underlying profitability rose by 4% to £261 million.

“Our performance in the first half of 2022 is clear evidence of how our strategy to invest in our network and technology is delivering meaningful growth across our business divisions,” declared Three chief executive Robert Finnegan.  

“As a result, we added almost half a million contract customers year-on-year, adding almost as many contract customers as our competitors combined in H1. In addition, we are seeing an increasing contribution from a broader range of divisions such as B2B, SMARTY and Wholesale. Pleasingly, this resulted in an improved margin and increase in EBITDA.

“Beyond network investment, we have also made significant progress in the development of our customer propositions. Specifically, we continued to evolve our B2B offering – with this customer base increasing over 130% in the period – and we believe there is a lot more to come from Three Business.”   

• Here are the best Three mobile phone deals

Consumer watchdog Which? has called on the government to reduce VAT on telecoms services after claiming nearly six million households are struggling to pay their bills due to the rising cost of living.

Its analysis of Ofcom data found that 5.7 million households, or a fifth of all homes in the UK, experienced at least one affordability issue during April 2022. Meanwhile the number of households that experience multiple affordability issues increased by 56% from February 2022.

An affordability issue might mean missing a payment, changing service, or having to cut back on other essentials.

Broadband affordability

As many as 3.5 million households reduced spending on items such as food and clothes in order to pay their bills and this trend impacted both those on middle and lower incomes – the most common impact of the current crisis.

Which? says the fact that many people were willing to cut back on other areas rather than lose their broadband or mobile connection highlights the fact that connectivity is now essential to everyday life and that taxation should reflect that.

It wants the next Prime Minister to reduce the amount of VAT spent on telecoms from 5% to 20%, in line with other utilities like gas and electricity, a move that could save households an average of £120 a year.

“The fact that millions of households have made sacrifices to prioritise their broadband and mobile connections during the cost of living crisis demonstrates just how essential these services are for day-to-day modern life,” said Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy.

“To help cut bill costs, the next Prime Minister should reduce the VAT paid on telecoms in line with other essential services. Businesses must support anyone struggling to afford their bills and ensure consumers are aware of and able to access the best deals.”

Which? has also echoed calls for broadband providers to make customers aware of their best value deals and any social tariffs they might be eligible for. Several providers now offer such tariffs, usually available to anyone in receipt of universal credit.

• Here are the best broadband deals 

The UK’s four major mobile operators are all making significant progress in the rollout of their respective 5G networks, according to testing by RootMetrics that suggests the gap in performance between EE and the rest is narrowing.

RootMetrics conducted nearly 650,000 tests across the UK during the first half of 2022, measuring metrics such as network speed, reliability and call and text performance to compile rankings it hopes provide networks and consumers with a snapshot of the current mobile market.

The results show EE and Three are “neck and neck” when it comes to delivering the best 5G experience in the UK.

UK 5G tests

Both posted availability scores of nearly 50%, compared to Vodafone and O2’s 35% and although EE offered more consistent speeds, Three edged ahead with median download speeds of 200Mbps compared to EE’s 150Mbps. All four networks recorded a 5G median download speed of at least 100Mbps in most major cities.

The results suggest that investments in 5G infrastructure could eventually loosen EE’s grip on the UK’s network crown as this mobile generation progresses. But, for now, EE’s traditional dominance remains unchallenged when all network technologies, including 4G and 3G, are taken into account.

The BT-owned operator came first in all seven categories tested, including speed and reliability, and was named the best network for the ninth year in a row.

There were some regional differences with Three performing well in Wales, while Virgin Media O2 offering excellent text results in all four UK nations.

“We are proud to be named the UK's best network for the ninth year running,” said Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s consumer division. “Reliability is of huge importance to our customers, and we pride ourselves on leading the industry. I'm delighted to see the huge investments we make recognised once again and we will continue to expand the UK's leading 4G and 5G networks across the nation.”

Internet speed tester Ookla acquired RootMetrics late last year, hoping to combine the firm’s scientific methodology with crowdsourced data to create more powerful analytic and testing capabilities, along with new methods of testing and live event monitoring.

• Here are the best Three mobile phone deals

Three has switched on 5G at 86 locations in the UK since the start of the year, with several major holiday locations included in the most recent expansion.

The operator has now doubled its number of 5G sites to 3,200 in the past year, with the latest expansion including coastal hotspots like Dartmouth, Milford on Sea, Aberystwyth, and Holywood.

Given the rise in domestic tourism since the pandemic, a trend likely to continue given the rising cost of living and air travel disruption, Three is eager to stress to customers that they can expect the same level of service when they are on holiday as they do at home.

Three 5G holiday hotspots

Three’s 5G network already reaches other popular destinations like Brighton, Blackpool, Edinburgh, Bangor.

To add strength to its position, Three has published new research outlining the benefit that connectivity has for the tourist industry. 

Its report says 24% of people will likely spend more where mobile coverage is excellent as they can look up reviews and make bookings online, while more than half of Brits would be less likely to choose accommodation with poor coverage.

In total, the study suggests good connectivity could add £3.4 billion in value to the UK tourist industry.

“We are committed to playing our part to ensure we continue to provide excellent coverage for all. That’s why we’re investing £2 million every day in the network to rollout the UK’s fastest 5G network which now covers more than 56% of the UK’s population,” said Elaine Carey, Three UK chief commercial officer.

“Whether it’s a coastal trip to the seaside, a quiet cottage getaway, or a city break, there is an expectation from holidaymakers that they will be able to stay in touch with friends and family, make use of online review and booking platforms, and post about their trip on social media.”

Three customers going on holiday abroad, however, will be less impressed that the company has withdrawn its offer of inclusive roaming within the EU and in other selected destinations as part of its ‘Go Roam’ proposition. This was despite the fact it said it had no intention of doing so.

• Here are the best Three mobile phone deals

The UK telecoms industry has agreed to a range of measures to ensure customers stay connected to mobile and broadband services as the cost of living rises following talks with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

BT, Openreach, Sky TalkTalk, Three, Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone are among those to have agreed to ensure customers struggling to pay their bills are treated compassionately and are allowed to move to cheaper tariffs without penalty, or agree a feasible payment plan.

All have said they will ensure customers are aware of social tariffs available to households on universal credit while mobile operators have also agreed to increase promotion of their low cost offers.

Broadband affordability

“The telecoms sector knows that people are facing real challenges with the cost-of-living crisis,” said Andrew Glover, chair of the Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA). “Our members are determined to do what they can to help their customers through this period and, together with government, we will work to raise greater awareness of the support available.

“These commitments, along with the social tariffs that are available from many members, will hopefully help people in need at this challenging time. We encourage customers who are struggling with their bills to reach out to their broadband provider to get help.”

At least six broadband providers – BT, Community Fibre, G.Network, Hyperoptic, KCOM and Virgin Media O2 – offer at least one discounted deal to anyone receiving universal credit. These tariffs cost between £10 and £20, and speeds range from 10Mbps to 67Mbps.

However as of April 2022, just 2% of those eligible for social tariffs have taken out a subscription.

At the time, regulator Ofcom suggested that 1.1 million households struggled to pay their broadband bills, a figure which may have risen over the past few months as the cost of food, fuel, and utilities increases due to wider geopolitical challenges such as the war in Ukraine and Brexit.

Prior to this latest intervention by the DCMS, several operators had already agreed to drive awareness of their social tariffs, which may have driven takeup over the past two months.

Vodafone plans to modernise the IT infrastructure underpinning its European network operations and applications through a new multi-year agreement with Oracle.

The UK-based operator sees the overhaul of its internal systems as a critical part of its transformation into a genuine technology company, driving efficiency and productivity gains that will reduce costs and improve the quality and variety of services it can offer consumer and businesses.

The plan is to migrate several systems to a dedicated Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) region in Vodafone’s main data centres, expanding the reach of Oracle’s cloud services into the operator’s own infrastructure.

Vodafone cloud

This dedicated cloud platform will allow Vodafone to modernise, manage, and automate mission critical systems, including OSS and BSS systems like CRM and order management. 

The capabilities and scale of the infrastructure will also accelerate development and deployment of cloud-based applications across multiple markets.

“As Vodafone focuses on growth, data is key to how we evolve our business, build new capabilities and innovate to meet the needs of our customers. Our collaboration with Oracle supports our vision of becoming a technology communications company,” said Scott Petty, Chief Digital & IT Officer, Vodafone.

“The agreement enables Oracle to bring its entire portfolio of cloud services directly into Vodafone data centres. This includes the same architecture, software, services and control plane used in OCI public cloud. 

"The flexibility offered by OCI enables us to build a robust, secure, and extensible cloud platform in our own data centres, while also providing the operational agility and scalability required to support the growth and diversification of our business.”

“Telecom companies are reimagining their business models to innovate and monetize new opportunities at speed and at scale,” added Clay Magouyrk, head of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. “Vodafone is at the forefront of this thinking, and we are excited to bring the power of OCI to Vodafone’s data centres to support the company and its partners as they fast-track this vision and deliver the next generation of connected services.”

Vodafone is already using Oracle’s cloud-native network policy management platform to accelerate the provision of 5G services to customers and more efficiently manage the network using real time data analytics.

Three has outlined its ambition to become a serious player in the business mobile market, launching a new proposition for medium sized organisations.

The operator has traditionally lagged behind its rivals in a segment that has traditionally been dominated by EE, Virgin Media O2, and Vodafone. However, it is now devoting significant resources to expand its share and appointing Mike Tomlinson as managing director of its B2B division.

The new 'Three Business Adapt' plan is the latest stage in this development strategy and targets organisations with between 25 and 250 employees. It offers unlimited calls, texts, and data, as well as the ability to activate new connections within a dedicated self-service portal that also provides control over usage and spending.

Three Business Adapt

All customers also receive a single point of contact for account queries and can add-on additional cybersecurity provisions.

The service is enabled by the first phase of a multi-million-pound investment made by Three's B2B division's digital infrastructure, using digitally-native technologies from the likes of Amdocs, DocuSign, Adobe, Tariffcom, and Astute.

"With Business Adapt we are determined to provide simplicity to the business market so that a single predictable monthly charge would cover the mobile connectivity requirements of the entire team," said Mike Tomlinson, Managing Director of Business, Three.

"We've enabled 5G at no extra cost to future-proof the proposition and to provide market-leading value for money.  We are proud of our role in supporting UK businesses and will continue to develop more compelling and relevant offerings over the months and years to come."

Three Business has also grown its partner network to include Sprint, Business Mobiles, Yappl (A1 Comms) and Get Connected to expand its reach, while it just reached a deal with Three Business.

This long-term agreement is Three's first with a major nationwide retailer and distributor for the business market and will see its connectivity services offered across all of Curry's B2B sales channels.

• Looking for a new contract? The best Three mobile phone deals is a good place to start

Three says it now has the best 5G coverage of any UK mobile operator, covering 54% of the UK population.

EE has long been the 5G frontrunner in the UK, with its service launching first in 2019, while Three was the last major operator to go live its next generation network. Earlier this month, EE said its 5G infrastructure covered 50% of the population as part of a rollout that will see 90% of the UK landmass covered by 2028.

Three says its 5G service is now available at more than 400 locations and 3,000 sites, with coverage expanding thanks to a £3 billion investment programme that is also upgrading its existing 4G infrastructure.

Three 5G

Accordingly, millions of customers can receive speeds that are 150% faster, with more set to benefit over the next two years.

Data consumption has risen by 15% over the past year, reaching almost 20GB per month, while usage on its 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) home broadband network has now reached 354GB a month.

“We are relentlessly focussed on delivering the UK’s biggest and fastest 5G network for the UK,” said David Hennessy, Chief Technology Officer, Three UK. “Millions of mobile, business and home broadband customers across more than half the UK’s population are able to access our superfast speeds enabling them to live their digital lives to the fullest.”

Three will switch off its eponymous 3G network by the end of 2024 in order to free up spectrum and engineering resources that can be reallocated to 4G and 5G.

Rival EE has been working to enhance its 5G network through the use of new spectrum that enhances speed and improves indoor coverage, carrier aggregation technologies, and the migration to a cloud-based core network that will enable 5G Standalone (5G SA) services by 2023. It is also working on converged services that combine 5G and fibre infrastructure.

The government wants 5G to be available to most of the UK population by the end of 2030.

• If you want to take advantage of its 5G service, then its time to look at the best Three mobile phone deals

Three says a new partnership with Currys will expand the reach of its B2B unit and strengthen its bid to shake up the business connectivity market.

The operator has traditionally lagged behind its rivals in the business segment of the UK market but is now devoting significant resources to expand its share.

Back in 2020 it hired Mike Tomlinson as managing director of Three Business, and last year grew its partner network to include Sprint, Business Mobiles, Yappl (A1 Comms) and Get Connected to expand its reach.

Vodafone vs Three 

This long-term agreement is Three’s first with a major nationwide retailer and distributor for the business market and will see its connectivity services offered across all of Currys’ B2B sales channels.

This includes Currys’ partner distribution network, direct sales teams, and in more than 300 stores including 50 dedicated business hubs. Businesses of all sizes will be able to buy Three Businesses’ services using one of these channels.

This includes Currys’ partner distribution network, direct sales teams, and in more than 300 stores including 50 dedicated business hubs. Businesses of all sizes will be able to buy Three Businesses’ services using one of these channels.

“We want to be the partner of choice for businesses and organisations of all sizes as they transition to a more modern, flexible operating model that is fit for purpose for the 2020s and beyond,” said Mike Tomlinson, Managing Director of Business, Three UK “We are looking forward to working with Currys over the coming years to serve the Business market together with great services and fantastic distribution.”

“With Three being at the forefront of the 5G revolution, it makes them the ideal network partner for us and allows us to continue with our ambitious plans for growing our business offering even further,” added Carlos Pestana, Currys B2B Director.

Earlier this year Three completed the first phase of a multi-million-pound investment in its B2B division’s digital infrastructure, using digitally-native technologies from the likes of Amdocs, DocuSign, Adobe, Tariffcom, and Astute.

Three says the platform will ensure it can be flexible and responsive enough to respond to changing demands, while ensuring a consistent and improved experience across its telesales, digital sales, partner, and retail channels.

• Looking for a new contract? The best Three mobile phone deals is a good place to start

Vodafone hs told investors that it is actively pursuing consolidation in four European markets, including the UK, after posting a 4% increase in revenues during what it considered to be a good financial year.

Group chief executive Nick Read said the company was “engaged” in discussions in Italy, Spain, and Portugal as well as the UK, where the company has been linked with a possible takeover or joint venture with Three in recent months.

Consolidation has been top of the agenda for Vodafone which seeks to mitigate the impact of intense competition in the market at a time when it needs to invest in 5G infrastructure.

Vodafone results

Compounding this need is pressure from shareholders over a drop in the firm’s share price, including from ‘constructive activist’ firm Cevian Capital. 

Although positive full year results failed to improve the situation substantially, a £4.4 billion investment from Abu Dhabi-based telco Etisalat has given Vodafone’s short-term strategy a vote of confidence.

Revenues over the past 12 months increased to €45.6 billion, but Vodafone warned that macroeconomic factors such as inflation, as well as concerns about the German business would be factors in the coming months.

“We delivered a good financial performance in the year with growth in revenues, profits and cash flows, in line with our medium-term financial ambitions,” said Read. Whilst we are not immune to the macroeconomic challenges in Europe and Africa, we are positioned well to manage them and we expect to deliver a resilient financial performance in the year ahead.

“Our near-term operational and portfolio priorities remain unchanged from those communicated 6 months ago. We are focused on improving the commercial performance in Germany, actively pursuing opportunities with Vantage Towers and strengthening our market positions in Europe. These actions, together with the simplification of our portfolio and the ongoing delivery of our organic growth strategy, will create further value for our shareholders.”

• If you want to benefit from Vodafone's rollout of 5G, then take a peek at the best Vodafone 5G mobile deals
  

Few in the UK will miss 3G era. It began with a spectrum auction at the turn of the millennium that had lasting ramifications for the mobile industry. Intense competition for airwaves that promised to ‘revolutionise’ telecommunications led to operators splashing out an astonishing £22 billion on licences.

But as difficult as it is to believe in 2022, the mobile phone was not entrenched in everyday life as it is today. 

An absence of ‘killer’ 3G applications and devices stifled consumer demand, while the huge cost of licences had saddled operators with huge amounts of debt that constrained their ability to invest in infrastructure.

Three 3G switch off

Meanwhile there was no guarantee that consumers and businesses would be willing to pay a premium for additional content or services. 

BT Cellnet, One2One, Orange, and Vodafone all delayed the launch of their networks and by the time smartphones arrived in their modern guise with the iPhone in 2007, it became apparent that 3G networks lacked the capacity and speeds required for emerging use cases.

Adding insult to injury was the fact that many of the opportunities that operators thought 3G would bring were seized by over-the-top (OTT) service providers that have also eroded traditional revenues like voice and text.

BT Cellnet was spun off as O2 and bought by Telefonica in 2005, One2One became T-Mobile and merged with Orange in 2009 to become Everything Everywhere (EE), which launched the first 4G service in 2012. Finally, with LTE, mobile operators could fulfil the promise of mobile broadband and put the challenges of a troubled era behind them.  

But there is one operator that has a lot more sentiment for 3G. In that infamous auction, there was a fifth player – Three. Unlike the others, Three was a new entrant that didn’t have a 2G network to fall back on. Indeed, in the early years it had a 2G roaming agreement to ensure it could offer nationwide coverage.

It was entering the 3G era with optimism and a hope that a network built for mobile data could disrupt a market that had already been around for two decades. It was the first to launch a commercial 3G service in the UK, going live on the 3rd March 2003 (3/3/2003), and was the first to meet its 80% population coverage in late 2004.

It did much to drive awareness of mobile broadband’s capabilities, such as the ability to watch goals from the Premier League, and even launched devices with Skype as a native application. Many of these use cases were made redundant by smartphone app stores and widespread support for Wi-Fi in later devices, but they offered a glimpse of the future.

Even as the industry transitioned to 4G, Three pushed the boundaries of what was possible with 3G, rolling out the latest technology to improve speeds and its customers consumed more data than those of any other network. It didn't need to be first with 4G, it argued, because its 3G network was so good. 

But by the end of 2024, Three’s 3G network will no longer be operational. The spectrum and engineering resources will be reallocated to 4G and 5G services that the majority of its customers now use.

Three wasn’t the first operator to announce its sunset plans, both EE and Vodafone had already committed to doing so, but it will be the most significant. As its name suggests, no other mobile operator is as tied to the 3G era as Three is. While others will have their 2G services an ultimate backup, Three is going headfirst into the 4G and 5G era.

The modern Three may not be as disruptive as it was in the early 2000s (the end of its inclusive roaming offer would indicate so), and recent reports suggest that a takeover or a joint-venture could be in its near future. 

But the company, and its 3G network, has a special place in the history of the UK mobile industry.

• If you want to take advantage of its 5G service, then its time to look at the best Three mobile phone deals

Further discussions regarding a possible merger of Vodafone and Three’s UK operations have reportedly taken place, increasing speculation that the nation's third and fourth largest mobile operators could join forces.

The two parties were said to have been in contact last year but did not lead to anything further. Now, the Financial Times says further talks have taken place, driven by pressure from Vodafone’s largest activist investor Cevian Capital and the persistent desire for consolidation in the industry.

The exact nature of any deal was not disclosed but it is suggested that a joint-venture rather than an outright purchase could fit in with Vodafone’s strategy of minimising its debt given Three’s parent company CK Hutchison’s demands for a takeover.

Vodafone Three 

Vodafone in particular believes there is too much competition in the UK market at a time when mobile operators must invest in 5G infrastructure and converged services, while also tackling the threat from over-the-top service providers to traditional revenues.

Meanwhile, as the UK’s smallest operator, Three has struggled to achieve the scale it feels is necessary to compete in such a cut-throat environment.

A merger or joint-venture between Vodafone and Three would create an entity with nearly 30 million customers to compete with BT-EE and Virgin Media O2 – both of which have gone through tie-ups of their own in recent years.

“Both Three and Vodafone are in a challenging position given the growing importance of convergence,” Paolo Pescatore, analyst with PP Foresight, told TechRadar Pro. “While Vodafone is addressing this through wholesale agreements in the fixed line market, it is unclear whether a merger with Three UK is the silver bullet.

“A deal certainly makes sense for Three given its mobile only-position, the importance of scale in the UK market, and there are few strategic moves left. However, Vodafone will need to move quickly to avoid losing further ground.”

Three was forced to abandon a planned £10.25 billion merger with O2 back in 2016 because of hostility from UK and European regulators who feared a reduction from four operators into three would impact competition.

Both parties moved on, with O2 merging with Virgin Media in June 2021, and Three looking for other areas to grow as a pure-play operator in the UK. Three’s parent company CK Hutchison also successfully challenged the EU’s decision to block the O2 deal in 2020, with the European Court of Justice annulling the deal.

However, the indications are that regulators are softening their stance, and operators are eager to get the ball rolling. Both Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read and Three UK & Ireland chief executive Robert Finnegan have been vocal on their desire for consolidation.

Vodafone has been approached for comment. CK Hutchison declined to comment on the report.

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Via Financial Times

Three has confirmed it will switch off its 3G network by the end of 2024, freeing up spectrum and network resources that can be used to enhance its 4G infrastructure and continue with the rollout of 5G.

The operator says 5G usage already exceeds traffic on its 3G network and that it expects the number of customers using 3G-only handsets to continue to decline as they upgrade to a newer handset that supports more modern technology.

As the switch-off date nears, Three will work with any customer that hasn’t upgraded to ensure they stay connected.

Three 3G switch off

“3G kick-started the mobile revolution – and launched Three into the UK 20 years ago - but the future is undoubtedly 5G,” said David Hennessy, chief technology officer at Three UK.

“As we continue to roll out our ultrafast connectivity, by not only upgrading our existing 4G sites but building new 5G sites, we’ll be in a position to switch off our use of 3G across our network by the end of 2024.”

The operator believes its contiguous spectrum holdings, particularly in the 3.4GHz band, present it with an opportunity to transform from the smallest player into the market to a potential leader during the 5G era.

It says the average data usage per customer has increased by a fifth in the past year to 19GB, driven by the popularity of bandwidth-intensive applications, and believes the greater availability of 5G is likely to increase this even further. 5G is expected to account for more than a third of all traffic by the end of 2022.

EE and Vodafone have already confirmed plans to switch off their 3G infrastructure by 2023, however 2G will remain operational. Its wide coverage and comparatively lower power requirements that make it an ideal standard for mass IoT deployments that require long battery life and minimal bandwidth, such as smart metres. Some elderly and rural users also require 2G which also offers a more universal roaming service.

However, all four mobile operators have agreed to switch off their 2G and 3G services by 2033 so spectrum can be used to support more advanced networking standards, including 6G.

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